Private jet statistics paint a clear picture of growth and, therefore, increasing business potential. Never before has the world seen so many opt to fly by private jet. The main reasons include the rapid rise of wealth in some regions of the globe, the broad market offer or a refinement of the overall public. As a result, private jet companies are growing and redefining air travel.
In this article, we bring you a series of data on private jets, including flights and destinations. They may spark your interest for a future trip, but most importantly, they reflect an industry that keeps growing against a shy economic climate.
Private jets: How many are there?
If you want to know how many private jets there are in the world, the quick answer is circa 23,000. From any perspective, this is a rather impressive number. The vast majority are registered in the United States, which has no less than approximately 65% of these planes. That’s more than all the other regions combined!
Europe has approximately 15% of the total fleet and is second. Australia and Oceania follow in the third position. Considering the United States of America is a vast, wealthy nation, the large percentage shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Perhaps more compelling is realizing Australia has a rather large share of private jets. The specifics of its territory reflect an increased need to connect with the rest of the world – and within. After all, how many times have you considered visiting Australia but found it too remote?
With so many private jets, how large is the market?
The private jet market is huge. In 2021, it was worth nearly $30 billion. As it stands, and even while the world faces economic uncertainty, predictions point to steady growth. Estimates indicate that by 2028 the market will be above $40 billion.
There are several reasons for market expansion, the main ones being:
Investment in technological improvement;
Requirements created by economic growth;
Exclusive flights scheduled on demand;
Ability to use a private jet flight for business;
We should also mention that the covid-19 pandemic proved a crucial factor contributing to the rising demand for private jets. Most of which come from people concerned about their safety. Naturally, comfort and convenience account for many of the decision factors, but health concerns come first.
Some companies have even preferred renting a private jet to move their employees rather than running the risk of doing so on commercial flights. The exclusive nature of private jets seems to keep finding renewed advantages for customers worldwide.
Statistics: Private jet departures
Now let’s talk about specific private jet statistics while focusing on how many flights occur annually. There were 3.3 million flights registered in 2021. That number jumped to almost 5 million in 2022.
The United States takes the lead in the number of departures – with 3.3 million in 2022. A simple comparison shows that private jets flew from the USA alone in 2022 in a similar amount to the whole world in 2021.
The list of the ten countries with the most private jet flights is as follows:
1st United States – 3,300,000
2nd Canada – 269,567
3rd France – 122,275
4th Australia – 114,584
5th United Kingdom – 100,960
6th Germany – 86,499
7th Mexico – 76,319
8th Italy – 72,069
9th Brazil – 61,402
10th Spain – 55,789
These numbers are quite clear. They reflect the asymmetry of private jet usage per country. The next section will probably not surprise you, as we list the cities with the highest number of departures. Naturally, the cities in the United States lead the rank.
For your convenience, we will also split this list into cities inside and outside the US.
Top 10 American cities with the most departures
1st New York
2nd Los Angeles
3rd Dallas
4th Chicago
5th Houston
6th San Francisco
7th Phoenix
8th Atlanta
9th Miami
10th Las Vegas
We notice that luxury travel to New York and Los Angeles is rocketing the list, with triple and double the departure of other cities. Such private jet statistics paint a very clear picture of today and hint at growing market shares.
Top 10 cities with the most departures outside the USA
1st London
2nd Paris
3th Toronto
4th Montreal
5th Nice
6th Vancouver
7th Geneva
8th São Paulo
9th Nassau
10th Milan
In this list, we can notice a series of factors related to specific private jet statistics. Firstly, there are no cities in Asian, African or Oceania countries in this list. The only South American country to appear on the list is Brazil, where the city of Sao Paulo has a significant presence.
In Europe, the five cities present in the list have similarities: all are strong tourist destinations with large urban areas and high population density. Their worldwide appeal helps channel much of the private jet traffic towards its airfields and airports.
Canada performs extremely well, adding three cities to this exclusive list. Even though few aircraft are registered in the country, these numbers show how jet leasing companies can be used to meet the demand in places without many traditions in building or buying jets.
Take-offs in Asia
In recent years there has been a growing demand for private flights in Asia. The continent, where we couldn’t find many traditions in this specific area, has finally discovered some of its great advantages. As a result, we now witness many flights departing from India, the United Arab Emirates, China, Japan, the Philippines and Singapore.
