Flytenow, the Californian-based “Uber for planes” is battling federal regulators who claim it offers an illegal charter operation. The company says its service complies with all applicable laws and regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration believes that flight-sharing is illegal when it involves an “online service that can reach a broad segment of the public interested in flying”, and as a result Flytenow had to stop listing its available flights online last year. The company went to court last month and a decision is pending.
Flytenow, the Californian-based “Uber for planes” is battling federal regulators who claim it offers an illegal charter operation. The company works by running an online bulletin board where private pilots post their flight plans and potential passengers can arrange to fly with them on the condition that expenses are shared equally. The Federal Aviation Administration believes that flight-sharing is illegal when it involves an “online service that can reach a broad segment of the public interested in flying”, and as a result Flytenow had to stop listing its available flights online last year. The company went to court last month and a decision is pending.