A niche aviation brokerage firm, Advanced Aviation Team, is gearing up for a surge in demand as the 2026 US election cycle approaches. The Washington DC-based company specialises in arranging complex travel logistics for political candidates, their staff, security details, and press corps, competing in a specialised market for campaign air travel.
Founder and CEO Gregg Brunson-Pitts, who previously ran the White House Travel Office under President George W. Bush, said activity begins to ramp up "in earnest after the first of the year." His firm manages contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars per election cycle, coordinating everything from flight scheduling and crew sourcing to aircraft branding and security protocols.
A Brokerage Built for Campaign Demands
Unlike charter operators that own aircraft, Advanced Aviation Team functions as a broker with access to a contracted fleet. This allows them to source a wide range of aircraft, from smaller private jets to group travel for over 100 people on customised airliners. "Not a lot of brokers can do that; that's what sets us apart," Brunson-Pitts stated.
The firm's approach is non-partisan, supporting clients from any political party. Its team blends experience from politics, campaign travel, logistics, and private aviation. Vice President Jonathan Tasler, for example, previously organised the chartered McDonnell Douglas MD-83 used by Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.
Logistics, Security and Multi-Million Dollar Costs
Security presents one of the most complex challenges. While sitting members of Congress may have Capitol Police protection and high-profile candidates receive Secret Service details, most first-time candidates hire private security. Brunson-Pitts's team must coordinate with operators familiar with armed details, managing behind-the-scenes paperwork and ensuring pilots are aware of protocols.
The scale of operations is significant. The 2020 Biden campaign spent approximately $2.2 million on private charters, while Forbes estimated a Boeing 737 used in Vice President JD Vance's 2024 campaign cost around $30,000 per hour. Costs encompass aircraft rental, fuel, crew, repositioning flights, landing fees, and branding.
Branding Aircraft and Catering to Candidates
The firm extensively modifies aircraft for campaigns, working with design teams to change seat layouts and add branding—from simple decals to fully repainted liveries. Past clients have travelled on various aircraft, including a Bombardier CRJ-200 used by Doug Emhoff, a Boeing 757 for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and a Boeing 737 for former President Joe Biden's 2020 campaign.
Brunson-Pitts emphasised creating a "home away from home" with WiFi, power, and tailored catering, especially during the intense travel period from Labor Day to Election Day. The firm has worked with numerous high-profile figures, including Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Commercial vs. Charter Debate
While expensive, charters offer speed, security, and flexibility that commercial travel cannot match, allowing for multiple stops and last-minute schedule changes. Senator Bernie Sanders defended his campaign's use of private planes during a 2024 tour, telling Fox News the packed rally schedule made commercial flights impractical.
Some smaller campaigns opt for commercial flights for cost or public perception reasons, but even then logistics are complicated by entourages and security details. Brunson-Pitts noted that candidates sometimes drive directly onto the tarmac to board from their motorcade.
With all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, 36 governorships, and thousands of state legislative seats on the 2026 ballot, the demand for specialised political travel is expected to be high. Brunson-Pitts observed that organisations are planning earlier to secure capacity, as "once the calendar tightens, capacity disappears quickly."