One out of every six flights that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) handles are flown by private jets. Although fewer private aircraft fly compared to commercial jets, the carbon pollution is more. According to the study, private jets emit at least 10 times more pollutants than commercial planes per passenger.

Yes, on a per-passenger basis, private jets pollute significantly more than commercial aircraft. In 2026, research indicates that a private jet can emit up to 10 to 14 times more CO2 per passenger than a commercial flight on the same route. This is because a private jet carries only a few people while burning a substantial amount of fuel, whereas a commercial airliner spreads its total emissions over hundreds of passengers. For example, a short-haul private flight of one hour can emit about two tonnes of CO2—which is roughly one-fourth of the total yearly emissions for an average European citizen. While the global private jet industry argues that they represent only about 4% of total aviation emissions, the "carbon intensity" of a billionaire's flight is vastly higher than that of a family in economy class. In response, 2026 has seen a surge in the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the development of electric "e-VTOL" aircraft for short hops, but for long-range travel, the private jet remains the most carbon-intensive way to move across the planet.