As much as we might wish we would run into a celebrity at the airport, when it comes to some of the most famous (and wealthiest) people in the world, it's just not a possibility. Why? Because they're not exactly flying commercial like the rest of us — not even first class. Instead, it seems like more and more of the Hollywood elite are choosing to purchase private jets, traveling in what we can only assume is the ultimate luxury.
Just think about it: Instead of showing up to the airport two or three hours early and waiting in that long security line, celebrities such as Kim Kardashian are strolling in when they're ready to leave and going directly to their plane, where they will have privacy and total comfort. What more could you want?
Of course, stars who fly in private jets have been in the middle of a lot of controversy lately, considering that it's not exactly an environmentally sound way to travel, especially for short distances that could easily be done by car. But something tells us these stars aren't going to be letting go of their jets anytime soon. After all, they did pay a pretty penny for them.
Read on to find out just how much celebrities have paid for their jets. Prepare for some sticker shock!
Oprah Winfrey
As one of the most famous talk show hosts in the world, is it really any surprise that Oprah Winfrey happens to have a private jet of her own? According to The Richest, Oprah owns a Gulfstream G650, which ran her around $75 million. For that price, it does come with some awesome features, including a conference room, seats that fold down into a double bed, and the capacity to hold up to 18 passengers. And if all 18 happen to be aboard, there are four different living spaces they can enjoy so they can spread out a little.
Kylie Jenner
If you already follow Kylie Jenner on social media or have watched the family's reality shows, then you're probably already aware of Kylie Air — the 2019 Bombardier BD 700 that, according to The Sun, cost Kylie around $72.8 million. The jet includes two bathrooms, a bar, and a master suite, and Kylie has been drawing quite a bit of criticism for the ultra-short flights she takes in it.
Kim Kardashian
Kylie isn't the only member of her famous family with a jet of her own. Kim Kardashian is also the owner of her own plane, dubbed Kim Air, and it cost even more than Kylie's with a price tag of $150 million. Apparently, Kim's Gulfstream G65OER seats 18 and comes with multiple beds (including a king size) along with a phone charger at every single seat.
Taylor Swift
Recently, Taylor Swift has gotten a lot of backlash for how frequently her private plane is in use — we're talking hundreds of flights each year, with many lasting less than 30 minutes — but given that the plane cost around $40 million, she might just want to get her money's worth. Taylor seems to still be flying around in the Dassault-Breguet Mystere Falcon 900 that she bought in 2011, according to StyleCaster.
Tom Cruise
Considering how much Tom Cruise has been open about his love for flying (he even has his pilot's license) we shouldn't be surprised that he owns more than one aircraft. His private jet, the Gulfstream IV G4, cost him around $20 million, according to Cheat Sheet, and offers luxuries on board including a jacuzzi and a movie screening room.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
Dwayne Johnson has obviously had a mega-successful movie career, so it's no surprise that he could afford to shell out as much as $65 million on his Gulfstream 650. He once boasted that it was the fastest private jet in the world, but according to Auto Evolution, faster jets have been built since then.
John Travolta
John Travolta's private jet collection might even have Tom Cruise beat! According to the Belfast Telegraph, John owns at least seven planes and has his pilot's license and has been flying for more than four decades. This won't come as a surprise to anyone who follows him on Instagram, though, since he often shares videos of his planes with his followers. Considering the fact that just one of those planes costs about $77 million, he might have one of the most expensive collections in the world.
Beyoncé & Jay-Z
As a married couple that likely frequently travels together, it makes sense that Beyoncé and Jay-Z share a plane. According to Cheat Sheet, theirs is a $40 million Bombardier Challenger 850, which seats 19 people and includes two bathrooms (with bathtubs), a bedroom with a king-size bed, and a living room where they can kick back and watch TV during a long flight.
David Beckham
Add David Beckham to the list of celebrities you probably won't catch in the airport. His jet is the Bombardier Challenger 350, which cost him and wife Victoria around $25 million. It's on the smaller side, only seating eight passengers, which is enough for the couple and their four children to fly together.
Jim Carrey
This comedy legend doesn't fly commercial, either. Jim Carrey owns a Gulfstream V, which comes with a hefty price tag of about $59 million. It can seat 16 people, and when he's not using it, The Mask star reportedly rents it out at a cost of $8,000 an hour, which might just help him make some of that money back.
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan's jet is surprisingly luxe — and not cheap at all. According to The Richest, he recently upgraded to the $20 million Embraer Legacy 500, which is equipped with eight seats that have heating and massage functions and convert into four beds. Reportedly, Jackie had a hand in how the interior of his plane was designed, too.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan reached legend status after his NBA career, so it's not too surprising to find out that he also flies private. His jet, the Gulfstream 550, cost him around $50 million when he bought in 2016. Simple Flying reports that he's made several different changes to personalize the plane in the years since, including adding his Air Jordan logo to the tail of the plane and outfitting it with a cigar station.
Drake
Like other celebrities, Drake chose to name his plane after himself. The plane, which he's nicknamed Air Drake, was actually free — a Canadian cargo airline gifted it to him in 2019 in the hopes that he'd give them enough publicity to make it worth their investment. Had he paid full price, the jet would have cost about $185 million.
Elton John
If you happen to spot a private jet during your travels, it's easy to know which one is Elton John's — it's the one with the letters "M-EDZE" on the back. The E stands for Elton, while the rest of the letters are tributes to his family: husband David Furnish and kids Elijah and Zachary. The Bombardier Global Express cost Elton a cool $90 million.
Bill Gates
Knowing the kind of cash that tech titan Bill Gates is working with, the fact that he shelled out more than $194 million on his plane collection is not surprising. His impressive fleet includes four private jets, though, as Cheat Sheet pointed out, it's been a point of contention for Bill since using the jets does conflict with his climate activism.
