A lifelong aviation enthusiast who joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in 2007, Curt came to&nbsp;the publication&nbsp;from the broadcast industry where he was a national science and technology television reporter and producer. He writes on the FBO field, aviation finance, and sustainable aviation and occasionally contributes to&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;sister publication&nbsp;Business Jet Traveler. Curt was a member of the AINtv reporting staff that won the 2008 Aerospace Journalist of the Year award for Best Airshow Daily. That same year, he was a finalist for another AJOYA award. He earned an AJOYA for Best Business Aviation Submission in 2018 and was a finalist in that category in 2021. He received the National Air Transportation Association’s&nbsp; Aviation Journalist Award in 2012 and won a Pegasus Sapphire Business Aviation Award for outstanding journalism in 2021.
Before joining AIN, Curt worked with&nbsp;Consumer Reports’ television division, CRTV, and for several local television news staffs. An honors graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University in 1995. Curt lives in New York State with his wife and two young sons.

Business Aviation Services Editor

Curt Epstein

The average pricing for jet cards increased and became more restrictive in the first three months of this year, according to analysis by Private Jet Card Comparisons (PJCC).
The company analyzed more than 80 providers and 1,000 programs and found that hourly rates for jet cards increased by 1.6% compared to the fourth quarter and by 2.5% from a year ago. As of March 31, the average hourly rate was $11,426, ranging from $6,729 per hour for turboprops to more than $19,000 an hour for ultra-long-range jets. Light jets averaged $8,563 per hour.
The price increases, which include fuel surcharges and the 7.5% federal excise tax, come as jet fuel prices have doubled year over year.&nbsp;Also rising were the daily minimums: the amount of flight time charged even if the actual flight takes less time. According to PJCC, the average daily minimums increased by 11.6% quarter to quarter and 19% year over year, indicating increasing concern by jet card providers over short flight profit margins.
“Average hourly rates only increased modestly; however, flying terms, including daily minimums, peak days, and lead time to book all increased,” said PJCC president and editor-in-chief Doug Gollan. “Since most guaranteed jet card programs have rate locks for at least 12 months, increasing the daily minimums is a de facto price increase for shorter flights.”

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

Report: Jet Card Pricing, Daily Minimums Show Rising Trends

Fuel prices and short-flight profit margin concerns are cited

A new report shows increases in jet card pricing and daily minimums.

Report: Jet Card Pricing, Daily Minimums on the Rise

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Customer’s Global 6000 now has multi-orbit satcom capability

Líder Aviação Installs First Gogo Galileo Satcom in Brazil

Products added to Falcon models that include the 50, 900, 2000, and 7X

Alto Aviation Logs 100th Falcon Audio Installation

Neelam Mathews

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Manufacturer says operators in Asia-Pacific region want multi-orbit capability

Gogo Seeks Indian Approval for LEO Satcom Installations

Jessica Reed

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

BizAvStudio OnWing enables map configuration updates post-delivery

FlightPath3D Unveils BizAvStudio for Operators 

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

Líder Aviação Installs First Gogo Galileo Satcom in Brazil

Customer’s Global 6000 now has multi-orbit satcom capability

Alto Aviation Logs 100th Falcon Audio Installation

Products added to Falcon models that include the 50, 900, 2000, and 7X

Gogo Seeks Indian Approval for LEO Satcom Installations

Manufacturer says operators in Asia-Pacific region want multi-orbit capability

FlightPath3D Unveils BizAvStudio for Operators

BizAvStudio OnWing enables map configuration updates post-delivery

Strong AeroLink Mounts Starlink Mini Antenna Externally

Product can be installed as a major alteration on Part 23 airplanes

Apcela Adds Financing, Field Marketing for Top Dealers

Programs designed to incentivize interest in airborne connectivity opportunities

Aero Mech Adds Hawker Jets to Starlink STC List

Company plans approval for PC-12 and PC-24 later this year

Alto Unveils New-gen Touchscreen Cadence Panels

Available in 3.5- and 4.3-inch sizes for cabin applications or 10.1-inch for galley

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