Family offices now put 70% of business flying on private aircraft

A new Airbus Corporate Jets study found 70% of family office business aviation travel is now conducted by private aircraft. The surveyed executives collectively manage $303 billion in assets.

• 70% of family office business aviation travel uses private aircraft in 2026
• $303 billion in assets represented by surveyed executives
• 96% increased private jet use over the past 2 years
• 89% report saving 2 to 3 hours per trip
• 67% say 25% to 50% of trips go to places without direct airline service

Airbus Corporate Jets says family offices are leaning harder on private aircraft as their families, investments and staff spread across borders. The study covered senior executives from family offices managing a combined $303 billion in assets.

The standout figure is 70%: that is the share of their business aviation travel now conducted by private aircraft. ACJ also reported that 96% of respondents increased private jet use over the past two years, and 89% said they save two to three hours per trip compared with airline travel.

The story matters because family offices are a major customer group for aircraft ownership, charter and management companies. Their travel is often complex: multiple countries, privacy needs, staff travel and destinations without direct airline service. That helps explain demand not just for large jets, but also medium and light aircraft that can reach smaller airports.