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As the U.S. aviation system grappled with capacity cuts, controller shortages and rolling delays tied to the government shutdown that ended overnight, one corner of the travel sector didn’t slow down: private aviation.
New data from Virtual Hangar shows a dramatic spike in demand as high-net-worth travelers and corporate flyers looked for alternatives to increasingly unpredictable commercial operations.
According to Virtual Hangar, private-jet booking inquiries jumped 44% within 72 hours of key shutdown developments, with most interest coming from travelers based near the 40 U.S. airports subject to FAA-directed capacity reductions. Even more striking: 53% of charter flight volume booked through the platform during that window came from first-time private flyers.
That influx underscores a meaningful shift in luxury traveler behavior, especially among clients who traditionally rely on premium cabins aboard major airlines. Reliability and control — two of commercial aviation’s weakest points during the shutdown — are emerging as primary motivators.
Adding to the urgency, several major airports temporarily restricted or banned private jet operations during peak shutdown periods, further compressing demand and prompting travelers to book farther afield or reposition to alternate FBOs.
“The surge is strongest among high-net-worth individuals and corporate executives,” Virtual Hangar noted in its analysis. “These are travelers who typically book premium commercial seats but are now prioritizing flexibility and time savings.”
A Stress Test for Luxury Travel Expectations
Ultra-luxury advisor Daria Guristrimba, founder of Globe7, says the current disruption is accelerating the long-brewing pivot toward private aviation — not as a splurge, but as a safeguard.
“After the government shutdown and ongoing flight disruptions, we’ve seen many high-net-worth travelers in the U.S. turning to private aviation not as a luxury, but as a necessity,” Guristrimba said. “Especially now, with the bonus depreciation rule making jet ownership far more financially attractive, it has become a logical choice for those who value control and reliability.”
The bonus depreciation rule is a U.S. tax incentive that allows businesses to immediately write off a large percentage of the purchase price of an eligible asset (like a private jet) in the year it’s placed into service, rather than spreading that deduction over many years.
Guristrimba adds that the frustrations reach beyond delays and cancellations: “Our ultra-luxury clients expect seamless service, yet in most U.S. airports there are no proper VIP arrival lounges and flight cancellations have become almost routine. The question becomes clear: why settle for second-class service when you are paying for first?”
She cited ripple effects on international demand as well.
“We’ve already seen European clients postponing their autumn trips to destinations like Sonoma Valley because of these uncertainties,” Guristrimba said.
Others are shifting to destinations where service standards remain consistent and “travel feels effortless again.”
One Globe7 group traveling from Denver had to be completely rebooked after cascading delays, ultimately incurring more than €8,000 (~$9,313) in additional costs.
“Situations like this change the way travelers plan,” Guristrimba noted. “It’s no longer about the destination itself, but about the ability to arrive without chaos.”
A New Era for Private Aviation?
For advisors, the shutdown’s fallout is shaping up to be a pivotal moment.
Private aviation companies, charter brokers and membership programs have long argued that luxury travelers underestimate the value of reliability—until events like these force a reckoning. With more than half of current charter bookings coming from newcomers, the sector may be on the cusp of a long-term expansion.
“In luxury travel, time isn’t just money,” Guristrimba said. “It’s trust. And once that’s broken, no upgrade can fix it.”
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