Last Updated on July 27, 2026 by Daniel Globe
NetJets is one of the best-known names in private aviation, but it does not operate like a scheduled airline. Instead of publishing routes and selling individual airline tickets, the Berkshire Hathaway company provides on-demand aircraft access through fractional shares and prepaid jet cards. Here is how NetJets works today, what its programs cost, which aircraft it flies, where it can go, and what travelers should know about its safety record and major 2026 updates.
Quick Answer
NetJets is a Berkshire Hathaway-owned private aviation provider, not a scheduled airline. Its main U.S. options are the NetJets Share and NetJets Card. Share clients receive the highest access level and can depart with roughly 4–10 hours’ notice, while Card clients prepay flight hours and generally need at least 48 hours’ notice.
Key Takeaways
- NetJets traces its roots to 1964, and Richard Santulli introduced its shared-aircraft ownership model in 1986.
- Berkshire Hathaway acquired Executive Jet, the company behind NetJets, in 1998 for approximately $725 million.
- NetJets’ two main U.S. access programs are the NetJets Share and NetJets Card; leasing is one way to acquire a Share rather than a separate core program.
- Current published U.S. pricing starts at about $215,000 for a NetJets Card, while Share ownership and leasing require larger commitments.
- NetJets says its Owners can access more than 5,000 airports across 200+ countries and territories.
- Major 2026 fleet developments include the Bombardier Global 8000 and Cessna Citation Ascend, with more than 80 new aircraft expected during the year.
- A June 2026 NetJets accident in Laredo, Texas, remains under NTSB investigation, so no final cause should be assumed from preliminary findings.
The History of NetJets
NetJets traces its roots to 1964, when the business that became Executive Jet Aviation was created in Columbus, Ohio. Its early leadership and board included prominent aviation figures such as U.S. Air Force Generals Curtis LeMay and Paul Tibbets, along with Bruce Sundlun, actor and pilot James Stewart, and entertainer and pilot Arthur Godfrey. NetJets’ corporate history describes the company as one of the pioneers of private jet charter and aircraft management.
Mathematician and former Goldman Sachs executive Richard Santulli acquired the business in 1984. Using aircraft-utilization data and computer modeling, Santulli developed a system that allowed several customers to own interests in the same aircraft fleet rather than each buyer maintaining a whole airplane. NetJets dates the introduction of this shared, or fractional, ownership concept to 1986.
The model expanded rapidly because it offered much of the flexibility of whole-aircraft ownership without requiring each customer to hire crews, schedule maintenance, arrange repositioning, and manage all other operating details independently.
In 1998, Berkshire Hathaway acquired Executive Jet for approximately $725 million. The original Berkshire Hathaway acquisition announcement marked the beginning of the company’s long-term ownership by Warren Buffett’s conglomerate. Executive Jet Airways formally adopted the NetJets name in 2002.
How NetJets Works
NetJets is sometimes searched for as “NetJets Airlines,” but it is not a scheduled passenger airline with published timetables and individual tickets. Its U.S. fractional flights operate as private aviation, and customers buy access to a fleet rather than purchasing a seat on a scheduled route.
The company currently centers its U.S. offering on two programs:
- NetJets Share: Designed for regular private flyers who want the greatest access. A Share can involve direct fractional ownership of an aircraft interest or a lease. NetJets allocates flight hours according to the purchase level while managing crews, maintenance, scheduling, and other operational work.
- NetJets Card: A lower-commitment option for occasional private flyers. Customers prepay flight time, normally in 25-hour increments, and receive access to specified aircraft categories under the Card’s terms.
A fractional owner does not necessarily fly on the exact aircraft whose share appears in the ownership paperwork. NetJets uses its wider fleet to position the appropriate aircraft and crew for each trip, which is one reason the system can offer more flexibility than owning a single airplane outright.
Pro Tip: Choose the program based on how often you actually fly and how much short-notice access you need. The Share is aimed at regular travel and high-demand dates; the Card requires less commitment but has more limited access and longer notice requirements.
The NetJets Fleet
Fleet Size and Composition
NetJets describes its operation as the world’s largest and most diverse private jet fleet. Its current lineup spans more than 10 aircraft types across light, midsize, super-midsize, large, and long-range classes, with aircraft from Embraer, Textron Aviation’s Cessna brand, and Bombardier.
Current U.S. fleet options include the Embraer Phenom 300/E and Praetor 500; Cessna Citation XLS, Ascend, Sovereign, Latitude, and Longitude; Bombardier Challenger 350/3500 and Challenger 650; and several Global models, including the Global 5000/5500, Global 6000, and Global 7500/8000.