By 2022, Asia will have more than 80,000 departures, representing only a little over 1% of all flights worldwide. Still, it’s a positive performance reflecting the growing economic climate in some of Asia’s most relevant regions.
You can now find the list of the top 5 Asian countries with more flights in 2022.
1st India – 14,223
2nd United Arab Emirates – 11,646
3rd Saudi Arabia – 9,302
4th Japan – 6,531
5th Indonesia – 6,284
These numbers increase considerably if we also consider countries with shared territories, such as Russia and Turkey. Turkey alone registered more than 23,000 departures this year, a record. Russia sees half of this figure, at just over 12,000. But even accounting for these locations, the whole of Asia would not reach 3% of all recorded flights in the year 2022.
Take-offs in Africa
Africa still figures as one of the places with the lowest number of departures on the entire planet, with an even smaller representation than Asia. In 2022, the continent will reach a mark of close to 40,000 flights. South Africa, a country boasting a strong tourism industry, ranks first on the list of the five countries with the most departures on the continent.
You may find the statistics for private jet flights in Africa as follows:
1st South Africa – 8,350
2th Nigeria – 7,873
3rd Morrocco – 5,994
4th Tanzania – 4,084
5th Kenya – 3,773
Number of take-offs in city pairs (from city X to city Y)
The list below shows the city pairs with the most significant number of flights in 2022. This list has a very peculiar characteristic: the USA, which in all data shown so far has had a big advantage, does not appear in the first positions.
Again, we’ll let the numbers reflect the reality of private jet flight city pairs:
London to Paris / Paris to London
Nassau to Fort Lauderdale / Fort Lauderdale to Nassau
Gustavia to Saint Martin / Saint Martin to Gustavia
New York to Toronto / Toronto to New York
Nice to London / London to Nice
Nassau to Miami / Miami to Nassau
Geneva to London / Geneva to London
Geneva to Paris / Paris to Geneva
Los Angeles to San Jose Del Cabo / San José Del Cabo to Los Angeles
New York to Montreal / Montreal to New York
Another surprise on this list is Los Angeles to San José Del Cabo pairs. While most of the peer cities have a similar number of outbound and return flights, these two destinations have a great deal of inconsistency. Flights from San Jose Del Cabo to Los Angeles account for only 62% of flights in the reverse direction.
We want to thank WingX for providing the accurate statistics that served as the basis for our article.
How much does a private jet cost?
When we talk about modern aircraft, private jet statistics send the numbers running into the millions. The cheapest aircraft on the market has a value of around $2 million. This is the price of the Cirrus Vision Jet, a small 9.4-metre-long (30.7 ft) plane that holds up to seven people flying at a top speed of 565 km/h (or 305 knots).
However, the prices of these incredible flying machines can vary widely, with newer medium and large versions ranging from $5 million to more than $100 million. Such is the case with the Airbus ACJ319Neo. A high-end jet measuring 33.9 metres (111 ft) long can fly up to 12,500 metres (41,000 ft) and hold up to 19 passengers.
As with most things, there is an option for every need and budget. We stick to the cost-effective premise of chartering private jets instead, which collects all the benefits without any of the issues of owning a private plane.
How much does it cost to lease a private jet?
More than ever, the market has realised the advantages of leasing a private jet. Here too, we find a wide variation in price according to the aircraft, the services that can be contracted within the flight and a host of other factors. But by default, the value of the lease is according to the flight hours that will be done by the aircraft. And trust us when we say it can be very competitive, indeed.
The cheapest services are between $2,000 and $3,500 per hour for aircraft for 4 to 6 passengers. Medium jets, which can carry 9 or 10 passengers, cost between $4,000 and $8,000 per flight hour. The largest aircraft, for 14 passengers or more, can cost between US$8,000 and US$13,000. That’s without accounting for luxurious VIP services, which can bring costs up to $15,0000 to $20,000 per billable flight hour.
Those looking for a quick estimate on private jet flight costs can use our cost simulator. All prices are merely indicative and require final confirmation. However, they should give you a very clear picture of what to expect.
Let’s look at some examples:
New York to Miami
Light jet: From $10,000 to $15,000.
Midsize jet: From $12,000 to $17,000.
New York to London
Heavy Jet: From $60,000 to $75,000.
