A US airline startup claims it will shake up the aviation industry by offering private jet-style travel at a “fraction of the cost”.
Florida-based Magnifica Air plans to launch scheduled flights between key US destinations in 2027 using Airbus aircraft, which will be a unique hybrid experience – a cross between premium business travel and a private jet experience.
Renderings of the two-door cabin design show rows of brown velvet seats, suites with sofas and a bar.
Previously, customers will be directed to private terminals – although it’s not clear how these will be accessed – for concierge baggage handling and a “seamless security process” aided by facial recognition technology.
Magnifica Air argues that it has identified a gap in the market to target wealthy travelers who are tired of being treated by numbers when flying business class, but don’t necessarily want to cough up for a full private jet experience.
Magnifica Air explained in a blog post: “Right now, if you want a truly luxurious experience, you have two options: pay 10 times the cost of a first-class ticket for a private jet, or deal with the frustration of business-class travel, where you’re still treated like just another number. Magnifica Air is stepping in.”
The company added: “Designed to bridge the exclusivity of private aviation with access to premium business travel, Magnifica Air offers a truly customized experience. We offer a completely private and seamless experience for a fraction of what you’d pay to charter a jet. And that’s where we’re shaking up the industry.”
At the time of writing, Magnifica Air has not released ticket prices, but is promoting flight deals.
The country has signed contracts to buy six leased Airbus A220s and two Airbus A321neos.
It is hoped that the first aircraft will be delivered in early 2027 and then refurbished in time for the planned first flight at the end of the year.
Scheduled destinations for service include Miami, New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Dallas, and Houston, with seasonal routes to Napa Valley and the Caribbean.
“Magnifica Air isn’t just about getting from one place to another – it’s about creating an unforgettable experience where luxury meets deeply personal service,” said Wade Black, CEO and co-founder of Magnifica Air.
On paper, the project looks tempting, though it remains to be seen whether it will take off.
Magnifica Air is part of CIG Companies, also behind Magnifica Residences and Magnifica Resorts, both slated to open near Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in 2026.
