This week on The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland cover a fast-moving week in business aviation, defense, and international controversy. From Israel’s F-35 range secrets to the aging Iranian air fleet, we unpack what air superiority really means in the Middle East. Jessie shares a firsthand reaction to the Paris Air Show’s controversial blacked-out Israeli booths, an action French courts have ruled against in the past. Plus:

-Is Grant Cardone negotiating a jet purchase via Twitter?

-Why FlexJet’s new interiors are breaking boring design norms

-A zebra gets an aerial ride (yes, really)

-Charter discrimination allegations at White Plains

-Mental health and the FAA: Is $40M enough to shift the system?

-The never-ending 1500-hour debate, and why it might not be the right measure of pilot safety

Aviation news, hot takes, and some first-class rants: this is your weekly jumpseat for what matters in private flight.