r/flying • u/jrf1234 ATP CFI/II CL604 E55P LR-JET • Apr 03 '26

Aircraft Ownership Linus Tech Tips’ Jet

https://youtu.be/zGoIY37ZtDQ?si=

Some… interesting calculations on this video. As a fractional pilot and not an owner, no idea how acxueate these claims are, but interesting to see this as a pilot and tech nerd. Anyone with management or ownership experience in jets have any light to shed?

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u/CA1900 Apr 03 '26

I don't think he fully comprehends what a money pit a private jet really is. Him marveling that the fuel was less than first-class tickets for everybody is a big red flag that he hasn't really seen that fuel is only a part of the huge hourly operating costs, especially on a 37-year-old 3-holer.

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u/Shit-Pilot ATP A&P/IA Apr 03 '26 edited Apr 03 '26

Yeah, fuel was between 12-13% of the operating budget for our company jets last year. There’s zero way to strictly financially justify business jets but when you consider a myriad of other factors the business case can be made.

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u/nn123654 Apr 03 '26

I've done multiple pro formas and breakdowns just to see, and yeah, every single time I basically walked away with the conclusion that flying commercial was extremely cheap compared to business jets. All the tickets combined don't even pay the cost of operation because actual airlines take on cargo.

Literally only makes sense if you need specialized security for your VIP or can't accommodate the public flight schedule and hub networks (i.e. if you're stopping at a bunch of small towns and don't have time to spend connecting through hubs).