Boutique Air
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Shawn Simpson |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California , United States |
Area served | United States, Mexico, Canada, Caribbean |
Key people | Shawn Simpson (Founder) |
| Products | Charter and scheduled passenger flights |
Boutique Air, Inc. is a commuter airline based in San Francisco, California, specializing in both charter and scheduled passenger flights supported by the Essential Air Service (EAS) initiative. In 2019, the airline carried more than 180,000 travelers. It maintains private charter operations from bases located in South Florida, Las Vegas, Boston, Dallas, and Portland, Oregon.
History
Established in 2007 by Shawn Simpson, a former Google employee, Boutique Air initially concentrated on aviation technology before expanding into charter and scheduled airline services. The company was granted commuter air carrier authority by the United States Department of Transportation in 2013. Its inaugural scheduled service operated between Hawthorne Municipal Airport near Los Angeles and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas during 2013–2014.
The airline grew by acquiring contracts through the Essential Air Service program, beginning flights connecting Clovis Municipal Airport in New Mexico with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in July 2014. Today, Boutique Air serves various destinations and provides charter flights across the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Corporate affairs
The corporate headquarters of Boutique Air are situated at Suite 925, 5 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA. Previously, the company’s offices were located at 340 Pine Street and subsequently in San Francisco’s Flatiron Building.
United Airlines
In May 2018, Boutique Air established a codeshare partnership with United Airlines. This agreement allowed passengers to book combined itineraries under one reservation with through ticketing and baggage handling. Members of MileagePlus earned miles on qualifying flights, while United Club members received lounge privileges even when flying with Boutique Air. Although United Airlines ended the codeshare arrangement in late 2024, a basic interline agreement remains active.
American Airlines
In December 2018, Boutique Air initiated an interline agreement with American Airlines that enabled simplified booking processes and baggage transfers similar to those offered through its partnership with United.
Boutique Car
Introduced in 2017, Boutique Car is a ground transportation rental service designed to support underserved regions as part of Boutique Air’s Essential Air Service strategy. Current service areas include:
- Massena, New York
- Pendleton, Oregon
Fleet
The Boutique Air fleet comprises 18 aircraft, predominantly Pilatus PC-12 models:
| Aircraft | Number in Fleet | Seating Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Pilatus PC-12-45 | 8 | 8 |
| Pilatus PC-12-47 | 10 | 8 |
| Total | 18 | 8 |
Accidents and incidents
On April 23, 2020, Boutique Flight 902—a non-revenue repositioning flight operated by a Pilatus PC-12 (N477SS)—suffered engine failure shortly before landing at Mesquite Metro Airport. The pilot incurred serious injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. The investigation determined that the cause was a mis-rigged cable leading to loss of thrust.