The visionary behind Call a Jet
The visionary behind Call a Jet is its founder, Joe Kurta. With a background that might surprise you, Joe transitioned from the music industry, where he owned several record labels, to business aviation in 2008 when vinyl sales were declining. His passion for aviation had always been there, but it was a chance meeting with an old friend while DJing that sparked the idea to enter the business aviation market.
“I was always interested in aviation and had started getting my private pilot license before COVID,” Joe explains. His experience at EBACE (European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition) sealed the deal, inspiring him to launch Call a Jet from scratch.
Joe’s background in the music industry provided valuable skills for the aviation sector. “I learned a lot from music—handling your own shop, being strict with payments, managing artists—which now helps me manage clients.” This unconventional background gave Call a Jet a fresh perspective in an established industry.
The situation: Building a family-owned business with independence and authenticity
Since its inception in 2008, Call a Jet has maintained its commitment to independence. “Philosophy does not work with investors. We want to stay independent and maintain a work-life balance. We are a family-owned business. Clients can count on us,” Joe emphasizes. Today, Joe works with his wife, Yuliya Kurta, and his cousin Otto Kurta. The family’s dog Sherlock serves as the motivator at the Budapest office.
Starting from zero, Joe employed creative guerrilla marketing techniques to build his client base. From placing business cards on luxury cars to handing out flyers on the street, his persistence paid off. “I started putting business cards with three examples of prices on them. My first clients were actually Thai boxers,” Joe recalls with a smile.
Today, Call a Jet operates with a small but effective team based primarily in Budapest. It has additional offices in Puebla, Mexico, and a growing presence in North America. It serves a diverse clientele, with about 30% from Hungary and the remainder primarily from Germany, Austria, and other English-speaking markets.
As a long-time Avinode member since 2010, Call a Jet has leveraged the platform to expand its reach and streamline its operations while maintaining its unique identity in the market.
The solution: Maximizing efficiency with tools designed for charter brokers
In the competitive world of private aviation, Call a Jet recognizes that efficiency and reliability are paramount. Their clients expect swift, seamless service, particularly for last-minute bookings. The challenge was finding a solution that could accelerate their quoting, booking, and payment processes while enhancing client communication.
Streamlined communication and booking process
Call a Jet found its answer in Avinode Group’s integrated solutions. Trip Manager has become central to their operations for quoting and invoicing, while the Avinode App helps them respond to last-minute requests with agility.
“Communication between brokers and operators is a lot quicker and smoother with Avinode,” Joe explains. “With online booking, we’re sending fewer emails back and forth. Links on WhatsApp make everything a lot easier. Even if clients are out and about, it’s easy for them to sign contracts.”
Unified data management
One of the most significant advantages has been the consolidation of data into a single system. “It would be slower to use lots of different software for everything and keep track of the different stages of a flight,” notes Joe. “Everyone has access to the same data in real time—that’s only possible using one software system.”
This unified approach has eliminated information silos, allowing the Call a Jet team to collaborate more effectively and provide consistent service to their clients.
Secure and simplified payments
The integration of Paynode into their workflow has further enhanced the booking experience by simplifying the payment process. “Signing is easier and receiving payments is more streamlined,” Joe explains. This has removed a significant friction point in completing bookings, particularly for time-sensitive flights.
The results: A trusted Broker with authentic connections
For Call a Jet, success isn’t just measured in numbers but in the quality of relationships they’ve built. Their authentic approach to air charter, supported by reliable technology, has established them as a trusted Broker in the industry.
Building trust through reliability
“Only reliable operators are on the system—serious brokers and jet operators,” Joe observes about the Avinode marketplace. This quality assurance gives Call a Jet confidence when sourcing aircraft for their clients, knowing they’re working with reputable partners.
Enhancing client experience with innovation
Call a Jet’s commitment to authenticity extends to their marketing approach. They’ve recently launched a YouTube channel to demystify private aviation for potential clients, showcasing the real experience of flying private without actors or scripts. “It’s in my own interest,” Joe explains. “You need to get creative with your marketing.”
A collaborative partnership built on trust
The relationship with Avinode Group has evolved far beyond a typical vendor-client dynamic. At the heart of this partnership is Åsa Vidner, Call a Jet’s dedicated Customer Success Manager for the past year and a half.
“It’s not just business—it’s a friendship,” Joe explains warmly. “When I share feedback or new ideas, Åsa makes me feel that my input is genuinely valued.”
This close relationship has motivated Joe to actively participate as a development partner for new Avinode features. “It’s in my own interest to help improve the platform,” he says. “When I suggest operational improvements, I know Åsa will champion those ideas internally.”
What stands out for Joe is the responsiveness of the support team. “Anytime I text or call, I get a quick response. In our fast-paced industry, that level of support is invaluable.”
This collaborative approach demonstrates Avinode Group’s commitment to working alongside members as true partners, enhancing the platform based on real industry needs while building relationships that transcend typical business interactions.
What’s next for Call a Jet
Looking ahead, Call a Jet is cautiously expanding into the US market, maintaining its “slow and steady” approach to growth. It’s also focusing on enhancing its digital presence, with its YouTube channel allowing clients to better understand the private aviation process.
For the upcoming busy summer season, Joe offers valuable advice to fellow brokers:
- “Have a big enough workforce to share the workload, organize the work so people don’t get overwhelmed.”
- “Don’t try to multitask—do everything step by step, otherwise you will make mistakes.”
- Focus on regional hotspots like “Palma, Ibiza, and Mykonos,” which Joe predicts will yet again be popular destinations this season.
More about Call a Jet
Founded in 2008, Call a Jet operates primarily from its headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, with additional offices in Puebla, Mexico, and is currently expanding into the North American market. As a private jet charter Broker, the company has built a global network giving them access to more than 12,000 licensed aircraft worldwide. Their client base is diverse, with approximately 30% consisting of Hungarian clients, while the remainder comes primarily from German, Austrian, and other English-speaking markets. Call a Jet has been a valued Avinode member since 2010, utilizing the platform to enhance their service offerings and streamline operations for over a decade.