A California startup is testing a new way of luring passengers with an “all you can fly” model that lets members travel between select city pairs aboard a Pilatus PC-12 for a flat monthly fee of $1,650.
Surf Air plans to link four California cities starting on June 12 as service between San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles begins. Unlike traditional airline travel, Surf Air members can book or cancel flights quickly and easily using a mobile app, can park for free at the airports, and won’t incur fees for baggage or flight changes, the company says.
Surf Air flights will be flown with two pilots on a regular schedule under an FAA-approved Part 135 charter certificate in the commuter category. The company has raised a total of $11 million in venture capital to date and has plans to expand its service to other small airports in cities underserved by traditional airlines.
