I flew on a $25 million Gulfstream G280 that private aviation company Volato will charter for $6,550 starting in 2024 — see inside

Taylor RainsSep 18, 2022, 19:04 IST

Taylor Rains/Insider

Private charter company Volato has ordered four Gulfstream G280 business aircraft that cost $25 million each.
The plane, which will charter for $6,550 per hour, will complement the operator's fleet of four-seater HondaJets.

Private charter company Volato is betting big on Gulfstream.

The Gulfstream G280.Abby Wallace/Insider.

On Thursday, the Atlanta-based company announced a firm order for four Gulfstream G280 aircraft. The fractional price for the super mid-sized plane was $25 million.

Outside the Gulfstream G280.Abby Wallace/Insider.

Volato is a young company, having just launched revenue operations in August 2021 with four HondaJets, which can seat up to five people.

Flying on Volato's $5 million HondaJet.Taylor Rains/Insider

But, the company is quickly expanding its national presence to become a popular choice for deep-pocket travelers. Since 2021, the company has added seven more HondaJets and an operational base in California.

Flying on Volato's $5 million HondaJet.Taylor Rains/Insider

But, the company is quickly expanding its national presence to become a popular choice for deep-pocket travelers. Since 2021, the company has added seven more HondaJets and an operational base in California.

"We currently have more demand than inventory to support," Volato CEO Matt Liotta told Insider.

A Volato HondaJet Elite.Thomas Pallini/Insider

As it grows, Liotta said the company needed options for customers that could provide more capacity or range.

A Volato HondaJet Elite engine.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Currently, larger parties will convoy with two HondaJets carrying up to ten passengers in total. But, the G280 will fill that gap.

G280.Taylor Rains/Insider

"We weren't very happy with the offerings available for six or eight passengers, so we decided to push ourselves to go even bigger and found that 10 was the right size aircraft for us," Liotta told Insider.

Inside a Gulfstream G280 on display in Switzerland.Abby Wallace/Insider.

"We weren't very happy with the offerings available for six or eight passengers, so we decided to push ourselves to go even bigger and found that 10 was the right size aircraft for us," Liotta told Insider.

According to Liotta, one reason Volato chose the G280 is because it can seat ten people without couches, or divans as they are referred to in the industry.

A divan onboard a VistaJet Bombardier Global 7500 jet.Thomas Pallini/Insider

"As a passenger, I don't like the divans," he explained. "I think everybody wants real seats. I also find that when you're fitted sideways, your feet are in the aisle and it's just awkward as people walk by."

Gulfstream jets can be equipped with divans, like this G650ER.Taylor Rains/Insider

"As a passenger, I don't like the divans," he explained. "I think everybody wants real seats. I also find that when you're fitted sideways, your feet are in the aisle and it's just awkward as people walk by."

With the G280, Volato will still lack a middle option that could carry up to six or eight people. But, Liotta told Insider that Honda's planned plane, the HondaJet 2600, "would be a great fit" if it existed today.

HondaJet 2600Honda Aircraft Company

With the G280, Volato will still lack a middle option that could carry up to six or eight people. But, Liotta told Insider that Honda's planned plane, the HondaJet 2600, "would be a great fit" if it existed today.

"We can't be all things to everybody," he said. "We want to pick the things we're going to do really exceptionally well and focus on that."

A Volato HondaJet Elite.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Volato's business model allows travelers to own a fraction of its planes or charter on-demand. Customers can buy a share of a plane from 1/8th ownership in the G280, or 1/16 in the HondaJet. They can also own up to 100%.

Flying on Volato's $5 million HondaJet.Taylor Rains/Insider

Volato's business model allows travelers to own a fraction of its planes or charter on-demand. Customers can buy a share of a plane from 1/8th ownership in the G280, or 1/16 in the HondaJet. They can also own up to 100%.

Those with fractional ownership of the HondaJet will pay $3,200 per hour, plus fuel, instead of the regular $4,000 on-demand rate. This provides tax benefits and revenue benefits when rented out to non-owners.

Flying on Volato's $5 million HondaJet.Taylor Rains/Insider

Those with fractional ownership of the HondaJet will pay $3,200 per hour, plus fuel, instead of the regular $4,000 on-demand rate. This provides tax benefits and revenue benefits when rented out to non-owners.

There is also no annual hourly commitment, which differs from companies like NetJets.

