SurfJet

SurfJet(浪捷航空 )

leaf-tired-language

Founded

2015

Parent company

SurfJet Holdings, Inc.

Region

#region:nam

Headquarters

#country:united-states, Nevada, Henderson

Frequent flyer program

SurfClub

Website

https://surfjet.com

Hubs

BUR, LAS, OAK, SCF

Slogan

"Fly like a boss."

Tags

#airline:surfjet

SurfJet is an American semi-private airline headquartered in Henderson, Nevada. It sells individual seats on scheduled flights between private terminals, avoiding the crowds and lines of major airline terminals. SurfJet operates turboprops and regional jets on point-to-point routes across the western United States and Mexico. Its stated goal is "leading the charge for green regional air travel" through efficient turboprops and, in the future, hybrid-electric and all-electric aircraft.

History

SurfJet was founded in 2015 by John Bennett, who serves as its President and CEO.

SurfJet launched its first turboprop service in 2015, flying from Las Vegas to Burbank and Phoenix. It later moved its Phoenix-area service to Scottsdale.

In 2026, SurfJet introduced regional jets, opening its first international route, Los Angeles–Cabo San Lucas, followed by service linking Burbank, Oakland and Seattle.

Name and identity

SurfJet's ICAO code, "ETA," and its callsign, "TIME MACHINE," both refer to the time passengers save by flying direct between strategic city pairs and skipping major airport terminals. The callsign was first used by a charter operator Bennett was involved with in the late 1990s and early 2000s, before founding SurfJet.

Business model

SurfJet operates under FAR Part 135 and sells seats as public charters under DOT Part 380. Every flight has a single-class cabin, and SurfJet does not charge extra for seats, service or terminal amenities. Every passenger receives the same experience.

Fleet and cabin

SurfJet's fleet consists of turboprops and regional jets. The airline has a strong affinity for turboprops, which it considers uniquely suited to its West Coast network across California, Nevada and Arizona. Turboprops cost roughly half as much per hour to operate as comparable jets and burn roughly half as much fuel. SurfJet promotes this as a way to keep fares reasonable and to reduce its environmental impact.

Future fleet

SurfJet is also a strong supporter of and advocate for electric propulsion. With small regional jets no longer in production, it sees electric aircraft as the future of its fleet, and has pledged to buy at least 50 Heart Aerospace ES-36 hybrid-electric aircraft, expected to enter service in the mid-2030s.

Cabins

Cabins have fewer seats than standard airline layouts, meeting regulatory passenger limits and allowing a single flight attendant. The reduced seating allows:

• Larger, more comfortable seats with extra legroom
• A dedicated passenger galley serving complimentary food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages and premium snacks
• Free high-speed Wi-Fi on every aircraft, provided by Gogo Galileo

Lounges and FBOs

SurfJet Lounges are private terminals leased and operated by SurfJet for its own flights. Its largest passenger facilities are in Las Vegas (LAS) and Burbank (BUR), with lounges also in Scottsdale (SCF) and Oakland (OAK).

Elsewhere, SurfJet operates from fixed-base operators (FBOs), primarily Signature Aviation, with which it maintains a close relationship. FBOs are chosen based on:

• Terminal size and ramp space for security screening, passenger processing and multiple aircraft at once
• Willingness to work with SurfJet
• Cost

Maintenance

SurfJet's main maintenance base is at Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Mesa, Arizona, which offers ample hangar and ramp space for heavier maintenance. Smaller maintenance facilities at Las Vegas and Burbank handle line work, and SurfJet contracts third-party providers elsewhere as needed.

SurfClub

SurfClub is SurfJet's membership and loyalty program, and every SurfJet passenger is technically a paid member. Membership is issued automatically with a passenger's first booking, and its one-time membership cost is included in that first fare. Members then create a login and book through the SurfClub app or the SurfJet website, with their details saved for future trips. The universal paid membership model also gives SurfJet flexibility as regulations change.

SurfClub has no status tiers. It includes:

• Points: Members earn 5% of their base fares back as SurfJet flight credit, valid for 12 months. Up to five household members can pool credits.
• Unlimited Flights Annual Membership: A separate paid program for individuals, groups, and companies, offering unlimited free fares for an annual fee.
• Referrals: Members and the friends they refer each receive flight credit after the new member's first flight.

SurfJet.fm

SurfJet.fm is SurfJet's music initiative. It sponsors electronic dance music (EDM) events at smaller venues, hosts open-deck sessions at SurfJet Lounges for vetted, pre-approved DJs, and invites artists to live-stream sets from its lounges, primarily Burbank. Guests have included DJ Koco aka Shimokita and The Avalanches.

The project began in 2019 but was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic and relaunched in 2022. It is part of SurfJet's grassroots marketing strategy and gives its lounges a lively, ever-changing atmosphere.

Marketing

SurfJet's slogan is "Fly like a boss." Its 2026 digital campaign of the same name targets travelers in Los Angeles and Phoenix.

Regulatory advocacy

SurfJet has publicly opposed efforts by major U.S. airlines and industry groups to impose airline-style rules on public charter operators. It positions itself at the vanguard of efforts to liberalize and restructure the rules governing charter, commuter and air taxi operations. It lobbies heavily for further market deregulation, including higher seat and payload limits, and strongly supports TSA's Partial Program and Twelve-Five Program.

SurfJet argues that stronger charter and commuter markets will drive the growth of an American aviation industry that leads the way in smaller regional and commuter aircraft powered entirely or partly by electricity.