Latitude 33 Aviation has welcomed another Citation CJ3 to its managed fleet, solidifying its position as the operator with the most managed CJ3s in the Western United States.

“The Citation CJ3 has long been a favourite among our clients for its superior performance, comfort and efficiency,” says director of marketing Brian Haffeman. “Latitude 33 is delighted to now offer even greater availability of this exceptional aircraft.”

The company had the pleasure of assisting one of its loyal charter clients in transitioning to ownership of this aircraft. In just a few short months, the team guided the client through the process, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience.

“The client was flying with a jet card and happened to end up on a Latitude 33 Aviation managed aircraft,” explains president Casey Miller. “They were so impressed with the level of service from the crew, and the quality of the aircraft, they did their homework to find out who Latitude 33 Aviation was and determined they could book directly for trips that fit ad hoc charter versus point to point jet card trips.

“This opened the door to a conversation about jet ownership, and how they could better invest in their travel needs in the future. Latitude 33 focuses on three main service areas: aircraft sales, management and charter. All three of those verticals are closely related, with each feeding the other. Often our clients will start with us as a charter customer, as this customer did. That’s how important our interactions are. This was a case where each Latitude 33 employee understood their role in making the client's private aviation travel experience efficient, comfortable and enjoyable.”

This additional CJ3 strengthens an already impressive lineup of 31 managed aircraft that includes top-tier models from Cessna, Embraer, Bombardier, Pilatus and Gulfstream. With multiple aircraft in each category, this diverse and versatile fleet ensures maximum reliability and flexibility for clients.

The company has also recently facilitated the acquisition of a 2010 Bombardier Challenger 300 that will be based in Florida. The team were able to identify a high-pedigree aircraft and negotiate a frictionless transaction for one of its current owners who wanted to upgrade from his Hawker 900.

Meanwhile Megan Fry has been promoted to a key role as charter sales lead. She now oversees the scheduling of all charter department personnel, assists with staffing needs, coordinates training for new employees and provides elevated support in decision-making related to aircraft and crew scheduling as well as pricing.

“Megan has been an invaluable member of the team for nearly a decade, demonstrating exceptional organisational skills and dedication. Her promotion is a testament to her hard work and the significant contributions she has made to the company,” Haffeman continues.

Director of charter Jesse Cunningham is himself marking 10 years of exceptional service and leadership. Over the past decade his contributions have been instrumental in shaping Latitude’s charter operations into one of the most respected and client-centric services in the industry.

“Cunningham has consistently demonstrated an ability to navigate the complexities of private aviation, ensuring that our clients receive unparalleled service tailored to their individual needs,” Haffeman says. “His leadership has been key in expanding the charter fleet, improving operational efficiency and maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability.

In addition to his operational expertise, he has played a critical role in fostering a team environment that values collaboration, innovation and client satisfaction.”

The company has been recognised as a 2023 recipient of the 12th Annual Van Nuys Airport Friendly Flyer Awards. This is its ninth time of winning, in recognition of a commitment to operating in an environmentally responsible manner and in compliance with mandatory noise regulations and voluntary noise abatement programmes.

This is especially relevant as the holiday season approaches; Latitude 33 is gearing up for a busy period of private jet charters and end-of-year client aircraft purchases.

“Through Thanksgiving to Christmas break we see an uptick in travel,” notes Cunningham. “This is a busy time as our clients travel to visit family or to spend time at their mountain homes, and it's the kick-off to ski season. Our light jet fleet of Citation Jets and Phenom 300s takes to the air to Aspen, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley and Coeur d’Alene. Mountain flying is exciting and challenging for our pilots , who also enjoy the opportunity to spend time in these resort destinations.”

With its expanded fleet, new leadership and continued recognition in the industry, Latitude 33 is excited about the opportunities ahead.

“Our aircraft fleet mix is one of our greatest resources; with redundancy in most aircraft categories we can provide seamless travel for our clients,” says Haffeman. “We have a large light jet category that suits most of our clients’ day-to-day travel needs, and then with multiple Challenger super-mids we can accommodate the larger, longer and international trips. We manage two Gulfstream 650s, and we look forward to the opportunity to bring on a new Gulfstream 650 and add it to our charter certificate. We would love to further expand our heavy jet charter offerings too.

“Overall, we have an excellent fleet makeup, the best pilots, and the capacity to fly more trips with greater availability. We have a fully staffed charter team stacked with experienced concierge-level charter sales team members ready to take on the most complex trips with ease. We see flying hours improving slightly and are looking to add a few more aircraft to our fleet, hopefully before the end of the year. We see turbulence in the marketplace with the addition of new apps, AI technology and the consolidation of companies, but we remain steadfast in providing great customer service for our clients, and safe, well-managed aircraft, all while remaining conservatively profitable for the future.”