On the third day of the Monaco Yacht Show, VistaJet and Bombardier held a roundtable discussion to celebrate 20 years of innovation in private aviation. The event delved into the future of luxury travel, highlighting advancements in jet technology and the shifting trends within the yachting world.
The morning of the 27th September started with an exclusive roundtable discussion hosted by VistaJet and Bombardier at the new Aviator Lounge by Bombardier, marking the 20th anniversary of their collaboration. The event brought together industry leaders to reflect on the past two decades of innovation and share insights into the future of luxury private aviation.
Top executives, including Matteo Atti, VistaJet’s Chief Marketing Officer, and Simon Rochefort, Vice President of Sales and Development, discussed how the company has shaped the private jet industry and what drives ultra-high-net-worth individuals. They stressed the importance of understanding their client’s evolving preferences and needs and the value of staying agile and open to new technologies.
“We use technology with moderation, as you only need to change as fast as the people change,” said Atti. “There is no point in being ahead of the curve of the customer.”
See more: Podcast: VistaJet’s Simon Rochefort talks elite travel
It was revealed that VistaJet operates from 2,700 airports worldwide, which requires providing multiple services to meet its clients’ needs. To keep up with these demands, VistaJet has developed booking and food delivery apps, offering personalised services tailored to its clients’ preferences. With a dedicated tech team of 400, VistaJet has a strong focus on technological innovation. Atti disclosed that one standout feature developed by the team is the daylight simulation system, which clients highly appreciate for its ability to help reduce the effects of jet lag.
In addition to VistaJet’s technological advancements, Bombardier executives, including Mathieu Noël, Director of Product Strategy and Sustainability, and Ettore Rodaro, Vice President of Regional Sales Europe, delved into the company’s work in sustainable aviation. They spotlighted the Global 7500 and 8000 aircraft as examples of industry-leading innovation. Ettore stated, “Sustainability, when combined with technology, is also rooted in engineering.”
The Bombardier Global 8000 aircraft allows clients to fly up to 17 hours uninterrupted. “We recently had a client who flew from the famous Ambani wedding in India to Paris in 16 hours straight and another who flew from Saint Martin in the Caribbean to the Galapagos in 15 hours,” revealed Ettore.
With its ability to fly several nonstop routes, the Global 8000 demonstrates sustainability by reducing the need for additional fuel stops and minimising overall fuel consumption and emissions during long-haul flights.
See more: Photos: New Aviator Lounge by Bombardier opens at the Yacht Club de Monaco
The roundtable also featured special guests from the yachting world, such as Fraser Yachts CEO Anders Kurtén and Benetti Yachts Marketing Director Camilla Calza, who explored the growing link between private aviation and yachting, discussing how both industries serve a shared, demanding clientele. “When you talk about market trends, it’s healthy to understand that these ecosystems (yachts and aviation) are extremely scarce,” noted Kurtén.
According to Kurtén, the younger audience wants more diversity regarding yachts, as today, they are more focused on social spaces and what the client can do onboard. “The younger client wants to continue their lifestyle seamlessly on board,” disclosed Kurtén. Features such as tenders, water toys, wellness areas, fine dining, and remote trips are in high demand. “Trips to Greenland on explorer yachts have tripled this past year, for example,” reflected Kurtén.
Kurtén provided an example of how the yachting industry is adapting to these evolving demands through yacht design and crew recruitment. “We recently posted a job listing for a new crew position with the following description: ‘Trilingual, teaches yoga, can make a mean martini, and plays a musical instrument,’” he shared with a smile. This reflects the growing expectation for crew members to offer more diverse skills that align with the modern, lifestyle-focused experiences younger clients seek on board.
Camilla Calza shared this sentiment, mentioning that the first step in designing yachts is to understand what the client wants, as every aspect of the process is based on the client relationship.
Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Photo by Monaco Life.