Charter Spotlight: Malone AirCharter
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Air Charter Guide recently spoke with Cristine Kirk of Malone AirCharter, a woman-owned business based in Jacksonville, Florida. Malone AirCharter focuses on safety, comfort and convenience, providing on-demand service across the continental United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and Canada.
1) Charter traveler tips and know-how – how do you guide a customer through the process?
We start with the understanding that no two clients are the same. Some want a fully curated experience with catering, cabin details, and every touchpoint dialed in. Others just want a safe, efficient flight with no extra friction.
Our job is to read that early and adapt. We stay warm and engaged, answer every question clearly, and tailor each trip to the individual client’s preferences. Whether it’s a high-touch experience or a streamlined, no-fuss trip, we make sure it feels exactly right for them.
2) How would you describe your fleet or flagship aircraft?
Our fleet is intentionally diversified to serve a wide range of client preferences and mission profiles. We operate a light jet, a midsize jet, and two super-midsize aircraft, which allows us to match the right aircraft to each trip rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all solution.
Each category stays consistently busy, which reflects the variety of our client base. That balance gives us flexibility, efficiency, and the ability to deliver the right experience every time, whether it’s a quick regional flight or a longer cross-country mission.
3) What does the future look like for your company?
2026 is about stability and intentional growth. We spent the last year resetting the fleet and infrastructure, and now we’re focused on building consistency. That means the right aircraft, the right clients, and a team that can execute at a high level every time. We’re not chasing volume. We’re building a company that can scale without compromising safety or service.
4) How did you get into aviation?
I started on the accounting side of the business and worked my way into operations and ownership. Aviation has a way of pulling you in once you understand how all the pieces fit together. It’s a complex industry, but that’s also what makes it rewarding.
What is your most popular itinerary/event/destination?
We see a lot of demand along the Southeast corridor, especially Florida to the Northeast and Texas. High-end leisure trips to the Bahamas and Caribbean are consistent, along with business travel into major metros like New York and Chicago. Events like the Super Bowl and The Masters Tournament always drive spikes in demand.
5) Do you specialize in ambulance or cargo?
No, we focus exclusively on passenger charter under Part 135. That allows us to stay dialed in on safety, service, and the client experience without splitting focus across different types of operations.
6) Fun stories or narrative to share:
We once had a trip from California to New York where, mid-flight, a passenger tapped the pilot on the shoulder and asked if we could stop in Chicago for an hour… just to grab pizza.
We made it happen. That’s the flexibility private aviation offers.
Of course, we couldn’t help but think…New York is a pretty good place for pizza too?
7) What is a memorable event you’ve taken passengers to in the past?
We’ve flown clients to everything from major sporting events to private family milestones. One that stands out is coordinating multiple aircraft for a multi-day, multi-state trip where timing had to be exact across several cities. It looked effortless to the client, but it required constant coordination behind the scenes. That’s where experience really shows.
8) Share a key quote about jet travel with our readers
“Private aviation isn’t just about luxury. It’s about control of your time, and time is the one thing you can’t get back.”
