April 29, 2024 · 6 min read
History of the Private Jet
Private Jets are extremely common these days. You can easily charter a private jet in the matter of a few clicks, and thousands of people own one too.
Yet, only a few years ago, private jet’s didn’t exist. In fact, commercial flight in itself did not exist. Many people contribute the rise of the private jet to the rise of commercial flight. This is due to the fact that people always wish to reach higher, and live the life of the rich and famous.
Let’s explore the history of the private jet and consider what the future holds for this mode of transportation.
While early private jets were modest in both engine power and passenger capacity, they have since evolved dramatically, with some private aircraft even utilizing the colossal Airbus A380 as their base!
In 1963, Bill Lear developed the LearJet 23, the first purpose-built private plane, which truly ignited the history of the private jet market and led to the establishment of the iconic LearJet brand.
1963 .mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper h5.mgt-timeline-title {color: #0d6cbf!important;}.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon,.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper a,.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper a:visited,.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper a:focus {color: #eded00!important;}.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-text {color: #000000!important;}.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #ededed!important;}.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-33313414.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-date .mgt-timeline-date-year {color: #0d6cbf!important;} The Gulfstream Era In 1966 Gulfstream created the Gulfstream II. This was the first large-cabin private jet. This made it able to carry more passenger over longer distances 1966 .mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper h5.mgt-timeline-title {color: #359b30!important;}.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon,.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper a,.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper a:visited,.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper a:focus {color: #74d62f!important;}.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #dd9933!important;}.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #dd9933!important;}.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #7c7c7c!important;}.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-80545720.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #7c7c7c;} Embraer Joins the Race In 1968 Embraer joined the race with the Bandeirante Twin-Turboprop. It has since become one of the largest private aircraft manufacturers. 1968 .mgt-timeline-22260942.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon,.mgt-timeline-22260942.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper a,.mgt-timeline-22260942.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper a:visited,.mgt-timeline-22260942.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-icon-wrapper a:focus {color: #fcfc23!important;}.mgt-timeline-22260942.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #ededed!important;}.mgt-timeline-22260942.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-22260942.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-22260942.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-22260942.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #ededed;} Boeing Joins the Race In 1977, Boeing also joined the private jet race by converting its successful 747 line. The 747-400 and 747-8 VIP series remain popular to this day. 1977 .mgt-timeline-81905059.mgt-timeline-wrapper h5.mgt-timeline-title {color: #359b30!important;}.mgt-timeline-81905059.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #ff2807!important;}.mgt-timeline-81905059.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-81905059.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-81905059.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #ff2807!important;}.mgt-timeline-81905059.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #7c7c7c!important;}.mgt-timeline-81905059.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-81905059.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-81905059.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-81905059.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #7c7c7c;} EBAA Launched In 1977 the European Business Aviation Association launches to promote and co-ordinate the industry. It launched gatherings in 2001. 1977 .mgt-timeline-19423488.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #c125e8!important;}.mgt-timeline-19423488.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-19423488.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-19423488.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #c125e8!important;}.mgt-timeline-19423488.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #ededed!important;}.mgt-timeline-19423488.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-19423488.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-19423488.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-19423488.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #ededed;} Le Bourget Airport
Paris Le Bourget Airport becomes dedicated to the private jets. It’s now one of the busiest private jet airports in the world.
1980 .mgt-timeline-41345375.mgt-timeline-wrapper h5.mgt-timeline-title {color: #359b30!important;}.mgt-timeline-41345375.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #ff2807!important;}.mgt-timeline-41345375.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-41345375.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-41345375.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #ff2807!important;}.mgt-timeline-41345375.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #7c7c7c!important;}.mgt-timeline-41345375.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-41345375.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-41345375.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-41345375.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #7c7c7c;} The Birth of Business Jets
In the 1990s private jets started to become business jets. These were for the high flying executives and board members so they could travel while on the go. Corporate air travel was never to be the same after this.
1990 .mgt-timeline-78812533.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #15992b!important;}.mgt-timeline-78812533.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-78812533.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-78812533.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #15992b!important;}.mgt-timeline-78812533.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #ededed!important;}.mgt-timeline-78812533.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-78812533.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-78812533.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-78812533.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #ededed;} Fractional Jet Ownership Along with the rise of business jets, came the opportunity of fractional ownership in the 90s. It became easier to own and operate a private jet as if it was 100% your own. Along with the private jet charter also started to take off. 1990 .mgt-timeline-56283039.mgt-timeline-wrapper h5.mgt-timeline-title {color: #359b30!important;}.mgt-timeline-56283039.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #05bc21!important;}.mgt-timeline-56283039.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-56283039.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-56283039.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #05bc21!important;}.mgt-timeline-56283039.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #7c7c7c!important;}.mgt-timeline-56283039.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-56283039.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-56283039.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-56283039.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #7c7c7c;} Flight of the Cessna Citation X
In 1993, the Cessna Citation X takes to the skies to become the fastest private jet, traveling at a speed of Mach 0.935. It’s shortly followed by the XL in 1996, which is the most popular private jet in the world.
