by 
I recently wrote a post about a regional California airline called Surf Air. The airline’s business model is a $1,950 monthly fee which gives a member unlimited flights within their California network (also Las Vegas). One of the interesting things about the company is the way they market themselves. As a long time California resident I had not heard of them until recently, and the airline has been around for three years (I discovered them by an accidental google search). Once you do “discover” their website you need to fill out an online web-form for site access, and then you are professionally contacted a few days later to discuss your interest in a membership.
I say professionally because these guys are not a hard sell at all, which I really appreciate. Upon speaking with the company associate I explained that route network really doesn’t fit my flying pattern (Surf Air fly’s to one airport from Sacramento), but “Thank you for the information.” Regardless of my response, a few weeks later I was invited to tour the Sacramento terminal at McClellan Airfield. Very interested in what this operation looks like, I accepted the invitation and attended the tour of the “private terminal”. One odd note – when I attended the tour at the given time/date on the invitation, my original contact at Surf Air and I had somehow mixed up the dates and she wasn’t there. Regardless, another representative of Surf Air was present and she gladly gave the tour of the facilities.
Upon pulling up to McClellan Jet Services at McClellan Airfield I was impressed to find front row parking directly in front of the terminal. Walking into the terminal building I was greeted warmly by the Surf Air associate, and after a brief discussion she asked me to make myself at home while she assisted the incoming flight. A few minutes later she gave me a tour of the terminal facilities and the PC-12 Pilatus aircraft that was waiting on the tarmac for the next flight.
Front row parking
Entry door
Signage
Check-in area
Waiting area
Community kitchen open for use
Surf Air conference and multiuse space
McClellan Jet Services at McClellan Airfield is a private air terminal for charter / small operation services. As the pictures indicate they do have some decent facilities and the majority of these are available to Surf Air to use. In additional to the public facilities, Surf Air specifically has rented certain areas of the terminal and those are for Surf Air use only. These includes offices, crew areas and the conference space.
Upon walking out to the aircraft there is a glass encased access hall which leads directly to the airfield. Surf Air has included a small red carpet up to the aircraft, and the whole matter is pretty easy. There is no security to clear (that’s done when you first become a member) and Surf Air has documented and photographed you for visual recognition and check-in of your flight.
After walking out the glass encased access door it is a direct walk of about 20 steps to the single-engine turboprop aircraft. My host gave a through rundown of the process as well as the inside of the plane.
Walk out to the plane
Warm Sacramento summer day
Up the airstair for entry
Surf Air’s Pilatus PC-12 single engine turbo seats 8 passengers with 4 in the rear facing-forward position and 4 up front in the table configuration. The interior of the cabin is cozy and beautiful. The seats are charcoal gray leather with the engraved Surf Air S, the cabin walls and ceiling are a bright cream and the carpet is a rich patterned navy blue. All finishes and fixtures are consistent with a private executive jet. The baggage storage is in the back of the aircraft and it is visible during the trip.
There is a restroom positioned between the cabin and cockpit, but don’t plan on using it. Or if you do plan on using it, plan on quite an ordeal. It is intended for “emergency” situations, and during such an emergency would be no privacy as everyone in the plane would know what was going on. After listening to the Surf Air representative explained the in-flight procedure to use the bathroom, my advice is to go before you go. This of course shouldn’t be an issue as flight times rarely go much above an hour.
Surf Air seating map
Rear 4 seats facing forward
Another angle
Seat close up
Seat backs
Right side facing back
Looking forward
After inspecting the inside of the passenger PC-12, the associate let me walk around the plane to get a few more photographs. It’s not often when you get a change to do this and I was thoroughly enjoying myself.
Starboard side
In a little closer
Nose
Close up of the engine
Love the color scheme
I finished up my tour in less than 40 minutes and said my thank yous and goodbyes. I really enjoyed seeing Surf Air’s local Sacramento terminal as I was curious how the operation would be setup. I find the business model interesting, and would enjoy a chance to fly with this carrier if only for the experience. I might even consider a membership except the route network doesn’t fit with the destinations I fly to, and it’s expensive.
Later that week I was talking with Susan about my tour of the Sacramento terminal and how much I liked the airline, but that the route structure didn’t fit with our travel patterns. I shared with her my pictures and information about Surf Air – and I didn’t really think she was paying much attention to the conversation. A paused for a moment and she looked up and said, “Hey, they fly directly to Santa Barbra.”
