RISE Air

RISE, founded in 2014 by serial entrepreneur Nick Kennedy, operated as a membership-based private airline targeting frequent business travelers in Texas. Kennedy's own experience accumulating over two million airline miles and losing valuable time inspired him to create a more efficient travel solution. He identified an opportunity in the underutilization of private planes, developing a two-sided marketplace that connected business executives with private plane operators.

The company's business model was centered on an "all-you-can-fly" monthly subscription, which provided members access to a network of scheduled flights. This subscription model was designed to bridge the gap between commercial and private aviation, offering a premium, hassle-free experience at a more accessible price point. RISE focused on saving its members time by eliminating common airport frustrations, allowing check-in just minutes before departure. The service primarily operated between major Texas cities, including Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, using a fleet that included Beechcraft King Air 350s.

In a significant milestone, RISE was acquired by its California-based competitor, Surf Air, in June 2017. At the time of the acquisition, RISE was the second-largest company in the "all-you-can-fly" travel category. The consolidation aimed to merge the two networks, expanding Surf Air's footprint into the southeastern U.S. and creating a combined entity with 445 weekly flights across 17 destinations. Following the acquisition, the RISE brand was transitioned to Surf Air, and Nick Kennedy assumed the role of President for the Texas and South-East region for the newly combined company.

Keywords: RISE Air, Nick Kennedy, Surf Air, all-you-can-fly, subscription aviation, private air travel, business travel, Texas aviation, air charter, membership airline, short-haul flights, aviation marketplace, corporate travel solutions, private aviation membership, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Beechcraft King Air, commuter airline, air taxi