$500,000 PRIVATE JET FLIGHT BOOKED... VIA iPHONE APP

PrivateFly.com announces biggest ever sale via its app
Saudi family office books multi-leg business trip
Technology-driven approach in traditional luxury sector paying off

While music, gifts and even holidays might be commonplace transactions from a smartphone these days, you might think a private jet flight worth half a million dollars would put even the most confident (and deep-pocketed) technophile out of their mobile comfort zone.

But not according to private jet booking service, PrivateFly.com, which has just announced its biggest ever sale via its iPhone app. The booking, made by a family office in Saudi Arabia, was for a multi-leg business trip to Europe.

The client hired a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) for the trip, a converted 737 airliner capable of nonstop flights up to 6192 nautical miles. The 5,390 cubic feet cabin includes an office, board room, lounge, VIP bedroom, and two bathrooms.

PrivateFly, which was the first of its kind to launch a private jet pricing app (early 2010), provides price comparison and booking services for global private jet hire.

"The company is now seeing its investment in its apps and other new technologies paying off. Adam Twidell, PrivateFly’s CEO and co-founder, comments:

“A few years ago many industry experts said that private jet customers wouldn’t book online, never mind through a phone app - but we are delighted to be proving them wrong.

We now see six per cent of our sales originating from our app and this is growing fast. It is particularly utilised with the new breed of jet customer, including technology entrepreneurs. We have seen over 100,000 downloads globally since we launched our first generation iPhone app

“The $500,000 BBJ flight was a particularly significant milestone because it proves that confidence in app technology has soared to the extent that such a significant, luxury purchase is being made this way.

“We have also booked a number of flights from enquiries directly generated by our social media channels, including a flight worth over £440,000 last month from a Twitter follower. Expertise and personalised VIP service will continue to be paramount in this industry, but that’s not to say it can’t be delivered by a combination of an expert team and bespoke technology.

“The traditional private jet market is changing and we believe client confidence will continue to grow in using new technologies. That’s why we’re investing in further app developments, which will be launched later this year”.

Notes to editors:
Images of the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) are available on request.
More information about the PrivateFly iPhone app.