Bristol Associates, Inc.
- Founded
- 1983-01-01 in Washington, D.C., United States
- Headquarters
- Washington, D.C., United States
- Phone
- (310) 670-0525
Bristol Associates, Inc. is a privately held aviation services firm that specializes in the acquisition, disposition, and financing of used commercial and corporate aircraft. Based in Washington, D.C., the company serves as a total resource for the secondary aircraft market, offering technical expertise, financial structuring, and remarketing services to airlines, financial institutions, and corporate operators worldwide. Founded in 1983, the firm differentiates itself through deep industry relationships and a boutique approach, with a small but highly experienced team that includes founder C.N. (Pete) Seidlitz, who has led the company for more than 40 years. While engaged across virtually all aspects of aviation, Bristol Associates’ core business centers on the brokerage and financing of pre-owned aircraft, from large commercial jets to executive aircraft. The company also provides advisory services for lease negotiations, asset recovery, and fleet dispositions, often working with private and public debt entities in complex transactions such as airline bankruptcies. With a reputation for professionalism and integrity, Bristol Associates positions itself as a trusted intermediary for clients navigating the cyclical and globally interconnected aviation market.
Detailed Review
Bristol Associates, Inc. operates as a specialized intermediary in the secondary aircraft market, focusing on the acquisition, disposition, and financing of used commercial and corporate aircraft. The firm’s services encompass the full lifecycle of aircraft asset management: it sources buyers and sellers, arranges debt and lease structures, conducts technical evaluations, and manages remarketing campaigns for both individual aircraft and entire fleets.
The firm’s technical proficiency is supported by decades of market knowledge. C.N. (Pete) Seidlitz, the founder and president, has personally advised on and executed transactions ranging from the remarketing of assets held by public and private debt entities to large-scale fleet dispositions for major airlines. He also serves as an Independent Controlling Trustee of four aircraft securitization trusts, reflecting the company’s deep involvement in aviation finance.
Bristol Associates’ client base includes airlines, lessors, financial institutions, and corporate flight departments. The company’s team comprises only three listed professionals: Seidlitz, Executive Vice President Sean Lancaster (a 35‑year veteran at the firm), and Director of Operations Rebecca Easley (with over 35 years of service). This lean structure allows senior-level attention on every mandate.
Geographically, the firm operates internationally, with a stated base in Washington, D.C. Its LinkedIn profile lists the company size as 2–10 employees, consistent with its boutique model. Unlike larger aircraft brokerage houses, Bristol Associates does not disclose standardized platform names or branded software; its offerings are service‑based rather than product‑based. The company’s primary value proposition is its network of longstanding relationships, combined with the ability to provide customized financial solutions for complex secondary‑market aircraft transactions.
Offices & Headcount
5 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- C.N. "Pete" Seidlitz
President, Founder
- Sean Lancaster
Executive Vice President