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NetJets
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NetJets Inc. is an American company that sells fractional ownership shares in private business jets.[6]
Key Information
Founded as Executive Jet Airways in 1964, it was later renamed Executive Jet Aviation. NetJets became the first private business jet charter and aircraft management company in the world. It launched its fractional ownership business in 1986 and became a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway in 1998.[7][8]
History
[edit]



1960s
[edit]The company was founded in 1964 and originally known as Executive Jet Airways. The name was later changed to Executive Jet Aviation (EJA), and again in 2002 to NetJets, after Berkshire Hathaway purchased it in 1998. NetJets was the first private business jet charter and aircraft management company in the world.[7] The idea came from retired Air Force Brigadier General Olbert F. "Dick" Lassiter, who had experience running the Air Mission Squadron, an air taxi service for the Air Force. The idea was to run a similar service for private companies, with a pool of corporate jets providing transportation instead of each company having to purchase and maintain their own plane.[9]: 177 The founding members of the board of directors included US Air Force generals Curtis E. LeMay and Paul Tibbets, Washington lawyer and former military pilot Bruce Sundlun, and entertainers and pilots James Stewart and Arthur Godfrey, with Lassiter serving as president and chairman of the board.[10][11][12]
Shortly after its founding, EJA began receiving regular investments from the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), which were managed by accountant David Bevan. In June 1965, the railroad purchased a majority of shares in EJA, despite the fact that rail carriers were barred from owning air carriers by the Federal Aviation Act of 1958.[9]: 183 To hide the investments from the PRR board, Bevan made the payments through a subsidiary, the American Contract Company, which he was president of.[9]: 179
EJA initially began operations in 1964 with a fleet of ten Learjet 23 aircraft.[13] The company soon moved to acquire competitors and larger aircraft, including two 707 jets and two 727 jets from Boeing, but these could not be operated in revenue service without being an airline, so EJA attempted to buy Johnson Flying Service (JFS), a small Montana charter airline. EJA even negotiated an order for Lockheed L-500s, the nascent civil version of the C-5 Galaxy, contingent on acquiring JFS, which required approval from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), the now-defunct Federal agency that, at the time, tightly controlled almost all commercial air transport.[14][9]: 185 The PRR argued its EJA stake was legal as it consisted of non-voting stock. Anticipating CAB approval, EJA licensed its larger jets to foreign airlines. But the CAB saw PRR's involvement as illegal, EJA found itself deeply unprofitable, and the PRR attempted to sell off its stake. However, potential buyers lost interest after corporate spies for Pan Am acquired and leaked information on EJA's illegal interests.[9]: 191 The PRR merged into Penn Central in 1968, and the search for a buyer continued. Penn Central and EJA were ultimately fined $70,000 by the CAB in 1969.[9]: 192
In 1970, the trustee for Penn Central's EJA shares voted to oust Lassiter and replace him with Bruce Sundlun. On July 1, the day before he was voted in as president, Sundlun led a midnight raid on EJA's corporate offices with the assistance of Pinkertons. Lassiter attempted to retake the office with armed guards of his own shortly after, but they were stopped by Sundlun's guards.[9]: 177 Lassiter was later sued for his role in diverting $21 million of PRR money into EJA, much of which had gone to his personal expenses.[12][9]: 197 Sundlun, Robert L. Scott Jr. and Joseph S. Sinclair bought out the Penn Central interest in EJA in 1972 and stabilized the company's finances. Paul Tibbets became president in 1976.[15][16]
1980s
[edit]In 1984, Executive Jet Aviation was purchased by mathematician and former Goldman Sachs executive Richard Santulli who owned a business that leased helicopters to service providers of offshore oil operations. When Santulli became chairman and CEO of the corporation, he closely examined 22 years of pilot logbooks, and began to envision a new economic model where several individuals could own one aircraft.[17]
In 1987, the NetJets program was officially announced becoming the first fractional aircraft ownership format in history.[13] Around the same time, painted on every NetJets US aircraft is a registration ending with QS, symbolizing the concept of selling quarter shares of an aircraft—a feature that is still representative of the NetJets brand today.[18][19]
1990s
[edit]In 1998, Berkshire Hathaway acquired EJA and NetJets Inc from Richard Santulli for US$725 million, half of which was paid in stock.[20] NetJets soon expanded to Europe and then Russia, and by 2006, it was the largest operator of business jets in Europe.[21]
2000s
[edit]The company operated a fleet of nine Boeing 737-700 Boeing Business Jets in the mid-2000s, since then sold off.[citation needed]
In early August 2009, Santulli resigned as CEO and was replaced by David Sokol. Shortly afterward, NetJets moved its corporate headquarters from New Jersey back to its original home in Columbus, Ohio.[22]
2010s
[edit]In 2010, NetJets acquired Marquis Jet from founders Jesse Itzler and Kenny Dichter.[23] The prepaid Marquis Jet card allowed customers to purchase 25 hours of guaranteed flight time on the NetJets fleet.[24]
On 11 June 2012, NetJets placed the largest aircraft order in private aviation history totaling US$17.6B. The company placed a firm order for 30 Bombardier Global 5000/6000 jets, 25 Bombardier Challenger 650 jets, 75 Bombardier Challenger 350s, 25 Cessna Citation Latitudes and 50 Embraer Phenom 300s.[25] As a part of this purchase agreement, it also placed conditional orders for an additional 40 Bombardier Global 5000/6000s, 50 Bombardier Challenger 650, 125 Bombardier Challenger 350s, 125 Cessna Citation Latitudes and 75 Embraer Phenom 300s. As a result of these orders NetJets became Cessna's largest business jet fleet owner.[26][27]
In September 2014, NetJets acquired approval to launch its aircraft charter service in China, having worked with Chinese authorities since 2012 to secure the operating certificate.[28]
