Blackbird Air (company)
Blackbird Air is a technology company based in San Francisco.[1]. The company offers an air travel marketplace, connecting passengers, pilots, and local airports to create America’s largest network of personal flights[2]. Blackbird offers three products: Hitch, Reserve, and Charter.[3]
Objective[edit]
Blackbird’s mission is to bring everyone the freedom of flight. By increasing utilization (both by filling empty seats and maximizing each aircraft’s time in flight), operators can reduce costs and pass those savings on to passengers[4].
Company History[edit]
Blackbird was launched in November 2016 by Rudd Davis, four-time technology entrepreneur with a focus in media, travel and hospitality, and Jamie Loberman, serial technical entrepreneur[5]. The team has since expanded to 24 people in San Francisco, California[6].
Blackbird first launched their mobile app on iOS and Android in January 2017, offering Reserve flights only. The first flight took place in the same month between Palo Alto and Truckee, California[7]. Web booking was introduced in March 2018, with Blackbird now offering 30+ scheduled routes on both the West Coast and East Coast of the United States[8].
In June 2018, Blackbird launched two additional products, Hitch and Charter, expanding its offering to three flight types[9].
Products[edit]
Blackbird offers three flight types.
Hitch is Blackbird’s most affordable product with flights starting at $50[10]. Instead of booking a seat on a commercial flight, passengers request a route with some flexibility. Blackbird then searches through its database of private flight plans to find a pilot who will already be flying that route in a private plane[11]. By adding passengers, the pilot is able to split the cost of the flight, making air travel more accessible for everyone on board[12]
A match is not guaranteed, making Hitch best for passengers whose schedule is more flexible than their budget[13]. Blackbird notifies the passenger whether a match has been made within 48 hours of requesting, and can often recommend a Reserve flight if a Hitch match isn’t possible[14].
Reserve is Blackbird’s original flight type. The passenger experience is similar to commercial air travel — pre-scheduled flights, first-class cabins, additional passengers on board — without the hassle associated with commercial airlines[15]. Reserve is best for passengers looking for the assurance of a scheduled flight[16].
Charter allows passengers to book an entire aircraft on demand, reducing the waiting period from days to hours. Blackbird has introduced a first-of-its kind pricing system that was designed around transparency, with rates as low as $10 per mile[17]. Once a Charter flight is booked, Blackbird is also able to help increase utilization (and lower costs) by listing any empty seats in its Reserve marketplace[18].
Booking[edit]
To book a flight, passengers can either download the Blackbird Air app to their iOS[19] or Android[20] device, or visit the Blackbird website. Every passenger is required to create a Blackbird account, which is verified using personal details including a valid phone number and credit card.
The passenger will first need to select which product offering — Hitch, Reserve, or Charter — best suits their needs. The user experience then varies according to their selection:
- Hitch: The passenger selects a date and destination. Blackbird then responds within 48 hours to confirm whether a match has been made. If a match is found, the passenger approves of the details before the flight is booked[21].
- Reserve: Passengers select a seat on a pre-scheduled flight, which is confirmed immediately[22].
- Charter: Passengers request a date and route, and Blackbird responds within 24 hours to confirm their selection[23].
Passengers are then emailed all relevant information, including their itinerary, total weight allowance, and pilot’s profile.
Aircraft[edit]
Blackbird sources its aircraft from top-rated operators and private plane owners[24]. While the specific type of aircraft varies by region, passengers are informed of their plane type before take-off[25].
| Aircraft | Seats | Range | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond DA-62 | 6 | 1,479 miles | West Coast |
| Pilatus PC-12 | 6-9 | 2,123 miles | West Coast, East Coast |
| Phenom 300 | 6 | 2,268 miles | West Coast, East Coast |
| Challenger 300 | 8-9 | 3,567 miles | West Coast, East Coast |
| Caravan Amphibian | 9 | 1,232 miles | East Coast |
| Bell 206 | 4 | 430 miles | East Coast |
Safety[edit]
All Blackbird flights follow a set of safety precautions[26].
- Planes are operated by FAA-certified carriers who abide by all legal protocol, including regular maintenance checks.
- Pilots are licensed, regularly background checked, have passed an FAA-supervised medical check, and have hours of in-air experience. Blackbird hand-selects community leaders with advanced knowledge of their local routes and airports.
- The environment is regularly monitored before each flight by trained pilots, who take into account the weather and any other potential disturbances.
Aircraft Ownership Program[edit]
Blackbird’s Aircraft Ownership Program allows individuals to own private aircraft with only a down payment. The program is designed to be beneficial to both parties: The individual is able to maximize their tax deduction and earn fixed income by sharing the aircraft with Blackbird, and Blackbird gains access to a larger selection of aircraft[27].
Each aircraft comes with 100 hours of free flight time for the individual (including the cost of a pilot and fuel), or the equivalent in cash. Blackbird also handles the selection, financing, and purchasing of the aircraft, and absorbs all fixed management costs, including insurance and maintenance[28]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Blackbird Air". Linkedin.
- ↑ "Fly Blackbird Website".
- ↑ "Blackbird News". Medium.
- ↑ "About Blackbird Air".
- ↑ "Airline Startup Aims to Make Flying the New Driving". PR News Wire.
- ↑ "Blackbird Jobs". AngelList.
- ↑ "New Service Blackbird to Launch Scheduled Flights on Small Planes". Travel Weekly.
- ↑ "Flight Sharing is Uber Pool for Planes". Mashable.
- ↑ "Blackbird Air Announces New, More Affordable Flights". Medium.
- ↑ "Hitch". Fly Blackbird.
- ↑ "Flight Sharing is Uber Pool for Planes". Mashable.
- ↑ "Flight Sharing is Uber Pool for Planes". Mashable.
- ↑ "Meet Blackbird - Like Uber for Flying". The Street.
- ↑ "How Does Hitch Work". Intercom.
- ↑ "Flight Sharing is Uber Pool for Planes". Mashable.
- ↑ "Reserve". Fly Blackbird.
- ↑ "Charter". Fly Blackbird.
- ↑ "What If I Choose to Resell Empty Seats?". Intercom.
- ↑ "Blackbird Air App". Apple Store.
- ↑ "Blackbird Air App". Google Play.
- ↑ "Meet Blackbird - Like Uber for Flying". The Street.
- ↑ "Reserve". Fly Blackbird.
- ↑ "Charter". Fly Blackbird.
- ↑ "Meet Blackbird - Like Uber for Flying". The Street.
- ↑ "What Aircraft Will I Be Flying In". Intercom.
- ↑ "Safety". Fly Blackbird.
- ↑ "Plane Ownership". Fly Blackbird.
- ↑ "Plane Ownership". Fly Blackbird.
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