Built from Real Experience — Not Theory
Founded by Nicolas Perot dos Santos, after years in commercial aviation with Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, and firsthand experience in business aviation, Gate 33 was created to bridge the gap between ambition and reality.
Why Gate 33 Exists
After years in commercial aviation with Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, the allure of private aviation was clear. The exclusivity, the service level, the unique experiences — it represented the pinnacle of the profession.
But the pathway wasn't. There was no clear route, no structured guidance, no honest information about what operators actually expected. The industry was selective, hidden, and difficult to penetrate.
Making that transition required trial, error, and persistence. It took Nicolas 120 applications to break into business aviation — long before he truly understood what operators actually look for. It required understanding not just what to do, but how to position yourself, how to present your experience, and what standards truly mattered.
That first-hand experience — the wasted applications, the misread expectations, and the eventual clarity — is exactly what Gate 33 was built to spare the next candidate.
Gate 33 exists because that bridge should not be hidden. With the right guidance, the right positioning, and a real understanding of the industry, the transition becomes clear — and achievable.
Nicolas Perot dos Santos
Nicolas Perot dos Santos is a business aviation cabin crew professional with experience across commercial and private aviation.
After working with Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, he transitioned into business aviation, operating on high-end aircraft and serving ultra high-net-worth individuals.
Through this experience, he developed a deep understanding of what truly differentiates private aviation: autonomy, precision, discretion, and operational excellence.
Gate 33 was created to bring that reality to others — with clarity, structure, and real-world insight.
Gate to Excellence
Why Gate 33
Gate 33 is more than a name — it reflects both aviation reality and a deeper philosophy behind the brand.
In aviation, a gate is the point of transition. The moment where passengers move from the terminal into the aircraft — from intention into action.
Gate 33 represents that threshold.
A structured entry into private aviation, done the right way.
The number 33 carries its own meaning. In many contexts, it symbolizes alignment, precision, and elevation — a number often associated with mastery and higher standards.
It also reflects a subtle French identity. +33 is the international dialing code of France — a discreet nod to a culture of refined service and attention to detail.
Together, Gate 33 stands for a clear idea: entering private aviation with structure, precision, and the right level of standards.
Gate
Structure. Precision. Standards.
A Path Built on Experience
Commercial Aviation
Years of experience with Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, delivering service excellence across commercial, premium, and charter environments.
The Transition
The challenging journey into private aviation — navigating an industry with no clear pathway, learning the unwritten rules firsthand.
Private Aviation
Operating on business jets across owner flights, charter operations, and corporate missions, serving UHNW clients and understanding the true operational standards of private aviation.
Gate 33
Building the bridge that didn't exist — helping others transition with clarity, strategy, and real operational standards.
What We Stand For
Gate 33 isn't about volume. It's about quality guidance for serious candidates ready to make a change.
Direct & Honest
No fluff. No illusions. Only clear, actionable insight from real experience.
Excellence-Focused
High standards aren't negotiable. We prepare you for what private aviation truly demands.
Genuinely Invested
Your success matters. We're here to see you succeed, not just to sell a service.
Clear, Honest, Experience-Based
Gate 33 exists to provide clear, honest, and experience-based guidance for professionals entering private aviation.
This is not about theory or generic advice. It's about understanding the real expectations of operators, the reality of the role, and how to position yourself to succeed.
"Your gateway to private aviation"
A Growing Industry
Business aviation is expanding globally — creating unprecedented demand for trained, operationally ready cabin crew.
Active Business Jets
Worldwide fleet in operation
In Aircraft Backlogs
OEM order books, and climbing
Inflight Catering Market
And growing year over year
New Aviation Professionals
Needed in business aviation by 2034
Sources: Honeywell 34th Global Business Aviation Outlook (Oct 2025), CAE Aviation Talent Forecast 2025, Global Jet Capital Q2 2025 OEM backlog report, Verified Market Research (in-flight catering $17.16B → $25.88B by 2030), Aviation Week / Airbus Corporate Jets fleet analysis.
The Growth Picture
The global business jet fleet has grown consistently for two decades, with acceleration post-2020 as demand for private travel surged.
Major manufacturers — Bombardier, Gulfstream, Dassault, Embraer — have record backlogs. New aircraft deliveries will require trained crew at a rate the industry has never seen.
The Crew Gap
Every new aircraft requires trained cabin crew. With fleet expansion and natural attrition, the industry faces a growing talent shortage — particularly for crew who can operate autonomously at the level private aviation demands.
This gap is where Gate 33 operates: preparing the next generation of business aviation professionals with real operational standards.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Take the free 15-minute Readiness Assessment for a manually reviewed profile check — or book a discovery call to talk it through directly.