NetJets says nearly half of its global fleet is less than five years old and expects more than 80 factory-new aircraft deliveries during 2026. Its long-range growth plans are backed by multiyear agreements with Textron Aviation, Embraer, and Bombardier. These agreements include large numbers of options and purchase rights, so they should not be interpreted as nearly 2,000 guaranteed aircraft entering service at once.
Fleet Maintenance and Safety
NetJets manages maintenance through a large internal and contracted support network. The company says it uses proactive maintenance programs, standardized aircraft configurations, flight-data monitoring, recurring pilot training, and an FAA-approved safety-management structure to support fleet operations.
Scale is important here: if an aircraft becomes unavailable because of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance, a fractional provider can attempt to substitute another aircraft rather than grounding the customer’s entire travel plan, as could happen with a single privately owned aircraft.
New and Notable Aircraft
The fleet changed significantly in 2026. NetJets became the fleet launch customer for the Bombardier Global 8000 in March. NetJets says the aircraft can accommodate up to 14 passengers and is designed for ultra-long-range missions.
In May 2026, NetJets also took delivery of its first three Cessna Citation Ascend aircraft. The midsize Ascend uses a seven-passenger NetJets configuration and is positioned as a newer successor to the Citation XLS for many missions.
The existing Citation XLS remains in the fleet during the transition. NetJets’ current XLS configuration seats seven passengers and has an advertised maximum endurance of about four hours under its stated planning assumptions.
The Benefits of Flying with NetJets
The biggest advantage of NetJets is control over when and where a trip begins. Fractional customers do not have to build their itinerary around a scheduled airline’s route network, and private aircraft can often use smaller airports closer to a traveler’s true origin or destination.
Access depends on the program. NetJets currently lists Share access with notice periods as short as roughly 4–10 hours, depending on the purchase arrangement, while Card customers generally receive guaranteed access with at least 48 hours’ notice. This difference matters for travelers who regularly need same-day or next-day departures.
Private terminals and fixed-base operators can also shorten the ground portion of a trip. Travelers normally avoid traditional airline boarding lines, and the aircraft leaves according to the private itinerary rather than a published commercial schedule.
The Cost of Flying with NetJets
At a Glance: Ways to Fly with NetJets
| Share Ownership | NetJets currently lists ownership starting at approximately $360,000 per year for 50 flight hours, plus a one-time capital investment in the aircraft. Share arrangements generally involve a minimum 36-month commitment. |
| Share Leasing | Leasing is another way to obtain a NetJets Share without an aircraft acquisition fee. Published U.S. pricing currently starts at about $225,000 per year for 25 hours and 355 days of annual access, with a minimum 36-month commitment. |
| NetJets Card | The Card currently starts at approximately $215,000. Flight time is prepaid, typically 25 hours at a time, with no long-term ownership commitment and up to 320 days of annual access depending on the Card level. |
| Booking Notice | Share access can require as little as about 4–10 hours’ notice. NetJets currently lists Card access with as little as 48 hours’ notice. |
NetJets’ current U.S. program comparison makes clear that the final cost depends on aircraft type, access level, and whether a Share is owned or leased. Fractional owners also have an aircraft investment component, while the Card is sold as an inclusive prepaid flight-hour product.
Note: The figures above are approximate published starting prices checked in July 2026, not personalized quotes. NetJets can change pricing, aircraft availability, access days, fees, and contract terms, so prospective clients should confirm the current agreement before purchasing.
Private aviation remains dramatically more expensive than commercial airfare. The value proposition is therefore less about obtaining the cheapest seat and more about saving ground and connection time, choosing smaller airports, controlling departure times, and reducing the operational work associated with owning an entire aircraft.
The Destinations and Routes of NetJets
NetJets does not operate a fixed route network. Instead, customers request an origin, destination, date, and time, and the company arranges an aircraft and crew that fit the trip.
NetJets says its Owners can reach more than 5,000 airports across more than 200 countries and territories.
That network includes many regional and general-aviation airports that scheduled airlines do not serve, which can reduce the driving time at either end of a trip.
However, “5,000+ airports” does not mean every aircraft can fly nonstop between every possible pair. Aircraft range, runway length, weather, customs availability, international permits, airport operating hours, and other restrictions can affect the final itinerary. Long intercontinental trips may require a long-range aircraft or a fuel stop.
The Experience of Flying with NetJets
Personalized Service from Arrival to Departure
Passengers typically use a fixed-base operator, private terminal, or dedicated NetJets facility rather than a conventional airline gate. Luggage handling, passenger details, catering, ground transportation, and other arrangements can be coordinated around the individual itinerary.
