The Executive
Speed + reliability above all
Values time and efficiency. Needs fast, reliable, seamless booking; privacy, comfort and safety are non-negotiable.
Private Aviation Marketplace · iOS
TakeOff
Private Aviation Price Exchange
An iOS marketplace that lets travelers compare, book and pay for private jet flights across multiple operators in one place.
- Role
- Lead Product Designer & Researcher
- Client
- Private Equity (NDA)
- Platform
- iOS Mobile App
- Status
- In Development
Market research
A $16.8B industry ripe for disruption
$16.8B
Global market value (2020)
$36.4B
Projected by 2026
10+
Major operators benchmarked
$25K+
Avg. midsize jet flight cost
Opportunity
Booking private shouldn't take ten phone calls
Private aviation is often perceived as a luxury, but it has become a necessity for many high-end business and leisure travelers. Booking is complicated and time-consuming, especially comparing prices and services across operators. Travelers need a user-friendly platform to compare flights, choose the best option and book hassle-free.
“There is a market opportunity for a multi-operator booking exchange — smart booking that reduces costs and opens private aviation to a new class of traveler.”
Pain points
What frustrated travelers
Schedule availability
Limited availability makes it hard to find flights for specific dates or locations.
High cost vs. commercial
Private jets cost significantly more, making the trip hard to justify.
Lack of transparency
Hidden fees are often disclosed only after booking.
Complex booking process
Multiple calls and emails with different operators.
Limited payment options
Few payment methods and high transaction fees.
Limited flexibility
Restrictive policies limit changes and adjustments.
How might we
Reframing as opportunity
- 01HMW develop a tiered pricing structure for cost-effective private jet options?
- 02HMW implement a transparent price comparison tool?
- 03HMW facilitate group bookings that split the cost of a private flight?
- 04HMW create a community where users can connect to share a flight?
- 05HMW partner with financial institutions to offer financing options?
- 06HMW optimize operations to reduce costs, passing savings on to customers?
User personas
Who flies private?
Five archetype personas shaped the design decisions.
The Jetsetter
Exclusivity & curated luxury
Seeks unique experiences and a wide range of jets, plus gourmet catering, concierge and ground transportation.
The Team Manager
Group logistics made seamless
Coordinates travel for a sports team. Needs customized itineraries, group discounts and cargo handling.
The Diplomat
Security clearance & discretion
Travels on official business. Expects confidentiality, diplomatic protocol and high-level security.
The A-Lister
Privacy & anonymity
A public figure requiring discreet services with NDAs, private terminals and customized itineraries.
User stories
Needs that drove design
- As a business traveler, I want to quickly compare prices across the top 10 private aviation operators, so I can find the most affordable option for my trip.
- As a frequent private jet traveler, I want to sort available flights by least expensive, so I can quickly identify the best deals.
- As a busy professional, I want to pay directly within the app, so I can book quickly without visiting different websites.
- As a traveler with specific requirements, I want to filter flights by departure, arrival, date and passenger count, so I can find the best flight for my needs.
- As a traveler who values customer service, I want to call operators directly from the app, so I can get help with booking, changes or cancellations.
- As a traveler who values transparency, I want to see detailed pricing including all taxes and fees, so I can make an informed decision.
iOS app requirements
Features of the exchange
Search
Departure, arrival, dates and passenger count
Real-time availability
Live jet availability for instant booking
Price comparison
Prices and services across multiple operators
Booking management
Changes, cancellations and refunds in-app
Secure payments
Safe, encrypted payment processing
User profiles
Saved personal and payment info
Real-time notifications
Flight status, changes and updates
Personalization
Preferred aircraft, seating and amenities
Customer support
In-app help and click-to-call operators
Ideation
User flow mapping
Four primary flows: Onboarding · Fund Account · Search Flights · View Flights
Onboarding
First impressions
Four onboarding screens guide users through setup
View jet options
Browse the fleet
Members access curated jet listings from top operators
Search and book
Find your flight
Search destinations, pick dates, compare operators and book — all in-app
Results
What we delivered and learned
The product design team delivered discovery, problem definition, HMWs, research, testing, multiple design iterations and high-fidelity interactive mockups to support the MVP. The project sits with the client and is still under development.
- There is a genuine market opportunity for a multi-operator booking exchange.
- Smart booking can reduce costs through route optimization.
- "Last leg" flights are strong candidates for reduced pricing.
- Financing options could open a new market for non-leisure flights such as medical emergencies.