Private jets use ten times as many airports in the US than commercial airlines. Private jets reach 5,000 airport destinations, while commercial flights use 550.
1.2 million Americans are employed by the business aviation industry, which generates $150 billion annually.
Over 11,000 private jets are registered for use in the US. In the rest of the world, there are an additional 8,000.
The US also makes the most. 50 percent of the market. Europe makes 20 percent, Asia-Pacific 12 percent, Latin and South America 12 percent and the Middle East 6 percent.
Average Jet Charter Rates (Per Hour)
Gulfstream 550 $8,640
Global Express/XRS $8,045
Falcon 7X $7,865
Falcon 900 $6,075
Gulfstream IV $5,884
Challenger 604 $5,053
Citation X $4,533
Hawker 800 $3,582
Citation Excel/XLS $3,388 (most popular model)
Learjet 60 $3,347
Citation Mustang $1,674
The most expensive option, the Gulfstream V, costs $106,711.17 for a weekend trip from New York City to San Francisco, including helicopter, transportation to and from airport, two full-time captains, a flight attendant, crew per diems, landing, ramp, parking, fuel surcharge, taxes, etc.
The Super Bowl is the biggest private jet event. Over 600 private aircraft entered New Orleans for the Bowl (up by almost 500).
The most expensive private jet is owned by a Saudi. It costs over $500 million estimated. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saudowns it, and it has a two-car garage, a stable for horses and camels, and a prayer room that rotates so it always faces Mecca.
$53,000 is the price to fill the tank of the Bombardier’s Global 8000, which can go 7,900 nautical miles, flying at Mach 0.85 with 8 passengers. The fuel capacity is 48,950 lbs.
Celebrities who have their own jets: Oprah Winfrey (Bombardier Global Express XRS), Jackie Chan (Embraer Legacy 650), and Jay-Z (Bombardier Challenger 850). Some celebs even fly the plane themselves, like Tom Cruise (Gulfstream IV), Jimmy Buffett (Dassault Falcon 900), and John Travolta.