Bill Gates is one of the richest people in the world, and he even has an entire collection of private jets. But the tech billionaire’s fleet of private planes has garnered criticism from fans. Here’s what we know about Gates’ airplane collection and why it’s so controversial.
Bill Gates has a private jet collection worth approximately $194 million
In June 2021, Simple Flying reported that Microsoft founder Bill Gates has not just one, not two, not even three, but four private jets. He has two Gulfstream G650ERs, which the publication said cost about $70 million each. He also has two Bombardier Challenger 350s, which are approximately $27 million apiece. Some quick math tells us that Gates’ private jet collection cost around $194 million – and that’s before the price of fuel, maintenance, staff, etc.
Gates’ two Gulfstream G650ERs were built in 2018 and replaced his previous two Bombardier 700 Global Express jets. Their registration numbers are N887WM and the other as N194WM, with the WM likely standing for William and Melinda, Bill Gates’ full first name and the name of his ex-wife. Melinda divorced the tech founder in 2021after over 25 years of marriage. She cited Gates’ ties to Jeffrey Epstein as one of the reasons for the divorce.
Bill Gates' Ksh8.2 billion Gulfstream G650 private jet that landed in Nairobi pic.twitter.com/nexhHdySCW
Each of Bill Gates’ Gulfstream G650ERs can fit up to 18 passengers. They have four separate areas for work, relaxation, and recreation. The custom leather seats turn into beds, and each jet can sleep up to 10 people.
The Gulfstream G650ER holds the record for the fastest and farthest business jet. Gates’ fellow billionaire, Jeff Bezos, owns the same model, as does reality star Kim Kardashian.
Gates’ owns the two Bombardier Challenger 350s through his partnership with NetJets, “a company that sells fractional ownership shares in private business jets” (per Simple Flying). The registration numbers for Gates’ Bombardier Challengers are N769QS and N754QS. The jets boast “the largest and quietest cabin in its class” and can accommodate up to 10 passengers.
In addition to his collection of private jets, the Microsoft founder also owns a Eurocopter EC 135 and a Cessna 208 Amphibian Caravan seaplane.
Bill Gates has admitted to flying on a private jet to the Paris climate change summit in his new book titled "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster."
He says he uses biofuel for his private jets, which he calls his "guilty pleasure." pic.twitter.com/kg1cx8icRW
Bill Gates has called private jets his ‘guilty pleasure’
The tech billionaire’s collection of private jets has stirred up controversy due to the planes’ impact on the environment. Bill Gates has been one of the most vocal influencers regarding environmental protection. In his book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, Gates called himself an “imperfect messenger on climate change.”
“I am aware that I’m an imperfect messenger on climate change. The world is not exactly lacking in rich men with big ideas about what other people should do, or who think technology can fix any problem,” Gates wrote (per Goodreads). “And I own big houses and fly in private planes – in fact, I took one to Paris for the climate conference – so who am I to lecture anyone on the environment?”
He added, “I can’t deny being a rich guy with an opinion. I do believe, though, that it is an informed opinion, and I am always trying to learn more.”
And in a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” forum from several years ago, Gates called owning private planes his “guilty pleasure.” He justified it by explaining, “I do get to a lot of places for Foundation work I wouldn’t be able to go to without it.”
Gates isn’t the only billionaire getting slammed for his frivolous use of private jets and the effect on the environment. Fellow private jet owner Jeff Bezos also drew criticism for taking his Gulfstreams to the UN’s 2021 COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland. And reality star Kylie Jenner recently came under fire for taking frequent, short flights on her private jet.
According to the website Private Jet Charter, Bill Gates actually owns four private jets: Two Gulfstream G650ERs and two Bombardier Challenger 350s. He also owns two other aircraft: A Eurocopter EC 135 helicopter and a Cessna 208 Seaplane.
According to the website Private Jet Charter, Bill Gates actually owns four private jets: Two Gulfstream G650ERs and two Bombardier Challenger 350s. He also owns two other aircraft: A Eurocopter EC 135 helicopter and a Cessna 208 Seaplane.
As one of the richest men in the world, it's no surprise that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has multiple private jets. Two of those are Gulfstream G650ER aircraft, each with a base price of $65 million.
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He's been expanding his collectibles; Musk owns four jets and recently dropped $78 million on a Gulfstream G700, intended to replace his Gulfstream G650ER.
With accommodation for up to 19 people, the private jet can fly at a height of 51,000 feet. According to Mint, the Gulfstream G700 is worth a whopping $78 million (Rs 640 crore approximately). 2018, Elon Musk flew more than 150,000 miles on his G650ER, Washington Post reported.
Trump traveled to his court appearance on his prized Boeing 757 private jet, which he paid $100 million for in 2011 and has since decked out with luxuries like a private bedroom and gold-plated seatbelts.
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Business Insider revealed, "The actor is known to have spent millions on buying private aircrafts, including a $4 million World War II-era P-51 Mustang single-seater fighter plane and a $20 million Gulfstream. Sweeney said he has been able to identify Cruise's P-51, Gulfstream, HondaJet, and a Challenger 300."
His personal jet, a Gulfstream G650ER with the call sign and tail number N628TS, completed a total of 134 flights in 2022, according to information compiled by Jack Sweeney, who runs a Twitter account tracking its movements.
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It is a Gulfstream V Jet, worth over $40 million (total cost for Apple: $88 million). The 2009 SEC investigation revealed that "he brought up the idea: 'What I really need is a plane where I can take my family to Hawaii on vacation, go to the East Coast.
He's been expanding his collectibles; Musk owns four jets and recently dropped $78 million on a Gulfstream G700, intended to replace his Gulfstream G650ER.
To date, the most expensive private jet in the world is the Saudi Prince Al Waleed's Airbus A380. This aviation jewel is worth the incredible sum of 500 million dollars, making it is the most expensive private jet in the world.
Elon Musk's private jet made more than 130 flights in 2022. The billionaire boss of Tesla did plenty of flying last year in his Gulfstream G650ER, emitting an estimated 1895 tonnes of CO2.
Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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