In 2015, the company's pilots picketed the Wynn resort in Las Vegas where company owner Warren Buffett was hosting some of his wealthiest customers. The event was symbolic of deteriorating labor relations within the company at this time.[29]
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had sought back taxes and penalties of $643 million from NetJets for periods beginning in 2003, including on its maintenance and service fees. NetJets filed a lawsuit challenging the IRS assessments. In January 2015, the United States District Court issued a decision in NetJets' favor, holding that the IRS assessments were unlawful.[30][31][32]
In 2019, a former NetJets pilot filed a lawsuit alleging that in March 2017, the company violated US Civil Right and Ohio anti-discrimination law when she was fired for being too short (5 feet 2 inches (157 cm)) to properly control the rudders of an Embraer Phenom 300. She stated that male pilots who were too tall were reassigned to different aircraft, while her employment was terminated without the opportunity to fly a different plane.[33][34][35] An Ohio federal judge ruled in favor of NetJets in 2022, citing the plaintiff's failure to prove sex discrimination.[36]
2020s
[edit]In the spring of 2020, the company saw a boom in demand, as wealthy individuals sought to avoid the risks of airline flying during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, many potential customers had concerns about the optics of opulence and the environmental issues of private jet transport, but NetJets President of Sales, Marketing and Service, Patrick Gallagher noted in May 2020, that the health risks associated with flying on commercial airlines during the pandemic had trumped those concerns. The company introduced regular employee COVID-19 testing to try to contain the risks of an outbreak on its aircraft.[37]
In October 2020, the company made initial moves to reduce its carbon footprint. The company committed to buying "up to 3 million gallons" (11.4 million litres) of sustainable aviation fuel to be used at two of its bases, San Francisco and Columbus, Ohio. The company is also encouraging its customers to buy carbon offsets for their flights. The company will also buy its own offsets for its administration and training flights.[38]
As of November 2020, almost half of the company's fleet was manufactured by Textron, and the rest by Bombardier Inc. and Embraer. After reducing its delivery target for 2021 by more than half, due to decreased demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the company expected to take delivery of 40 new aircraft in 2021 in anticipation of industry recovery.[39]
In February 2021, the company purchased a stake in WasteFuel, a business that will convert landfill waste into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). NetJets plans to purchase 100 million gallons of SAF from WasteFuel over the next 10 years as part of the deal.[40]
In March 2021, NetJets announced that it had ordered 20 Aerion AS2s supersonic business jets. The memorandum of understanding between NetJets and Aerion called for the two companies to operate a larger "Aerion Connect" network.[41][42] Aerion abruptly announced its closure on 21 May 2021, due to the inability to raise the needed capital to continue.[43]
The company announced in March 2022, that it would partner with Lilium GmbH to establish an eVTOL network in Florida. NetJets will buy 150 Lilium Jets and operate them under a FAR Part 135 charter operation.[44] In October 2024 Lilium filed for insolvency.
NetJets announced in September 2023, that it will be purchasing up to 1,500 Cessna Citation jets from Textron Aviation. Deliveries for this 15-year deal are expected to begin in 2025.[45]
Subsidiaries
[edit]NetJets Europe, also known by its corporate legal name, NetJets Transportes Aéreos, S.A., was launched in 1996 as a sister company of NetJets and is now a subsidiary.[46] It is based in Oeiras, Portugal, and serves more than 5,000 airports globally.[47]
| |||||||
| Founded | 6 December 1996 Portugal[citation needed] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOC # | N60F996F[48] | ||||||
| Fleet size | ~ 120 | ||||||
| Destinations | Point to point | ||||||
| Parent company | NetJets | ||||||
| Headquarters | Lisbon, Portugal | ||||||
| Key people |
| ||||||
Also among NetJets subsidiaries is Executive Jet Management (EJM), based in Cincinnati, Ohio, which offers aircraft management and charter services. QS Partners is the whole-aircraft brokerage arm of NetJets, launched in 2016 and officing in Columbus, Ohio; Boulder, Colorado; and London; it also exclusively resells used aircraft from NetJets' fleet. QS Security Services was launched by NetJets in October 2019 with "tiered security packages" based on passenger needs and threat level at destination. Initially only available at Paris Le Bourget and in Mexico, future plans include worldwide coverage by 2023.[49]
Business model
[edit]NetJets sells fractions of specific aircraft, chosen from several available types at the time of purchase. Owners then have guaranteed access (50–400 hours annually, depending on share size) to that aircraft with as little as four hours' notice. If the owner's aircraft is unavailable for some reason, another aircraft of the same type, or a larger aircraft, will be provided.[50][51]
Fractional owners pay monthly maintenance fees for a minimum of 50 annual flight hours and a five-year commitment, as well as operating fees by the hour for use of aircraft. Alternatively, customers may buy flight hours in 25-hour increments by way of jet card programs.[24] Fractional owners also pay an occupied hourly operating fee, but it is charged only when an owner or guest is on board, not for ferry flights.[50][51]
NetJets is the largest fractional aircraft provider. In 2021 its fleet flew 478,444 hours.[52]
For companies or individuals that require less than the minimum 50 flight hours and the five-year commitment of fractional ownership, they can buy flight hours in 25-hour increments via the NetJets jet card programs.[24] Due to a surge in demand for private aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic, NetJets suspended its card program in August 2021.[53] Sales restarted in March 2023. This program features "blackout" days, when service is not available due to expected high demand, such as on holidays or during major sporting events.[54]
Fleet
[edit]

NetJets is the largest private jet operator in the world. The data below is limited to aircraft registered on the United States operating certificate.
