Press Release
October 5, 2000
WALTHAM, MA -- FlightTime.com, a global provider of air-charter services, today unveiled Freedom Plan, providing
individuals and corporations a cost-effective way to combine the convenience of private aviation with the flexibility
of charter. Freedom Plan members avoid the burden and risk of owning and maintaining aircraft, the high cost and
long-term commitment of fractional aircraft ownership, and excess charges associated with traditional charter.
Freedom Plan members pay a membership fee plus competitive rates for the hours they fly, whereas traditional charter
services charge travelers for so-called empty legs when aircraft are en route to meet them. Members have guaranteed
availability for flights scheduled at least 12 hours in advance of the trip, and fly exclusively on aircraft that
go through intense safety audits performed by Wyvern Aviation Consulting Ltd. Wyvern, the charter industry's recognized
leader in air-safety auditing, inspects and maintains detailed records on charter operators, aircraft and pilots
around the world.
``Freedom Plan enables companies or individuals to buy air-charter services at a fixed hourly rate and schedule
flights that fit travelers' schedules,'' said FlightTime.com President Bob McBride. ``In addition, we offer online
booking and account-management services to help customers plan and book their trips at their convenience.''
Freedom Plan, a domestic travel program, is designed for frequent business travelers who want to avoid the hassles
of commercial service and the drawbacks of current systems for owning or using executive-class travel. Freedom
Plan is ideal for those who do not want the liability of aircraft ownership and for corporations requiring additional
aviation capabilities to complement their existing aircraft fleets. Freedom Plan packages are available for as
few as 25 hours.
Freedom Plan is the latest travel product from FlightTime.com, which provides a suite of air-charter travel products
and services tailored to meet the various needs of business and leisure travelers worldwide. Product offerings
include Global Programs, used by corporations such as Procter & Gamble to create a ``Virtual Private Airline''
that transports employees in dedicated aircraft between frequently traveled city pairs several times each week;
executive charter services for travel on aircraft that accommodate up to 14 passengers; and commercial services
for large groups, such as sports teams and orchestras. FlightTime.com also enables clients to earn AirCharter.Miles
each time they book FlightTime.com services online. Miles can be redeemed for merchandise, travel and accommodations
from some of the most recognizable brands in the travel industry.
About FlightTime.com
FlightTime.com has created, through technology, a global network of aviation operators. The network enables FlightTime.com
to provide air-charter services and a state-of-the-art online booking system to a wide array of customers including
business and leisure travelers, sports teams and corporations. Founded in February 1985, the company has more than
15 years of experience in the global air transportation industry. FlightTime.com is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.,
and London and has offices in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Indianapolis, London, Los Angeles, Milan, Minneapolis, St. Louis
and San Francisco. The FlightTime.com global aviation network includes Wyvern Aviation Consulting Ltd., an international
safety-auditing company, and a proprietary software system for charter operators and managers that is available
via the Internet.
Together these products constitute the first end-to-end aviation network of audited aircraft. FlightTime.com's
online charter reservation system, AirCharter.com, was the first of its kind. It has been rebranded to carry the
new FlightTime.com name. For more information, visit www.FlightTime.com
About Wyvern Aviation Consulting, Ltd.
Wyvern Aviation Consulting, Ltd., offers safety examination and reporting programs to corporate flight departments
and scheduled and charter air carriers worldwide. Wyvern also counsels companies on aircraft management, performs
analyses of business aviation needs and advises companies on the aircraft and routes that are most appropriate
for those needs. Wyvern Aviation Consulting, Ltd. was the first company to offer independent aviation safety evaluations
with continuous monitoring of charter-operator performance. Established in 1991, the company publishes The Wyvern
Report, the world's largest compilation of reports on charter safety. In August 1999, the company introduced The
Wyvern Report Online, the first Internet report on safety audits. Wyvern was acquired in February by FlightTime.com.
For more information, visit www.wyvernltd.com
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Contact:
Hill and Knowlton, New York
Sally O'Dowd, 212/885-0345
Cell: 917/251-7106
sodowd@hillandknowlton.com
- or -
FlightTime.com, Waltham
Lisa Pisaturo, 781/392-1115
Cell: 781/856-1323
l_pisaturo@FlightTime.com