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Stratos integrates FlightGuard into charter bookings

November 8, 2025

FlightGuard provides a financial benefit that offsets the additional cost of securing a comparable replacement aircraft at market rates if the originally scheduled aircraft becomes mechanically unavailable before departure.

Joel Thomas (third from left) with the Stratos team.

Stratos Jets, a private jet charter brokerage franchise, is including AOG mechanical recovery coverage, known as FlightGuard, in every on-demand charter quote arranged through a Stratos Jets agency. The protection is included by default and may be declined by the client at the time of booking.

FlightGuard provides a built-in financial benefit that offsets the additional cost of securing a comparable replacement aircraft at market rates if the originally scheduled aircraft becomes mechanically unavailable before departure. This type of protection has traditionally only been available through jet card memberships that bundle recovery guarantees into higher hourly pricing. Stratos is now making this protection accessible on a per-trip basis without requiring pre-funded deposits, block hours or long-term contracts.

“Reliability shouldn't be reserved for members of prepaid jet card programmes,” says Joel Thomas, founder and CEO of Stratos Jets. “By including FlightGuard in every charter, while still giving clients the choice to opt out, we're removing one of the last reasons travellers felt forced into jet cards for peace of mind.”

Mechanical disruptions remain one of the few unpredictable variables in private aviation. When they occur, replacement aircraft pricing is often subject to same-day market conditions, which can cause significant cost increases. FlightGuard protects travellers from that price shock by applying a defined benefit toward the cost of securing a substitute aircraft, helping ensure continuity of travel without financial exposure.

The announcement also comes ahead of one of the busiest travel periods of the year, when schedule sensitivity and aircraft utilisation are at their peak, further underscoring Stratos Jets' commitment to raising industry reliability expectations year-round, not just seasonally.

FlightGuard is designed to elevate the charter experience: it is included on every charter quote by default with the option to decline at booking; covers the financial gap between the originally booked aircraft cost and the recovery aircraft market rate; eliminates the historical jet card advantage of ‘guaranteed recovery’ pricing; preserves full transparency and control as clients still select aircraft, operators and pricing; has no membership fees, escrow deposits or fixed hourly rates required; and is backed by Stratos Jets' $50 million non-owned liability policy and vetted ARGUS- and Wyvern-rated operator network.

“The industry has taught travellers they must choose flexibility or reliability; FlightGuard proves they can have both transparent, on-demand charter pricing with institutional-level protection built in,” Thomas concludes.

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