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Surge in Private Jet Demand as US Travel Chaos Escalates
November 11, 2025 – Demand for private jet travel in the United States is soaring amid widespread commercial flight disruptions caused by air traffic control staffing shortages and government-mandated schedule cuts. Companies like Flexjet are reporting significant increases in operating hours and revenue, as frustrated passengers seek alternatives to increasingly unreliable airline service.
The surge comes as more than 17,000 commercial flights in the US were delayed over the weekend, according to data from FlightAware. These delays are compounded by a partial US government shutdown, which has left air traffic control officers working without pay. President Donald Trump’s administration previously ordered US commercial airlines to reduce schedules at 40 major airports by four percent, potentially increasing to ten percent on weekends due to pressure on controllers. This confluence of factors is driving a notable shift towards private aviation, particularly among travelers facing urgent or inflexible schedules.
Flexjet recorded a 42 percent increase in total operating hours in the first seven days of November compared to the same period last year, a substantial jump from the average growth of 20 percent seen throughout the year. Its charter business unit, FXAIR, experienced a 56 percent increase in revenue in October year-over-year, with year-round revenue up 17 percent.
The travel disruptions are triggering panic among passengers, with car rental company Hertz reporting a spike in one-way bookings as individuals seek alternative transportation. “October, and they continue to spike,” Collins said in an interview with CNBC Saturday (8/11/2025), indicating the ongoing nature of the travel challenges. Air traffic control officers are continuing to work despite the lack of pay during the government shutdown, mirroring the situation faced by other key sector workers.
