Palantir Technologies Inc. and Surf Air Mobility Inc. have expanded their software partnership to accelerate the commercial rollout of the SurfOS aviation platform, capitalizing on a recent multi-million dollar contracts with Wheels Up Experience Inc.

Announced in a joint press release on June 29, 2026, the agreement commits additional engineering and commercial resources from Palantir to develop OperatorOS, OwnerOS, and SurfOS Enterprise Solutions. The initiative aims to modernize private aviation by replacing fragmented manual processes with a centralized operating system powered by Palantir’s Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) and Foundry.

Expanding the SurfOS Ecosystem

The expanded collaboration focuses on bringing the remaining components of the SurfOS ecosystem to market. While Surf Air Mobility initially developed the software to manage its own operations, the company is now packaging these tools for external operators, brokers, and aircraft owners.

Ted Mabrey, Global Head of Commercial at Palantir, highlighted the market potential for a unified software architecture in the June 29 announcement.

“Private aviation and air mobility are large, growing markets that have historically relied on fragmented systems and manual processes. With Foundry and AIP powering SurfOS, we see a clear opportunity to build and define the central operating system for the future of aviation and air mobility, and our expanded commitment reflects our conviction in Surf Air Mobility and the opportunity ahead.”

Liam Fayed, Co-Founder of Surf Air Mobility, noted that the additional technical support from Palantir will enable faster deployment of the software to end markets. The companies intend to target operators of light and super-midsize business jets, including aircraft types like the Embraer Phenom 300 and Bombardier Challenger 300 series.

The Wheels Up Catalyst

The decision to accelerate the broader SurfOS suite follows a major commercial milestone for the platform’s brokerage component. On June 25, 2026, Surf Air Mobility announced Wheels Up Experience Inc. as the launch customer for Enterprise BrokerOS, according to reporting by Aviation Week.

The software is designed to replace multiple legacy systems at Wheels Up, streamlining aircraft sourcing, quote generation, and customer bookings. The initial agreement spans two years with an option for a third. Aviation Week reported that the contract could generate up to $12 million in subscription revenue for Surf Air Mobility over the potential three-year term.

George Mattson, Chief Executive Officer of Wheels Up, described the integration of Enterprise BrokerOS as a defining step in solidifying the operator as an AI-forward company.

AirPro News analysis

The private aviation and charter sector has long struggled with disjointed scheduling, maintenance, and booking software. Operators frequently rely on a patchwork of legacy systems that require manual data entry to communicate with one another. By integrating Palantir’s AIP and Foundry into SurfOS, Surf Air Mobility is attempting to create a unified digital environment for the industry.

We view the recent Wheels Up contract as a critical proof of concept for this strategy. Securing a major operator as a launch customer validates the commercial viability of the software suite. This early revenue generation likely provided the catalyst for Palantir to commit further engineering resources toward the remaining OperatorOS and OwnerOS products. If successful, this transition positions Surf Air Mobility not just as an air mobility operator, but as a primary B2B software provider in the business aviation market.

Sources: Business Wire

On June 22, 2026, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and Deer Jet launched the first commercial charter flight of the COMAC Business Jet (CBJ), marking the entry into service of China’s first domestically produced VIP aircraft. The maiden flight operated from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (ZSSS) to Beijing Capital International Airport (ZBAA).

According to a press release issued by Deer Jet, an operator affiliated with HNA Aviation Group, the launch represents a critical step in the serialized development of the COMAC C909 program. The CBJ is a VIP derivative of the C909 regional airliner, which COMAC rebranded from the ARJ21 designation in late 2024 to align with its C919 narrowbody and C929 widebody programs.

Operational details and aircraft specifications

The CBJ configuration received its Validation Type Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in March 2021, following the initial type certification of the baseline airframe in 2014. Deer Jet will operate the aircraft to serve high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients in the domestic high-end travel market.

The aircraft features a 19-meter cabin that can be configured to accommodate between 12 and 29 passengers. The manufacturer specifications for the CBJ include:

• Maximum range: 2,800 nautical miles (5,000 kilometers) with eight passengers
• Cruising speed: Mach 0.78
• Operating altitude: 35,000 feet typical, certified up to 39,000 feet
• Powerplant: Two GE Aerospace CF34-10A engines, each producing 17,410 pounds of thrust
• Maximum takeoff weight: 43,500 kilograms (95,900 pounds)

Strategic milestones for COMAC and HNA Aviation Group

The entry into service of the CBJ builds upon the operational history of the baseline C909 regional jet, which entered commercial service in June 2016. To date, COMAC has delivered 185 C909 aircraft. The global fleet has carried 36 million passengers across 12 countries and accumulated 1 million safe flight hours over the past decade.

COMAC Chief Accountant Yu Shihai stated that this operational history provides a solid foundation for the safe operation of the CBJ. HNA Aviation Group Chairman Ding Yongzheng described the maiden flight as an important milestone for both companies in advancing the serialized development of domestic civil aircraft.

Deer Jet Business Jet Group President Zhou Wei noted that the company plans to use flexible operating models to promote the CBJ and achieve scaled operations within the domestic market.

AirPro News analysis

The commercial debut of the CBJ represents a tangible advancement in China’s broader strategic initiative to reduce its reliance on Western aerospace technology. Historically, the business aviation sector in China has been dominated by established Western original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Dassault. By introducing a homegrown alternative, COMAC is positioning itself to capture domestic market share while demonstrating the versatility of the C909 platform. We view the partnership with Deer Jet as a calculated move to leverage an established operator’s market reputation to build confidence in the new VIP derivative.

Sources: China eVTOL News

Prague-based operator Atmospherica Private Jets has expanded its fleet renewal program with an order for two new Embraer Phenom 300E aircraft, scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2028.

The acquisition, announced in a June 25, 2026, press release, aligns with the company’s strategy to maintain an average fleet age of no more than 2.5 years. The operator also confirmed that a previously ordered Phenom 300E is on track for delivery in the second quarter of 2027, which will bring its total active Phenom fleet to seven aircraft.

Fleet strategy and AOG mitigation

Atmospherica replaces its light jets after six to seven years of operation to ensure high dispatch reliability and passenger comfort. According to reporting by ch-aviation, the operator currently flies five Phenom 300E jets alongside one legacy Embraer Phenom 300.

The addition of new airframes provides critical operational redundancy. Atmospherica Aviation Accountable Manager Alice Horváth-Muška told ch-aviation that the company will maintain five Phenom 300Es on active schedules to support its charter network.

“We will be operating five Phenom 300Es, and the sixth is a spare that can help in AOG situations,” Horváth-Muška said.

Broader operational expansion

Beyond its light jet operations, the Czech operator has been expanding its midsize and super-midsize capabilities. In January 2026, Atmospherica secured a second Air Operator Certificate (AOC) under the name Atmospherica Jets. This secondary certificate was established to facilitate operational approvals for its Embraer Praetor 600 fleet, specifically targeting transatlantic services.

AirPro News analysis

We view Atmospherica’s aggressive fleet renewal cycle as a distinct competitive advantage in the European charter market. Maintaining an average fleet age below 2.5 years requires substantial and continuous capital investment, but it directly translates to higher dispatch reliability and lower maintenance downtime. Utilizing a modern aircraft specifically as an Aircraft on Ground (AOG) spare is an exceptionally premium approach to schedule protection. This strategy also underscores the continued dominance of the Embraer Phenom 300 series in the light jet segment, as operators prefer fleet commonality to streamline pilot training and maintenance operations.

Sources: Atmospherica Private Jets