Blue Star Jets Reaches for the Sky

Social Life
August 2004

Cruising in the highest echelons of transportation is no longer a novelty in the Hamptons. A limited edition Mercedes G Wagon and a ride on the Jitney simply don't cut it anymore. Do you expect Paris Hilton to grin and bear hours of traffic on the LIE with the rest of us? I didn't think so. So when the celebutante needed to make her grand apperance at the Sony Play Station 2 Estate for the launch of her Heiress record label, she called Blue Star Jets to provide her with a method of transportation suitable for a heiress. Truth be told, Blue Star's number can be found on the speed dial of most cell phones within the celebrity set - or should we say jet-set.

Former Wall Street execs Richard Sitomer and Todd Rome were inspired to create Blue Star Jets when they became dissatisfied with the few options available for private jet travel. They set themselves the goal of imagining a way to conduct such travel that would be more flexible and cost effective than the full-or fractional-share ownership of a jet required of travelers by other jet chartering companies. Sitomer and Rome, the CEO and the President of Blue Star, respectively, named their new enterprise after the fictional airline in the movie "Wall Street".

Groucho Marx once said "I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member". He might have reconsidered getting a Blue Star Jets SkyCard membership, if long lines and tight security disturbed his jet-set lifestyle. This innovative company offers five different membership levels; all provide the ultimate in luxury travel. With cards resembling that of American Express, Blue Star membership offers benefits at several levels in order to fit member's specific needs. Prices range from $50,000 for basic Blue to $1,000,000 for the elite Black card. Membership comes complete with concierge service and access to 2,500 planes. Each time you take a flight, the cost is deducted from your account.

Howard Moses, P. Diddy & Ricky Sitomer

Aircrafts include Falcons, Gulfstreams, Learjets and Citations; helicopters are available. Blue Star can ready a plane anywhere around the world in as little as five hours notice. With over 2,000 planes globally positioned, Blue Star is able to find the "best aircraft at the best price every time." If you're lucky enough to have lavish friends or family members, you can take a trip at their request, even if he or she is not present.

A celebrity lifestyle comes along with a Blue Star Jets package. Once you go Blue, Sitomer and Rome provide you with an aviation specialist who is available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, to make sure your every need is met while on ground or in flight. Be it some Whitecastle hamburgers to go, or a Bentley waiting upon arrival, nothing is unfeasible. Booking at top-tier hotels and ressies at the choicest eateries will be arranged. And speaking of food, don't expect frozen curry chicken to be served on this flight, a comprehensive gourmet menu satisfies even the most unusual cravings. Blue Star keeps a customer profile of your wishes so you need not ask twice.

The Air Salon is Blue Star's latest extravagant offering. Does flying bring out the worst in your skin and hair? Snap your fingers and stylists from Warren Tricomi Salon can be onboard, providing you with a full range of luxurious beauty treatments to ensure you look your best upon landing. Oz Garcia's nutritional services and Botox courtesy of Plastic Surgeon Dr. Paul Lorenc round out the Air Salon's in-flight menu. It's clear why celebrities look so darn good after stepping off a plane.

Although marketed towards the masses, hip hop super stars, celebrities, and athletes comprise a large fraction of Blue Star Jets' clientele. For the Fourth of July weekend, it customized a special helicopter for P. Diddy and made sure that Beyonce and Jay Z arrived in style. Rod Stewart had Blue Star coordinate his North American tour and Howard Stern took a flight out of the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. The company's ability to organize flights on such short notice is its value proposition.

Its safe to say that execs from Blue Star Jets like the good life as much as their clientele do, by sponsoring events such as the Hampton Classics, VH1's Save the Music, and the Bridge Hampton Polo. "By sponsoring these events," says Howard Moses, Blue Star's Vice President, Marketing, "we support the experience and initiatives of partner undertakings and develop relationships with future clients."

For the 50th anniversary of the 727 aircraft, Blue Star will remove the tables from an aircraft, thus transforming the resulting space into a dance floor. As the seasons change, Blue Star Jets can help you transition between weekend getaways, like Palm Beach, Aspen, or Gstaad. The freedom and flexibility afforded by the Blue Star service encourages potential clients to be as spontaneous as they like. "Fly like you own it, pay like you don't" is the Blue Star motto. Ahhhh, living like a rock star has never been so easy.