How many people own jets? What do they use them for? How are sales changing over time? Data-based answers to these questions can help you make smart decisions about yourself, your transportation, and your budget.
Latest Private Jet Industry Trends
In 2024, there were an estimated 22,000 private jets worldwide. While some believe that number will rise with time, there are signs suggesting that that growth will stall.
Demand for private jets has stayed strong into 2025, especially among first-time buyers who value flexibility and privacy more than ever. But growth is starting to bump up against limits—inventory is tight, and concerns about fuel price instability are shifting the landscape faster than some expected.
Signs of Growth
The jet market is valued at $46.51 billion in 2024, and it’s anticipated to rise to $67.68 billion by 2032. Statistics like this suggest that the market is both large and growing larger with time.
Commercial airline travel is time-consuming, and some people find it stressful. Purchasing a private jet can help people move from place to place with ease.
The average price per aircraft is expected to reach $27.29 million in 2025. Used jets are available at a lower price point for people who can’t afford something brand new.
Warnings Signs of Decline
While statistics suggest that the jet market is rising, there are some reasons to be concerned. Fuel prices are one such pain point.
In August 2024, fuel cost $2.47 per gallon on average, which is a 4.3% drop from the month prior. When the costs shift so dramatically, it’s difficult for investors to determine when (or even if) they should purchase a jet.
Some experts say that people are reducing their air travel. In 2024, nearly 8% fewer private jet flights took off from North America than the year prior. Political instability could make people reduce their travel plans even more.
Sales by Jet Category
Jets come in several different sizes. Larger aircraft can carry more people, but they tend to cost more to purchase and maintain. Smaller airplanes tend to be less expensive, but they can’t travel as far. Market data varies by jet size.
Light Jets
Light jets are the most popular versions in the marketplace. As of 2024, more than 36% of all private jets owned globally are categorized as light jets.
Aircraft like this can carry just a few people at a time, and they can only go on short trips. They may also have fewer amenities than larger jets. However, they can be a good choice for people new to the market.
Midsize Jets
Since light jets come with restrictions, some are opting for larger aircraft. If they’re shopping in 2025, there are several used versions to choose from.
Midsize jet inventories are up 15% in 2025. That means people have more planes in this classification that are used and ready for new owners. Jets in this class can take more passengers than light jets, and they may have amenities like stand-up cabins and full bathrooms.
Larger Models
Jets in the largest category are the most luxurious. They often come with intense amenities, and they can take large groups of people long distances. In the past, these jets only appealed to a small subset of buyers. That could be changing.
In 2025, large jets account for about 20% of industry sales. This is a first, but it could be a sign of the market moving forward.
Regional Market Insights
Jet ownership statistics vary dramatically from place to place. Research suggests that the demographics of jet ownership is changing with time.
Changes in the market can have a ripple effect. People who don’t know anyone else with a jet may not be tempted to buy one. However, when people know others with jets, or who have been on a flight on an aircraft like this, they might be tempted to buy an aircraft too.
This table can help you understand how many jets are registered in countries around the world:
| Country | # aircraft registered | % of total global fleet |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 46,157 | 42 |
| China | 5,366 | 5 |
| Canada | 4,888 | 4 |
| Brazil | 4,539 | 4 |
| Australia | 3,379 | 3 |
| Mexico | 2,468 | 2 |
| United Kingdom | 2,442 | 2 |
| Germany | 2,351 | 2 |
| South Africa | 1,930 | 2 |
| France | 1,860 | 2 |
| Japan *Source | 1,799 | 2 |
American Market
North America has long dominated the global jet business market. American airstrips are plentiful, so flying from one location to another is relatively easy. Many jets are also manufactured in the United States, so they’re abundant.
Europe
Experts say the European market should grow quickly between 2025 and 2032. Airport infrastructure is growing, and people in this country are ready to use jets to travel. Charter companies are also opening up business in Europe, introducing more people to this type of travel.
Newcomers to the Jet Market
Countries like Saudi Arabia and Israel are becoming major players in the jet market. People in these countries are ready to experience the luxury of jet travel, and they often need to meet with business partners in other places. They may experience growth as a result.
Private Jet Customer Insights
Who buys private jets, and what do they use them for? While the overwhelming majority of people who have private aircraft are also private people, researchers have uncovered some data about who they are and what they’re doing.
Net Worth
People who have exclusive access to a private jet are worth $190 million on average. While full ownership is common, it’s not the only way to own a jet.
Some people participate in fractional jet ownership programs. They share the jet with one or a few people, and they also share the expenses. People in fractional programs have a net worth of $140 million on average.
Age
Jet owners are getting younger. Researchers say the number of people younger than 45 buying jets doubled between 2014 and 2024. At that point, it reached 29%.
It’s not clear if younger people will continue to purchase jets. They are remarkably expensive both to buy and to maintain. However, statistics suggest that more young people are entering the market than ever before.
We’re seeing a noticeable shift in who’s buying jets—there’s a younger, more diverse group of owners entering the market, many coming from tech, entertainment, and crypto wealth. Unlike traditional buyers, they’re looking for aircraft that support a more mobile, global lifestyle and are often more interested in newer, more sustainable models.
Gender Breakdown
Anyone with money can purchase a jet. Sellers don’t ask for demographic information before endorsing a sale. However, the jet market has previously been dominated by men. Statistics suggest that might be changing.
