In private aviation, many start-ups aim to disrupt the industry, bringing innovation and convenience to charter flights. Some dream of democratizing private jets, envisioning a future where booking a jet is as easy as reserving an Airbnb. However, Thane Namy's venture into the private jet charter brokerage business, BC Flight, is driven by a deeply personal motivation—a father's love for his family.
The Catalyst
In 2012, while Thane Namy was busy building his telecommunications company in the Detroit area, he received life-changing news—his young son was diagnosed with autism. According to Autism Speaks, autism affects one in 36 children in the United States, with a higher prevalence in boys at one in 25.
flyingbritishcolumbia/ Instagram | BC Flight joins the jet card market with a novel approach – fly now, pay later.
"My wife likes to travel," Namy shares, "but we were nervous about flying on airlines due to stories of families being asked to leave flights." This concern led the family to explore chartering flights, which offered more flexibility and privacy. However, like many others, they encountered challenges, including fluctuating prices and complex contract terms.
The Birth of BC Flight
The Namys turned to jet cards with guaranteed pricing to address these challenges. While it provided a degree of convenience, it fell short of Namy's expectations, given the high cost of private flying. One incident involving a flight reroute to a different Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) left a lasting impression.
"It was a real hassle," Namy recalls. "They had to find somebody to take us to the FBO, where my car was parked on the other side of the field. It was a big deal to me, but the company seemed to think it wasn't a big deal." Such experiences and discrepancies in catering bills and extra charges left Namy convinced that the private aviation experience could be improved.
With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, Namy sold his telecommunications business last year and embarked on a new venture: BC Flight.
flyingbritishcolumbia/ Instagram | There are also options for 25-hours, 50-hours, as well as on larger aircraft.
Customer-Centric Service
Based near Detroit, BC, Flight goes the extra mile by assigning a team member to meet and greet customers for all departures from local airports. With a current staff of six, Namy envisions substantial growth, allowing BC Flight to serve a national clientele.
However, it's important to note that BC Flight's jet card may not suit everyone. The minimum booking time is seven days before departure, whereas some jet cards offer a 24-hour callout period. Additionally, BC Flight requires a daily minimum flight charter of two hours, compared to programs with shorter minimums.
Fly Now, Pay Later
BC Flight, short for Broadside Concepts, introduces a unique approach to the jet card market—fly now, pay later. A 10-hour light jet card typically requires an upfront payment of $59,500. However, BC Flight offers a financing option that requires an initial payment of just $9,500, followed by 27 monthly payments of $2,974.
Andrea Piacquadio/ Pexels | BC Flight's minimum booking time and daily flight charter requirements may not suit everyone
"I felt like by splitting it into monthly payments, it was something more people could afford," Namy explains. Importantly, Namy is self-funding this innovative financing approach, with an incremental cost of just 5%.
BC Flight caters to various needs, offering options for 25-hour and 50-hour jet cards, as well as access to larger aircraft. In addition to making private flying more accessible, BC Flight enhances the experience by including a charcuterie tray and a bottle of red or white wine on every jet card flight.
Competing With Giants
BC Flight's emergence might raise questions about its competitive edge in a landscape dominated by industry giants like NetJets and Wheels Up. Nevertheless, a recent survey of private jet flyers indicates that 70% are open to considering boutique providers, and the industry boasts a long tail of smaller brokers and operators.
Thane Namy remains focused on making private aviation more accessible through the fly now, pay later approach. As he strives to open the doors of private aviation to a broader audience, BC Flight's innovative approach stands as a testament to the power of a father's love and determination to create positive change in his family's life and the lives of others.
