The Enduring Sprint of a Marathon – Celebrating 40 Years of JAFS

We celebrate another incredible milestone across our global network. For 40 years, Jet Aviation Flight Services has been providing US customers with effortless aircraft management and charter.

JAFS’ origins date back to 1985, meaning the team celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. As Jet Aviation’s US aircraft management and charter division, JAFS has Part 91, Part 125, Part 135, and Part 145 authorizations, along with approvals from Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, some 200 aircraft under management, and a diverse fleet of aircraft available to charter through our own fleet and those of our partners. 

The team’s expertise spans fixed and rotary wing aircraft from mid-size to large cabin, long-range to ultra-long range, and VVIP business jets, and a full spectrum of aircraft solutions. These solutions are tailored to a customer’s specific needs, and the team takes the time to understand these requirements, and propose a bespoke program, supporting any and all aspects of aircraft ownership and operation customers require.

“We are one of the most experienced providers of flight services in the US business aviation industry today, and we are proud to deliver seamless tailored experiences for our customers across aircraft management and charter. That success is built on the Jet Aviation Flight Services team consistently going the extra mile every day for the past 40 years. We have built long-lasting relationships with our customers based on the team’s reliability and diligence. Thank you to every individual behind this shared success,” says David Best, SVP Regional Operations and GM, Americas.

JAFS’ journey has been marked by significant milestones, including the acquisitions of Executive Air Fleet in 1988 and Avjet Corporation in 2016. JAFS welcomed its FAA-issued Part 135 certificate in 2009, and its Part 125 certificate in 2021. 

JAFS operations centers of excellence have also continued to grow alongside our customers’ geographic diversity, with additional locations in Burbank, Chicago, Palm Beach, Scottsdale and Teterboro. The team also tirelessly and attentively focuses on the customer’s needs by implementing innovative technology and systems automation such as Jet Portal. 

This aircraft management tool drives accuracy and efficiencies, provides real-time historical and current data about aircraft and trip details and financial metrics, and makes coordinating travel seamless. Jet Portal is just one among many other offerings.

Amid all the growth and expansion, one constant has been the team. Among a team of some 900 artisans of aviation, more than 140 have a tenure with JAFS of at least 10 years. Their collective experience is the foundation of JAFS’ reputation for excellence. We talked to the leadership at JAFS to learn more about the team’s passion and commitment over the last 40 years. 

“This success is built on the Jet Aviation Flight Services team consistently going the extra mile every day for the past 40 years.”

Leslie Cheshier, Vice President Owner and Charter Services in the Americas, has been on the JAFS team for some 23 years, joining with the Avjet acquisition in 2016. For Leslie, the strong sense of community that has been built over the decades provides a solid foundation for the team’s ongoing success. 

“Our long-tenured aviation professionals have deep understanding and experience in guiding owners, operators and clients through every stage of aircraft ownership and charter. These 40 years have been made possible by the passion and commitment of our people upholding every aspect of our operations while delivering an effortless experience, ensuring flexibility, reliability, safety and seamless tailored support,” says Leslie. “That is what I love about this team. Our people really care about each other, about delivering for the customer, and ensuring every trip is executed to perfection. All of that comes back to that shared team spirit and industry-leading expertise.” 

David Dalpiaz, Vice President Flight Services in the Americas, joined JAFS over 27 years ago. For him, the team exemplify efficient collaboration across lines of business: “We work in coordination with Jet Aviation’s global network. This empowers our team to think bigger, collaborate with colleagues better, and deliver seamless, effective and purposeful service for our customers across their ownership lifecycle and entire flight profile, whether that’s a single charter flight or executing upon their most complex mission.” 

“For example, we recently hosted colleagues from Dubai, UAE, to aid in enhancing their certification authorizations. We also recently welcomed team members from Basel, Switzerland, to facilitate an AI drone inspection for a managed customer, the first in the US. And another of the team’s impressive feats was when we fulfilled a customer’s bucket-list flight, flawlessly executing our first-ever operation into Antarctica, before heading off to warmer climes. Talk about operational and climate extremes! I’m extremely proud and amazed of what our team consistently achieves and look forward to the many new opportunities that our customers entrust upon us.” 

As JAFS celebrates 40 years of outstanding service, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to every current and former team member who has called JAFS both their home and their family, while contributing to this legacy. The team’s success is a direct reflection of the passion, expertise, and commitment of its people at every touchpoint and interaction. 

As one of our customers recently commented: “There have been many … JAFS staff members who our team have interacted with and I must reiterate what a pleasure and privilege it has been to work with them all. It is a testament to their training, excellence in service and a consistent approach to providing a truly safe operation. Thank you, everyone!”

With a proud history and a future full of promise, JAFS is poised to continue exceeding expectations for decades to come. Here’s to the next 40 years of this high-paced marathon, where every sprint of passion and precision renews our collective resolve. 

“There have been many … JAFS staff members who our team have interacted with and I must reiterate what a pleasure and privilege it has been to work with them all. It is a testament to their training, excellence in service and a consistent approach to providing a truly safe operation. Thank you, everyone!”