Magnifica Air initial destinations will include Miami, New York, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Dallas, and Houston.
Magnifica Air, the latest entry into the buy-or-fly-the-seat version of private jet travel, also known as semi-private, is set to take off in 2027 and will announce its first destinations next week.
The company will use a fleet of Airbus A220-300 and A321neo aircraft in a luxury configuration.
Air Lease Corp. will provide the aircraft, and Comlux, which specializes in VIP private aircraft, will be the operator.
Next week is the National Business Aviation Association’s annual conference in Las Vegas.
The initial routes, which could be announced as early as today, will link Miami, New York, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Dallas, and Houston.
Plans call for seasonal routes to Napa Valley and the Caribbean.
Flights will also be scheduled to coincide with major sporting events.
When not operating the scheduled services, the aircraft will be available for VIP charters.
Each aircraft will carry just 45 to 54 passengers and feature “bespoke business-class recliners.”
The A321neo is configured for longer-haul routes and will also feature four suites.
The A220-300 will have two suites.
There will be no overhead bins to provide a greater ambiance with adaptive lighting,
Culinary programs are being developed with world-class chefs and sommeliers.
CEO Wade Black says, “Magnifica Air is pioneering a new space between private aviation and first-class commercial travel. We combine the privacy and intimacy of a private jet with the cultural relevance and operational scope of a world-class airline. This is more than transportation—it’s a movement, redefining how discerning guests experience the skies.”
Other innovations will be “the world’s first commercial-scale surface purification system, powered by patented Aviation Clean AI technology.
Like the other players in the market, Magnifica Air will set itself apart from the regular airlines by using private terminals.
The check-in deadline will be 30 minutes before departure for private terminals.
Baggage will be delivered within 10–15 minutes.
Magnifica Air promises it will be carbon-neutral at launch.
Flights will operate under FAA Part 121 Supplemental Ops.
Plans call for one spare for every four aircraft for “reliability and consistency of service.”
Private equity firm CIG Companies is backing the start-up.
Plans call for scaling to 50 aircraft.
Black says, “Magnifica Air is not scaling on hype—we are scaling with intention. Our first delivery is just the beginning of a carefully measured journey to build exclusivity, trust, and impeccable service.”
Black is a partner and board member of CIG Companies.
Black served as CEO of First Nation Services from 2018 to 2024.
First Nation provided improved access to health care and business development for Native American tribes, according to Black’s LinkedIn profile.
Previously, he had been Chairman and CEO of Seven Bar Aviation, a Dallas-based air ambulance company.
From 2008 to 2013, he was an advisory board member of Flexjet.
Sean McGeough, Chief Development Officer, served as North American Head of Airbus Corporate Jets from 2021 to 2024.
He has over 30 years of experience, including serving as the European/Middle East president of Hawker Beechcraft and holding senior roles at Nextant Aerospace, Aerion Supersonic, and Wheels Up.
Vice President of Inflight Services Doreen DePastino brings over 35 years of experience in inflight services, including at Emirates, Virgin America, and JetBlue.
Four by-the-seat private jet airlines were ranked in Conde Nast Traveler’s 10 best U.S. airline list released earlier this week.
Find the perfect solution for your private aviation needs
Save Time. Buy Confidently.
Receive an apples-to-apples comparison of programs that meet your needs from more than 500 jet card and fractional options covering 65 points of differentiation and over 40,000 data points.
