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Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
The Secret Group Chats Where the Rich Score Seats on Private Jets
Nick Molina was in the American Express Centurion Lounge at New York's LaGuardia Airport, chatting with a stranger about flight delays, when his fellow traveler asked if he'd considered flying private. 'She was telling me about this WhatsApp group,' said Molina, a 57-year-old investor and former startup entrepreneur in Key Biscayne, Fla. 'She offered to get me added.' Which is how he ended up in 'S. Florida<->NY/Northeast,' one of several active group chats where travelers, from the merely wealthy to actual billionaires, buy and sell seats on private flights. These invite-only chats focus on gilded routes—New York to Palm Beach, Aspen to Southern California, Texas to Cabo—and include thousands of members, at a time when delays and safety concerns have plagued commercial aviation. 'They'll go in a chat and say, 'Hey, I'm going to Aspen on August 1. Who wants to split a plane with me?'' said Peter Minikes, who runs private-jet charter company Priority One Jets. Real-estate investor Enrico Scarda, 56, sold his own jet around a year ago but has not sworn off his habit of flying private. He's a member of the same 676-person group as Molina, which operates like a Craigslist for one-percent fliers moving up and down the East Coast. Through the group, he has flown on midsize jets including a Dassault Falcon 50 and a Hawker 800. 'I guess, at first, I was a little hesitant about having a stranger meet you on the plane,' Scarda said. 'But after the three or four times that I either bought a seat or sold a seat, I realized it's all pretty much the same types of people.' Members of these chats hawk seats on their own jets to defray costs or charter planes and look for splitters. Some are simply passengers with an aversion to TSA lines. Private-jet brokers also pop in, offering their clients' inventory. That often means seats on 'dead-leg' flights—empty jets flying to pick up passengers. Kaden Green, a 20-year-old private-jet broker, is active on many of these WhatsApp groups. He's found them to be valuable tools for generating client leads. 'It's free marketing,' he said. 'It's not like you need to pay for an ad or anything.' Enrico Scarda and his family on a private jet. The real-estate investor is part of a group chat which operates like a Craigslist for one-percent fliers moving up and down the East Coast. For some fliers, sharing cream-colored cabins with strangers defeats the purpose of flying private, stripping people of the ability to take to the skies whenever they wish. 'At the end of the day, you're still scheduling your day and your travel around a pre-booked flight plan,' Molina said. Green, who estimates as much as 30% of his business stems from WhatsApp groups, recently started his own chat dedicated to private flights between Europe and the United States. Arik Kislin, an investor, started a separate 23-person 'Turks Private Jet Group' for travelers to Turks and Caicos, the British archipelago where he owns a home. What fuels these groups is a blend of penny-pinching ways and a thirst for luxury. 'I do understand that sometimes you don't want to spend $25,000 to $30,000 going up to New York, but you're OK spending three or four [thousand],' Kislin said. Scarda said most seats between New York and South Florida go for at least $2,000 in the WhatsApp group. Commercial airliners like JetBlue and Delta ferry passengers between the two areas for as little as a 10th of that. Before the pandemic, many fliers between these ritzy locales offered seats free to those in their network, according to Minikes, the charter broker. But as the private-aviation market has expanded and a WhatsApp shadow economy has emerged, charging for seats has become more customary. 'It's a tight space,' he said. 'Why do you want to be uncomfortable if you're not going to be compensated for it?' Whether these trips comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations is murky. Plane operators typically must be certified as Part 135 if they receive any money over their pro rata share of cost, according to aviation attorney Steve Taber. Part 135 is a section of the Federal Aviation Regulations, setting rules and safety standards for on-demand, nonscheduled operators. If aircraft operators are found in violation of these rules, they can face actions like monetary civil penalties, according to aviation attorney Mary-Caitlin Ray. Taber added that FAA officials have pursued Instagram accounts and Facebook groups where users sell private jet seats for profit. For that reason, it might not be worth avoiding full-body scans and baggage fees. And there are other inconveniences that even the rich can't escape. Kislin said shared private flights often end up delayed because a majority of co-travelers prefer to takeoff later. 'Well, that doesn't work for me,' he said. 'That changes my schedule.' But even if Kislin books travel elsewhere, remaining a part of these private aviation groups is valuable. For some jet-setters, it's as status-y as being a member of Zero Bond. 'It's a conversation starter, because that's how many people in the network of Aspen are in that chat,' Green said.