Additional aircraft not included in this data exist within the NetJets Europe, and Executive Jet Management fleet.[55] The NetJets fleet as of 31 July 2024[update]:
| Aircraft Type | Number of Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Embraer Phenom 300[56] | 120 |
| Embraer Praetor 500[57] | 2 |
| Cessna Citation XLS[57] | 47 |
| Cessna Citation Sovereign[57] | 29 |
| Cessna Citation Latitude[57] | 209 |
| Cessna Citation Longitude[58] | 74 |
| Bombardier Challenger 350/3500[58] | 74 |
| Bombardier Challenger 650[59] | 50 |
| Bombardier Global 5000[60] | 12 |
| Bombardier Global 5500[60] | 11 |
| Bombardier Global 6000[60] | 23 |
| Bombardier Global 7500[60] | 17 |
| Total Aircraft | 668 |
As of March 2024, NetJets' global fleet included more than 750 aircraft.
Accidents and incidents
[edit]| Date | Flight | Aircraft | Location | Description | Fatal | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 May 1970 | N434EJ[61] (flying as Executive Jet Aviation) |
Learjet 23 | Pellston, Michigan | Controlled flight into terrain while landing at Pellston-Emmet County Airport (IATA: PLN, ICAO: KPLN, FAA LID: PLN). UAW President Walter Reuther, his wife May, and architect Oscar Stonorov were killed in the crash.[62] | 6[61] | — | — | — |
| 22 January 1999 | N782QS[63][64](flying as Executive Jet Aviation) | Cessna 650 Citation VII | Columbus, Ohio | During a training flight, the aircraft was landing at Port Columbus International Airport (IATA: CMH, ICAO: KCMH, FAA LID: CMH), when the right main landing gear collapsed. Two certificated airline transport pilots, a company pilot, and a company intern were on board. Inadequate design of the landing gear was found to be the probable cause. | — | — | — | 4 |
| 2 May 2002 | N397QS[65][66] | Cessna Citation 560 | Leakey, Texas | Arriving from Houston Hobby (IATA: HOU, ICAO: KHOU, FAA LID: HOU), the aircraft landed more than halfway down the runway at Real County Airport (FAA LID: 49R). The aircraft overran the departure end of the runway and collided with trees. A post-impact fire consumed the aircraft after the crew and four passengers were able to evacuate. | — | — | — | 6 |
| 28 August 2006 | N879QS[67][68] | Hawker 800XP | Smith, Nevada | Netjets Flight 879 (N879QS) was a flight originating from McClellan–Palomar Airport (IATA: CLD, ICAO: KCRQ, FAA LID: CRQ). While on approach to Reno–Tahoe International Airport (IATA: RNO, ICAO: KRNO, FAA LID: RNO), Flight 879 collided midair with a glider (N7729) 10 miles (16 km) west-northwest of Smith, Nevada, at an altitude of 16,000 feet (4,900 m) above sea level. Flight 879 landed safely with only minor injuries on board; the pilot of the glider parachuted to safety, but sustained minor injuries while landing.
During the investigation, the pilot of the glider stated that glider's transponder was off in order to preserve the batteries for radio use.[67] |
— | — | 2 + 1[67] | 3[67] |
See also
[edit]References
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NetJets poineered the fractional ownership concept for private jets.
- ^ a b Mark, Huber (16 May 2015). "NetJets Trounces Rivals". barrons.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
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NetJets, founded by three retired military pilots in 1964 as Executive Jet Aviation, is the granddaddy of fractional ownership and private jets. Since its inception, it has grown from a fleet of ten Learjet 23 aircraft to 10 types of planes and nearly 700 aircraft worldwide—the world's largest private jet fleet.
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Fractional ownership in its current form was launched in 1987. It evolved from a program that began in 1964 when the Pennsylvania Railroad put up the capital to finance Executive Jet Airways. Ten Learjet 23's were purchased with the mission to sell "blocks of usage" providing customers with business jet transportation wherever they wanted to go.
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Founded in 1996, NetJets Europe is the largest operator of business jets in Europe, with 100 jets and more than 1,200 customers.
