The FIFA World Cup's Effect on Private Aviation & the Pilot Behind the US's Fastest-Growing Carrier

What happens when the world's biggest sporting event collides with one of the fastest growing sectors in private transportation?

In this episode of Bay Area Innovators, host Steve Ispas sits down with Barry Shevlin, CEO of Fly USA, America's fastest growing private aviation company for two years running. Barry shares how the FIFA World Cup has driven record demand for private aviation, with international clients from England, Spain, Brazil, and Germany traveling between host cities for weeks at a time — a surge that is set to make June Fly USA's biggest month ever.

The conversation goes deeper than the World Cup, covering how Barry and his wife founded Vology in a garage in 2002 during the dot-com bust, grew it from $1 million to $175 million in revenue, and applied those same business lessons to launch Fly USA with his son-in-law in 2020. Barry also breaks down what private aviation actually costs, how the boarding experience works, and why he believes the business is less about luxury and more about giving clients control of their time.

Watch the full episode for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, private aviation, and building businesses that grow even when the economy doesn't.