In today’s fast-paced environment, private aviation offers time-saving solutions with added benefits. For professional athletes, namely golfers, that’s an appealing alternative to flying commercial in which anything could go wrong.
Ultimately, it’s not about traveling from point A to point B — it’s also about avoiding unnecessary complications that could elevate the blood pressure, not to mention create psychological havoc. Hey, who doesn’t love delays or a canceled flight? If flying commercial builds character, then going private must build sanity, right?
Golfers are nimble creatures. Being folded up in a chair waiting in some fill-in-the-blank airport terminal is about as enjoyable as staring at chewed gum stuck to the floor. It’s also paradoxical to the golfer of today, who looks to maximize every advantage with the help of dieticians, trainers, physical therapists, swing and mental coaches. Why suffer through longer travel times that only add more wear and tear to the body?
This is where Boston-based Magellan Jets enters the picture. Founded in 2008, it is one of the largest private aviation solutions companies that offer a comprehensive range of services, delivering customized flying experiences to its private clients globally. Magellan Jets has flown passengers to more than 100 countries, garnering a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 90 (out of 100). An NPS score between 90-100 indicates strong customer advocacy and satisfaction.
As the company became successful, it did so partly through recreational golf packages. It’s about creating experiences.
“We’ve probably done between 6,000 and 7,000 personal golf-related trips,” says Josh Lesnick, Magellan Jets’ chief commercial officer.
Besides that, in the past few years it has waded into the professional player space. Participants on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have taken notice. It’s not a new concept; just one that has gained more awareness. In the case of Magellan Jets, its purpose is to alleviate hassles by managing beginning-to-end planning. That means executing them all the way down to parking a player’s car when they arrive at the airport.
“With professional golfers,” Lesnick says, “it's a lot of in-the-moment needs where they need to get to tournaments or appearances quickly. Depending on what happens during a tournament, sometimes they also need to get out of there sooner than expected, or even later than expected.”
Magellan Jets uses a curated network of more than 2,500 aircraft providers instead of owning planes. This asset-light model affords the company the ability to quickly arrange flights for golfers anywhere, domestically or internationally, even on short notice. Its business model has led to 10 years of 30% year-over-year growth. Additionally, the company was named by Modern Luxury as Best Private Jet Charter 2024 and is among Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing Companies.
Lesnick compared its model to the hotel industry, something he’s familiar with after working in that segment over a vast career. Hotel companies used to own the buildings, he says, whereas they’ve moved more toward managing them. Real estate investment trusts have taken on the ownership roles.
Over the past several years, Magellan Jets has raised its profile by signing brand ambassadors from diversified fields that include equestrian to football to golf, just to name a few.
Count a Super Bowl head coach as one.
On the company’s website, New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel says: “Magellan Jets’ focus on safety, dependability and flexibility gives me the peace of mind I need to stay focused in my professional career and connected in my personal life.”
The PGA Tour’s Will Zalatoris joined in 2025 as an ambassador. He quickly became a Jet Card holder, which is a perk-filled program that caters to frequent travelers. It makes sense since he’s flying weekly to and from PGA Tour events, personal appearances and leisure activities.
To break it down further, a Jet Card holder enjoys no blackout days, with fixed hourly rates that are fully refundable (requires a deposit). Some other benefits include a 24-hour booking notice; long-leg/round-trip discounts and, for 50-plus hour purchases, additional amenities; potential rate locks through a certain period; and in addition to Jet Cards, service offerings, such as fractional ownership.
For those who are eligible for fractional ownership, Magellan Jets partners with Slate Aviation, specifically in the Challenger 850. It provides a more traditional, high-use ownership structure. It is recommended to contact Magellan Jets for fractional ownership opportunities.
“The Jet Card offers fixed rates,” Lesnick says. “So even during the holidays, for example, the price is the same. It doesn't go up during peak days with 365-day availability. It comes with perks like catering, de-icing, so it’s all the stuff you need that's all packaged in one fixed price with guaranteed availability.
“Think of it this way too: There could be a time where a crew times out because of a layover or weather. Or there could be an unforeseen mechanical issue where we have to switch planes. That's where a Jet Card is beneficial. We are always trying to be one step ahead. It’s all on us to get a replacement plane and to make sure it's there.”
Although the company has moved more into the professional golf space, it has not abandoned its recreational packages. The company recently launched Magellan Jets Journeys, a partnership program with Premier Golf offering sought-after experiences tailored for private clients.
Some of the packages include travel to world-famous destinations and multi-day tours to play America’s most historic courses. For instance, Magellan Jets has booked trips to Bandon Dunes, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pinehurst Resort and Whistling Straits, as well as iconic country clubs. Each private client is paired with a dedicated private aviation advisor, well-versed in golf and who manages all aspects of the journey.
Part of the packages might also incorporate other points of interest, such as museum stops or wine tasting adventures.
“We are not just providing inspiration to fly; we are offering our clients a key to unlock a world of exclusive experiences that reflect their passions,” Joshua Hebert, Magellan Jets founder and CEO, says. “It’s about creating exceptional memories and deepening the value of their relationship with us.”
Magellan Jets’ Federal Aviation Administration certificated flight operations team works to ensure that each plane undergoes a safety check on every leg flown. The company also provides a Safety Management System that is above industry standards and focuses on identifying and mitigating risks proactively; trained, tested and vetted flight crews with captains averaging 9,700-plus hours of flight experience; continuous learning and through ongoing team training and active involvement in organizations like the Air Charter Safety Foundation; and extensive auditing of its operators and aircraft to make sure they exceed Magellan Jets Preferred Network expectations.
All things considered, whether it’s for recreational or professional circumstances, Magellan Jets provides reliable service and quality aircraft for both leisure and business travelers.
“As a Dallas resident,” says Zalatoris, runner-up in his Masters debut in 2021, “having access to Magellan Jets’ exceptional service and top-tier aircraft makes traveling to and from tournaments seamless.”
This convenience is essential in competitive professional golf. Why not try to get a leg up on the field?
After all, the 19th hole was never intended to be just another airport bar.
