International Aviation Leader Joins JetBlue Airways And Private Investors In Fueling The Future Of Private And Semi-Private Aviation

Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar and one of the world's fastest-growing airlines, and JetSuite, Inc., a leading U.S. private aviation company, announced today in the presence of the Qatari Minister of Finance and Chairman of Qatar Airways, His Excellency Mr Ali Sharif Al Emadi that Qatar Airways has taken a minority stake in JetSuite, Inc. and indirectly in JetSuiteX, Inc. Qatar Airways joins JetBlue Airways, which will be increasing its investment, and a number of private investors as stakeholders in both JetSuite and JetSuiteX.

With this investment in JetSuite, Inc., Qatar Airways will help fuel the growth of JetSuite's private aviation business, which currently focuses on light and very light jets. The investment extends to JetSuiteX, the sibling company to JetSuite, further accelerating the expansion of its acclaimed semi-private air service on the U.S. West Coast and beyond. JetSuiteX fills a niche in underserved short haul markets and small airports, and enjoys a Net Promoter Score over 90, higher than the major U.S. airlines. JetSuiteX operates its fleet of Embraer 135 aircraft from private terminals in California and Nevada, with no lines, no waiting and no stress, at a price competitive with commercial travel. The Qatar Airways investment will enable faster expansion of this fleet and the ability to reach new destinations, including the potential to bring the semi-private model to additional U.S. regions.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to invest in such unique business as JetSuite and JetSuiteX; we believe that both businesses are complimentary to Qatar Airways business and maintain the core values and customer focus of our own business.  We believe that JetSuite and JetSuiteX deliver a truly class-leading service to the U.S. market with a huge potential for development, and we are very excited to invest in this opportunity alongside JetBlue and the other investors."

"As an innovator in private aviation, we are proud to have attracted the attention of one of the world's highest rated and fastest growing airlines," said Alex Wilcox, Founder and CEO of JetSuite and JetSuiteX. "Qatar Airways shares our focus on customers and product. JetBlue and Qatar Airways together are a dream team of investors, and they will allow us to execute our vision of offering a superior service to the forgotten short haul U.S. air market even more quickly."

"JetSuite's innovative JetSuiteX service and customer-focused approach aligns perfectly with our values at JetBlue, which is why we are so pleased that our partners at Qatar Airways are joining us in supporting this venture," said Robin Hayes, President and CEO, JetBlue. "We look forward to seeing JetSuite further grow on the West Coast and beyond to bring additional air travel choices to customers in underserved markets."

This investment further supports Qatar Airways investment strategy, which already includes minority investments in several other international carriers, such as International Airlines Group, LATAM Airlines Group, Cathay Pacific and Air Italy.

(Image provided with JetSuite news release)

FMI: www.jetsuite.com, www.jetblue.com