US corporate spending on private flights for executives has ballooned

These days, Corporate America’s top executives aren’t trying to get their carry-ons gate checked. And as far as perks go, they expect a bit more than free coffee and granola bars.

Hence the steady rise of spending on private and chartered flights by the US’s 500 largest companies.

Companies’ median spending on private flights for execs jumped 19% from 2021 to 2024, according to data provided to Sherwood News by executive intelligence firm Equilar.

It’s everywhere you look. Meta reported that last year it spent $1.5 million chartering business travel flights for CEO Mark Zuckerberg and $2.6 million on private jets for his personal use.

Tyson Foods paid $2.98 million last year for the use of corporate jets for Chairman John H. Tyson’s personal travel.

Even Tootsie Roll doled out about $1.8 million for CEO Ellen Gordon to fly on its company aircraft for both business and personal uses.

If you factor in the change from 2020, when travel was depressed because of the pandemic, the jump is 66%.

The Takeaway

These aren’t the only execs kicking back in PJs on company dime. Per Equilar, the median private flight expense has increased in nearly all industries across Corporate America. And as The Wall Street Journal reported, at the same time that execs’ private flight perks have surged, much of Corporate America has slashed costs and laid off workers.

Meanwhile, even us regulars are getting used to the finer flights in life, with Delta reporting that once its customers go Comfort+, most stick with the extra legroom for the long haul.