More Than a Flight

A history of personal service and lasting connections

Our Core Values

  • We take the time to understand our clients and our team. Every interaction is personal, every detail considered. It’s not just about getting you there, it’s about how you feel along the way.

  • We operate with transparency and honesty, making decisions with our clients, partners, and team in mind. We believe that doing things the right way matters.

  • We pay attention to what works and find ways to make it better. Whether it’s improving the travel experience or supporting our team, we’re always thinking ahead.

  • We take responsibility for every detail. From planning to execution, we hold ourselves accountable and make decisions with our clients’ best interests in mind.

1980

Erin Air took off on August 14, 1980, as the first private charter operator in the Pacific Northwest. We started small. Three employees, one King Air A90, and our first business client, The Bon Marché.

1990

Demand for private charter grew, and so did we. Upgrading to a King Air A200, we logged 10,000 flight hours along the West Coast and built a strong reputation in Seattle’s business community.

2000

With the addition of a Cessna Citation II, we expanded our reach. Moving to Boeing Field (BFI) gave us the opportunity to develop our own jet management program–something that set the foundation for long-term growth.

2010

This decade was about expansion. We surpassed 50,000 flight hours and grew our fleet with a Citation VII, two Citation XLs, a Citation X, and a Citation Bravo. To maintain the highest safety standards, we brought maintenance in-house, allowing us to fly farther, including Hawai’i, Central, and South America.

2020

Now in our 45th year, Erin Air continues to provide trusted private charter service in the Pacific Northwest. Our focus remains the same. Personalized service, high safety standards, and a seamless experience for every flight.

Michael J. Malone

Founder & Chairman, Erin Air

I’ve loved airplanes and aviation all my life, and, around 1979, was able to buy a King Air A90. After my first dozen flights or so, I realized I would never be able to use the plane to its fullest extent. The concept was born: I would let others use the plane when I was not and provide them the opportunity to fly privately via charter. At that time, I discovered that applying for and being granted an FAA 135 Charter Certificate was not that difficult. Erin Air was launched, and, today, we stand as the oldest private jet charter company on Boeing Field and within the Puget Sound.

Over time, I replaced the A90 with a King Air 200, and, eventually, a Cessna Citation II. As I sought to grow the company’s footprint, I was fortunate to meet and hire Alan Turnidge as Chief Pilot. With both Alan’s help and the new Citation II, Erin Air became a real enterprise. Alan exceeded the roles of a standard pilot, possessing strong personable attributes and an exceptionally acute sense of customer service and care. Although Alan passed away some years ago, these traits and values are fundamental to Erin Air’s culture and success today.

The growth of Erin Air transpired organically. The story goes, a good friend of mine used to charter frequently with us. As such, I eventually agreed to sell him one of our jets, on one condition: Erin Air would continue to manage the aircraft, provide pilots, insurance, maintenance, and charter the plane when he wasn’t using it himself. This partnership allowed me to purchase another Citation Jet, which led to the size of our fleet doubling. In this same manner, the business has been growing ever since. Including my own, Erin Air now has a growing number of aircraft under management and continues to partner with several others who have found this business model of owning a private jet beneficial.

I still love planes and aviation. Since the company’s origin, I have continued to extend the opportunity of flying private to those who desire as well as provide other owners with the same benefits with their own aircraft.