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Paramount Business Jets is named top US operator

September 12, 2026

The Washington D.C.-based charter broker has been recognised by Luxury Lifestyle Awards for its safety oversight, pricing transparency and personalised client service.

Richard Zaher's firm has built its reputation on third-party safety verification and an open-book pricing model since its founding in 2005.

Paramount Business Jets has been named Best Luxury Private Aviation Company in the USA for 2026 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, an international organisation that recognises excellence across luxury industries worldwide.

Founded in 2005 and based in the Washington D.C. metro area, Paramount operates as an independent advisory broker rather than an operator, drawing on a network of more than 4,000 vetted aircraft worldwide to match clients with aircraft and operators based on mission requirements, routing and safety qualifications. The company is a longtime ARGUS and Wyvern Registered Broker and holds ARGUS Certified Charter Broker and Wyvern Wingman Broker credentials, conducting a third-party safety check of the proposed aircraft, operator and crew before every flight and providing clients with a safety report.

“Luxury in private aviation is not simply about the aircraft, it is about the confidence that comes from knowing every detail of your journey is being handled with care, experience and accountability,” says Richard Zaher, founder and CEO of Paramount Business Jets.

Paramount offers both on-demand charter, without a long-term commitment or deposit, and jet card membership with an open-book pricing model. The company began itemising its broker margin on jet card quotes in 2010 and introduced its open-book pricing publicly in 2014, giving members visibility into underlying charter costs alongside its margin. It serves clients across major US markets including New York, Miami and Los Angeles, as well as international markets such as London, Paris, Hong Kong and Dubai, with charter available on as little as four hours' notice.

“Recognition is meaningful, but what matters most is earning a client's trust again on the next flight," Zaher adds. "That responsibility has guided Paramount from the beginning, and it will continue to guide us going forward.”

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