Etihad connects first class passengers with private jets

Etihad Airways has moved into the private jet sector following a new partnership with Victor.

Under the agreement, first class travellers will be able to connect their private jet flights with Etihad’s Airbus A380 services, which currently fly to London, Sydney and New York.

Victor, which has bases in London and New York, offers private jet bookings via smartphone and tablet. And passengers will be able to book Etihad’s new premium A380 products, The Residence or First Apartments, together with private jet charter flights directly from the Victor mobile app.

The deal makes Etihad the first scheduled airline to partner with a private jet charter operator to promote specific flights on its network.

“With the A380, Etihad Airways has designed innovative and luxurious interiors, products and services which match the sophisticated needs of the private jet customer,” said Shane O’Hare, Etihad’s senior vice president of marketing.

“Our unique agreement with Victor will give those customers wanting the ultimate luxury private jet experience a simplified end-to-end journey combining our magnificent A380 with a private jet by simply using their laptop, smartphone or tablet.

“Victor has revolutionised the private jet charter space by giving full control and transparency to the customer, so they can expedite their travel themselves by using the latest technology, at any time, removing the lengthier booking procedures and processes associated with many private jet bookings,” he added.

Currently, 50% of all Victor bookings are made through its mobile app, for aircraft types ranging from light jet aircraft to larger, longer range private jets.

Etihad’s A380s currently operate two of the three daily services from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow, one of its two daily services between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, and one of its two daily services to New York. In 2016, the airline will add Melbourne and Mumbai to its A380 network.