Superior Air Charter
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Private aviation |
| Predecessor | Magnum Jet |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Alex Wilcox |
| Headquarters | Dallas , United States |
Area served | United States, Mexico, Canada |
Key people | Alex Wilcox (CEO), Stephanie Chung (President) |
| Products | Private jet charter services |
| Parent | Superior Air Charter LLC |
Superior Air Charter—previously known as JetSuite—is a private jet charter service headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Established in 2006 by entrepreneur Alex Wilcox, who continues to lead as CEO, the company adopted its current name in 2008 after investor-driven rebranding from Magnum Jet. Operating primarily from Dallas, Superior Air Charter manages a fleet of three Phenom 100 aircraft, catering exclusively to the private aviation sector.
The company faced major operational interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, suspending flights and furloughing most of its crew by April 2020. Soon after, its parent organization filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Despite these setbacks, Superior Air Charter has successfully conducted over 111,000 flights since 2009. It emerged from bankruptcy protection in September 2020, retiring the JetSuite brand and relaunching services under the Superior Air Charter name in November 2020.
Focusing on customized private jet solutions for a selective clientele, Superior Air Charter leverages its strategic location and a streamlined fleet to strengthen its market position and competitive edge within the private aviation industry.
History
JetSuite originated from the transformation of Magnum Jet following a financial restructuring initiated by its investors. The company pivoted away from offering shared "air taxi" services to concentrating solely on private charter flights.
Alex Wilcox, a founding executive of JetBlue with more than two decades of experience in the airline sector and honored as a Henry Crown Fellow by the Aspen Institute, serves as CEO. In 2011, Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, invested $7 million to support JetSuite’s expansion alongside other private investors.
To optimize operations, the company standardized its fleet on four-passenger Embraer Phenom 100 jets. This approach simplified maintenance and pilot training while benefiting from superior fuel efficiency—consuming approximately 90 gallons per hour compared to over 230 gallons used by some other private jets. In 2013, the fleet was upgraded with Aircell WiFi to enhance passenger connectivity.
In 2018, Qatar Airways acquired a minority stake in JetSuite, contributing to its growth strategy. That same year, Stephanie Chung was named president, becoming the first African American woman to lead a major private aviation company.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic drastically affected JetSuite’s financial stability, resulting in a full grounding of its fleet in April 2020. Shortly thereafter, its parent company Superior Air Charter LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid a 90% decline in business due to stay-at-home mandates. Operations resumed under the Superior Air Charter brand in November 2020.
Services
JetSuite operated charter flights utilizing Embraer Phenom 100s, Phenom 300s, and a Legacy 650 aircraft equipped with WiFi connectivity, providing private flight services throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Unlike many competitors, JetSuite did not require membership or ownership fees and offered guaranteed pricing available online. Additionally, it featured the "SuiteKey" membership program, enabling clients to deposit between $100,000 and $500,000 for fixed hourly rate flights usable within two years.
The company consistently held the ARG/US Platinum safety rating—the highest accreditation in private aviation—since 2010, underscoring its dedication to flight safety standards. In 2011 alone, JetSuite completed more than 10,000 flights. In 2016, it launched JetSuiteX (later renamed JSX), broadening its range of charter service options.
Fleet
As of March 2021, the fleet operated by Superior Air Charter included the following:
| Aircraft | Active Units | Pending Orders | Seating Capacity | Remarks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer Phenom 100 | 3 | — | 4 | Managed and flown by Superior Air Charter | ||
| Total | 3 | — | ||||
Awards
- INC Hire Power Award
- FAA Diamond Award of Excellence for Aviation Maintenance Technician (2012–2014)
- ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating (2012–2013)
- IS-BAO certification for International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (2014)