Das Privatflugzeug für arme Reiche: Peak Jet will der Swiss frustrierte Business-Class-Passagiere abjagen

Private airline Peak Jet, founded by former Etihad executive Peter Baumgartner and his team, aims to make private jet travel affordable for the masses. A test flight from Zurich to Nice and back reveals that the real challenge isn't the time spent on board, but the preparation and post-flight procedures. In the exclusive world of private flying, there's a code of etiquette: the front-right seat with a view of the cockpit is reserved for the jet owner, known as the "Owner's Chair."

To claim this seat, one can now book the experience with a simple button press. Peak Jet operates since three weeks, launched by Baumgartner and his team Gianni Tronza. The main investor is luxury car entrepreneur Beat Imwinkelried. They aim to introduce a new category between scheduled flights and private jets by not owning their own aircraft.

Instead, they act as a platform to fill unused private jets, which are costly when grounded. Peak Jet collaborates with Vista Jet, a large fleet owner, to minimize the risk of flight cancellations due to maintenance. The interior of the jet resembles a private jet, with wide leather seats, retractable screens, and padded seats. The seven passengers on the Nice flight can stretch out, as the back part of the cabin can be separated by a curtain.

Peak Jet hopes to sell family or friend trips, turning the back cabin into a private lounge for boys' or girls' trips. Despite the short flight duration of 50 minutes, Peak Jet hopes it will be a game-changer for passengers, reducing travel stress and offering a calm environment near the gate where they can work.