In its mission to drive more connectivity through shared experiences, US booking platform start up Flewber has launched an app that offers access to on demand private regional flights and long range private flights throughout North America and the Caribbean.

From frequent private fliers to those who haven't yet had the opportunity, Flewber aims to bring the luxuries of private travel to the masses, democratising what was once unattainable to most, with no barrier to entry and flight costs just slightly more than a first-class ticket. It claims its app bridges the gap between travellers and aircraft owners and operators, just as ridesharing platforms have done with riders and cars on terra firma, enabling users to locate and book private flights at more affordable prices and share their booking with fellow travellers.

“The vision for Flewber is to open travellers' eyes to the inherent luxuries and excitement of private aviation,” says founder and CEO Marc Sellouk. “What we are offering is a simple way for users to book flights while simultaneously connecting FAA licensed Part 135 private airlines to travellers. With demand for private aviation growing and people eager to travel again, the launch of the Flewber app is primed to shake up the industry for the better.”

The company says there is an array of reasons why a traveller might choose to fly privately in 2022 and beyond, from the safety of social distancing from large airport crowds to avoiding TSA lines or reaching hard-to-get-to regional cities. Between the effort to book private flights and the costs involved, many have resolved that private travel will simply never be available to them, which is what the Flewber app aims to negate. While the cost of Flewber LX's long-range flights vary depending on trip distance and aircraft chosen, Flewber Xpress' air taxi service to regional markets within a 300 mile radius will never cost more than $3,700 plus tax one way, or $7,400 plus tax roundtrip, for an aircraft that can seat anywhere from six to eight passengers. The key to the app's streamlined and reliable approach is how it reshapes the traditional private aviation equation by connecting users directly to aircraft operators. Flewber's network offers travellers more than 9,000 aircraft in a wide range of categories and passenger capacities for flights to more than 1,900 private airports across the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

While most airline apps are designed for prospecting rather than booking, and offer little in the way of recourse should passengers require refinements to a reservation, travellers pay no membership or subscription fees to join and use Flewber. The app is driven by functionality; simple in design, intuitive in use and intended to connect users with private aircraft that suit their needs while enabling them to save money and customise the booking.

Before finalising the booking, Flewber offers a social 'Share' feature for the user to alert friends via social media that a trip is in the works. Once co-passengers confirm their interest, an aircraft can be booked and waiting; all they have to do is chip in to be a part of it.

Users can choose from private regional (Flewber Xpress) or long-range flights (Flewber LX), dependent upon the size of the travel group and the airports they plan to fly to and from. They can search for a private flight by airport code, address or point of interest, with the potential for convenience to private airports that may be located mere miles from a user's home or final destination.

Flewber offers only real-time pricing directly from operators, ensuring that app users get the price they are quoted for the flight they need. There are no last-minute substitutions at elevated rates that are so often frustrating for users of commercial airline apps.

A 'Book or Bid' feature gilds the experience with the potential for cost savings and a bit of excitement. Upon choosing a private aircraft, app users are offered the option to book immediately at a quoted price or submit a bid for as low as 60 per cent of that price. The app then searches for flights closer to the lower bid, which is a very real possibility given the prevalence of empty legs that operators are eager to fill. Upon receiving a lower offer, users then have 15 minutes to accept and save.