One of the things our founders, Mike Dodd, CEO and Josh Dodd COO at Avionco spend a lot of time on is managing flight and cabin crew operations for our clients involved in private aviation. Today we spoke to them about VIP Flight Crew Management and what that entails. Here’s what we learned.
When most people step aboard a private jet, they’re looking forward to an experience that includes comfort, privacy, and impeccable service. What many don’t see, however, is that the person greeting them with a warm smile and a perfectly prepared cabin is not just a host, but a highly trained safety professional.
Over the past decade we’ve seen the role of private jet cabin evolve significantly, creating a dual role unlike any other. Being an expert in two things – Luxury Hospitality and Aviation Safety, requires a balance and expertise very different from most careers.
In commercial aviation, the division is clear and pragmatic. Flight attendants focus on safety first, and service second. In private aviation, the lines blur. Unlike in airline environments, there is no large team to divide responsibilities. On private aircraft, a single crew member must seamlessly transition between five-star service and emergency readiness, sometime within seconds. They need to be equally adept at many things:
- Delivering highly personalized, luxury service
- Preparing and presenting gourmet catering
- Managing onboard logistics and passenger preferences
- Acting as the primary safety professional in the cabin
Interestingly, this level of training isn’t a legal requirement on private jets. For example, in many jurisdictions, aircraft with fewer than 19 passenger seats can legally operate without a certified flight attendant. That said, top-tier operators don’t let the absence of regulations provide an easy out. Rather, they do quite the opposite and invest heavily in cabin crew training that goes well beyond minimum requirements. This often includes:
- Emergency procedures (firefighting, decompression, evacuation)
- First aid and medical response
- Crew Resource Management (CRM)
- Aircraft-specific training
- Security and discretion protocols
In these environments, cabin crew are viewed as integral members of the flight safety team.
At a time when passenger expectations for luxury services have never been higher, the dichotomy of safety versus service creates a tension that operators must deal with. There’s no getting around the fact that what clients want to see and experience are things like restaurant quality dining at 40,000 feet, personalized service tailored to their preferences, and detailed knowledge of cuisine and fine wine. While at the same time, the things that make them safe are largely invisible – embodied in the training and knowledge of their multi-talented cabin crew… until it matters.
The truth is the best cabin crew do both – and do them exceptionally well. As the industry matures, there is growing recognition that standardization and training consistency are critical to providing complete service.
We’re beginning to see:
- More formalized training programs
- Increased demand for professionals skilled in service and safety
- Greater awareness and demand among clients about crew qualifications
The future of private jet crew training will cover safety and service – without ever disrupting the experience.
About Avionco
Formed in 2000 by Mike Dodd and Josh Dodd, Avionco is a premier aircraft services provider, purpose-built to serve aircraft owners whose business and lifestyle needs require impeccable service and efficiency in everything they do.
Josh Dodd, COO, leads day to day operations with a team of dedicated senior management professionals delivering a complete suite of flight management services including Pilot and Crew selection, In-Flight and Ground Operations, Safety and Compliance, and Entry Into Service (EIS).