The Pandemic Changed Private Jets FOREVER | Emily Deaton

In this episode of Hangar X, host John Ramstead sits down with Emily Deaton, CEO of Jet Aviva, to unpack the post-pandemic transformation of business aviation. From the surge in first-time buyers to the stabilization of demand, Emily shares insider insights into who’s buying aircraft today, what’s driving long-term ownership trends, and what market signals reveal about the broader health of aerospace.

They dive into how buyer behavior has evolved since COVID, why the traditional “charter-to-fractional-to-ownership” path is disappearing, and what first-time buyers should really focus on before purchasing an aircraft (hint: it’s not the airplane).

Episode Highlights

Charter management: smart cost offset or risky assumption?

Market signals from light jets to large-cabin aircraft

Leadership lessons from navigating nonstop volatility

How Angel Flight showcases the true purpose of business aviation

Why aviation remains one of the most relationship-driven industries in the world

🕒 Key Points & Timestamps

[00:04:18] – The First-Time Buyer Surge Post-Pandemic

Pre-pandemic, first-time buyers represented ~10% of transactions. After COVID, that jumped to 30% annually — a massive industry shift.

[00:07:32] – Did Those New Buyers Stay?