Private jet pioneers, superyacht leaders converge
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In Monaco, VistaJet and Bombardier held a roundtable discussion about the future of high-end travel with Benetti and Fraser representatives.
The roundtable was held at the Aviator Lounge by Bombardier in the Monaco Yacht Club
Marking the 20th anniversary of the collaboration between VistaJet and Bombardier, the global business aviation company and private jet manufacturer co-hosted an exclusive roundtable discussion at the new Aviator Lounge by Bombardier during this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.
The discussion in the Monaco Yacht Club united the two private aviation leaders with peers from superyacht builder Benetti and brokerage house Fraser to share insights into the future of luxury private aviation and its links with the yachting industry. The event delved into the future of high-end travel, highlighting advancements in technology, sustainability and new-generation consumer trends.
Matteo Atti and Simon Rochefort, VistaJet’s Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Sales – Europe respectively, discussed how the company has shaped the private jet industry and what drives ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
Matteo Atti of VistaJet and Bombardier’s Ettore Rodaro and Mathieu Noël
They shared the importance of understanding their clients’ evolving preferences and needs, and the value of staying agile and open to new technologies, while also revealing how VistaJet – the first and only global business aviation company – goes above and beyond to personalise every flight mission for its clientele.
Atti said: “We use technology with discretion, as you only need to change as fast as people need. It supports our teams – who in turn, become the most trusted partners for our clients – to make them more efficient and dedicated.”
VistaJet operates from 2,700 airports worldwide, providing multiple services to meet clients’ needs from all around the world. Atti shared that VistaJet “offers a unique business model and product, guaranteeing an aircraft available for its members anytime and anywhere, with the highest level of service and a consistent experience on every flight”.
Simon Rochefort and Matteo Atti of VistaJet, and Ettore Rodaro of Bombardier
Rochefort expanded on how this hasn’t been done in private aviation before, as it requires an immensely complex level of coordination across multiple roles – from private dining and client services to flight scheduling and beyond – to be able to serve flights in 96 per cent of the world, in as little as 24 hours’ notice, 365 days a year.
VistaJet’s service is renowned and unparalleled in the industry, offering fully enabled business suites to relaxing family spaces served by cabin hosts trained by the British Butler Institute, MedAire, Norland College, and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).
Although VistaJet arranges 10s of thousands of flights each year, every flight is unique. To keep up with demands, VistaJet has developed booking and food delivery apps, offering personalised services tailored to its clients’ preferences. With a dedicated tech team of hundreds of experts, VistaJet has a strong focus on technological innovation.
Simon Rochefort, VistaJet’s Vice President of Sales – Europe
Atti disclosed that one standout feature of the Bombardier Global 7500 – of which VistaJet has 18 in its fleet – is the Soleil lighting system, a daylight simulation system that their clients highly appreciate for its capacity to help reduce the effects of jetlag.
BOMBARDIER FLYING FURTHER
In addition to technological advancements, Bombardier representatives Mathieu Noël, Director of Product Strategy and Sustainability, and Ettore Rodaro, Regional Vice President of Sales, Europe, delved into the company’s work towards sustainable aviation.
They highlighted the Global 7500 and Global 8000 aircraft as examples of industry-leading innovation, with Ettore stating: “Sustainability, when combined with technology, is rooted in engineering.”
Bombardier’s entire portfolio of in-production aircraft is covered by Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), publicly disclosing the environmental impact of each aircraft model with the objective of gathering essential information to reduce their environmental footprint at all stages of the value chain.
Bombardier’s Mathieu Noël, Fraser’s Anders Kurtén, host Kevin Koenig and Benetti’s Sebastiano Vida
The Global 8000 can allow clients to fly up to 17 hours uninterrupted. With its ability to fly nonstop routes, the Global 8000 reduces the need for fuel stops, which lowers overall fuel consumption and emissions during long-haul flights.
“We recently had a client who flew from the famous Ambani wedding in India to Paris in 16 hours straight and another who flew from Saint Martin in the Caribbean to the Galapagos in 15 hours,” Ettore revealed.
The panellists also discussed the importance of leveraging innovation to address the needs of private aviation and yachts customers.
Noël said: “Customer feedback, and responding to their spoken or unspoken needs, is an essential driver of innovation.
“Our customers are world-leading businesses like VistaJet and some of the most discerning individuals who don’t have the time for compromises. We’ve always worked hard to remove any need for compromise, from being able to land on even the shortest runways or taking off in any weather, to minimising the effects of turbulence through wing design, and enhancing the cabin experience.”
YACHTING LEADERS WEIGH IN
The roundtable also featured special guests from the yachting world: Fraser CEO Anders Kurtén and Benetti’s Marketing Director Camilla Calza and Head of Product Sebastiano Vida, who explored the growing link between private aviation and yachting.
Fraser CEO Anders Kurtén with host Kevin Koenig
Discussing how both industries serve a shared, demanding clientele, Kurtén noted: “When you talk about market trends, it’s healthy to understand that these ecosystems (yachts and aviation) are extremely scarce.”
According to Kurtén, the younger audience wants more diversity regarding yachts, as they are focused on social spaces and what they can do onboard. “Younger clients want to continue their lifestyle on board seamlessly,” he disclosed.
Features such as tenders, water toys, wellness areas, fine dining and remote trips are in high demand, reflected Kurtén, who revealed that trips to Greenland on explorer yachts have tripled this past year.
Kurtén also provided an example of how the yachting industry is adapting to evolving demands through yacht design and recruitment crew, who are increasingly expected to offer diverse skills that align with the modern, lifestyle-focused experiences younger clients seek on board.
“We recently posted a job listing for a new crew position with the following description: ‘Trilingual, teaches yoga, can make a mean martini, and plays a musical instrument’.”
Camilla Calza, Benetti’s Marketing Director
Calza and Vida shared this sentiment, mentioning that at Benetti the first step in designing yachts is to understand and often anticipate what the client wants, as every aspect of the process is based on the client relationship.
Calza referenced the need for a shipyard to keep in close contact and communication with clients, as the building process can take up to three years, noting: “It’s one of the largest investments someone will ever make without actually being able to touch the end product at point of purchase.”
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