Aerion continues to expand its order book for the AS2, adding membership-based charter program Set Jet as a launch customer for the Mach 1.4 business jet. Collaborating with Aerion, Set Jet expects to fold the AS2 into its domestic and international expansion plans with new point-to-point flights.

“As a jet pilot with over 10,000 hours of flight time, I was of course very intrigued by the Aerion AS2 and the ability to provide our five-star luxury travel experience to our members at a speed greater than the speed of sound,” said Set Jet CEO Tom Smith. “Set Jet is excited to work with Aerion, an industry leader in the category, and be the first to provide environmentally responsible supersonic private jet service between LA and Hawaii, as well as New York and London, with approximately three and four-hour flight times respectively.”

Aerion continues to build the order book for the supersonic jet as it progresses toward production in 2023 and market entry later in the decade. By the end of last year, Aerion had reported its backlog had grown to $6.5 billion, well ahead of its targets for 2020.

Meanwhile, Aerion is expanding its sales reach with the return of veteran business aviation executive Sean McGeough as v-p of sales. McGeough has more than 25 years of industry experience, most recently as executive v-p of corporate sales for Wheels Up. McGeough previously spent almost three years with Aerion as v-p of sales for North America after serving as president and CEO of Nextant Aerospace and president of Hawker Beechcraft for the Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions.

“Sean is an incredibly well-respected sales leader with an in-depth knowledge of our industry and the expectations of our customers,” said Matt Cram, Aerion chief commercial officer and executive v-p of sales and marketing.