Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Thomas.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Before entering private aviation, I worked for an investment firm where the expectation was to deliver ever-increasing results with little support. I became conflicted working in a culture that prioritized profits over people and encouraged me to “farm my relationships.” Despite my dedication to clients, I couldn’t shake the feeling that integrity was being compromised.
Around that time, an unexpected opportunity opened a new path. I had family and friends connected to private aviation, and when a friend of a friend needed a charter, I was able to step in to help. That experience introduced me to the world of jet charters and then led me to yet another company culture that didn’t align with my values.
After sharing my concerns with my father, he told me something that changed my life: “You can build a better jet charter brokerage than this.” I took his words to heart, prayed for direction, and soon after, Stratos Jets was established.
Founded in 2007, Stratos Jets set out to redefine private aviation by doing things differently and delivering an exceptional customer experience through education, personal relationships, and customer advocacy. We believed that education empowers the industry to make better, safer charter decisions, and we built our business around that principle. From the beginning, we’ve served as an agent for our clients, not as an aircraft operator, allowing us to eliminate conflicts of interest and always recommend the safest, most suitable aircraft for every flight.
Over the years, our commitment to excellence has earned recognition across the aviation community. We became one of the few ARGUS Certified Charter Brokers and a Wyvern Approved Broker and an active participant in leading safety organizations like the Air Charter Safety Foundation.
In 2024, we expanded our mission with a new ownership through a franchise model that empowers aviation professionals to build their own agencies under the Stratos Jets brand. This evolution allows us to accelerate the positive transformation of the private jet charter industry while extending our culture of integrity, safety, and excellence even farther.
Nearly two decades after our founding, our purpose remains unchanged: to serve our private jet flyers with honesty, transparency, and care, and to glorify God through the pursuit of excellence in everything we do.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Over the years, I’ve encountered every issue and dealt with unreasonable private jet flyers and dishonest aircraft operators. By reframing my Why to honor God, I can put interests aside and deliver excellence in my work product.
The journey hasn’t been smooth or predictable. One of the greatest challenges has been pivoting Stratos Jets from a traditional charter broker into an entirely new category: the industry’s first charter broker franchise. We spent years establishing the infrastructure, processes, and technology that would allow future franchise owners to step in and operate seamlessly from day one, a challenge that required rethinking every part of the business, from compliance and technology to client experience.
Launching something completely new meant not only building the systems and support to make it work, but also shifting the industry’s mindset and redefining how people think about private-jet charter. For decades, many in the market have held the perception that charter flights are a commodity, where price often trumps safety, service, or long-term relationships. We set out to change that narrative by creating an ecosystem built on technology and going above and beyond that benefits everyone involved: clients, air carriers, and the brokers who serve them. Through our Approved Vendor Program, Stratos FMS, and performance-based franchise model, we’ve built a system that prioritizes safety, consistency, and advocacy over transaction volume.
The process has not been easy—introducing a new category never is—but it strengthened our purpose and validated our belief that private aviation can operate at a higher standard. Today, as the franchise network continues to expand with more than 200 ownership inquiries and 12 agencies onboarded, we’re seeing proof that doing what’s right, even when it’s hard, pays off.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Stratos Jets is the world’s first and only private-jet charter brokerage franchise, built not simply as a broker but as a complete platform for the next generation of aviation agencies. We provide the systems, personnel, and safety framework that empower independent firms to deliver a world-class charter experience under a trusted national brand. Central to our offering is the proprietary Stratos Flight Management System (FMS) and our 24/7 Flight Coordination Center, infrastructure that each franchised agency uses so clients benefit from a consistent, seamless, and reliable experience on every charter.
What sets us apart is this infrastructure paired with a culture of continual pursuit of excellence and glorifying God in our work. Our Approved Vendor Program was developed to exceed typical broker standards, requiring every aircraft, carrier and crew to go through deeper vetting to support our uncompromising safety and integrity promise. We don’t just meet expectations, we surprise clients by paying attention to details others overlook and delivering service that is distinctively different.
Since launching the franchise model in 2024, growth has surpassed expectations: we’ve received over 200 ownership inquiries and recently welcomed our 12th franchised agency. Our model enables franchise agencies to focus on what matters most—relationship-building and delivering exceptional experiences while Stratos Jets handles the technical, compliance and operational backbone.
Clients booking through a Stratos Jets franchised agency gain access to the highest safety standards, full platform support and an experience that is consistent from coast to coast. For aviation professionals, we offer the opportunity to own a business backed by best-in-class infrastructure, proven systems and a brand recognized for performance and integrity.
What makes you happy? Why?
What really makes me happy is living in alignment with the purpose God created me for. I’ve learned that real joy doesn’t come from success or comfort, it comes from using the gifts He’s given me the way He intended. When I’m doing that—leading with integrity, serving others, and building something that honors Him—that’s when I feel the most fulfilled. It’s a kind of happiness that runs deeper than anything else.
Pricing:
- In every sense, Stratos Jets represents the future of private aviation where technology, safety, and human expertise converge to create a smarter, more secure travel experience. Every flight booked through the a Stratos Jets agent is protected by three layers of assurance: our Approved Vendor Program, which rigorously vets each aircraft, operator, and crew; our $50 million Non-Owned Liability Policy, which extends coverage beyond the carrier’s own insurance; and our FlightGuard™ Protection Plan, which includes AOG Mechanical Recovery Coverage to guarantee mission continuity in the event of a mechanical issue. These safeguards, combined with the oversight of our 24/7 Flight Coordination Center and the intelligence of the proprietary Stratos Flight Management System (FMS), build a foundation that supports our advisors, safeguards our clients, and ensures every flight runs exactly as it should.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stratosjets.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stratosjets/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratos-jets/
Image Credits
Credit: Stratos Jets
