• The VIP Seat
  • Posts
  • Joby Buys Blade, Paris Hilton’s Pink Gulfstream 450

Joby Buys Blade, Paris Hilton’s Pink Gulfstream 450

Plus, M&A corner featuring FBO's and one MRO deal that got denied...

AuthorAuthor

Jessica Naor & Preston Holland
August 06, 2025

✈️ The VIP Seat Weekly

Your business aviation hot takes, served fresh

This week: Paris Hilton debuts pink G450 "Sliv Air," Joby acquires Blade's eVTOL operations for $125M, FBO M&A heats up with multiple deals, DC crash hearings reveal finger-pointing chaos, and Brazil dodges aviation tariffs.

Season 2, Episode 10 | August 6th, 2025 | Episode Companion

Programming note: we are a day late, sorry for that! Both hosts were under the weather Monday to record but WE ARE SO BACK, BABY!

🛫 The Runway Report

The top 5 stories from this week's podcast that are moving the needle in bizav

1️⃣ Paris Hilton's Pink G450 Is Peak "Sliving"

The Scoop: Paris Hilton unveiled her custom pink G450 called "Sliv Air" - a birthday gift from husband Carter Reum. The aircraft features multiple shades of pink controlled from the cockpit, Starlink connectivity, custom quilted leather, and "Let's Keep Sliving" painted on the belly. Done by StandardAero in Illinois.

Our Take: This is a one-of-one masterpiece that screams millennial excess in the best way possible. The before-and-after photos show a complete transformation from standard to spectacular. Paris gets her own VIP seat marked "Paris" while family and guests get "Sliv Air" headrests. Peak aviation personalization.

Links: Robb Report 

2️⃣ Joby Buys Blade's eVTOL Dreams for $125M (Maybe)

The Scoop: Joby Aviation acquired Blade's urban air mobility operations for up to $125 million - but only $80M is closing consideration, with earnouts, holdbacks, and retention payments making up the rest. Joby gets the passenger business, helicopter routes, and urban bases while Blade keeps the profitable organ transport division.

Our Take: Is this a customer acquisition play ($3,500 per existing passenger) or expensive vaporware buying? Joby gets 50,000 annual passengers and established routes, but they're paying for relationships to aircraft that don't exist yet. The winner-take-all eVTOL strategy makes sense, but the math is questionable.

3️⃣ FBO M&A Feeding Frenzy Continues

The Scoop: Multiple FBO deals dropped this week: Jet Aviation acquired Aston Sky FBO at Paris-Le Bourget, Burbank FBO ended its 22-year Million Air partnership, and AeroCenters added Sheltair's Lakeland Linder location. SA AeroInvest is on a buying spree across the industry.

Our Take: The industry is getting its groove back with real M&A activity. SA AeroInvest's Michael Scheeringa has touched every major aviation company - his resume reads like an industry who's who from US Airways to NetJets to Signature. When this guy moves, the industry pays attention.

4️⃣ DC Crash Hearings: Everyone Blames Everyone

The Scoop: NTSB hearings on the DC midair collision reveal finger-pointing chaos. Military turned off ADS-B for training, ATC failed to maintain separation, and now everyone's mad at everyone else. NTSB wants mandatory ADS-B in, but there's debate whether controllers even need the data.

Our Take: Stop pointing fingers and fix the damn problem. Military needs ADS-B on unless it's covert ops, ATC needs better tech, and every pilot should have ADS-B in - it's not expensive anymore. People died, and all we're getting is bureaucratic blame games instead of solutions.

5️⃣ NetJets Blocked from Columbus Sale (Union Power)

The Scoop: An arbitrator blocked NetJets' sale of its Columbus maintenance facility to SA AeroInvest after the Teamsters union intervened. The facility has 200 workers covered by collective bargaining agreements, complicating the transaction.

Our Take: First question in any aviation M&A: "Is your team unionized?" This is exactly why. The deal will probably still happen, but SA AeroInvest will have to honor existing labor agreements and job protections. Union involvement adds complexity but protects workers in these transactions.

🤳 Mile High Madness

This week's wildest aviation content from social media

Preston's Blue Angels Victory Lap: Photographer David Rosen captured the money shot - Blue Angels flying in perfect formation directly over that "Say No to Blue Angels" billboard in Seattle. It's like the universe has a sense of humor about aviation protests. Legendary photo that might become a permanent part of their Seattle show routine.

Jessie's Mini Cow Passenger: Trade Wind Aviation flew the cutest passenger ever - a baby cow named Sophia worth $10-15K. This beautiful belted Galloway or Highland mix got the full PC-12 private jet treatment. Proof that the Pilatus can haul people, golf clubs, AND livestock. The cow probably had a better flight experience than most commercial passengers.

⚡ Quick Hits

Other stories on our radar

  • M&A Corner Music Needed - Send us your AI-generated intro music for our M&A segments! We need theme music for the deals.

  • Fly Alliance Lawsuit Dropped - Illegal charter accusations dismissed with prejudice after two-year battle. Good news for the industry.

  • Brazil Negotiate a Tariff Dodge - Aviation continues to avoid the worst tariff impacts, keeping South American supply chains intact.

🎧 This Week's Episode

Missed the podcast? Catch up on the full episode at the links below! We would LOVE if you would give us a 5 start review, and share with your friends!

✈️ The Final Approach

From pink G450s to baby cow passengers to billion-dollar eVTOL bets, this industry never stops surprising us. The M&A market is heating up, unions are flexing their power, and Paris Hilton is out here setting customization standards we didn't know we needed. Keep those deal tips coming!

The VIP Seat Weekly is the companion newsletter to The VIP Seat podcast. We give you the business aviation hot takes for your commute.

How did you like this week's episode?

Give us your honest feedback. We dish it, we can take it!

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Reply

or to participate.