By: Hadassa Kalatizadeh
It seems even the super-rich go out of their way not to be shamed.
The ultra-wealthy and big corporations are opting to use jet rental companies rather than fly their own jet, in fear of being “flight shamed”, for contributing to global warming. The upper class is increasingly opting to use-like private jet sharing companies to keep their good rep for climate consciousness, but still avoiding the crowds on a commercial flight.
As reported by the NY Post, private jet charter companies can barely keep up with the demand. Though commercial air traffic is still 20 percent lower than pre-pandemic norms, business is booming for the private jet companies.
As per the Wall Street Journal, Wheels Up, a membership-based aviation company that patrons can book private flights on through an app, said demand has skyrocketed, so much so that they had to tell new members booking needs to be done about 90 days in advance. Another company, NetJets, which is backed by Warren Buffett and sells timeshare-like shares of private jets, has reportedly stopped new sales altogether, focusing on meeting current demand.
The pandemic has clearly led billionaires and multi-millionaires to seek out a more private form of travel, out of health concerns. Many, however, prefer to stay under the radar, using jets owned by third parties so they won’t be called out for hypocrisy when they tout their climate-conscious images.
As per the WSJ, jets really do emit much higher carbon emissions. On a Gulfstream G650 private jet, the average trip reportedly emits almost 10 times more carbon hourly per passenger in comparison to a Boeing 787. Even on a full flight, the carbon cost per passenger is four times greater on a jet than a 787.
Wheels Up president Vinayak Hegde told the WSJ that more corporations are signing up to their service to stay in line with global responsibility. “We definitely see companies that don’t want their names on the tail,” Hegde said. It’s an easy way to hide their trips from snooping activists.
As per the Post, it’s not just environmental activists, though, that are pushing against the ownership of private jets. Shareholders at large corporations also consider owning a jet a money pit. Even execs at General Electric and JC Penny have sold off their planes in recent years to lower costs.