SkyGuru

SkyGuru operates in the travel technology market, specifically targeting the significant portion of the population with a fear of flying, or aerophobia. The company was founded in 2015 by Alex Gervash and Viktorina Lintsova. Gervash's unique background as both a commercial pilot (FAA and EASA licensed) and a psychologist with a degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem was the driving force behind the company's creation. Having spent over 16 years treating approximately 15,000 individuals for fear of flying, he identified a critical gap: patients needed real-time support during the flight itself, not just in pre-flight therapy sessions. This insight, born from helping his own girlfriend overcome her aerophobia, led to the development of the SkyGuru application.

The core of the business is a mobile application that functions as an in-flight guide, acting like a pilot sitting next to the user. It demystifies the flying experience by providing real-time explanations for every stage of the journey, from takeoff procedures to in-flight sounds and sensations. The business model is primarily based on in-app purchases for individual flights, with a free version offering limited features like weather and turbulence forecasts. The company also generates revenue by selling collected flight data. The app's key differentiator is its ability to function in airplane mode. Before the flight, it downloads professional aviation data, including weather forecasts and the flight path based on an analysis of previous flights on the same route. During the flight, it utilizes the smartphone's own sensors—such as the gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, and microphone—to track the plane's movements, confirm forecasts, and explain events like turbulence, g-forces, and noises in a clear, straightforward manner. The app also includes features like points of interest along the route, seat recommendations for the best views, and psychological support techniques. In 2022, SkyGuru announced the availability of its API for third-party integration, opening another potential revenue stream.

The company's development included a partnership with IT company Taktik Labs, an investment of $450,000, and a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund the Android version. It has since expanded to include related offerings like "Flight Buddy," an in-person air supporter service, and "AlexAi," an AI-powered therapist for aerophobia.

Keywords: fear of flying, aerophobia, flight anxiety, travel tech, mobile application, in-flight guide, turbulence forecast, real-time flight explanation, aviation psychology, pilot-guided app, travel wellness, passenger experience, flight companion, mobile sensor data, aviation data, travel support, Alex Gervash, in-flight support, flight comfort, nervous flyers, air travel anxiety, airplane mode app