Broker Spotlight: Jet Productions

Air Charter Guide recently spoke with Kim Scolari of Jet Productions. Jet Productions Worldwide, Inc. is located at the Van Nuys Airport in Van Nuys, California and offers charter services 24/7.

1) What sets your operation apart from the competition?
Since 1998, I have maintained a smaller, low profile boutique operation. This allows me to spend more time focused on servicing my passengers with a more personal touch that comes from a very caring place and years and years of hands on aviation experience. Of course, safety is always the first priority and I only use the top Wyvern and ARGUS rated operators to start off with. But I also believe a great charter experience is in the details, great food on board, custom aircraft stock, pretty amenities throughout the fresh clean cabin, working with the Flight Attendants to ensure the best possible service, flight following with the ground team, etc. It really is about communication with all parties including: the client’s team, the ground team, the operator, and the crew. Being involved 100 percent of the way, from the time the client leaves their house or hotel to the plane; until they safely land at their final destination. I also love what I do, so I care that everyone has a good experience, including the crews. When everyone is happy, I am happy. It’s that simple.

2) What does the future look like for your company?
I feel very positive about the future. There are so many new ways to charter and book jets, from the share model to booking online. That, coupled with the low availability of private jet aircraft means that planning a trip becomes more complicated every day. That’s why I truly stand by the charter broker model. We work for the client to source the right jet for their mission, rather than to sell them the last jet in the hangar. So long as there is a need for private jet travel, there will be the need for a private jet broker. Hopefully a very experienced, caring, human one with a personal touch.

3) How did you get into aviation?
I started as a Flight Attendant, first for the airlines, then corporate. I was a corporate Flight Attendant for 12 years in the Los Angeles area. In that time, I flew for a Saudi Sheikh and traveled all over the world on a private part 91 Boeing 707. I was even based in Saudi Arabia for a few years. It was a very interesting job, to say the least, and I got a good taste of the world’s best destinations, restaurants and 5 star hotels. After 3- 4 years traveling the world with the Sheikh, I moved to LA and became a Freelance Flight Attendant for 8 more years. I toured the world with Frank Sinatra on his final tour, which gave me great insight into touring and helps me understand my music touring charters today. For a short time I also flew privately for MGM Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian on his Boeing 727, which was also an incredible experience. We flew him mostly to island destinations, which was a dream job for me, because I love beaches more than cities. After I hung up my wings in the 90’s, I made the leap from the skies to the desk with a charter sales and marketing position at Elite Aviation. There I learned every aspect of quoting and sourcing all size jets, from Lears to Boeings. It was like charter boot camp! We never said no to any trip request. If the planes in our fleet were not available we brokered the trip. I loved it from the first trip I ever brokered, which happened to be for Eddie Murphy during the filming of Holy Man. The time I had at Elite prepared me to broker on my own and start my own company, Jet Productions Worldwide Inc., in 1998.

4) What is the hidden gem destination city you would recommend for charter travelers?
Well, like I said, I love beaches. I recently went down to Punta Mita and stayed at this amazing 5-star Relais and Chateaux Hotel called Imanta. It was quite lovely and serene. There were only 12 rooms, with its own private pristine beach.  It reminded me of my years flying to similar remote destinations.  I also love the Greek Islands, Bondi Beach, British Virgin Islands, Majorca and the beaches in South America and Mexico.

5) What is the must-see attraction you recommend?
A trip down the Amazon.

6) List your top five restaurants in the world
Paris: La Tour D Argent.  Geneva Switzerland: Auberge De Saviese. London: Dishoom in Covent Garden.  New York: Lartusi for Italian Food, Cadence for Vegan Food. Best vegan, both in my hometown of Los Angeles: Crossroads Kitchen on Melrose and Plant Food and Wine in Venice.

7) Fun stories or narrative to share:
When I was a Flight Attendant for Arabian American Oil Co., we were flying the Minister of Oil, His Excellency Sheik Ahmed Zaki Yamani. It was my first day on the job. I had checked out some books on Arab culture and read them on the deadhead flight from Los Angeles to Dharan, Saudi Arabia. The flight (the next day) was from Dhahran to London. I was so nervous. I was just a young girl from San Diego, California with less than a year of Flight Attendant experience under my belt, flying short hops on PSA Airlines from SAN to LAS. This was quite a big deal. A private Boeing, a Sheikh!

His Excellency came on board in traditional Arabic attire, with a huge entourage complete with five bodyguards. He made his way down the aisle, into the grand stateroom, and took his seat.  I nervously made my way over to his seat to offer him a drink. He said he would only like some “Prayer Water”. Having just read up on the culture, it made sense to me. I said, “Of course, Your Excellency,” then went up to the galley to ask the other Flight Attendants where we kept the prayer water. They were all so confused and explained of course we did not keep prayer water on the plane. When I told him, “I am so sorry, Your Excellency, but we do not stock prayer water on the plane,” he broke out into the loudest, heartiest, knee-slapping, roaring laugh. I stood there frozen, panicked. He finally composed himself, wiping away tears of laughter, and said, “I said Perrier Water.”

8) What is your #1 travel tip for charter travelers?
Pack light and wear flat shoes. It’s never fun hobbling around in high heels schlepping a ton of bags.

 9) Contact info:
Kim Scolari
Jet Productions Worldwide, Inc.
7240 Hayvenhurst Place. Ste 247
Van Nuys CA 91406
Ph: 818-781-4742
www.jetproductions.net