“Why I Never Wanted Admiral Jet to Be the Biggest” – CEO David Doughty
From day one of building Admiral Jet, I made a conscious decision:
I wasn’t chasing size. I was chasing excellence. Delivering excellent private flights – every time.
“Best” will always matter more than “big”
However, there’s a strange obsession in business with being the biggest.
- More clients.
- More revenue.
- More offices.
- More, more, more.
But the businesses that truly stand the test of time — the ones people trust, return to, and recommend — aren’t always the biggest. They’re the ones that are the best at what they do.
Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better
In private aviation, growth for the sake of growth can be dangerous.
Every new client isn’t just another line on a spreadsheet — it’s another promise.
Another relationship to nurture. Another mission to deliver on, flawlessly.
And when businesses scale too fast, quality control slips.
Service becomes inconsistent. Standards start to bend. And clients always notice — even if leadership doesn’t.
At Admiral Jet, we believe every client deserves to feel like the only client.
That level of care doesn’t scale easily. And we’re okay with that.
Excellence Requires Focus
Chasing “best” over “biggest” means making different choices.
We invest in relationships, not just reach.
We obsess over experience, not just numbers.
We say no to opportunities that don’t fit our values or standards.
There’s pride in being selective. In crafting something you know you can deliver at the highest level — flight after flight, year after year.
And in every detail, from the very first phone call to wheels up, we aim for best-in-class:
✅ Rigorous aircraft and operator vetting
✅ Clear, honest advice to clients — even if it’s not the “easy sale”
✅ 24/7 problem-solving when things go wrong (because sometimes, they do)
✅ Working only with trusted partners, and proud members of The Air Charter Association
These aren’t “extras.” They’re the standard. They’re what doing things properly looks like.
Not Everyone’s Choice – Just the Right One
Big businesses can do brilliant things. But for me – and for Admiral Jet – the mission has always been different.
We’re not trying to be everyone’s choice.
We want to be the right choice — for those who value exceptional service and absolute trust.
We’re not trying to be everywhere.
We’re focused on delivering something truly excellent, every time.
We want to be the company you call when only the best will do.
And that’s a goal worth chasing.