Ultra Long Range Jet: From $85,000 to $100,000.
Large manufacturers of private aircraft
The biggest companies producing private planes are also behind commercial aircraft. See some of these companies according to region.
United States
The most prominent American aircraft company is the Boeing Company, which features its name on many well-known aircraft. It manufactures many different models of commercial, private and government aircraft. Also in the USA are Textron, a powerful company based in Wichita, Kansas and HondaJet, based in Greensboro, which builds high-performance jets.
Canada
The Canadian private jet manufacturer Bombardier is based in Montreal and has representation in more than 12 countries. Its current fleet accounts for around 5,000 aircraft worldwide, and it is a well-known name for reliability and cost-efficient aviation solutions.
Europe
You’ll surely be acquainted with Airbus and its business jets. The company is Europe’s largest aircraft manufacturer and a world leader in the industry. Its presence is also relevant in helicopters, defence, and space exploration. Other manufacturers in the Old Continent are Piaggio and their private jets, an Italian company founded in 1915, and Swiss Pilatus, known for its incredible customer service and high-quality.
Brazil
Embraer is surprisingly claiming to be the 3rd largest aircraft company in the world after Boeing and Airbus. They have a team of over 18,000 employees, and more than 8,000 aircraft delivered. Their offices and distribution centres are spread across many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia and Africa.
Naturally, Embraer produces business jets and is present in all regions of the globe. Their influence is also present in the areas of commercial aviation, defence and space.
Discover the best private jet plans
Now that you’re up to date with all the private jet statistics, it’s time to find your flight. Our team of experts is ready to serve you with the best deals, and the most modern and luxurious aircraft, ensuring you arrive at the most popular destinations worldwide.
Your safety and comfort are always our priority, guaranteeing nothing less than a pleasant experience. A cost-effective solution is always at your disposal, meeting your specific requirements.
Contact us today for your free private jet flight quote, and join the growing number of happy clients that trust us with their travel arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you have a question regarding private jet statistics? The following section was elaborated to help you find all the necessary information. For further queries, our team is available around the clock and happy to assist you in any way you require.
Are private jets only for the super-rich?
No. Although only millionaires actually buy private jets, leasing a plane can be extremely advantageous, even for those on a limited budget. We also remind you that companies benefit greatly from chartering jets for their employees and can take advantage of this travel model over commercial flights. In many ways, it is a far more cost-effective solution than flying business or first class in a traditional airline.
What places in the world have less private jet activity?
Nauru, a small island in Oceania, Falkland Island in the South Atlantic and Eritrea, in northeast Africa, are the countries with the fewest take-offs in 2022. Four flights left in the first destination, only two in the second and just one in the third. Either should provide an incredibly exclusive getaway, in our opinion.
Which is the most expensive private jet in the world?
Air Force One is considered the most expensive private jet in the world, exclusive for flying the American president. Its estimated cost is $660 million. This notorious Boeing 747 carries more than 120 people on board and is possibly the best-equipped plane in the world, even boasting a hospital and being able to refuel mid-flight.
How many crew members are required to operate a private jet?
Although there are private jet models that can be operated solo, the vast majority of jets require two pilots. Cabin staff is optional, but it is typical for jets with up to 9 passengers to have at least 1 or 2 cabin crew members. The crew members can increase according to the client’s needs, who can hire additional services such as meals, a bartender and other comforts.
Can private jets fly globally?
Not all, but some can. Private jets have a moderate flying capacity, varying according to their size. Smaller jets need to make refuelling stops to reach longer destinations. Heavy models are capable of intercontinental flights. Those long-range jets can fly some of the longest routes on the planet, such as Hong Kong to New York or Sydney to Los Angeles.
Are there jet manufacturers in Asia?
Yes. Asia has seen a big increase in demand for aircraft of all types. Although they still work primarily with Boeing and Airbus, China and Japan have their own companies that manufacture aircraft or aircraft parts. China has jumped headlong into this niche, seeking to compete with the Western champions in the future. They already have their aircraft in operation, thanks to Comac.
What is the longest distance a private jet can fly?
The private jet with the largest capacity is the Boeing Business Jet 777X, capable of flying 11,500 miles without needing to refuel. This range allows the aircraft to reach cities worldwide, even when operating at full capacity.