Mint
10-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
The secret group chats where the rich score seats on private jets
Nick Molina was in the American Express Centurion Lounge at New York's LaGuardia Airport, chatting with a stranger about flight delays, when his fellow traveler asked if he'd considered flying private. 'She was telling me about this WhatsApp group," said Molina, a 57-year-old investor and former startup entrepreneur in Key Biscayne, Fla. 'She offered to get me added." Which is how he ended up in 'S. Florida<->NY/Northeast," one of several active group chats where travelers, from the merely wealthy to actual billionaires, buy and sell seats on private flights. These invite-only chats focus on gilded routes—New York to Palm Beach, Aspen to Southern California, Texas to Cabo—and include thousands of members, at a time when delays and safety concerns have plagued commercial aviation. 'They'll go in a chat and say, 'Hey, I'm going to Aspen on August 1. Who wants to split a plane with me?'" said Peter Minikes, who runs private-jet charter company Priority One Jets. Real-estate investor Enrico Scarda, 56, sold his own jet around a year ago but has not sworn off his habit of flying private. He's a member of the same 676-person group as Molina, which operates like a Craigslist for one-percent fliers moving up and down the East Coast. Through the group, he has flown on midsize jets including a Dassault Falcon 50 and a Hawker 800. 'I guess, at first, I was a little hesitant about having a stranger meet you on the plane," Scarda said. 'But after the three or four times that I either bought a seat or sold a seat, I realized it's all pretty much the same types of people." Members of these chats hawk seats on their own jets to defray costs or charter planes and look for splitters. Some are simply passengers with an aversion to TSA lines. Private-jet brokers also pop in, offering their clients' inventory. That often means seats on 'dead-leg" flights—empty jets flying to pick up passengers. Kaden Green, a 20-year-old private-jet broker, is active on many of these WhatsApp groups. He's found them to be valuable tools for generating client leads. 'It's free marketing," he said. 'It's not like you need to pay for an ad or anything." Enrico Scarda and his family on a private jet. The real-estate investor is part of a group chat which operates like a Craigslist for one-percent fliers moving up and down the East Coast. For some fliers, sharing cream-colored cabins with strangers defeats the purpose of flying private, stripping people of the ability to take to the skies whenever they wish. 'At the end of the day, you're still scheduling your day and your travel around a pre-booked flight plan," Molina said. Green, who estimates as much as 30% of his business stems from WhatsApp groups, recently started his own chat dedicated to private flights between Europe and the United States. Arik Kislin, an investor, started a separate 23-person 'Turks Private Jet Group" for travelers to Turks and Caicos, the British archipelago where he owns a home. What fuels these groups is a blend of penny-pinching ways and a thirst for luxury. 'I do understand that sometimes you don't want to spend $25,000 to $30,000 going up to New York, but you're OK spending three or four [thousand]," Kislin said. Scarda said most seats between New York and South Florida go for at least $2,000 in the WhatsApp group. Commercial airliners like JetBlue and Delta ferry passengers between the two areas for as little as a 10th of that. Before the pandemic, many fliers between these ritzy locales offered seats free to those in their network, according to Minikes, the charter broker. But as the private-aviation market has expanded and a WhatsApp shadow economy has emerged, charging for seats has become more customary. 'It's a tight space," he said. 'Why do you want to be uncomfortable if you're not going to be compensated for it?" Whether these trips comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations is murky. Plane operators typically must be certified as Part 135 if they receive any money over their pro rata share of cost, according to aviation attorney Steve Taber. Part 135 is a section of the Federal Aviation Regulations, setting rules and safety standards for on-demand, nonscheduled operators. If aircraft operators are found in violation of these rules, they can face actions like monetary civil penalties, according to aviation attorney Mary-Caitlin Ray. Taber added that FAA officials have pursued Instagram accounts and Facebook groups where users sell private jet seats for profit. For that reason, it might not be worth avoiding full-body scans and baggage fees. And there are other inconveniences that even the rich can't escape. Kislin said shared private flights often end up delayed because a majority of co-travelers prefer to takeoff later. 'Well, that doesn't work for me," he said. 'That changes my schedule." But even if Kislin books travel elsewhere, remaining a part of these private aviation groups is valuable. For some jet-setters, it's as status-y as being a member of Zero Bond. 'It's a conversation starter, because that's how many people in the network of Aspen are in that chat," Green said.
