Air Lease (NYSE:AL) is a global aircraft leasing company that acquires commercial jetliners and leases them to airlines around the world. Founded in February 2010 by industry veterans Steven F. Udvar‐Hazy and John L. Plueger, the company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Air Lease specializes in sale‐and‐leaseback transactions, direct purchases of new aircraft from manufacturers, and lease financing solutions designed to meet the evolving fleet requirements of its airline customers.
The company’s primary activities include the negotiation and structuring of operating leases for commercial passenger and freighter aircraft, portfolio management, and remarketing of used aircraft. Air Lease maintains strong strategic relationships with major original equipment manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing and Embraer, enabling it to secure favorable delivery positions for new technology aircraft. In addition, the firm provides flexible lease terms, residual value protection strategies and technical support services to help carriers optimize fleet utilization and manage lifecycle costs.
With exposure to more than 80 airlines in over 50 countries, Air Lease operates across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Its geographically diverse portfolio spans major network carriers, low-cost operators and regional airlines, reflecting the company’s focus on broad market access and risk diversification. Regular engagement with global maintenance providers and regulatory authorities further enhances its ability to serve a wide range of customer needs.
Air Lease is led by President and Chief Executive Officer John L. Plueger, with Executive Chairman Steven F. Udvar-Hazy providing strategic guidance from the boardroom. The senior management team includes experienced aviation finance, operations and commercial leasing professionals who collaborate to deliver tailored solutions and support long-term fleet planning for airline partners. Through disciplined asset management and a commitment to industry innovation, Air Lease seeks to sustain its position as a leading player in the aircraft leasing sector.