A NetJets' Embraer Phenom 300E.Embraer Executive Jets

The same model will be applied to the G280. Currently, there is no pricing for on-demand customers, according to Volato, but fractional owners can charter the jet for $6,550, plus fuel.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The same model will be applied to the G280. Currently, there is no pricing for on-demand customers, according to Volato, but fractional owners can charter the jet for $6,550, plus fuel.

Moreover, G280 owners will get guaranteed flights on the HondaJet and pay a lesser hourly rate, Liotta told Insider.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I took a demo flight on the G280 to see what it would be like to fly as a Volato customer — here's what is was like.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Powered by two Honeywell HTF7250G turbofan engines, the G280 is a mid-ranged aircraft that can fly up to 6,667 kilometers, or 4,143 miles, with an endurance of eight hours.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Powered by two Honeywell HTF7250G turbofan engines, the G280 is a mid-ranged aircraft that can fly up to 6,667 kilometers, or 4,143 miles, with an endurance of eight hours.

This means it can fly nonstop between any city pair in the US, and Volato will staff a flight attendant onboard every charter flight.

Flight attendant jumpseat.Taylor Rains/Insider

The HondaJet, by comparison, can fly up to three hours and would need to make a fuel stop on longer routes, according to Liotta.

Flying on Volato's $5 million HondaJet.Taylor Rains/Insider

The demo plane had 10 large leather loungers in two living spaces, including a meeting or conference area…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and a dining area.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The seats can swivel, or be converted into a bed. In total, the plane can sleep up to five people, with three single beds and one double bed available.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Trying out the seats, I found them extremely spacious and liked that I could stretch my legs without touching the person in front of me's foot. Moreover, the cabin height is 6'1", so most passengers should be able to stand fully upright.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Trying out the seats, I found them extremely spacious and liked that I could stretch my legs without touching the person in front of me's foot. Moreover, the cabin height is 6'1", so most passengers should be able to stand fully upright.

Between each set of seats is a retractable table, which is perfect for working or eating.

Taylor Rains/Insider

In the middle of the set of four chairs is a dining table for meals. The plane comes stocked with chinaware and drinks to prepare breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Onboard, Volato will have snacks and drinks available, but customers will cater their food to be prepared en route.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The meals are prepped in the galley, which is located in the front of the plane.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Here, there is a sink…

According to Gulfstream, the G280 is the only aircraft in its class to offer a sink in the galley.Taylor Rains/Insider

…a convection oven…

Tay

…a coffee maker…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…glasses…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a refrigerator…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and plenty of storage.

Taylor Rains/Insider

In the back of the plane is a cargo area…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and a spacious lavatory. The room had a toilet with a window above…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a sink and counter space…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a touchscreen pad to control the lights or call the flight attendant…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and a cabinet full of toiletries.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The lavatory and galley are separated from the main cabin by sliding doors.

Taylor Rains/Insider

While the engines and design of the jet made takeoff extremely quiet, the cabin was even quieter with the doors closed. It was a peaceful ride and I had no issue conversing with others.

Taylor Rains/Insider

While the engines and design of the jet made takeoff extremely quiet, the cabin was even quieter with the doors closed. It was a peaceful ride and I had no issue conversing with others.

Other features of the jet were adjustable window shades…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…several power ports and outlets throughout the cabin and at every seat…

Taylor Rains/Insider

...TVs that display a view of outside the aircraft...

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and a cabin control app available on smartphones. This allows travelers to adjust the lighting and temperature, among other things, using their phone.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The company also has iPhones equipped with the app stored at every seat that passengers can use instead.

Gulfstream

In the cockpit is PlaneView280 technology, which "is designed to augment situational awareness, reduce workload and boost pilot efficiency," according to Gulfstream.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Volato's G280s will always have two pilots onboard. According to Liotta, his HondaJet pilots are the highest paid in the world.

A Volato HondaJet Elite.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Overall, I was impressed with Gulfstream's G280 product, and think it will offer a comfortable ride for Volato customers.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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I flew on a $25 million Gulfstream G280 that private aviation company Volato will charter for $6,550 starting in 2024 &mdash; see inside

Private charter company Volato is betting big on Gulfstream.

On Thursday, the Atlanta-based company announced a firm order for four Gulfstream G280 aircraft. The fractional price for the super mid-sized plane was $25 million.

Volato is a young company, having just launched revenue operations in August 2021 with four HondaJets, which can seat up to five people.

But, the company is quickly expanding its national presence to become a popular choice for deep-pocket travelers. Since 2021, the company has added seven more HondaJets and an operational base in California.