Comfort and Connectivity in the Air
Cabin layout depends on the aircraft, ranging from six-passenger light jets to large four-zone long-range cabins. Tables, power, entertainment, and internet connectivity can allow passengers to work or relax during the flight.
Connectivity should not be treated as identical on every aircraft. NetJets announced in December 2025 that Starlink would be installed on approximately 600 aircraft by the end of 2026, alongside other connectivity upgrades.
Dining and Catering
NetJets can arrange onboard food and beverages based on the trip and passenger preferences. Larger aircraft with flight attendants provide more extensive meal service, while shorter flights and smaller aircraft may have simpler catering. Special requests should be made when the trip is booked so the local catering provider has time to prepare them.
The Safety Record of NetJets
NetJets publishes extensive information about its pilot training, aircraft maintenance, flight-data programs, and safety-management systems. The company says it operates an Advanced Qualification Program for recurrent pilot training and has reached the highest level of the FAA’s voluntary Safety Management System program. More information is available on the company’s private aviation safety page.
Warning: A current safety overview must also include the June 16, 2026 accident involving NetJets Aviation aircraft N523QS near Laredo, Texas. The NTSB investigation is ongoing, so preliminary evidence should not be presented as a final determination of why the accident occurred.
According to the NTSB preliminary report for accident CEN26FA228, the Textron Aviation 680A Citation Latitude was operating a Part 91 Subpart K fractional flight from Los Cabos, Mexico, to Austin, Texas. The crew reported an unusual vibration and later received fuel-pressure and electrical warnings before diverting toward Laredo International Airport.
The NTSB reports that the right engine flamed out during final approach and the left engine stopped a few seconds later. The aircraft landed on a highway short of the airport. One passenger died, the captain was seriously injured, and five other people received minor injuries, including a person on the ground.
Investigators found damage involving a right-engine fuel tube assembly and starter-generator components, but the NTSB report repeatedly states that its information is preliminary and subject to change. A final probable-cause determination has not yet been issued.
Note: Safety records should be evaluated with independent FAA/NTSB data as well as provider statements. Company training standards describe safety systems; accident investigations document what occurred in specific events. Neither should be substituted for the other.
The Sustainability Efforts of NetJets
NetJets’ current sustainability program focuses on sustainable aviation fuel, carbon offsets, and operational measures intended to reduce emissions. On its sustainability page, the company says it purchases enough blended sustainable aviation fuel to account for its flights departing San Francisco, where that fuel supply is available.
NetJets also operates its Blue Skies carbon-offset program and says its European operations have been offset since 2012. The company began offsetting U.S. administrative and training flights in 2021.
An earlier future-aircraft initiative involved Lilium. NetJets, Lilium, and FlightSafety International announced a proposed eVTOL partnership on March 8, 2022, not in 2021. The agreement would have given NetJets purchase rights for up to 150 Lilium aircraft. Lilium later entered insolvency proceedings, so that proposal should not be treated as a current near-term NetJets fleet plan. NetJets’ present public sustainability materials emphasize fuel, offsets, fleet modernization, and operating efficiency instead.
The Membership Options with NetJets
The simplest way to understand NetJets’ current U.S. offering is to separate it into the NetJets Share and NetJets Card.
NetJets Share: This is the company’s primary fractional solution for frequent private flyers. Customers can purchase an aircraft interest as an asset or lease a Share without paying the aircraft acquisition price upfront. Share customers receive the highest access levels, including the shortest notice periods and stronger availability during high-demand travel periods.
NetJets Card: This is designed for occasional or more flexible travel. Customers prepay flight time, typically 25 hours at a time. It has a shorter financial commitment than fractional ownership but also comes with fewer annual access days and longer notice requirements.
NetJets also owns or supports specialized aviation businesses. Executive Jet Management provides aircraft management and charter services, while QS Partners works with aircraft and fractional-interest sales and acquisitions.
NetJets vs. Charter, Whole-Aircraft Ownership, and Commercial Airlines
Each option solves a different travel problem.
- NetJets vs. commercial airlines: NetJets costs far more but allows private itineraries, smaller airports, shorter terminal time, and a cabin reserved for the customer’s party.
- NetJets vs. on-demand charter: Charter can be attractive for travelers who fly infrequently and want to shop trip by trip. A fractional program is designed to provide more predictable access, aircraft standards, and pricing under a continuing agreement.
