PlaneSense founder, president and CEO

George Andoniadis

‘We’re always focused on what’s next for PlaneSense, continually exploring new ways to enhance the value we provide to our clients with innovative products and service features to elevate their travel experience,’ remarks PlaneSense founder, president and CEO George Andoniadis.

PlaneSense, the largest aviation company in New Hampshire, spent 2025 celebrating its 30th anniversary. The fractional ownership company operates a fleet of jets and turboprops out of the Portsmouth International Airport. George Antoniadis, Founder, President, and CEO offered NHBR contributing writer Paul Briand some insights on success, growth, and doing business in the Granite State.

Q. As the CEO, how do you account for success after 30 years?

A. Reaching the 30-year milestone is a testament to our collective vision and perseverance. We have continually differentiated ourselves in the marketplace by making strategic choices from the very start. Selecting the right aircraft enabled us to offer highly cost-effective, intelligent flight solutions for our clients. This thoughtful approach to fleet development has been instrumental in delivering value and establishing our reputation for excellence.

Equally important is our unwavering commitment to exceptional service and safety. From our focus on the client experience to our rigorous safety protocols, every aspect of our operations is designed to ensure that our clients experience not only convenience and efficiency, but also peace of mind when they fly with us.

Another critical element is our team. The people behind our brand truly make the difference. Our high attention to service has set us apart in a very competitive industry. We’ve also practiced metered growth and maintained a conservative approach to both our business and expansion, ensuring that every step forward is sustainable and strategic. These combined efforts have paved the way for our longevity and current growth point.

Q. Fractional ownership of aircraft is definitely a niche business. What about it makes it so attractive to people?

A. Fractional aircraft ownership is appealing because it offers remarkable flexibility and efficiency to flyers. Instead of having to purchase an entire aircraft, individuals can buy only the share size that matches their actual flying requirements, which is much less than what full ownership would entail.

For example, the average private aircraft in the United States is flown just 300 hours per year, or less than an hour a day. With a fractional program, share owners additionally take advantage of a shared fleet that operates close to one thousand hours annually per aircraft which results in a significant reduction in overhead costs.

Q. Your business originally started in Westwood Norwood, Mass., in 1995. How has New Hampshire been as a place to headquarter your business?

A. We are proud to be part of the New Hampshire business community. Over the years, we have worked with State leadership to improve aviation regulations and infrastructure. The collaborative environment at Pease has been a wonderful experience and we feel at home in Portsmouth. Our New Hampshire clients have been instrumental in our company’s development. Their loyalty and support have shaped our services and strengthened our reputation, providing a foundation for growth both statewide and nationally. New Hampshire also provides an exceptional talent pool, allowing us to thrive and scale our business while also maintaining an unwavering focus on quality and safety.

Q. What’s next for PlaneSense?

A. We’re always focused on what’s next for PlaneSense, continually exploring new ways to enhance the value we provide to our clients with innovative products and service features to elevate their travel experience.

This forward-thinking approach has led to the launch of offerings like CobaltPass jet cards, the strategic collaboration with Jetfly, and the creation of the PlaneSense Sourcing Solution, an internal team that supports clients with flight needs beyond our own fleet. We are actively expanding our footprint across the United States, broadening our client base, and growing our fleet to meet increasing demand.

Continued investment in our core strengths, such as maintenance and training, remains a top priority to ensure exceptional operational performance. For instance, while our pilot training program was once exclusive to our own team, we have opened it to the wider aviation community and plan to expand this outreach in the coming years.

To read the full interview, visit nhbr.com.