When Denny Walker was 30, he was aboard a private jet flight from Omaha to Dallas. Thinking he'd like to own a plane one day, the dream was realized in 1999 when he purchased a Beechjet 400A.

The Walker Enterprises executive quickly realized he had bitten off more than he could chew in terms of maintenance and storage costs. Then, a light bulb went off: If he had these issues, surely others did too.

In 1999, Walker launched Jet Linx, an Omaha-based company that connects clients with charter flights at a fraction of what it takes to own and maintain a jet.

Walker served as the chief executive officer until about 2005, when he turned over the reins and daily operations to his son, Jamie.

Jet Linx is now on its third CEO, with Brent Wouters serving in the role since 2023. Jamie Walker is now the company's chairman.

With jets operating out of 20 cities across the United States, including Minneapolis, Dallas, Miami, and San Antonio, Texas, Jet Linx can take passengers wherever they need to travel, said Patrick McGuire, director of safety.

With access to everything from small jets to 737s, Jet Linx can accommodate flight requests from 2-3 people to 15 passengers, he said. Larger groups may require multiple planes, McGuire said.

"Compared to the big airlines, we operate unscheduled routes," McGuire said. "We fly people on charter, where they need to go, depending on their desires or business. Whatever it may be, we get them to where they need to go."

Jet Linx manages about 100 private aircraft for its owners rather than owning its fleet, he said. When the jets aren't used by owners, Jet Linx rents them to customers, McGuire said.

Not open to the general public, a business can't just call and request a charter flight, he said. Instead, Jet Linx's customers subscribe to the service, using a "Jet Card," McGuire said. Clients - whether it's a business or private family - maintain a financial balance on the card, McGuire said.

Whether it's New York City or McCook, Nebraska, Jet Linx will fly clients for a variety of reasons, from meetings to private excursions, McGuire said.

"You just need some type of an airstrip," he said. "It can be a small airport without control, like, there's no need for a tower or anything, as long as all of our safety requirements, legal requirements are met, we can usually get into a lot of places, even small rural towns. We fly to a lot of small towns, especially up in Minnesota or the Dakotas, for the lake season, hunting. Things like that. And a lot of times, those are small airports that we've flown into. Sometimes, they only have dirt strips."

Omaha is a popular destination for clients, especially during Berkshire-Hathaway stockholders’ meetings each May and the College World Series in June, McGuire said. Other events include Major League Baseball's World Series and the Super Bowl.

"We averaged 10-15 flights per day during the Master's [golf tournament in Georgia]," he said. "So, it kind of varies, but you name it, any big playoff game, annual sports game championship, there's usually a few Jet Linx flights, at a minimum, going in."

Jet Linx has an office in each of its 20 cities with aircraft, McGuire said. While there are other charter companies, a local Jet Linx employee is always available to help clients with flights, he said.

"They're (charter airlines) just going to get you on the flight," McGuire said. "It probably can work, but a lot of what we find, especially with our clientele and people who are involved with private aviation, sometimes it's those little things that make a difference, little touches. Sometimes you miss that when you don't have that local kind of team and support who're used to you, and they become your friends and support structure over the years."

It's as easy as a quick phone call, McGuire said.

"If they’re in Minnesota, they just call up Tabitha in Minneapolis, who they know they've worked with," he said. "Kind of almost like a personal concierge and say, 'Hey, we need to get my family of three to Chicago..."

Clients know they can rely on safe flights and quality customer service regarding flights, McGuire said. Jet Linx caters to specific needs, he said.

"Flights usually have really nice luxurious options of snacks or little treats and alcohol, as well as Wi Fi on all of our flights if you need to conduct business or you just need to use the internet," he said. "But at the same time, if your trip planning includes a request for fancier alcohol or more meals ready, we'll have that."

“Maybe if it's like an anniversary or a birthday, or some other special event, we've done things with that where we'll have preparations or decor set up. Whatever you're looking to celebrate or have a fun time, or need on your flight, we'll make that happen."

With a support structure in place, Jet Linx can even use its resources to have a lunch ready as soon as a client's plane lands at its destination, McGuire said.

Jet Linx ensures each flight has two pilots and at least one attendant. With Omaha centrally located, several trips take 1-3 hours, and clients can often return home on the same day, McGuire said.

However, if a client requires an overnight stay, Jet Linx can have the aircrew remain on site, or they'll return before departure the following day, he said.

With about 600 employees nationally, 400 of them are pilots, McGuire said.

While Jet Linx has multiple locations, its operations center is based in Omaha. Along with sales and customer support, the Omaha office includes a flight control center, where team members track an average of 80 flights daily, domestically and to international destinations, including Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe, McGuire said.

Jet Linx has grown from a small aircraft management firm to one of the nation's most successful charter companies, working with a variety of customers. And it all started with Denny Walker buying that Beechjet 400A more than 25 years ago.