- NetJets vs. whole-aircraft ownership: Whole ownership provides maximum control over one aircraft but also brings crew, maintenance, insurance, hangar, scheduling, and asset-management responsibilities. NetJets spreads those operational demands across a managed fleet.
- Share vs. Card: The Share suits regular travelers who place a high value on short-notice access. The Card is the simpler entry point for lower annual use and more flexible schedules.
Who Is NetJets Best For?
NetJets makes the most sense for individuals or businesses that already know they will use private aviation repeatedly and place a high monetary value on time, scheduling control, privacy, and airport access. Frequent business travelers, families with complex itineraries, and companies moving teams between cities poorly served by nonstop commercial flights are typical use cases.
It is less compelling for travelers whose main goal is simply reaching a major city at the lowest possible cost. For occasional trips, comparing the NetJets Card with reputable on-demand charter may also be worthwhile before committing substantial prepaid funds.
The Customer Service of NetJets
NetJets provides dedicated service teams to coordinate scheduling and trip details, including passenger information, catering, ground transportation, luggage needs, and international arrangements. The scale of the operation also allows scheduling, dispatch, maintenance, and crew teams to work together when weather, mechanical problems, or itinerary changes require a trip to be adjusted.
Service expectations should still be evaluated against the actual contract. Access days, notice requirements, aircraft upgrades or downgrades, international rules, and other benefits differ between Share and Card arrangements.
The Future of NetJets
The company’s immediate strategy is centered on fleet renewal, capacity, connectivity, and private-airport infrastructure rather than a single experimental aircraft technology. NetJets expects more than 80 new aircraft deliveries during 2026 and continues to hold extensive long-term purchase rights with Textron Aviation, Bombardier, and Embraer.
The Global 8000 entered the fleet in March 2026, while the Citation Ascend followed in May. NetJets is also replacing or upgrading older aircraft as newer models arrive, and its large Starlink installation program is scheduled to expand high-speed connectivity across roughly 600 aircraft by the end of 2026.
NetJets is a private aviation company rather than a conventional airline, so its destinations and routes are built around individual travel requests instead of a published timetable. Readers interested in the broader editorial focus and travel coverage on this site can also visit TakeTravelInfo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NetJets Airlines?
NetJets is not a scheduled airline. It is a Berkshire Hathaway-owned private aviation provider whose principal U.S. programs are the fractional NetJets Share and the prepaid NetJets Card.
How much does NetJets cost?
As of July 2026, NetJets publishes U.S. starting prices of about $215,000 for a Card, about $225,000 per year for a 25-hour Share lease, and about $360,000 per year for 50 hours of Share ownership plus the separate aircraft capital investment. Actual pricing varies by aircraft and contract.
How many routes does NetJets have?
NetJets does not have a fixed route system. It says Owners can access more than 5,000 airports across more than 200 countries and territories, subject to aircraft capability, customs, permits, weather, and airport restrictions.
How much notice does NetJets require?
Current U.S. terms vary by program. NetJets lists Share access with notice periods as short as roughly 4–10 hours, while Card customers generally receive guaranteed access with at least 48 hours’ notice.
How does NetJets determine flight routes?
Each itinerary is built around the customer’s requested origin, destination, and departure time. NetJets then assigns an appropriate aircraft and crew while accounting for range, airport suitability, weather, international requirements, and operational availability.
Can NetJets fly to international destinations?
Yes. NetJets operates internationally and advertises access across more than 200 countries and territories. The exact itinerary still depends on customs, permits, aircraft range, airport restrictions, and geopolitical or airspace conditions.
Has NetJets had a recent serious accident?
Yes. On June 16, 2026, a NetJets-operated Citation Latitude crashed near Laredo, Texas, during an emergency diversion, killing one passenger. The NTSB investigation remains open, and its current report is preliminary, so a final cause has not yet been determined.
How does NetJets differ from commercial airlines in terms of routes?
Commercial airlines publish scheduled routes and sell individual seats. NetJets builds private itineraries around each customer’s plans and can use thousands of airports that receive little or no scheduled airline service.
Sources
- NetJets — History of Aviation — company origins, fractional-ownership timeline, Berkshire era, and corporate milestones
- Berkshire Hathaway — Executive Jet Acquisition Announcement — 1998 acquisition
- NetJets — Share and Card Cost Comparison — current program structure, published starting prices, access periods, commitments, and booking notice
- NetJets — Private Jet Travel FAQs — worldwide airport access, fleet and program information
- NetJets — Private Jet Safety — pilot training, maintenance and safety-management programs
- National Transportation Safety Board — CEN26FA228 Preliminary Report — June 16, 2026 Laredo accident and preliminary investigative findings