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Sokol became CEO and chairman of NetJets in early August upon the abrupt resignation of longtime CEO Richard Santulli. Investor Warren Buffett, who controls parent company Berkshire Hathaway Inc., selected Sokol to help orchestrate a turnaround at NetJets.
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NEW YORK (Reuters) - NetJets Inc, the corporate aircraft unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N) (BRKb.N), said on Thursday it bought Marquis Jet, which has a program that sells flight time on NetJets planes. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
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Today, just over one year after the largest business aircraft sale in its history, Bombardier Aerospace surpassed that record, announcing a firm order from NetJets Inc. for 100 Challenger business jets with options for an additional 175 aircraft.
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NetJets' order for up to 150 mid-size Citation Latitude business jets from Cessna Aircraft is the company's largest order for any single model of aircraft.
- ^ McMillin, Molly (13 June 2012). "NetJets order big for Cessna, but impact may be delayed". The Wichita Eagle. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
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NEW YORK (Reuters) - NetJets Inc [BRKNT.UL], the private aircraft charter company owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N), said on Tuesday that it had acquired approval to launch its aircraft charter service in China.
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NEW YORK, Jan 27 (Reuters) - NetJets Inc, the private jet-sharing company owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc, has defeated a U.S. Internal Revenue Service lawsuit attempting to recoup more than $500 million of unpaid taxes, penalties and interest.
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After passing the initial flight test, Drerup "struggled to maintain control" of an Embraer Phenom 300 plane during a flight simulation. Her instructor told her she was too short, at 5 feet 2 inches, to properly control the rudders.
- ^ Solis, Nathan (13 August 2019). "Too Short to Fly: Female Pilot Sues Charter Over Firing". Courthouse News Service. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
Drerup is 5 feet 2 inches tall, and claims she's been rated to fly five other planes – including two NetJets has in its fleet.
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EASAwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Wynbrandt, James (August 2020). "The Future of Air Charter". Business Jet Traveler. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
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NetJets is the largest business aircraft operator in the world with a fleet of over 520 aircraft.
- ^ NetJets (2021). "Light Private Jets". netjets.com. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d NetJets (2021). "Midsize Private Jets". netjets.com. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ a b NetJets (2021). "Super-Midsize Private Jets". netjets.com. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ NetJets (2021). "Large Private Jets". netjets.com. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d NetJets (2021). "Long-Range Private Jets". netjets.com. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ a b Accident description for ASN Aircraft accident Learjet 23 N434EJ Pellston-Emmet County Airport, MI (PLN) at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 26 October 2019.
- ^ "Reuther Dies in Jet Crash With Wife and 4 Others". The New York Times. Vol. CXIX, no. 41015 (Late City ed.). Detroit, Michigan. 11 May 1970. p. 1. eISSN 1553-8095. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
DETROIT, May 10--Walter P. Reuther, the president of the United Automobile Workers, and his wife, May, died last night in a plane crash in northern Michigan. Mr. Reuther was 62 years old, and his wife was 59. Four other persons were also killed when the chartered Lear-Jet crashed in flames near Pellston, Mich., 260 miles northwest of Detroit, at 9:33 P.M. Michigan time (10:33 P.M. New York time).
- ^ Accident description for ASN Aircraft accident Cessna 650 Citation VII N782QS Columbus-Port Columbus International Airport, OH (CMH) at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 10 December 2019.
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External links
[edit]NetJets
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Founding and Early Operations (1964–1985)
Executive Jet Airways, Inc., the predecessor to NetJets, was established on May 21, 1964, in Columbus, Ohio, by a group of retired U.S. Air Force generals led by Brigadier General O. F. "Dick" Lassiter.[9] The company pioneered the model of private business jet charter and aircraft management, filling a niche for on-demand executive air travel in an era when commercial airlines dominated long-haul options but lacked flexibility for business needs.[3] Paul W. Tibbets Jr., the pilot of the Enola Gay during World War II, served as its inaugural president, while the board featured prominent figures including actors Jimmy Stewart and Arthur Godfrey, lending early credibility through their aviation interests and public profiles.[10] Initial operations centered on chartering small fleets of business jets, such as early Learjets and similar light aircraft, to corporate clients seeking efficient point-to-point travel without the commitments of full ownership.[11] Headquartered at Port Columbus International Airport, the firm managed aircraft maintenance, crew staffing, and scheduling for owners while expanding charter services across the United States, capitalizing on post-war economic growth and rising demand from industries like manufacturing and finance.[10] By the 1970s, Executive Jet Airways had rebranded to Executive Jet Aviation (EJA) and solidified its position as a leading provider, though specific fleet sizes remained modest compared to later expansions, with operations emphasizing safety and reliability over volume.[8] Through the early 1980s, EJA faced intensifying competition from emerging charter operators and economic pressures, including fuel cost volatility following the 1970s oil crises, which strained profitability despite its established reputation.[11] The company continued to prioritize high-end charter flights and management contracts, serving a clientele of Fortune 500 executives, but reported financial losses by 1984 amid operational costs outpacing revenue growth.[10] That year, investment banker Richard T. Santulli acquired EJA for its asset base and expertise, retaining its Columbus headquarters and core staff while injecting capital to stabilize operations ahead of model innovations.[11] This period marked the transition from foundational charter services to a platform primed for fractional ownership, though EJA's early decades established benchmarks in private aviation safety and service standards.[2]Invention of Fractional Ownership (1986–1997)
