Seabury Capital
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Investment banking, Aviation consulting |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | John Luth |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Americas, Europe, Asia |
| Products | Financial advisory, Merchant banking, Consulting services |
Seabury Capital (referred to as Seabury) is a specialized American boutique investment and merchant banking firm concentrating on the aviation sector, with operational offices located in both Europe and Asia.
History
Seabury Capital was established in 1995 by John Luth, who previously served as CFO at Continental Airlines. Initially launched as an airline consulting firm, Luth utilized his expertise in restructuring and capital from Continental to build the enterprise. The company’s name honors Samuel Seabury, an ancestor of Luth’s spouse. From the outset, Seabury positioned itself as a trusted advisor to aviation enterprises, focusing on financial and operational consultancy.
Over time, Seabury transitioned into a boutique investment bank comprising roughly equal numbers of bankers and former airline industry professionals. Although its consulting services received varied feedback, its financial advisory work—especially regarding aircraft lease restructuring—earned considerable acclaim. Luth gained recognition for his straightforward yet thorough negotiation approach. To address potential conflicts arising from advising multiple airlines, Seabury broadened its reach into European and Asian markets.
In January 2015, the firm introduced a merchant banking arm dedicated to minority equity investments within aviation, aerospace, defense, and transportation sectors, prioritizing sustainable growth strategies.
April 2016 marked the launch of Seabury Global Markets, a fintech platform specializing in distribution services.
The aviation consulting division of Seabury was acquired by Accenture in February 2017.
Most recently, in October 2023, Seabury combined forces with Plane View Partners, an aviation financial advisory company.
Deals
- In 1997, provided advisory services to Frontier Airlines during challenges related to a proposed merger with Western Pacific Airlines.
- Assisted Avianca Group in 2021 with securing $1.8 billion in exit financing following bankruptcy proceedings.
- Guided Malaysia Airlines in 2022 through the acquisition process of 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft.
- Supported Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes in 2023 with initiatives aimed at restructuring its debt obligations.