As the situation at airports worsens, affluent travelers are spending up to $34,000 on private jets to avoid long TSA lines, a recent report indicates.
Since the shutdown began in mid-February, the number of private jet flights has surged, particularly in areas like New York, Houston, and Washington, D.C. Data from aviation analytics firm WingX shows an uptick in departures and TSA inquiries.
Charter services have noted a 39% increase in bookings, with a noticeable influx of first-time users seeking alternatives to crowded security checks, as reported by Bloomberg News.
The rise in private jet use is largely attributed to new clients, with Jetly observing a 52% growth in first-time commercial travelers, especially in Houston, Atlanta, and New Orleans, which are grappling with significant TSA staffing shortages.
Additionally, last-minute travel is on the rise, with bookings made within 72 hours of departure increasing by 34% as passengers look for quicker, hassle-free options.
The reported prices align with typical private jet charter rates under normal circumstances, usually ranging from a few thousand dollars up to more, depending on the aircraft size and flight distance.
Industry data indicates that small jets cost between $3,500 and $7,000 per hour, with popular routes like Atlanta to New York falling between $10,000 and $20,000, while longer trips, like Houston to New York, can reach mid-$30,000s for larger jets.
This heightened demand is likely to lead to a profitable year for private carriers.
The increase has been particularly notable on major domestic routes, where prices for short flights have spiked. A trip from Atlanta to New York can start at $13,000 and rise rapidly to $20,000.
Similarly, a short trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas can cost around $8,000 to $12,000 depending on demand and availability.
Longer routes are proving even more lucrative; a flight from Houston to New York might hit as high as $34,000 during peak demand.
Costs for private jets remain elevated, with smaller aircraft for about six passengers costing around $7,000 per hour, according to company executives.
Other operators are witnessing similar growth. Slate Aviation, which offers private shuttles between New York and South Florida, has reported a 36% increase in communications over the last month, leading the company to expand routes and enhance flight schedules.
FlyUSA is also gaining from the situation, with year-to-date bookings up about 35% as more travelers opt out of commercial flights altogether.
“While some of that growth can be attributed to TSA disruptions, it’s tricky to quantify,” said FlyUSA’s CEO. “We’ve seen a number of first-time travelers recently, especially those concerned about long delays,” he added. “Our biggest growth has come from clients who often fly business class on certain routes and private on others, as they’re not willing to risk the recent commercial delays.”
Geographical data illustrates how closely private jet demand aligns with airport disruptions.
In Houston, for example, TSA call rates at Bush Intercontinental Airport are as high as 39.2%, and private jet departures have increased by about 5% year-over-year.
New York has similarly experienced heightened TSA no-show rates, nearly reaching 29% at JFK and 25% at LaGuardia, alongside a 2% rise in private jet departures.
The Washington, D.C. area, including Baltimore, has observed a 10% growth in private jet departures due to staffing shortages affecting the system.
Atlanta, among the busiest travel hubs, has seen TSA call rates exceed 40% and private jet departures grow by 5%.
New Orleans has been impacted as well, with TSA absenteeism exceeding 36% and a slight 1% increase in private jet departures compared to last year.
Demand continues to rise, not only from the wealthy but also from frustrated travelers willing to pay extra to avoid flight delays.
Since mid-February, thousands of TSA employees have remained unpaid due to a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown, creating record absenteeism, staff retirements, and major airport staffing issues, which in turn has led to security wait times surpassing four hours.
Efforts to alleviate the crisis have been made, including President Trump’s emergency pay order for employees, but a comprehensive funding deal is still pending in Congress, leaving the future of normal operations uncertain.