In 1984, Richard Santulli acquired Executive Jet Aviation (EJA), a charter operator founded in 1964, and began developing a novel aircraft sharing model to address the high costs and inefficiencies of full private jet ownership.[12] By 1986, Santulli launched the NetJets program, pioneering fractional ownership by allowing clients to purchase undivided interests in specific aircraft, typically in increments such as one-sixteenth shares, which entitled owners to a proportional number of flight hours annually—often around 50 hours for a one-sixteenth share based on an assumed 800-hour utilization rate per jet.[3] [13] This structure shifted the industry from ad-hoc charters or sole ownership to a managed fleet where EJA handled all operations, including crew provisioning, maintenance, insurance, and hangar storage, while guaranteeing aircraft availability within four hours' notice through a centralized dispatch system.[14] [12] The fractional model relied on Santulli's mathematical formulation to allocate costs and usage equitably, enabling corporations and high-net-worth individuals to access jet travel without bearing the fixed expenses of outright purchase, such as depreciation and underutilization, which averaged only 200-400 hours per year for many private owners.[14] Initial offerings focused on midsize and light jets like the Cessna Citation series, with shares priced according to aircraft value and including a five-year management contract that covered operational overheads via hourly fees.[13] Despite the innovation, the program faced early hurdles, including skepticism from traditional owners who viewed it as akin to timesharing and operational strains from building a reliable network, leading to modest uptake in the late 1980s as EJA refined scheduling algorithms and fleet standardization.[15] By the mid-1990s, fractional ownership gained traction amid economic expansion and rising demand for efficient executive transport, with NetJets establishing itself as the dominant provider through superior safety records and service consistency, though competitors began emerging.[16] In July 1997, the program attracted notable clients including corporations, reflecting growing acceptance.[17] That October, EJA announced a joint venture with Boeing Business Jets to market fractional shares in Boeing's BBJ widebody aircraft, expanding the model to larger cabins and signaling maturation of the concept ahead of broader industry adoption.[18] This period solidified fractional ownership's viability, with NetJets' approach emphasizing deeded ownership interests over mere access rights, distinguishing it from lease or card programs.[12]Berkshire Hathaway Acquisition and Expansion (1998–2009)
In July 1998, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. acquired Executive Jet, Inc. (EJA), the parent company of the NetJets fractional ownership program, for $725 million in cash. The transaction, announced on July 23, 1998, was driven by Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett's prior experience as a fractional owner since 1995, during which he praised the model's efficiency and reliability for business travel. This acquisition integrated EJA into Berkshire's portfolio, providing financial backing for scaling operations while retaining founder Richard Santulli's leadership to drive growth.[19] Post-acquisition, NetJets pursued aggressive expansion, leveraging Berkshire's capital to grow its U.S. and European fleets and owner base. By the early 2000s, the company had increased its aircraft inventory significantly, operating over 400 jets by 2003, including a European fleet of 36 relatively new aircraft slated for 50% growth within 18 months. This period saw enhanced international operations, building on NetJets Europe's established presence, with additions of diverse aircraft types to serve varying mission profiles and bolster market dominance. In April 2002, EJA rebranded its corporate name to NetJets Inc., emphasizing the fractional ownership program's centrality to its identity and distinguishing it from traditional charter services.[20][21] The expansion yielded substantial scale, with NetJets achieving the world's largest private jet fleet and a commanding share of the fractional market—estimated at over 60% by the mid-2000s—through investments in fleet modernization and global infrastructure. However, this rapid buildup, fueled by pre-recession demand, resulted in overcapacity by 2009 amid the global financial crisis, leading to operating losses and Santulli's resignation in August of that year. Buffett acknowledged the financial strain in Berkshire's reporting, crediting subsequent restructuring under interim leadership for averting collapse, though he noted the unit's profitability challenges during the decade's latter years.[5][22]Global Growth and Challenges (2010–2019)
