16 famous private jet owners: stars, executives and billionaires

Every year, demand for private jets grows by almost 1%, driven by an increasingly demanding high-end clientele. Whether for reasons of comfort, security, confidentiality or flexibility, private jets appeal to stars and heads of state alike.

Although the typical profile of a private jet owner varies, three main categories emerge: entertainment celebrities, top athletes, political leaders and heads of state.

Let’s find out more about the 16 most emblematic personalities and their aircraft.

Hollywood stars with a passion for aviation

1. John Travolta: the flying enthusiast

With 7 private jets to his credit, the American actor is a true aviation enthusiast. With a pilot’s license, he owns a fleet worthy of the name: a Boeing 707, three Gulfstream jets, a Bombardier Challenger 601 and a Boeing 727.

A noted actor in “Pulp Fiction”, he is also an accomplished pilot. As proof, he had an airport built inside his villa, complete with mini airstrip.

John Travolta – Photo credit: Wikipedia

Photo credit: Gulfstream

2. Kim Kardashian: diva even in the air

The social networking star, now a mother, rarely travels without her Boeing 747. This private jet is known as a VIP long-haul private jet.

In order to fit it out to her taste, several hundred seats were removed in favor of a suite with king-size bed and bathrooms, a spacious living room…

The 38-year-old also reportedly shared the interiors of her luxury private jet on Instagram, and confessed to hiring an in-flight fitness trainer.

Kim Kardashian – Photo credit: Wikipedia

Boeing 747 – Photo credit: Boeing

3. Harrison Ford: a fleet of 8 jets and 2 crashes to his credit

The Chicago-born American actor currently owns 8 private jets, including a helicopter. With a pilot’s license, he confesses to enjoying the thrill of flight, particularly when flying to his favorite cheeseburger restaurant.

Among his finest aircraft is the Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign, with 9 seats and an integrated minibar, priced at $18 million. In 1999, he suffered his 1st helicopter crash during a training flight in California.

This was followed by a 2nd crash in 2015 due to engine failure, forcing him to land on a golf course. In 2004, he became president of the Young Eagles, an association dedicated to introducing children to aviation.

Harrison Ford – Photo credit: Wikipedia

Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign – Photo credit: Cessna Citation

4. Lady Gaga: a high-end, colorful private jet

Like Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga is the owner of 3 private jets.

She set her sights on a Boeing 757, considered a VIP long-haul private jet, and customized it in the most extravagant colors.

Between two concerts, the singer is said to have unveiled an entire photo album on her Facebook page, entitled “My plane”, enough to satisfy her most curious followers.

Lady Gaga – Photo credit: Wikipedia

Boeing 757 – Photo credit: Boeing

5. Céline Dion: the choice of Canadian excellence

The famous singer chose the Canadian manufacturer Bombardier for her Global Express XRS. For an “All by Herself” flight, Céline Dion can enjoy a magnificent aircraft capable of carrying 14 passengers.

Equipped with a luxury bathroom and office, the Global Express XRS is worth $42 million.

Celine Dion – Photo credit: wikipedia

Global Express XRS – Photo credit: Bombardier

Sportsmen and women and their exclusive private jets

6. Neymar: closely watched by the Brazilian tax authorities

Owning a private jet is all well and good, but why stop there? The Brazilian footballer now owns 2 private jets: an €8 million Cessna Citation 680 and a Phenom 100 Private Jet.

One of the top 5 highest-paid sportsmen in the world, the PSG star is no exception to the trend, and also indulges in a few pleasures… However, his latest follies have attracted the wrath of the Brazilian Treasury. He is accused of having paid only 8 million euros for his private Cessna jet and of having omitted more than 15 million, according to the Brazilian authorities.

Neymar – Photo credit: Wikipedia

Cessna Citation 680 – Photo credit: Cessna Citation

7. Roger Federer: no more excuses for lateness

Roger Federer also claims to fly in private jets for competition and private purposes. He admits, however, that he uses this 5-star transport solution for a very specific reason: to avoid being late. “I’ve missed several flights in recent years. When you travel by private jet and you’re a few minutes late, it doesn’t matter, they’ll just wait,” he confides.

