In 2014 the FAA demanded a halt to flight sharing for violating FAA regulations, starting a legal battle with Flytenow, one of a handful of flight sharing companies in the U.S. At the end of 2015 the U.S. Court of Appeals for Washington DC ruled against Flytenow. While challenging the FAA decision, by late 2015 the flight sharing businesses in the U.S. had all shut down or changed directions.
Flight sharing is an interesting peer to peer service that allows people to purchase a seat with a private pilot who has empty space in an upcoming flight. In theory this works like ride sharing, and helps cover the cost of fuel and equipment for the pilot while providing riders with an economical alternative means of transportation. While flight sharing is over in the United States, at least until further legal action overturns the FAA ruling, there’s at least one European startup offering flight sharing.