In the early 2010s, NetJets rebounded from the 2008 financial crisis by streamlining operations and expanding product offerings. Following significant revenue declines in 2009—dropping 32 percent to approximately $3.1 billion due to reduced aircraft sales and flight hours—the company achieved profitability in 2010, with first-quarter revenues rising 18 percent year-over-year.[23][24] In October 2010, NetJets committed to purchasing up to 125 Embraer Phenom 300 light jets, signaling confidence in demand recovery and fleet modernization.[25] The acquisition of Marquis Jet in 2010 introduced prepaid jet card programs, broadening access to non-fractional customers and diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional ownership shares.[26] Globally, NetJets pursued expansion amid uneven regional recoveries. In Europe, operations faced headwinds from the sovereign debt crisis but adapted by launching aircraft management and finance services in 2012 to capture non-fractional demand.[27] The company received regulatory approval in September 2014 to initiate charter services in China after two years of negotiations, marking an entry into Asia's burgeoning market, though full-scale operations were delayed by regulatory and economic hurdles.[28] By 2019, the worldwide fleet had grown to over 750 aircraft, reflecting steady additions across light, midsize, and large categories to support increased flight hours.[29] Challenges persisted throughout the decade, including protracted economic weakness in Europe—described by executives as comparable to the 2008 U.S. downturn—and internal labor tensions. In 2015, pilots and staff protested cost-cutting measures, including fee hikes and reduced benefits, amid rising flight demand, prompting public unrest and scrutiny from owner Warren Buffett.[30][31] Efforts to penetrate Asia encountered regulatory delays and market immaturity, limiting early traction despite approvals. These factors contributed to inconsistent profitability, with Berkshire Hathaway reports noting ongoing investments to maintain competitive positioning against rivals like Flexjet.[32]Post-Pandemic Surge and Labor Tensions (2020–Present)
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, NetJets reported a surge in demand for its fractional ownership and charter services, driven by clients seeking alternatives to commercial airlines amid health concerns and travel restrictions. By 2021, the company operated at 30% higher flight volume than pre-pandemic levels, with owners averaging nearly 40% more flight hours.[33][34] This growth persisted into 2025, with overall private aviation activity at NetJets expanding 40-45% since 2019, supported by fleet growth to nearly 1,100 aircraft and plans for 100 additional jets that year.[35][36] Revenue from aviation services rose accordingly, including a 9.6% year-to-date increase through mid-2025 attributed to higher aircraft ownership participation and in-flight hours across programs.[37] The demand surge strained operations and fueled labor tensions, particularly among pilots represented by the independent NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP). Contract negotiations stalled in late 2023 over compensation, with pilots citing stagnant pay relative to industry peers and increased workloads from elevated flight hours, prompting some to consider departures to competitors.[38][39] NetJets countered that it had proposed a compound 52.5% wage increase through the agreement's term, which NJASAP declined to present to members or counter formally.[40] Escalations included NetJets terminating high-ranking NJASAP officials in August 2024, which the union described as retaliation and intimidation amid ongoing disputes.[41] The company sued NJASAP in June 2024 for defamation, alleging the union's public statements on safety and training deficiencies were false and intended to undermine operations.[42] Allied Pilots Association expressed support for NJASAP, urging NetJets to address underlying issues rather than litigate.[43] Separate tensions involved maintenance workers affiliated with the Teamsters union, who in 2025 opposed NetJets' plan to outsource operations to SA Aero Invest, viewed as an anti-union subcontractor. An arbitrator ruled in July 2025 to block the sale, preserving approximately 200 unionized jobs and citing violations of labor agreements.[44][45] These conflicts occurred against a backdrop of robust business performance, with NetJets executives noting sustained demand and market penetration below 15% of potential clients as of mid-2025.[35]Corporate Structure and Ownership
Berkshire Hathaway Affiliation
Berkshire Hathaway acquired Executive Jet Aviation (EJA), the parent company of NetJets Inc., on July 23, 1998, for a total of $725 million, with approximately $348 million paid in cash and the remainder in Berkshire Class A and B shares.[19][4] The transaction was led by Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett, who had personally become a NetJets fractional owner in 1995 after evaluating the model's efficiency compared to chartering.[3] This acquisition marked Berkshire's entry into the fractional private aviation sector, integrating NetJets as a wholly owned subsidiary focused on shared aircraft ownership and management.[1] Under Berkshire Hathaway's ownership, NetJets has operated with significant operational autonomy while benefiting from the conglomerate's long-term capital allocation strategy, which emphasizes reinvestment over short-term dividends.[46] Buffett has periodically commented on NetJets' performance in Berkshire's annual shareholder letters, noting initial challenges in the late 1990s and early 2000s due to industry downturns but highlighting its recovery and growth as a key non-insurance holding.[47] As of 2025, NetJets remains a direct subsidiary, contributing to Berkshire's aviation services segment, which reported $5.68 billion in second-quarter revenue amid ongoing fleet expansions and market demand.[48] The affiliation underscores Berkshire's preference for businesses with durable competitive advantages, such as NetJets' scale in fractional ownership, though it has faced scrutiny over operational losses in certain international units.[49]Subsidiaries and International Operations
