Report: Private Jets Emit 10 to 14 Times More Direct CO2 Per Passenger Than Commercial Flights

The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) has published a report titled "High Flyers 2026" that examines the climate and economic impact of private jet use by wealthy individuals. Its researchers conclude that private jets generate between 10 and 14 times more direct carbon dioxide emissions per passenger than conventional commercial flights, a comparison that leaves out other climate effects of high-altitude aviation. The difference is attributed mainly to the smaller number of passengers per aircraft and the high fuel consumption per person.

The report notes that there are more than 3,400 billionaires worldwide and puts the average net worth of a private jet owner at around $190 million. It cites estimates that only about 256,000 people regularly use private aircraft. According to the study, private jets and charter services account for approximately 16% of the air operations managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, while U.S. Department of Transportation statistics show non-commercial private flights at about 7% of total airspace activity.

The report also states that more than $1.13 billion in grants for airport infrastructure linked to projects that could primarily benefit private aviation would have been allocated by 2026, and argues that sector organizations have promoted initiatives to maintain or expand tax benefits for private aircraft owners. It further reports that fractional ownership, in which several people hold shares in the same aircraft, grew by 65% between 2019 and 2025.

The IPS proposes a luxury tax on the purchase of private jets, higher taxes on fuel used by these aircraft, reduced use of public funds for new infrastructure primarily intended for private flights, and a review of the sector's tax benefits.