The pandemic has affected a lot of industries. For most of them, it affected them in not a positive way. But, the private aviation sector is one that skyrocketed because of it.
As the global health crisis required social distancing, commercial flights were banned for a while. But, while their airplanes remained grounded, private jets flew and soared. Even before the pandemic, it is already regarded as the more comfortable form of travel. But, each plane contained only a few people, so it became more appealing at a time when crowded places were to be avoided.
However, it is no secret that chartering or owning a private jet is expensive. Though, that is not much of a problem for celebrities. Their fame gives them wealth, or their status as billionaires makes them famous. They can afford it, no problem. If you’re curious about celebrities with private jets, many enjoy flying privately as part of their lifestyle.
Stratos Jet thought it would be interesting to see which celebrities spend the most in private aviation. Its study revealed that they spend more to fly them on top of the $40 M and up stars spent buying the private jets. The company used publicly available data and pricing tools to create the “Private Jet Rich List.”
So the numbers are in, and here are the top 20 celebs who spend the most on private air travel annually. Spoiler alert: the last on the list shell out more than half a million dollars annually!
First Place Goes To Donald Trump
The former President of the United States, Donald Trump, tops the list. Of course, if you hold that position, it cannot be avoided. The report says Donald Trump spends $9,250,000 on private flights every year.
As the US president, he had access to Air Force One. These are state-of-the-art jets that can even refuel in mid-air. Still, the fleet is scheduled to be upgraded, estimated to cost $5.3 M. If you’re curious about everything about Air Force One, this iconic aircraft is a symbol of both luxury and cutting-edge technology.
Now that he is no longer the POTUS, Trump still flies in style. He has two planes in his possession. One of them is his refurbished Boeing-757 he bought from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for $100 M. While it is not as safe as the Air Force One, it is more luxurious. You can easily recognize this with the 23-carat gold leaf Trump logo on its side. Aside from that, all the seatbelts are plated with 24-carat gold, and so are the bathtub’s fixtures.
Aside from that, Trump also owns a Cessna Citation X. Speeding up to almost the speed of sound; it is said to be one of the fastest jets in the world.
According to Stratos Jets, if you include those on the count, Trump actually spends $20,000,000 each year. That’s a lot of money!
More Politicians At The Top
After Trump follows seven other world leaders. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, sits in second place. Flying on his Ilyushin IL-96-300PU, he is estimated to spend an estimated $5.3 million each year. Third in place is Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, who annually spends $4.6 M on her Airbus A340-313X VIP. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, spends not much less. He shells out $4.46 M on his Airbus A330-243 Prestige. Likewise, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah annually spends $4.26 M on his Airbus A340-212. Sixth on the list is Prince Al-Waleed of Saudi Arabia. The report says the royalty spends $3.86 M annually on his Boeing 747-400.
The next spot belongs to politician turned Chelsea FC owner, Roman Abramovich. He owns several aircraft. But, his most prized possession would be the Boeing 767-33AER. The private jet, also known as “The Bandit,” has a catalog value of over $180 million. It features a banquet hall that can accommodate 30 people, a kitchen, and an office. It also has an anti-ballistic defense system. How amazing is that? Its features definitely justify its price. On top of that, after refinements and upgrades, the private jet is estimated to be worth $300 M. Overall, the report says Abramovich spends $3.58 M per year on private aviation.
The last politician on the list is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson. He is said to spend roughly $2.7 million on his Airbus A330 each year.
Albert the II is the lowest-ranking world leader. He is in 13th place with a yearly spending of $1,140,000 on his Dassault Falcon 7X.
A-Listers On The List
The rest of the list is star-studded with A-listers. Leading them is John Travolta, who is one of the best celebrity pilots. This is not surprising, considering he has five private jets parked on his front lawn. He is said to spend $2.25 yearly on his Bombardier 707 alone. Meanwhile, two-time Instagram Rich list first placer Kylie Jenner spends $1.45 M on her Bombardier Global 7500.
On the top of the second half of the list is the couple Jay Z and Beyonce. If you are not aware, Beyonce gifted Jay Z a Challenger 850 Learjet for Father’s Day in 2012. Since then, the couple has spent around $1.4 million on their private jet each year.
Mark Cuban, who is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest e-commerce purchase, sits at number 12. On that transaction, he bought his Gulfstream V for $40 M.
Next on the list are Jim Carrey, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey, and David Beckham. Each of them has their own private jet. Their expenditure ranges from $870,000 to $1 M.
Kim Kardashian, who only charters private jets, is at the tail of the list. Annually, she spends $730,000 on private flights.
Stratos Jets explains what causes them to spend this much. According to them, multiple factors could lead to a high annual cost. For starters, operating the jet itself can cost anywhere between $650 to $29,000 per hour. Then, other things like maintenance, engine reserves, fuel, and auxiliary power units demand more cash to be brought out. Furthermore, they must spend more on miscellaneous expenses, including crew travel, catering and cabin supplies, and landing and parking fees.
“It’s interesting to see just how much celebrities and world leaders spend on air travel,” said the President of Stratos Jet Charters. He adds that chartering a private jet is already luxurious enough, but there is something to owning your own aircraft.
Conclusion
Private aviation is reserved for the elite, with celebrities, politicians, and high-profile individuals spending millions annually on air travel. While the pandemic made private jets a more appealing option due to their exclusivity and safety, the costs associated with owning or chartering these luxury aircraft are staggering.
From Donald Trump’s lavish fleet to John Travolta’s personal collection, the list of top spenders showcases how much money can be invested in maintaining a lavish and convenient lifestyle. As we’ve seen, jet ownership, high operational costs, and additional expenses like maintenance and catering contribute to the astronomical sums spent each year. Whether for business or pleasure, private aviation continues to be a symbol of wealth, power, and prestige.
For those interested in booking a private jet, it is simpler with the right tools. You can also explore a private jet booking app for iOS or a private jet booking app for Android to easily plan your next flight.
If you’re ready to elevate your travel experience, contact JetsOnset today to see how they can provide seamless, luxurious jet services.
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