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Michael Holtz

Owner, SmartFlyer

Michael Holtz is the founder and CEO of SmartFlyer, a luxury travel agency he established in 1990 after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis.15 Known in the travel industry as "Mr. 2A" due to his preferred airplane seat, Holtz has built SmartFlyer into a full-service agency catering to high-end corporate and leisure travelers worldwide.34

Holtz's career highlights include:

  1. Founded SmartFlyer in 1990, driven by his passion for air travel.5
  2. Grew the company to include over 175 worldwide travel advisors and five affiliate companies.3
  3. Specializes in luxury hotels, resorts, and high-yield front-of-plane airline bookings.3
  4. Holds elite status with multiple airlines, including American, Delta, United, and JetBlue.3
  5. Consistently recognized among Travel + Leisure A-List agents.5
  6. Sits on advisory boards for several luxury hotel brands and cruise lines.5

SmartFlyer, under Holtz's leadership, has won prestigious awards from Virtuoso, including top year-over-year revenue growth in 2017 and Most Hospitable Agency in 2018.3 The company reported annual revenue of $31.2 million in 2025 and employs 222 people.2

Holtz's expertise in air travel and his commitment to understanding both commercial and private aviation have been key factors in SmartFlyer's success and growth over the past three decades.35

Highlights

Oct 11 · afar.com
Q&A with Michael Holtz of SmartFlyer - AFAR Media
Q&A with Michael Holtz of SmartFlyer - AFAR Media
Jul 1 · virtuoso.com
Michael Holtz with SmartFlyer - Virtuoso
Nov 29 · source.washu.edu
Flying smart - The Source - Washington University in St. Louis
Jan 1 · cience.com
Smart Flyer - Company Info, Employees & Competitors - CIENCE
Jan 1 · rocketreach.co
SmartFlyer Information - RocketReach
Jan 8 · virtuoso.com
Luxury Agency - SmartFlyer - Virtuoso

Related Questions

What inspired Michael Holtz to start SmartFlyer?
How did Michael Holtz become known as "Mr. 2A"?
What are some unique travel experiences SmartFlyer offers?
How has SmartFlyer evolved since its founding in 1990?
What makes SmartFlyer different from other luxury travel agencies?
Michael Holtz
Michael Holtz, photo 1
Michael Holtz, photo 2
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Location

New York, New York