With 10 new Airbus aircraft on order, the ambitious American airline is preparing to introduce a new way to travel, combining the exclusivity of private aviation with the convenience of scheduled flights.
Imagine arriving at a private terminal just 30 minutes before departure, bypassing the usual airport crowds and boarding an aircraft with no more than 53 passengers. Once on board, you’re greeted by spacious seating, restaurant-quality dining and the sort of personalised service usually reserved for private aviation. This is the experience Magnifica Air is promising with its new concept, which it calls ‘Private Class’.
The Florida-based airline has taken another significant step towards making that vision a reality, revealing a firm order for 10 Airbus ACJ220-300 aircraft, previously listed in Airbus’s order book under an undisclosed customer. The announcement brings its planned fleet to 17 aircraft, comprising 14 ACJ220s and three larger ACJ321neos. Its first A220 is already in production
Unlike traditional private jet operators, Magnifica Air’s principal offering will be scheduled flights, allowing passengers to book individual seats rather than chartering an entire aircraft. The idea is to offer many of the benefits of flying privately, without the considerable expense of hiring a jet
Behind the concept is co-founder and CEO Wade Black, an aviation industry veteran with more than three decades of experience. He believes there is an opportunity to cater to travellers who find conventional first class too impersonal, but don’t necessarily need an entire private aircraft. Rather than focusing exclusively on what happens in the cabin, Magnifica Air is looking to rethink the journey from beginning to end.
And the experience begins long before take-off. Passengers will depart from dedicated private aviation terminals, where exclusive lounges, streamlined security procedures and concierge services are designed to make navigating the airport a much more pleasant experience. The airline intends to allow guests to arrive as little as 30 minutes before departure, with personalised concierge assistance and coordinated ground transfers available at both ends of the journey. For frequent flyers accustomed to crowded terminals, lengthy check-in procedures and baggage reclaim, the appeal is easy to understand.
On board, the difference is equally striking. Magnifica Air’s new ACJ220-300s are expected to accommodate just 54 passengers, compared with approximately 150 on a conventional A220. The low-density configuration allows for generously proportioned seating, with private suites offering an additional level of exclusivity. The larger A321neos are also expected to feature a lounge at the rear of the cabin.
Interiors are being designed to feel more like a private jet than a commercial airliner, with no overhead luggage bins interrupting the sense of space. Even the bathrooms are receiving special attention, with the airline promising a level of comfort more commonly associated with luxury hotels than commercial aircraft. Advanced air and surface purification technology, alongside cabin humidification systems, should also help make the journey more comfortable, reflecting the airline’s emphasis on wellbeing in the air.
Hospitality will be another important part of the experience. Magnifica Air has outlined plans for culinary programmes developed with leading chefs and sommeliers, alongside personalised onboard service that responds to individual preferences. The intention is to make dining at altitude something passengers genuinely look forward to, rather than simply another part of the journey.
For those looking for something beyond the flight itself, Magnifica Air is also developing The Seven Club, a private membership programme offering exclusive experiences both in the air and on the ground. With family memberships starting at $14,950 (around €13,500), the club promises invitations to cultural and sporting events, from Art Basel to Formula One, as well as specially curated culinary and wellness experiences. Members will also have access to additional travel benefits, including preferential pricing and priority access to private suites, depending on their membership level. It’s an approach that takes inspiration from the world of private members’ clubs, positioning the airline as something more than simply a means of getting from one destination to another.
Behind the scenes, the airline has also selected Airbus’s Skywise digital systems to support flight planning and crew operations, helping to deliver the seamless travel experience it is promising.
Initially, Magnifica Air intends to focus on the American market, with services planned between South Florida and New York, followed by connections to destinations such as Los Angeles, San Jose, Dallas and Houston. Seasonal routes to the Caribbean are also being considered, while Black has spoken of ambitions to extend the concept internationally through partnerships with established airlines. The airline is currently targeting early 2028 for its inaugural commercial flight.
As for the price, the company has indicated that tickets could cost approximately 1.5 to two times the average commercial first-class fare, depending on the route.
Of course, Magnifica Air has yet to begin carrying passengers, and much will depend on how successfully it delivers its ambitious promises. But for travellers who are accustomed to exceptional service in every other aspect of their lives, the prospect of an airline bringing the same level of attention to the entire journey is certainly an appealing one.
