A West Palm Beach-based company named PriorityEvac is offering a new service for the upcoming hurricane season: guaranteed seats on private planes to evacuate families and pets out of Florida before major storms arrive. The program costs $1,250 per person annually, providing an alternative to crowded roads and packed airports during emergency evacuations.
Service Details and Costs
The membership model is designed for residents willing to pay a fixed fee to avoid last-minute travel disruptions. PriorityEvac states that the $1,250 annual rate covers up to two hurricane evacuations per season between June 1 and November 30. Couples can join for $2,400 annually, while a family of four membership costs $4,400. Additional household members are added at $1,100 each.
The company emphasizes that there are no per-event activation fees or surge pricing. Pet accommodations are available for an additional fee; carry-on pets cost $125, while larger pets can be accommodated during the onboarding process depending on aircraft requirements. PriorityEvac compares its pricing to alternatives such as last-minute commercial fares exceeding $2,000 or self-charter flights costing between $20,000 and $22,000.
Operational Logistics
The service relies on contracted Airbus A320 aircraft. According to the company, members are assigned a departure airport upon enrollment, allowing logistics to be planned in advance. The system monitors National Hurricane Center forecasts and activates flights when specific thresholds are met.
Evacuation flights are routed to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia. A spokesperson for PriorityEvac cited three reasons for this choice: Atlanta is typically outside Florida's primary hurricane impact corridor, it offers exceptional onward connectivity, and the metro area provides extensive lodging infrastructure. However, transportation and accommodation arrangements after arrival remain the responsibility of the members.
Background and Market Interest
The company launched its operations for the 2026 hurricane season following extensive scenario testing against historical data from the past 22 years. The firm highlights the experience of Chief Operating Officer Tim Houston, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, and logistics partner Project Dynamo, a veteran-led nonprofit.
While PriorityEvac does not disclose specific enrollment figures, it expects to support approximately 5,000 members in its first year. The service targets seasonal homeowners, corporations, sports teams, families with elderly relatives, and parents of college students. This offering arrives as forecasters from Colorado State University predict a below-average active season for the Atlantic basin, though they caution that even one storm near a resident can make it an active season locally.
