Florida's Brand New Airline Will Offer A High-End Flight Experience On A Budget

Magnifica Air is on the precipice of boldly going where no airline has ever gone before. Or at least going where no airline has ever gone and survived before. The soon-to-launch all-business-class carrier made its official debut in October at the 2025 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada (a nightlife and convention mecca that offers plenty of outdoor activities). The brainchild of Charles D. Carey, the niche-market airline is a component of Magnifica, the luxury lifestyle brand associated with sustainability-focused project and asset management firm CIG Companies. It also includes ventures into resort and residential development.

Touted as an air travel choice that combines the exclusivity of a private jet experience with the accessibility of a commercial airline, the carrier is eyeing a to-be-determined 2027 launch date. "Magnifica Air isn't just about getting from one place to another — it's about creating an unforgettable experience where luxury meets deeply personalized service," Wade Black, Magnifica Air CEO and co-founder said in a  2024 press release when the airline filed its initial application for FAA certification. "Our dedication to operational excellence, innovation, and a customer-centric philosophy that ensures each traveler feels known and valued."

The lengthy FAA review process encompassing design reviews, safety tests, and operational validations is expected to be completed in late 2026. In the meantime, the carrier is creating industry buzz with promises of an ultra-luxe fleet of Airbus A220-300s and A321neo aircraft with interiors created by aviation designer Comlux. The Switzerland-based firm, a leader in the world of private jet configuration, aims to create an in-flight experience on par with private air travel.

To that end, Magnifica Air's passenger cabin will do away with overhead bins, creating a more spacious in-flight experience. An aside for anxious baggage checkers, the airline promises to deliver luggage to a secure location within 15 minutes of arrival at your destination. Additional in-flight features include generous seating configurations that limit passenger load to a maximum of 54 travelers, along with four private suites on long-haul routes serviced by the carrier's A321neos and two private suites on its A220-300s. Cabin decor finishes, including adaptive lighted and hand-crafted seating, will be chosen to command an air of understated elegance highlighted by food and beverage offerings created in partnership with renowned chefs and sommeliers.

Plans also include curated pre-boarding and post-flight experiences. Departing passengers arrive in private terminals with on-site baggage handling and a TSA-approved screening process. Once processed, passengers are invited to partake in pre-flight dining and cocktails before boarding the aircraft via shuttle or private ramp. Upon arrival, passengers will be welcome to freshen up in the private lounge before picking up their luggage curbside where chauffeurs will be waiting to transport them on their forward journey. In line with its parent company's focus on sustainability, Magnifica Air expects a carbon-neutral launch in 2027 and cabin design will incorporate a commercial-scale surface purification system along with features like an air humidification system to enhance in-flight wellness. "Magnifica Air is pioneering a new space between private aviation and first-class commercial travel," Black said in a press release. "This is more than transportation — it's a movement, redefining how discerning guests experience the skies."

Current plans call for Magnifica Air to operate six to seven daily departures from Miami connecting to airports in New York, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay, Dallas, and Houston. Potential seasonal routes include flights between Napa Valley and destinations in the Caribbean. There's also talk of introducing VIP charters and curated experiential trips planned to coincide with high-end events like Art Basel — a renowned arts festival with annual events in Hong Kong, Basel (a beautiful and historic town in Germany that's perfect for a European couples getaway), Paris, and Miami. Charters may also take passengers to the Grand Prix Formula 1 in Monaco — the second smallest country in Europe. In the midst of all the hoopla, bells, and whistles surrounding Magnifica Air's debut at the 2025 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, one key bit of information seems to be missing. What's it all going to cost? 

While exact fares are yet to be determined, the carrier is planning to operate, at least in part, a membership-based service. Billed as a "a private membership platform that reframes air travel as an invitation into a cultural, emotional, and curated world," The Seven Club by Magnifica Air appears to offer tiered-level memberships at set prices that entitle members to enjoy refined cabins, priority access, and tailored service. With fees starting at $14,950 for The Seven Club Family membership and $29,950 for corporate memberships, it's unclear exactly what members get in return compared to individual passengers, or if flying Magnifica Air without a membership is even an option.