NetJets maintains a portfolio of subsidiaries focused on complementary private aviation services, including fractional ownership, aircraft management, brokerage, and security. Executive Jet Management (EJM), headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, functions as a key subsidiary providing comprehensive aircraft management, maintenance, and charter operations for client-owned jets, authorized under FAA regulations 14 CFR Parts 135 and 298.[50] QS Partners, another subsidiary, specializes in aircraft sales, brokerage, and consulting, facilitating private jet acquisitions and operational advisory for high-net-worth individuals and corporations.[51] QS Security Services supports the portfolio by offering aviation-related security solutions, though details on its scale remain limited in public disclosures.[52] Internationally, NetJets Europe operates as a dedicated subsidiary, serving as Europe's largest private jet provider with a fleet exceeding 120 aircraft as of early 2025 and conducting approximately 46,000 flights annually across the continent.[26] Based in Portugal, it delivers fractional ownership shares, jet card programs, and lease options compliant with EASA regulations, maintaining bases in major hubs like London, Paris, and Lisbon to support intra-European and transatlantic travel.[53] This subsidiary provides seamless integration with the U.S. operations, enabling owners access to over 800 aircraft globally for international repositioning.[54] Expansion efforts into Asia have been more limited, with NetJets Asia Ltd established but primarily reliant on partnerships rather than owned fleets. In 2021, NetJets invested in Shenzhen-based Amber Aviation to bolster Chinese market access, planning to incorporate up to 20 aircraft into regional operations starting in 2022; however, these initiatives were postponed by mid-decade due to regulatory and market challenges in China.[55][56] Overall, NetJets supports international operations through its core U.S. and European bases, executing over 89,500 international flights yearly via long-range aircraft equipped for global routes, including high-speed Wi-Fi and enhanced connectivity for transoceanic travel.[57]Business Model
Fractional Ownership Program
NetJets' Fractional Ownership Program permits clients to acquire a partial equity stake in a designated private jet, ranging from 1/16th to larger fractions such as 1/8th or 1/4th, which translates to proportional annual flight hours based on the aircraft's expected utilization of approximately 800 hours per year. A standard 1/16th share typically yields 50 hours of access, while larger shares provide commensurately more, with the company managing all operational responsibilities including crew assignment, maintenance, insurance, and regulatory compliance.[58][59][60] Participants select from NetJets' fleet of light, midsize, or heavy jets, such as the Cessna Citation Latitude or Bombardier Global series, and enter a contractual term—often five years—during which the share's value depreciates on a fixed schedule, enabling resale through NetJets at the contract's end or earlier under market conditions. The cost structure comprises an upfront acquisition price for the share (e.g., $550,000 to $750,000 for a 1/16th midsize jet as of 2025), a monthly management fee to cover fixed overheads like hangar space and salaries, and occupied hourly rates charged only during client use, excluding repositioning or fuel surcharges in the base model.[58][60][26] The program guarantees aircraft availability with 10 to 24 hours' notice depending on share size, exceeding charter standards, and permits flexibility such as substituting equivalent aircraft types from NetJets' global inventory of over 700 jets if the owned model is unavailable. NetJets, as the originator of fractional ownership, holds unique FAA authorization to develop, test, and implement specialized operational procedures, enhancing efficiency and safety.[61][62][63] Advantages include predictable budgeting without variable ownership risks, potential tax deductions on depreciation and management fees under U.S. IRS guidelines for business use, and priority dispatch over non-owners, though it requires higher utilization (150–200 hours annually) to economically outperform repeated chartering. Unlike full ownership, it mitigates capital intensity and expertise demands; compared to jet cards, it offers equity buildup and longer-term access commitments, such as 355 days annually for certain shares. Drawbacks encompass share depreciation—often 5–10% annually—and limited customization of the specific airframe.[64][65][26]Jet Card and Lease Options
NetJets provides jet card programs as a flexible, prepaid alternative to fractional ownership, allowing clients to purchase blocks of flight hours without long-term commitments to specific aircraft shares. These programs offer access to the company's fleet across various cabin classes, with guaranteed availability subject to blackout periods and daily minimum flight charges. The entry-level NetJets 275 Card, priced at $215,000 as of January 2025, provides 25 hours on light jets such as the Embraer Phenom 300 and includes 275 days of annual access, excluding approximately 90 blackout dates.[26][66] For clients seeking greater flexibility, the Card320 extends access to 320 days per year across six aircraft types, with 45 blackout days plus 45 peak days for fewer restrictions than the Card275's 90 blackout days, along with options for upgrades and downgrades, though it maintains similar prepaid hourly rates and minimums.[67] Costs in jet card programs are all-inclusive, covering crew, maintenance, fuel, and catering, but exclude taxes, landing fees, and de-icing, with hourly rates varying by aircraft size—typically $5,000 to $12,000 per hour for light to midsize jets.[68] In contrast to fractional ownership, which involves purchasing an equity share in a specific aircraft for extended use (often 50+ hours annually), jet cards emphasize short-term predictability and lower entry barriers, ideal for occasional flyers averaging 25 to 50 hours per year.[69] NetJets rebranded and expanded its jet card lineup in January 2025, reducing prices and introducing options like shorter daily minimums on light and midsize jets to compete with charter services, while prioritizing fleet consistency over ad-hoc bookings.[70] Availability is managed through NetJets' global network, but peak demand periods may incur repositioning fees if no suitable aircraft is nearby.[71] NetJets also offers leasing as an intermediate option between jet cards and full fractional ownership, providing guaranteed access to aircraft without acquisition fees or equity purchase. Leases require a minimum 36-month commitment on select models, with terms extending to five years, and are suited for clients exceeding 50 flight hours annually who prefer fixed costs over variable prepaid blocks.[72] The entry-level 25-hour annual lease, introduced in 2022 and expanded to new customers later that year, starts at approximately $223,000 and grants 355 days of access, surpassing jet card availability while avoiding ownership responsibilities like depreciation.[68][73] Lease costs remain predictable throughout the term, incorporating monthly management fees and occupied hourly rates similar to fractional programs, but clients forgo potential tax benefits of ownership.[74] This model appeals to businesses or high-frequency users valuing reliability, as NetJets guarantees aircraft availability within 10-14 hours' notice, backed by its extensive fleet and bases.[72]Revenue Streams and Economics
