LOS ANGELES, Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kenn Ricci, founder and principal of Directional Aviation Capital and chairman of Flexjet, Inc., awarded George A. Antoniadis, founder, president and CEO of PlaneSense, Inc. with the Living Legends of Aviation Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award. The honor was presented during the 22nd annual Legends event hosted by Official Ambassador of Aviation John Travolta at the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom in Beverly Hills, California.
The awards ceremony honors remarkable men and women who have made a profound contribution to the world of flight, ranging from astronauts to aviation leaders. The Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award deepens the ongoing connection between Flexjet and the Living Legends.
George A. Antoniadis is founder, president, and CEO of PlaneSense, Inc., a leading fractional aircraft ownership company based in Portsmouth, N. H. Drawing on his experience as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, Inc., Antoniadis launched the PlaneSense® program in 1995 to provide a more efficient, cost-effective approach for private flying. The fleet now encompasses more than 60 Pilatus PC-12 turboprops and Pilatus PC-24 jets that complete more than 44,000 flights per year across areas such as the U.S., the Bahamas, Mexico and Central America. As a licensed air transport pilot, he often flies the PC-12s in the PlaneSense fleet. Antoniadis serves on the Air Charter Safety Foundation Board of Governors and is an advisor to the Aero Club of New England.
“I understand how hard it is to start and run a successful fractional aviation company. George has carved a niche for himself within the industry via a cost effective program with an aircraft type offered nowhere else,” said “Ricci, a Legend himself and a recipient of the award which now bears his name. “George’s contribution to the industry makes him crucial to our industry’s foundation.”
Antoniadis joins a distinguished list of Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award recipients, including the most recent winner, Louis Pepper, former CEO and current member of the board for Atlantic Aviation. Additional honorees include Solairus founder and CEO Dan Drohan; Avfuel Corp. Managing Partner Craig R. Sincock; Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos; Bigelow Aerospace Founder Robert Bigelow; and the late Dr. S. Harry Robertson III, founder of Robertson Aviation.
Founded in 2003, the Living Legends of Aviation includes pioneers, achievers and other people of accomplishment in the field such as astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Jim Lovell and pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. The annual event serves as one of the largest fundraisers for the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring future aviation enthusiasts.
“This annual honor celebrates the leaders who continue to reshape aviation. Their drive to innovate reflects the culture we champion at Flexjet, one defined by bold thinking, technological progress and a shared commitment to the future of flight,” said Ricci.
About FLEXJET
Flexjet, a global leader in private aviation, first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing and is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 26 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, a 4AIR Bronze Sustainable Rating and is certified at Stage 2 with IS-BAO. Flexjet Technical Services, a fully integrated maintenance and product support infrastructure, has operations in the U.S., Canada and Europe and its primary mission is to support the maintenance of the Flexjet fleet. Red Label by Flexjet, a market differentiator, features an ultra-modern fleet, flight crews assigned to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are more than 50 different interior designs across its fleet, which includes the Embraer Phenom 300, Praetor 500 and 600, Bombardier Challenger 350/3500 and the Gulfstream G450 and G650. Flexjet’s European fleet includes the Embraer Praetor 600 and the Gulfstream G650. Flexjet’s helicopter division offers leases, helicopter cards and convenient interchange access for its aircraft Owners. Flexjet owns, operates and maintains its global fleet of Sikorsky S-76 helicopters which boast 55,000 hours of safe flying certified by Wyvern and ARG/US and serving locations throughout the northeastern United States, Florida, United Kingdom and Italy. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com or follow us on Instagram @Flexjetllc.
- Kenn Ricci, Founder of Directional Aviation Capital and Chairman of Flexjet, presents George A. Antoniadis of PlaneSense with the Living Legends of Aviation Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award, Jan. 25, 2026
- Kenn Ricci, Founder of Directional Aviation Capital and Chairman of Flexjet, stands with George A. Antoniadis of PlaneSense, winner of the 2026 Living Legends of Aviation Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award