New Company Emerges ‘From The Ashes’ of ATA

Legacy plans to have full-time operations in place in Indianapolis by the end of the year.

The founder of a private air travel club says his business is borrowing from the playbook of the old ATA Airlines to launch a "country club of the skies experience." After more than three years, Chris Allen says Legacy Travel Club will take off from Indianapolis next month on its inaugural flight to Mackinac Island. He describes the business model as "the sweet spot between private charter flying and the commercial airlines."

Its second destination, Ashville, North Carolina’s Biltmore Estate, will begin flying June 22 out of Louisville. Legacy Travel Club is contracting with Florida-based charter company Miami Air International. Additional partners will provide baggage and ticketing services as well. Allen says Legacy Travel Club will focus on taking care of the member-travelers.

Allen tells Inside INdiana Business the club will begin flying from Indianapolis and Louisville and eventually move into other "underserved" markets and passengers that are "fed-up" with flying. He says down the road, the company also plans to provide services in Nashville, Tennessee and Columbus, Ohio. Allen says Legacy Travel Club will be a niche provider and stick to what ATA did best: the private travel club experience.

ATA was started in the 1970s and eventually grew large enough to be publicly-traded by Nasdaq. After multiple bankruptcies and restarts, ATA went out of business for good in 2008.

He says the company has been built with local investors and will look to "bring back that hometown airline vibe." He says services provided by large carriers has dipped to the point where people are looking for this type of service. "Market forces are what help drive our success, as we offer an alternative that is far different than what any of the commercial airlines can."

The inaugural flight from Indianapolis International Airport is scheduled to depart June 21 and members can purchase seats for $249 each, which includes the flight, ferry service upon landing and motor coach transfers.

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