Kellie Carey Private Jets is one of the few private aviation companies owned by a woman. But that's not the only thing that sets it apart...


Kellie Carey is the CEO of her eponymous firm, Kellie Carey Private Jets, a private jet charter service that serves the domestic United States as well as key international destinations such as London, Paris and Sao Paolo. KCPJ is one of the few private jet brokerages owned and run by a woman. But that's not the only thing that makes it different. Carey's company describes itself as a "boutique" firm, one that maintains a small client base in order to deliver the utmost in personal service.

"We provide not only a means of transportation – we provide an experience," said Carey. "And great experiences start with great relationships. That's why we focus on building long-term associations with our clients. By doing this, we're able to get to know our passengers better over time, and provide them with an ever-increasing level of service."

From the on-board catering to ground transport to lodging to any other special requests, Carey and her team tailor each aspect of private travel to the demands of their discerning clients. And though confidentiality prevents her from naming names, they include big-name entertainers, athletes, government officials and heads of state.

Carey doesn't just deal with aircraft, she can also fly them. She learned to fly helicopters in Courchevel, France, she's now earning her pilot's license. That's not to that Carey actually flies the planes she arranges (much to the disappointment of her mainly male clients.) But as jetsetters go, she has certainly earned her wings!

My definition of luxury
It's an approach to living life well, not simply living. Luxury is taking pleasure in your life and in your environs. It's a way of celebrating the art of living. Simple pleasures can be luxurious. It goes beyond basic pleasure....it's a state of mind. Luxury allows us to reduce the stress and pressure from everyday life by approaching life with the intent to create the most out of each day with the tools at our disposal.

If luxury were an object
Well, a private jet, of course!

If luxury were a place
Within the warmth of family and friends, geography notwithstanding.

If luxury were a person
It would be the person who makes you feel more attractive and charming than you think you are. In a person, when I think of luxury, I think of George Hamilton.

If luxury were a moment
It's vague. It's elusive. It's difficult to put into words but you know when it happens.



How did you get into the business of private aviation?
I found myself in Amsterdam on business on September 11, 2001, working for another company out of New York. We were stranded for days, but one of my clients was able to return to the U.S. on a corporate jet (via Canada when their airspace was open for a short period of time). I found it interesting that, at a time when all worldwide transportation was in a holding pattern, general aviation had a different set of rules.
When I returned to the U.S., I researched the sector of private aviation. With the encouragement of friends and potential clients, I ventured into the business with a few referrals and a strong advisory board.

Did being a woman make it easier or more difficult to succeed in this field?
As with any industry, being a woman can open doors – or it can close them. Once a door is opened, it's up to me to close the deal. I've been fortunate to work with strong and formative personalities (men and women) during my life. My grandmother recently passed at the age of 101, but both she and my mother embodied energetic, spiritual and compassionate personalities. As to my industry in particular, I would say it's been a bit of a novelty to see a female-owned business in this sector; but overall it hasn't impacted the business positively or negatively on a daily basis. Personally, I would like to see more women enter the field of business aviation. There are many of accomplished female pilots and business women that would do well in this industry and I'd like to see the female percentage increase.

What is the most important and unique service Kellie Carey Private Jets provides to its clients?
We are uniquely client-centric. We like our clients. Whether for a charter trip, choosing between a fractional program or outright ownership, we provide the client with the most current and relevant options to help them make the best decision. We provide not only a means of transportation – we provide an experience. And great experiences start with great relationships. That's why we focus on building long-term associations with our clients. By doing this, we're able to get to know our passengers better over time, and provide them with an ever-increasing level of service. This personalized approach is made possible by our size; we're a boutique operation and wish to remain so. By catering to a small, discriminating clientele, we can offer our passengers the level of comfort, convenience and hands-on service they demand.

We also focus on safety, security and consistency. Keeping the client happy trip after trip. And that means vetting the operators and owners we use, that's a continual process.

What are the advantages of chartering a private jet as opposed to owning one?
The answer deserves further elaboration, but the main points have to do with the number of hours flown on an annual basis, the routings, and most importantly, the client's budget. Owning an aircraft involves more of an infrastructure to manage and operate the aircraft (whether for personal use or for resale charter). Alternately, chartering is a "one-off". It can be executed within hours with no further commitment than a one-time payment. Ownership is the most expensive option, and charter is the cheapest. Fractional and block time fall in-between the two.

You offer individually-tailored services for each of your clients. What are some of the most unusual requests you have ever received?
I just got a call last Thursday from someone who wanted to know if I would be the pilot. (Just for the record, I arrange the flights but don't fly the plane or serve the coffee!) He then requested an all-female crew! But actually, we don't choose the crew. We only approve them, as we do the operator and the pilots. Unless the client has a specific preference, they get the crew that comes with the aircraft.

Why are more people traveling by private jet? Are the first-class cabins of commercial airliners no longer good enough?
Private air travel is a necessity for some business people and a luxury lifestyle choice for others. There is a much greater awareness of options for private aviation than ever before. Individuals or companies who can afford to do so are taking advantage of the increasing options. We all share nightmare stories regarding commercial travel, so the combination of all these factors are contributing to the increasing trend towards choosing private aviation.

If anything were possible, what facility or service would you want to be able to provide your clients in the future?
The trend today and moving forward is customization. Making people happy and keeping them happy are two different animals. My hope is to evolve as the market and technology evolve, to meet the ever-changing needs of those I have the privilege to fly.
It would be fun to have a "Jetsons-like" ability to push a button and alter the internal experience of the journey (i.e seating configuration, audio/visual, colors, lighting, etc).
That and the ability to fly at supersonic speed again.....

For you, what is the greatest advantage of traveling by chartered private jet?
Part of it is that I can get to know the physical aspects of the aircraft better. You also get to know the fix-based operators in the places you fly in and out of, so it's great for client sourcing. But mainly, private jet travel means you can eat and sleep when you want and wake up refreshed and ready to go. Assuming you travel with people you enjoy, it's like sitting in a living room. It's more fun and personal. It's a luxury for me and one I don't take for granted. It's a reminder to me that life is not simply about the destination; it really is about the journey.

KELLIE CAREY PRIVATE JETS
5 East 57th St.
NY, NY 10022
T +1 212 223 3231