Fractional jet provider Flexjet has established a global training academy for its cabin servers at Farnborough Airport in the UK. The Red Label Academy aims to elevate private aviation’s in-flight service experience to a five-star hospitality standard.
The academy is an extension of Flexjet's Red Label program, which includes flight crews dedicated to specific aircraft, as well as LXi custom aircraft cabins.
While other private aviation firms typically rely on third-party training for cabin staff, Flexjet's approach focuses on in-house excellence training, according to Megan Wolf, the company's chief experience officer. “By opening infrastructure specifically dedicated to excellence training and curating professionals in the hospitality industry to teach alongside our in-house team, we have set a new standard in cabin experience. No one else in the industry is doing this,” she claimed.
The academy is led by Flexjet v-p of customer experience Francesco Vanerio, who previously worked for the five-star Villa d’Este hotel in Lake Como, Italy. Its training curriculum features expertise from renowned sommeliers, chefs, and floral designers, as well as collaboration with the Dorchester Collection Academy.
The training program spans two weeks and covers topics such as mixology, wine service, floristry, and sushi presentation. It includes scenario-based service training, as well as specialized training for attending to children and pets onboard.