The great sportsman does not, however, own his own private jet. He works closely with NetJets, a company offering shared ownership of aircraft.

Federer – Photo credit: Wikipedia

8. Kylian Mbappé: joining Real Madrid yes, but only if he has a private jet

Having yet to extend his contract with PSG, the young soccer prodigy is already in talks with Real Madrid.

According to the Spanish press, Mbappé has some somewhat surprising requests, starting with a private jet. This would have to be made available to him, with a minimum of 50 flight hours.

Kylian Mbappé – Photo credit: Wikipedia

9. Cristiano Ronaldo: a 20 million euro jet and an airport in his name

Accompanied by his partner and children, the five-time gold medallist owns a magnificent Gulfstream G200 Galaxy. In 2015, this top-of-the-range aeronautical jewel was added to his collection of sports cars.

The footballer spares nothing when it comes to comfort: internet on board, kitchenette with microwave and electric oven, telephone, giant screen, leather armchairs that can be converted into a bed… The G200 Galaxy can seat up to 10 passengers and flies over his favorite route Funchal – Turin at a speed of 901 km/h.

Last but not least, the former Real Madrid player recently launched a private jet rental business, renting his jet for as little as 3,000 euros an hour.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Photo credit: Wikipediahttps

Gulfstream G200 Galaxy – Photo credit: Gulfstream

Private jets for major political leaders and heads of state

10. Emmanuel Macron: the presidency confers on him an A330-200 at €210,000,000

Emmanuel Macron owns his own aircraft, as a good President of the Republic should. Inherited from his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy, he owns a €210,000,000 A330-200, which serves not only as a means of transport, but also as a management center for the military command.

Anecdotally, all French government flights were operated by A319s until 2010. At the time, Nicolas Sarkozy himself was on an official trip to Africa, when the A319 was forced to land due to engine failure.

The two A319 were replaced by the A330-200, currently used by Emmanuel Macron. The President also owns 2 Falcon 7Xs, which are more versatile and multi-purpose. They are more suited to short runways and domestic flights.

Emmanuel Macron – Photo credit: Wikipedia

A330-200 – Photo credit: Wikipedia

11. Vladimir Putin: four aircraft at 400,000,000 million euros rather than one

The Russian President currently owns four identical long-haul Voronezh IL-96-300PU aircraft. In reality, this choice was made for security reasons.

Indeed, all four planes are in demand and ready to take off for every official trip: the mystery plane in which Vladimir Putin is flying is only revealed a few minutes before take-off.

Like the French A330-200, it is equipped with an optimized communications system to act as the army’s troop management center. This aircraft, with a maximum speed of 900 kilometers per hour, has very special features both inside and out.

Thanks to a number of modifications, its range exceeds that of the standard model by 13,500 kilometers. Like the stealth aircraft of the Cold War, the IL-96-300PU is equipped with jamming and radar systems: a true air defense tool.

The aircraft’s interior has also been designed and decorated with gilding and tapestries by Russian artist Ivan Glazunov. Equipped with a bathroom, an office measuring over 10 square meters, and a gym, the aerial behemoth is estimated to cost 50,000,000 euros.

Vladimir Putin – Photo credit: Wikipedia

IL-96-300PU – Photo credit: Wikipedia

12. Donald Trump: 3 Air Force Ones for the American President

Donald Trump owns a fleet of 3 Air Force One aircraft, 2 of which are identical. The name “Air Force One” is given to any private aircraft carrying the American president. Based in Maryland, this fleet comprises 2 Boeing 747-200Bs modified for presidential use, and a Boeing C-32.

Among its main technical modifications are: the installation of a medical operations suite, communication tools such as satellites and even electromagnetic defenses similar to electric bombs.

Like the Russian president’s plane, it is faster and more autonomous than its standard model. Almost designed for unlimited flight time, it also boasts impressive dimensions, with its 70-meter length and 370-square-meter cabin.

