Priester Aviation Expands Jet Card Program

George J. Priester Aviation has been on an expansion track over the last few years. In 2022 it merged with Colorado based Mayo Aviation, and in 2023 combined with Atlanta based Hill Private Aviation. The enlarged company has a much more national footprint and has expanded its customizable jet card program to reflect this.

The 1945 Card

Its previous jet card program, called the Centerline Card was offered only within the Midwest. The program is now called the 1945 Card, reflecting the year Priester Aviation was founded, and is available within each regional base for the 80 aircraft operated nationwide by Priester Aviation, Mayo Aviation and Hill Private Aviation.

This 1945 Card is offered on mid, super-mid and heavy jets starting at a standard 25-hour option. It provides guaranteed availability, point-to-point pricing and fixed hourly rates with no blackout days or peak-day surcharges.

In addition to its own aircraft, Priester may use high-quality aircraft sourced from a vetted network of preferred operators. Card holders may upgrade and downgrade from their chosen size, although these aren’t guaranteed but card holders are notified within 12 hours of making a request.

Rustin King, National Charter Sales Director at Priester Aviation said “Travelers discover greater flexibility with no blackout days or peak-day surcharges. They’re easily scheduling an elevated flight experience, while locking in cost certainty that works well with their specific mission.”

Safety

George J. Priester Aviation has earned the highest safety accreditations, which include ARGUS Platinum & Gold ratings, Wyvern, NBAA’s Corporate Flying Safety Award and Air Charter Safety Foundation certifications. There is a minimum $300,000,000 of liability insurance and flight crews and aircraft undergo a TripCheq.

Jet Card Pricing

The 1945 Card has custom pricing based on each cardholders mission profile. The all-inclusive hourly pricing has a maximum rate of:

• Mid-size jet      $9,250
• Super-mid jet   $12,600
• Heavy jet          $14,600

The all-inclusive rates above include Federal Excise Taxes (FET) and all fuel. If a trip is overnight and requires hangering, or is in winter and needs de-icing, or the client requests ground transport, these are all charged separately.

Rustin King, explained that the actual hourly rates could be lower than the above based on a customer’s travel profile. For instance, quite a few customers from the Priester base in Chicago fly back and forth to Florida, and the company can offer better rates because it’s a popular known route. From their Mayo Aviation Denver base some of the popular destinations include Seattle, Scottsdale, New York, Bozeman, and locations in Mexico, Idaho, and Texas. From the Hill Aviation Atlanta base the popular destinations include New York, Chicago and Florida.

Jet card customers can normally make their reservations 72 hours in advance and have to book one week in advance for peak day travel.