In 2024, close to 30% of first-time jet owners were women. They have the same travel needs as their male counterparts, and for some, an investment in a jet is a good one.
Destinations
A private jet can land at airports that aren’t available to commercial flights. Private jets are smaller, and they don’t require extensive security and ticket personnel areas.
In a study of private jet owners, 32% landed at an airport with no scheduled airline service. For some, these trips were driven by business meetings. For others, they were leisure trips meant for time with family.
It’s possible to blend business and pleasure in one trip, but the tax consequences can be complex and difficult to untangle. Sometimes, it’s easier to simply schedule different trips for different purposes.
There’s also been a rise in fractional ownership and partnerships, especially among younger professionals who want access without full-time responsibility. These new buyers are digitally savvy, they do their homework, and they’re pushing the industry to modernize everything from sales platforms to onboard connectivity. It’s changing the way we market jets and how we think about ownership models altogether.
Private Jet Use
As long as planes have been available, people have used them to move from one place to another. While private jets come with more flexibility, some of the same restrictions apply. Understanding what they are could be important to you as you enter this market.
Average Length of Flight
While many types of private jets can travel long distances, most owners don’t use them in this manner. In fact, the majority of jet flights are under 1,000 nautical miles.
Using a private jet in this manner can be smart. Business owners can fly to another state for a meeting and be home in time for dinner. Scheduling a trip like this on a commercial flight is almost impossible due to airport wait times, but it’s very easy on a private jet.
Common Times to Fly
In theory, private jets can move through airspace at any time. However, most private jet owners follow the same peak flight times as those who travel on commercial jets.
Peak times include Thanksgiving through New Year. A second peak occurs in mid-February. People who charter flights (instead of owning their planes) may pay more for their flights during these time frames.
Lead Times for Flights
People who own private jets outright have plenty of flexibility in scheduling their flights. However, during peak times, they may struggle to schedule takeoffs and landings at crowded airports.
People who use charter programs may need to respect lead times before their trips. Experts say these lead times range from 4 to 72 hours. During peak times, this lead time could increase to up to 120 hours.
These time frames can seem long, but they’re much shorter than those used by commercial airlines. People who need to hop on a crowded flight may be completely out of luck.
Drivers of Private Flights
Anyone might appreciate skipping the long lines at airports and experiencing more space while in the air. However, people who use private jets may have completely different reasons for doing so.
In one study, 11% of people who use private jets cited industrial or personal security as the reason they traveled this way. For people who are worried about being recognized and mobbed by fans, a private jet could be an excellent choice.
The Jet Charter Market
As we’ve mentioned, many people opt to charter a private jet instead of purchasing an aircraft outright. This sector of the market is growing rapidly.
The jet charter market was worth $21.24 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $24.28 billion in 2025. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%.
As more companies enter the jet charter market, the number of people trying private flights is expected to grow. Some of these people may convert into jet owners in time.
Private Jet Climate Impact Statistics
Private jets often use fossil fuels to move from one place to another. Commercial aircraft do the same, but unfortunately, private jets use more. That’s due, in part, to the fewer passengers on each flight.
Private jets emit up to 20 times more pollutants per passenger than commercial planes do. When you’re on a commercial flight, you share the emissions with everyone else on board with you. In a private jet, you may be the only one on board.
This isn’t an industry secret. In a survey of Fortune 500 leaders, a significant portion are worried about reducing carbon emissions through their flights. They just aren’t sure how to do so.
Some companies are investigating transferring their aircraft to electric power. If those ideas come to fruition by 2030, electric aircraft could decrease carbon intensity by up to 82%.
Aerospace companies are also investigating solutions like alternative propellants, hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel. These ideas could also help to reduce the average amount of carbon emitted in each flight.
Private Jet Industry Predictions
We’ve explained how the private jet industry is reacting in 2024 and 2025, but what might happen in the future? The results are a little unclear, but we’ll dig into the statistics and see what we can discover.
In November of 2024, industry executives felt optimistic about the jet market. In interviews, they said market indicators had risen 35% since the election of Donald Trump. People felt confident that the economy would be strong, and they purchased jets in response.
During a similar time, industry experts said they were on track to deliver 8,500 new business jets during the next decade. They would be worth more than $280 billion. Since more people were interested in buying jets, it made sense for companies to meet that demand with new aircraft.
However, things have changed a bit since then.
In April of 2025, industry experts said tariffs and potential taxes were cooling demand for things like jets. Deals that were once completed quickly are slowing dramatically, as people are concerned about the market. Some are choosing to wait and see what happens instead of buying now.
Markets ebb and flow due to all sorts of issues, including some that can be controlled and others that cannot. In general, it remains an excellent time to purchase a new jet or join a fractional ownership program.
Shifting markets can’t change the comfort and convenience associated with private jets. No matter what the market does, the benefits of this type of travel will remain, and it’s likely that we’ll continue to see an increase in the popularity of private jets.
Fact Checked & Reviewed By:
Kevin White worked as an executive sales director for a leading aircraft acquisitions company for many years. There, he developed an intuitive understanding of what elite aircraft buyers and sellers expect. He also developed close ties with some of the world’s most prominent aircraft brokers. His extensive knowledge of the market ensures smooth aircraft transactions.
This Article Contains 22 Cited Sources
Last modified 07 May 2025