In Defense of Flying Private

Writing in her Substack diary Fresh Hell in late 2024, former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown called private aviation “the ultimate corrupting force.” Aligning with growing public criticism of private aviation, Brown described a seductive experience that lures people toward moral compromise and even detaches them from the human race altogether.

Having managed thousands of transfers and itineraries for high-net-worth individuals who fly private, Urbanride understands the core motivations behind private aviation and the real-world benefits it delivers. While private aviation undoubtedly offers comfort and convenience, it also serves two key purposes beyond mere indulgence: business productivity and corporate security.

For business leaders, commercial flights can be a major obstacle. Rigid schedules and pervasive delays make it impractical to attend meetings in multiple cities on the same day. Even a single meeting requires a buffer of extra time – sometimes an entire night of lodging close to the meeting location.

What’s more, commercial aviation is limited in terms of access to public-use airports. According to the National Business Aviation Association, only some 500 such facilities cater to commercial aviation in the United States. This pales in comparison to the 5,000 U.S. public-use airports that serve private aircraft.

In contrast to commercial aviation, private aviation enables decision-makers to address urgent, high-stakes issues with agility and flexibility. Increased productivity and reduced stress better position them to advance initiatives that drive growth and create jobs.

Flying private is also a matter of corporate security. In commercial travel, flight cabins, gates, and lounges simply do not offer the privacy needed for discreet conversations. This creates a catch-22 for executives and their assistants: slow down business when traveling, or take the risk of leaking sensitive information on the way from A to B.

The danger to corporate security extends to personal safety. High-profile individuals face a heightened risk of attack and harassment in public spaces. Executives and their administrative teams were reminded of this in December by the targeted slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan.

The more restrictive a space is in terms of tailoring security needs, the more challenging executive protection becomes. In this regard, flying commercial can compromise personal security even more than on-the-ground locations outside of the airport. Conversely, private aviation offers greater control over one’s environment, mitigating potential risks to physical safety.

Private aviation is not for everyone, nor is it suitable for every budget. However, let’s not perpetuate the false notion that it’s simply an excuse for lavish living. With benefits like unparalleled productivity and executive protection, there are compelling reasons for business leaders and their teams to consider the option.