This left the President with a multitude of design possibilities, which he was quick to seize: a bedroom for each member of the family, a gym, several bathrooms, an office and even an area reserved for journalists.

Renamed VC-25A after its many custom modifications, it is currently valued at 86 million euros.

Donald Trump – Photo credit: Wikipedia

Boeing 757-200 : Photo credit : Wikipedia

13. Queen Elizabeth II: Royal Air Force helicopters and private planes

Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family use the RAF (Royal Air Force) fleet for their travels and important events. This includes: 2 AW109 helicopters, 6 BAE-125s, 5 BAE-146s and a Sikorsky S-76 Spirit. Well equipped, the British icon is ready for any use:

• the AW109 helicopter and its personal Sikorsky S-76 Spirit helicopter for routes of less than 1,000 kilometers
• bAE-125s for distances of up to 3,000 kilometers
• bAE-146s for exclusive flights within the UK

The whole package is estimated to be worth €88,400,000.

Queen Elizabeth II – Photo credit: Wikipedia

Sikorsky S-76 Spirit – Photo credit: Wikipedia

14. Xi Jinping: in all discretion

In a break with his fellow heads of state, the Chinese president does not own his own permanent aircraft. Instead, for all his business trips abroad, he uses two Boeing 747-400s belonging to Air China, each costing 213 million euros.

On the whole, Xi Jinping does nothing like his colleagues when it comes to refurbishing and personalizing interiors. In the absence of a “palace” transformation, the President has opted for a minimalist, austere decor, far removed from the glitz and glamour.

The Boeings do, however, have large living areas with a bedroom and an office.

Xi Jinping – Photo credit: Quotepark

Boeing 747-400: Photo credit: Boeing

15. Angela Merkel: her two Airbus at 255,000,000 euros

The German Chancellor has two full-time Airbus aircraft at her disposal, named “Konrad Adenauer” and “Theodor Heuss”. These names actually have very specific meanings: “Konrad Adenauer” refers to the 1st Chancellor of West Germany, and “Theodor Heuss” to the President of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1959.

It also benefits from a large fleet belonging to the German government’s Federal Defense, including a Bombardier Global 5000 at 60 million euros and two Airbus A319-133X CJs each at 125 million euros.

The Konrad Adenauer remaining her favorite, Angela Merkel chose to install several suites with an office and a shower.

In addition, there is a soundproofed negotiation room and a conference room with a giant screen. With 50 more seats than Donald Trump’s Boeing, the Konrad Adenauer is still several million euros cheaper.

Angela Merkel – Photo credit: Wikipedia

Konrad Adenauer – Photo credit: Wikipedia

16. Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani: a $1,500,000,000 fleet at his disposal

Wealthy billionaire Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani’s fleet is beyond belief. Luxurious and lavishly serviced, these aircraft regularly include food, personal items and even limousines in their cargo.

At last count, the fleet belonging to the private company Qatar Amiri Flight comprises 14 aircraft, each costing around 85 million euros.

These include: one Airbus A319-100 CJ, 2 Boeing 747-8 BBJs, three A320-200s, one А310-300, two A330-200s, one А340-200, one А340-500 and one А340-300. All business trips by the head of government and his entourage are handled by this VIP airline.

For total flexibility, this $1,500,000,000 fleet is entirely at his disposal. For more personal use, the Emir also enjoys alternating with his Bombardier Global Express BD-700-1A10.

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani – Photo credit: Wikipedia

Example of a Qatar Amiri Flight jet – Photo credit: Wikipedia

Fancy flying like a star?

Do all these private jets make you dream? Has one of these models caught your eye?

In just a few clicks, you can charter one of these aircraft. That’s the challenge that AEROAFFAIRES, the private jet rental company, takes up every day, offering a quote tailored to your needs.

Whatever your airport of departure or arrival, AEROAFFAIRES will process your request as quickly as possible, and put you in touch with a dedicated contact who will follow you throughout the booking process.

From turboprops to light private jets and regional jets, our fleet gives you a wide choice of aircraft from various airlines. Depending on the number of passengers, booking a tailor-made flight has never been easier.

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