"We currently have more demand than inventory to support," Volato CEO Matt Liotta told Insider.

As it grows, Liotta said the company needed options for customers that could provide more capacity or range.

Currently, larger parties will convoy with two HondaJets carrying up to ten passengers in total. But, the G280 will fill that gap.

"We weren't very happy with the offerings available for six or eight passengers, so we decided to push ourselves to go even bigger and found that 10 was the right size aircraft for us," Liotta told Insider.

According to Liotta, one reason Volato chose the G280 is because it can seat ten people without couches, or divans as they are referred to in the industry.

"As a passenger, I don't like the divans," he explained. "I think everybody wants real seats. I also find that when you're fitted sideways, your feet are in the aisle and it's just awkward as people walk by."

With the G280, Volato will still lack a middle option that could carry up to six or eight people. But, Liotta told Insider that Honda's planned plane, the HondaJet 2600, "would be a great fit" if it existed today.

"We can't be all things to everybody," he said. "We want to pick the things we're going to do really exceptionally well and focus on that."

Volato's business model allows travelers to own a fraction of its planes or charter on-demand. Customers can buy a share of a plane from 1/8th ownership in the G280, or 1/16 in the HondaJet. They can also own up to 100%.

Those with fractional ownership of the HondaJet will pay $3,200 per hour, plus fuel, instead of the regular $4,000 on-demand rate. This provides tax benefits and revenue benefits when rented out to non-owners.

There is also no annual hourly commitment, which differs from companies like NetJets.

The same model will be applied to the G280. Currently, there is no pricing for on-demand customers, according to Volato, but fractional owners can charter the jet for $6,550, plus fuel.

Moreover, G280 owners will get guaranteed flights on the HondaJet and pay a lesser hourly rate, Liotta told Insider.

I took a demo flight on the G280 to see what it would be like to fly as a Volato customer — here's what is was like.

Powered by two Honeywell HTF7250G turbofan engines, the G280 is a mid-ranged aircraft that can fly up to 6,667 kilometers, or 4,143 miles, with an endurance of eight hours.

This means it can fly nonstop between any city pair in the US, and Volato will staff a flight attendant onboard every charter flight.

The HondaJet, by comparison, can fly up to three hours and would need to make a fuel stop on longer routes, according to Liotta.

The demo plane had 10 large leather loungers in two living spaces, including a meeting or conference area…

…and a dining area.

The seats can swivel, or be converted into a bed. In total, the plane can sleep up to five people, with three single beds and one double bed available.

Trying out the seats, I found them extremely spacious and liked that I could stretch my legs without touching the person in front of me's foot. Moreover, the cabin height is 6'1", so most passengers should be able to stand fully upright.

Between each set of seats is a retractable table, which is perfect for working or eating.

In the middle of the set of four chairs is a dining table for meals. The plane comes stocked with chinaware and drinks to prepare breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Onboard, Volato will have snacks and drinks available, but customers will cater their food to be prepared en route.

The meals are prepped in the galley, which is located in the front of the plane.

Here, there is a sink…

…a convection oven…

…a coffee maker…

…glasses…

…a refrigerator…

…and plenty of storage.

In the back of the plane is a cargo area…

…and a spacious lavatory. The room had a toilet with a window above…

…a sink and counter space…

…a touchscreen pad to control the lights or call the flight attendant…

…and a cabinet full of toiletries.

The lavatory and galley are separated from the main cabin by sliding doors.

While the engines and design of the jet made takeoff extremely quiet, the cabin was even quieter with the doors closed. It was a peaceful ride and I had no issue conversing with others.

Other features of the jet were adjustable window shades…

…several power ports and outlets throughout the cabin and at every seat…

...TVs that display a view of outside the aircraft...

…and a cabin control app available on smartphones. This allows travelers to adjust the lighting and temperature, among other things, using their phone.

The company also has iPhones equipped with the app stored at every seat that passengers can use instead.

In the cockpit is PlaneView280 technology, which "is designed to augment situational awareness, reduce workload and boost pilot efficiency," according to Gulfstream.

Volato's G280s will always have two pilots onboard. According to Liotta, his HondaJet pilots are the highest paid in the world.

Overall, I was impressed with Gulfstream's G280 product, and think it will offer a comfortable ride for Volato customers.

I flew on a $25 million Gulfstream G280 that private aviation company Volato will charter for $6,550 starting in 2024 — see inside