Shaquille O'Neal in a Gulfstream IVSP in 2001 - Check out the Air Charter Guide Cover!

As the NBA season is to start in October we found this beauty of a cover of our 15 year anniversary edition of The Air Charter Guide from 2001. Founder Fred Gevalt writes in his foreword: “It takes a big guy to obscure the fuselage of ... a Gulfstream IVSP, but at seven feet one inch, Lakers ace Shaquille O’Neal is clearly the man for the job.” Shaq points out about the heavy jet:” I have room to stretch out. That’s a real luxury for me.”

The 4x NBA champion was then one of private jet charter broker company eBizJet’s (now Sentient) more visible customer advocates in 2001. He appreciated the fact that with a travel card plan he “gets where he needs to be, safely, and at a great price.” 

Shaq had been open about his reservations regarding private jet ownership. As explained in an article from last month’s Private Jet Cards: Prepaid Charter — AIR CHARTER JOURNAL the costs associated with buying, maintaining, and operating a jet can be astronomical. However, with his growing family and list of business interests and his increasingly busy schedule Shaq, in 2023, decided to purchase a heavy jet. His wide-cabin 2010 Bombardier Challenger 650 holds up to 12 passengers and has a range of 4,000 nautical miles. The jet features a custom design with his iconic "Dunkman" logo prominently displayed, and a classy interior with extra-large cream leather seating and gorgeous high-gloss wood paneling perfect for long-haul travel.

Aviation Week by Informa’s Michele Markarian meets with Michael Gimbel from JSX and Will Holroyd from GGT Worldwise at ACA’s Regional Forum in Dallas.

Michele Markarian and Bettina Gentile of The Air Charter Guide Celebrating Founder Fred Gevalt’s Birthday.

In current Air Charter Guide news, our team attended an informative Regional Forum in Dallas, TX last month organized by The Air Charter Association and loved meeting with you at the Air Charter Expo at Biggin Hill on September 8th!

And Happy Belated Birthday to our founder Fred Gevalt! A good time was had by all!