Hello!

Today’s newsletter tackles a topic that’s been on my radar – private jets.

A recent report by US think-tank the Institute for Policy Studies examines the environmental impact of private aviation, arguing that growth in private jet ownership is widening the gap between luxury consumption and climate goals.

The study estimates there are now 3,428 billionaires worldwide and says private jet ownership and use have expanded alongside growing wealth.

The US is driving much of that growth, accounting for nearly 69% of the world’s registered jets, according to the report.

The report notes that private jet operations and greenhouse gas emissions in two US states alone, Florida and Texas, are greater than the 27 member countries of the European Union combined, making it one of the most polluting forms of transport and representing the fastest growing segment of aviation emissions.

“Most people wish they could fly private, especially with how degrading the experience of commercial travel is,” said Chuck Collins, a co-author of the study.

“But people don’t know that we subsidize commercial and private jet consumption here in the US and it’s the most polluting form of transportation which is harming us,” he added.

Commercial airline passengers pay several taxes and carrier-imposed fees whenever they purchase an airplane ticket, whereas private jets users, by comparison, only pay a federal excise tax on jet fuel of 21.9 cents per gallon.

Additionally, there are currently eight US states that have full or near-total sales tax exemptions on the purchase of a private jet.

As for pollution, private jets typically travel at higher altitudes than standard commercial airliners which can have a bigger impact on the climate because their emissions create warming effects beyond the CO2 emissions they release.

Collins and his co-authors also claim that private jets are used mainly for recreational purposes, creating “carbon bombs” for global gatherings such as Davos, the Cannes Film Festival, the US Masters Golf Tournament or the Monaco Grand Prix.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup saw more than 92,000 private jet flights, emitting 150 kilotons of excess emissions – the equivalent of 34,000 gas-guzzling cars driving for a year, according to the report.

So, what’s the solution? Collins proposes that commercial airlines must advocate for private jets to pay their fair share of taxes, upgrade the commercial travel customer experience in addition to a wider cultural and behavioural shift.

“There are things institutions can do to discourage private jets and invest in high-speed rail, stop short haul flights and find real alternatives. There also needs to be a culture shift backed with government action to move us away from private jet use which should be seen as embarrassing,” he added.

“There are artists and performers who refuse to fly private and it’s time to say, ‘shame on people flying private’. You don’t see people showing up with mink coats anywhere anymore as the wealthy are embarrassed to wear them and there should be the same stigma for flying on a private jet.”