Did you know that America has more airports—19,633 to be exact—than McDonald’s restaurants? That’s right. We have more places to land an aircraft than to grab a Big Mac.
Every single day in this country, there are 45,000 flights, carrying 2.9 million passengers. Let that sink in for a moment. That’s more than one flight every two seconds and 335 passengers soaring through the skies every single second.
America doesn’t just run on Dunkin’—it runs in the skies.
With so much happening above us, safety is the first thing that comes to mind. The U.S. aviation system has achieved remarkable milestones in safety, but here’s the question: How can we make it even better?
As an avid aviator and an owner of a small fleet of airplanes, I’ve experienced the freedom that aviation enables—but I’ve also felt the frustration. The rigorous systems we have in place are essential for safety, yet there’s one aspect of aviation that feels stuck in the past: insurance.
Aviation insurance companies today rely on 20th-century tools to create what should be a 21st-century experience. Most pilots and airplane owners are in the dark about how insurers price or underwrite their risks. Here’s what happens: you fill out a form, ticking boxes about how many hours you’ve flown. Then, like magic—well, expensive magic—an insurance premium pops out on the other side.
But here’s the kicker: no one explains how they calculated that number. You never hear back from your insurer, and as a pilot, I’m left wondering: How do they know I’m a safe pilot? How do they know I wasn’t just lucky all those hours?
Insurance companies should be catalysts for safety—not sources of frustration. They should be the experts in risk and safety, the ones driving innovation to protect pilots, passengers, and airplanes. Because here’s the thing: aircraft owners and insurance want the same thing, safety isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good business. A safer pilot means fewer claims.
That’s why we founded Class A Insurance.
At Class A, we’re building a company that puts safety at the epicenter of everything we do. We don’t see our customers as just numbers on a form. We’re blending decades of experience with the power of progress to reimagine aviation insurance.
And it all starts with the team. Let me introduce you to the remarkable minds behind Class A:
Chief Executive Officer
Mark Haidar
Mark is an accomplished entrepreneur and technologist with over 20 years of experience building innovative tech companies. Born in Lebanon, he founded his first company at 17 and created award-winning systems by 21. In the U.S., he led a connected car project for the U.S. Army and co-founded Dialexa, delivering over 200 products for clients like Toyota and Topgolf before being acquired by IBM. Dialexa’s incubator launched Vinli (connected cars), Robin (robotic mowing), and Rosy Wellness (women’s health). A Presidential Leadership Scholar, EY Entrepreneur of the Year, angel investor and type-rated pilot, Mark holds multiple patents and serves on boards like XPRIZE, With Honor, Rosy, Vinli, and WNDYR.
Chief Underwriting Officer
Joshua Ray
Josh is a highly skilled aviation insurance professional with over 26 years of industry experience, including leadership roles at top companies like Allianz Global Risks. A graduate of Florida Institute of Technology with a degree in Aviation Management & Flight Technology, he brings a strong educational foundation to his work. Josh is also a seasoned pilot with over 2,000 flight hours and holds a Commercial Pilot certificate with multiple ratings. Additionally, he is certified as a Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor, Aircraft Dispatcher, UAS Remote Pilot, and Property & Casualty Insurance agent.
Chief Technology Officer
Shayne O’Sullivan
Shayne is a full-stack software engineer who has spent his career finding ways to bring cutting edge software to market, helping push technology forward in industries that are typically bogged down by legacy systems and pessimistic thinking. Prior to joining Class A, Shayne led the development of telematics based insurance programs for the world’s largest automotive fleets and has advised venture backed startups on the incorporation of AI, data pipelines, and UX design in early stage software products.
Chief Aviation Officer
Steve Nicoll
Steve has over 21,000 hours of flight experience in various aircraft, from sailplanes to 747s, and holds numerous pilot certificates. His career includes operating float planes and helicopters in challenging environments and flying wide-body jets for passengers and cargo. As a former airline Captain, Instructor, and Checkairman, he now mentors others and promotes safe flight operations in general aviation. Steve works with individual pilots and corporate flight departments to continuously raise aviation safety standards.
Head Of Underwriting
Robin Graham
Robin is a highly accomplished aviation insurance expert with over 17 + years of experience in complex underwriting, portfolio management and remediation. He is known for his deep technical knowledge and strategic leadership in the aviation insurance industry. His ability to drive innovation and operational efficiency has earned him recognition in key leadership roles, including his most recent position as the Regional Head of Aviation Programs and Product Development for North America at Allianz Global Risks. Outside work, he’s a volunteer firefighter, embodying service in every sense.
This team is the perfect blend of industry expertise and innovative technologists. We’re transforming aviation insurance by integrating precise data analytics, modern technology, and unmatched expertise.
Using data to tailor pricing based on a pilot’s unique risk profile—not just generic models. Providing real-time feedback to brokers, owners, and pilots to enhance safety and performance.
We couldn’t have done it without our incredible co-founding partners at Altai Ventures. Altai is a top-tier venture capital firm focused exclusively on insurance and financial services, providing long term financial stability, deep industry insights, and network to fuel our growth.
Class A Insurance is here to reimagine aviation insurance and raise the standard for safety in the skies. We will start with the light turbine aircraft segment and quickly expand into other classes where our technology and solutions can make a difference.
The future of aviation deserves better. Pilots, passengers, and airplane owners deserve better. And with Class A, we’re making that future a reality.
Stay tuned.
Mark Haidar, Founder/CEO
10-16-2025
Class A and Goldberg Aviation Insurance-Approved Partnership
01-20-2025
Introducing
Class A