1993 .mgt-timeline-29939143.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #a31515!important;}.mgt-timeline-29939143.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-29939143.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-29939143.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #a31515!important;}.mgt-timeline-29939143.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #ededed!important;}.mgt-timeline-29939143.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-29939143.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-29939143.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-29939143.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #ededed;} Falcon 7X
In 2005 the Falcon 7X debuts as the first fly-by-wire business jet. This replaces all manual flight controls.
2005 .mgt-timeline-36513224.mgt-timeline-wrapper h5.mgt-timeline-title {color: #359b30!important;}.mgt-timeline-36513224.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #4d07ff!important;}.mgt-timeline-36513224.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-36513224.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-36513224.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #4d07ff!important;}.mgt-timeline-36513224.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #7c7c7c!important;}.mgt-timeline-36513224.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-36513224.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-36513224.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-36513224.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #7c7c7c;} Gulfstream G650
In 2008, the Gulfstream 650 was unveiled, boasting an impressive range of nearly 13,000 km, making it the longest-range private jet in the history of private aviation to this day. With this aircraft, you can effortlessly fly from London to New York or virtually any global destination on a single tank.
2008 .mgt-timeline-88889934.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #1f72ef!important;}.mgt-timeline-88889934.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-88889934.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-88889934.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #1f72ef!important;}.mgt-timeline-88889934.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #ededed!important;}.mgt-timeline-88889934.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-88889934.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-88889934.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-88889934.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #ededed;} HondaJet
In 2016 Honda joined the private jet industry with the HondaJet. This targets the Very Light Jet (VLJ) market. Affordable private jet travel for a few passengers. The HondaJet model aircraft is also interesting in the fact that its two engines are mounted above the wing.
2016 .mgt-timeline-78882530.mgt-timeline-wrapper h5.mgt-timeline-title {color: #359b30!important;}.mgt-timeline-78882530.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #dd890b!important;}.mgt-timeline-78882530.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-78882530.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-78882530.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #dd890b!important;}.mgt-timeline-78882530.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #7c7c7c!important;}.mgt-timeline-78882530.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-78882530.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-78882530.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #7c7c7c;}.mgt-timeline-78882530.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #7c7c7c;} Beyond Earth
Incorporating the history of private aviation, private space travel is on the horizon. SpaceX has recently achieved a milestone by launching the first-ever space flight with private passengers on board. The future of private aviation is poised to transcend earthly boundaries and venture into the cosmos.
202X .mgt-timeline-3865420.mgt-timeline-wrapper:before {background-color: #eded00!important;}.mgt-timeline-3865420.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-line .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-3865420.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dottedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer,.mgt-timeline-3865420.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-pointer-style-dashedline .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-color: #eded00!important;}.mgt-timeline-3865420.mgt-timeline-wrapper .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: #ededed!important;}.mgt-timeline-3865420.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-bordered .mgt-timeline-details,.mgt-timeline-3865420.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-style-doublebordered .mgt-timeline-details {background-color: transparent!important;border-color: #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-3865420.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-left .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-right: 10px solid #ededed;}.mgt-timeline-3865420.mgt-timeline-wrapper.mgt-timeline-date-right .mgt-timeline-details-pointer {border-left: 10px solid #ededed;} Bombardier Global 8000 Private Jet FAQs What was the first private jet? The first official private jet was the Lockheed Jetstar. However, the market really took off with the 1963 Learjet. The LearJet 23 was a small affair offering flight for four to six people. There are still some LearJet 23s offering flights to this day! How many private jets are in the world? There are currently around 15,000+ private jets in the world. This number is set to double or triple in the next decade. It is safe to say that the private jet market is a billion-dollar market. What type of private jets are there? The private jet market is extremely wide. It ranges from short-range affordable aircraft VLJs to long-range mega aircraft that allows celebrities and their friends and families to fly around the globe in total luxury. Their prices range from a $1-2 million all the way up to $500 million.
Conclusion
Private jets have a great and varied history, and their future is set to hold some very interesting things too. What would you like to see private jets do?