Ben Klein on Aero, Private Air Travel, and the Future of Urban Mobility

Welcome to this episode of **What Follows** — the podcast where we explore the people shaping aviation today, and the ideas defining what comes next. In this episode, host **Nate Thuli** speaks with **Ben Klein**, CEO of **Aero**, about his journey from passionate aviator to aviation executive, and how Aero is rethinking private air travel through design, hospitality, safety, and customer experience. Ben discusses how aviation creates freedom, why safety remains the foundation of the industry, and how new technologies may reshape the way people move between cities, airports, and regional destinations. The conversation explores Aero’s approach to premium air travel, the role of regulation in aviation innovation, and the future of urban air mobility, eVTOLs, and door-to-door travel. Nate and Ben also discuss customer trust, the adoption of new aviation technologies, and why the future of flight depends on combining operational discipline with a better travel experience. **Key Topics** Ben Klein’s aviation journey and passion for flightThe path from pilot to CEOAero’s approach to private and premium air travelBridging the gap between commercial and private aviationCustomer experience and hospitality in aviationSafety protocols and operational disciplineThe role of trust in adopting aviation technologyUrban air mobility and future travel modelseVTOLs and door-to-door transportationRegulatory challenges in aviation innovationTechnology, safety, and customer confidenceThe future of regional and urban air travel **Tickets to Oshkosh 2026 Festival Tent Program** Click image or the following link to get tickets to **Oshkosh 2026 Festival Tent Program**: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/airhart-oshkosh-2026-festival-tent-program-tickets-1992591634217?aff=oddtdtcreator **Themes** This episode focuses on how aviation innovation is shaped not only by aircraft and technology, but by safety, trust, regulation, and customer experience. Ben Klein frames aviation as a form of freedom, while also emphasizing that freedom depends on disciplined operations and a deep commitment to safety. A major theme is the evolution of premium and private air travel. Through Aero, the conversation explores how aviation companies can rethink the passenger experience by combining private-terminal convenience, high-touch hospitality, and operational reliability. The episode also looks ahead to urban air mobility, eVTOLs, and the possibility of more seamless door-to-door travel. **Resources** Aero Official Website — https://aero.com FAA Advanced Air Mobility / Air Taxis — https://www.faa.gov/air-taxis FAA Aircraft Certification — https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air\_cert Joby Aviation Official Website — https://www.jobyaviation.com Hermeus Supersonic Flight Announcement — https://www.hermeus.com/newsroom-content/supersonic Hermeus Official Website — https://www.hermeus.com **Guest Links** Ben Klein on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-klein-01b8736 Aero — https://aero.com **Credits** Host: Nate ThuliMusic: Eugeny BardyuzhaArtwork: Edmond HuotProduced by: Helwing Villamizar **Additional Media** Additional footage and media courtesy of the featured guests and their respective companies, including Airhart, Draco Aircraft, AviNation, Scaled Composites, and EAA. **Follow Airhart** Visit Airhart and follow along for new *What Follows* episodes, clips, and updates. Website: AirhartYouTube: Airhart on YouTubeLinkedIn: Airhart on LinkedInInstagram: Airhart on Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatfollowspodcast.substack.com