NetJets derives the majority of its revenue from its fractional ownership program, in which customers purchase undivided interests or shares in specific aircraft models, typically ranging from 1/16th to 1/2 ownership, entitling them to a proportional number of flight hours annually (e.g., 50 hours for a 1/16th share of a midsize jet).[75] This upfront share acquisition generates initial capital inflows, followed by recurring monthly management fees that cover fixed costs such as crew salaries, insurance, hangar storage, and maintenance reserves, billed at rates approximating $10,000 to $20,000 per month depending on aircraft type and share size.[76] Usage-based revenues accrue from occupied hourly rates, which include direct operating costs like fuel and crew per diem, typically $4,000 to $12,000 per hour, with additional pass-through charges for fuel surcharges and federal excise taxes.[26] Supplementary revenue streams include the NetJets Card program, a prepaid jet card offering guaranteed access to a broad fleet without ownership, where clients deposit funds (minimums starting at $100,000 for 25 hours) and pay dynamic hourly rates plus fees, generating upfront liquidity and usage fees similar to fractional but with higher flexibility for non-committed flyers. Short-term leases and ad hoc charter services, often repositioning empty legs or excess capacity, contribute marginally, as do aircraft management services for owner-operated jets, encompassing maintenance oversight and scheduling for third-party clients.[77] Overall annual revenues for NetJets are estimated at $6 billion to $8 billion, reflecting scale from over 700 aircraft and serving more than 2,200 fractional owners globally.[26] Economically, NetJets operates in a capital-intensive model with high fixed costs dominated by fleet acquisition and depreciation—Berkshire Hathaway has invested billions in expanding the fleet to over 800 aircraft by 2024—offset by variable costs tied to utilization rates, which averaged increases of 14.4% in recent years driving revenue growth.[47] As a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, it benefits from parental financial backing, enabling aggressive fleet growth amid cyclical demand; however, this led to aggregate pre-tax losses of $157 million from 1998 to 2009 due to debt-financed expansions and impairments, though the unit achieved solid profitability by 2010 with pre-tax earnings reaching $984 million in that year alone.[78] Post-2020 demand surge propelled aviation services revenues (primarily NetJets) up 9.1% year-over-year in 2024 to contribute significantly to Berkshire's service group totals exceeding $20 billion annually, with Q1 2025 growth at 6.6% and margins improving to 11.8% pre-tax through higher flight hours and optimized subcontracting.[79][77] Profitability hinges on maintaining fleet utilization above 80% to amortize costs, with risks from fuel volatility and pilot shortages, though Berkshire's equity cushion—avoiding reliance on volatile debt markets—ensures long-term stability over short-term cyclicality.[80][81]Fleet and Operations
Aircraft Composition and Specifications
NetJets maintains one of the world's largest private jet fleets, exceeding 750 aircraft globally as of mid-2025, spanning light, midsize, super-midsize, large, and ultra-long-range categories from manufacturers including Embraer, Textron Aviation (Cessna), Bombardier, and Dassault.[1][82] The U.S. fleet, as of October 2024, comprised approximately 758 aircraft, with ongoing expansions including deliveries of up to 100 new jets in 2025, such as Embraer Praetor 500 midsize jets.[82][83] This composition enables flexible service across mission profiles, from short regional hops to transoceanic flights.[84] The fleet's light jets focus on efficiency for shorter routes, exemplified by the Embraer Phenom 300, which offers a range of 2,010 nautical miles (nm), cruise speed of 453 knots, and capacity for up to 6-8 passengers.[84] Midsize options, like the Cessna Citation XLS, support regional travel with enhanced cabin space. Super-midsize and large jets provide coast-to-coast or international reach, while ultra-long-range Bombardier Globals handle extended operations. Key models and specifications are detailed below, based on recent fleet data:| Category | Model | Manufacturer | Approximate U.S. Fleet Size (Oct. 2024) | Range (nm) | Cruise Speed (knots/Mach) | Passenger Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Embraer Phenom 300 | Embraer | 144 | 2,010 | 453 | 6-8 |
| Midsize | Cessna Citation XLS | Cessna | 70 | ~2,000 | ~460 | 8 |
| Super-Midsize | Cessna Citation Sovereign | Cessna | 32 | 2,800 | 460 | 9-12 |
| Super-Midsize | Cessna Citation Latitude | Cessna | 226 | 2,700 | 442 | 9 |
| Super-Midsize | Bombardier Challenger 350 | Bombardier | 88 | 3,200 | 477 | 8-10 |
| Super-Midsize | Cessna Citation Longitude | Cessna | 68 | 3,500 | 483 | 12 |
| Large | Dassault Falcon 2000 | Dassault | 12 | 3,350 | 460 | 8-10 |
| Large | Bombardier Challenger 650 | Bombardier | 52 | 4,000 | 0.85 Mach | 11 |
| Ultra-Long-Range | Bombardier Global 5000/5500 | Bombardier | 26 | 5,200-5,700 | 504 | 14 |
| Ultra-Long-Range | Bombardier Global 6000 | Bombardier | 35 | 6,000 | 504 | 14 |
| Ultra-Long-Range | Bombardier Global 7500 | Bombardier | 15 | 7,700 | 562 | 14 |