India.com
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra to Shah Rukh Khan, which actor owns the most expensive private jet? It is…
In Bollywood's competitive and internationally engaged film sector, certain leading actors have chosen the considerable ease and comfort of possessing private jets. These planes serve beyond mere status; they play a vital role in handling hectic itineraries and ensuring privacy while flying with loved ones. Let's see which of the celebrities from Tinseltown has the most expensive jet. Salman Khan Recognized for his huge fan base and a steady flow of movie ventures, Salman Khan owns a private jet. In addition to having private luxurious properties and various luxury goods, Khan owns a private jet that he utilizes for personal family trips and vacations. As per The Times of India, Salman owns a Gulfstream G550 private jet, which is valued at approximately $61.5 million, or around Rs 260 crore. Priyanka Chopra Priyanka Chopra Jonas has achieved international success, working in both Bollywood and Hollywood. She is frequently spotted flying with her husband Nick Jonas in their opulent asset, a Hawker 800 six-seat jet, which is said to be around Rs 84 crore. It allows her to blend work and relaxation effortlessly and facilitates her travel between her homes in India and the United States. Amitabh Bachchan The iconic 'Big B' of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan, possesses a private jet, an appropriate possession for his legendary reputation. As per Economic Times, the jet is said to cost Rs 260 Crore. Sources indicate that he owns a Bombardier Challenger 300, a jet recognized for its impressive range of 5,741 km and roomy cabin capable of seating nearly 10 passengers. It features a comprehensive service gallery and sophisticated communication systems, ranking it among the most dependable jets in the aviation market. Akshay Kumar The Khiladi of Bollywood industry, owns Hawker 800, a mid-sized twin-engine business jet. This aircraft is recognized for its comfort and performance, featuring a range of 4,630 kilometers and a maximum speed of Mach 0.80. The Hawker 800 boasts a spacious cabin accommodating up to 8 passengers, a complete galley, and sophisticated avionics. Kumar's aircraft is estimated to be worth around Rs 260 crore, highlighting his desire for a mix of luxury and performance. Ajay Devgn Ajay Devgn purchased a private jet fairly early in his career. He possesses a Hawker valued at Rs 85 crore. It can hold almost 6 passengers simultaneously and is known for its speed and efficiency. He was one of the earliest individuals in Bollywood to possess a private jet, frequently utilizing it for professional purposes. Saif Ali Khan Coming from a royal heritage and having successful acting career, Saif Ali Khan has numerous extravagant possessions. Additionally, the actor possesses a private jet that he acquired back in 2010. The jet is said to feature distinctive customizations and suggestions that set it apart from others. As per reports, Saif Ali Khan's private jet is estimated to be worth Rs 84 crore, which is approximately $10 million USD, as he acquires a six-seater Hawker 800. Shah Rukh Khan Hailed as 'King Khan,' Shah Rukh Khan possesses much more than merely opulent villas and real estate. He is said to own Gulfstream G550, a private jet recognized for its exceptional reliability and impressive speed of Mach 0.885. The cabin of the jets is fairly roomy and can hold nearly 12 passengers. According to NDTV, the cost of the jet is projected to be around Rs 350 crore, exceeding that of all A-list celebrities from the industry.
India.com
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Ajay Devgn becomes first Bollywood actor to own a private jet? Actor reveals the deal that went behind
The Bollywood industry offers everything- fame, glamour, money, security, social life, and luxury. A few top actors have opted for the ultimate convenience and luxury of owning private jets. These aircraft are more than just status symbols. Recent reports suggest that superstar Ajay Devgn has also secured a deal for his private jet, worth Rs 84 crore. However, in a recent interview, the actor addressed the rumours surrounding his ownership of a private jet. While speaking on BookMyShow Unscripted, Ajay Devgn responded to the ongoing buzz. He said, 'No, not at all. I was planning to buy it and had even secured a deal, but it didn't go through. So, it is not true.' For the uninitiated, back in 2010, Ajay reportedly purchased his own private jet. At the time, there were rumors that he was the first actor in the industry to own one. It was said that he bought a six-seater Hawker 800 aircraft, which he used for film promotions, shoots, and personal travel. Raid 2 box office collection Ajay Devgn is currently busy promoting his recent release Raid 2. The movie released on May 1, has earned Rs 70.75 crore in India, and Rs 95 crore worldwide. Amid the mixed reviews, Rai 2 has done phenomenal business. The movie also features Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoo, Rajat Kapoor and Amit Sial. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, Raid 2 is made with a budget of just Rs. 40 crores. It is predicted, the movie will become Ajay Devgn's one of the profitable films.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ajay Devgn breaks silence on reports of him owning a private jet worth Rs 84 crore with wife Kajol: 'I was planning to buy it and...'
Ajay Devgn, amidst promoting 'Raid 2', addressed long-standing rumors about owning a private jet. While reports suggested he bought a six-seater Hawker 800 in 2010, Devgn clarified that the purchase didn't materialize, despite initial plans. The actor, known for action films like 'Singham', is married to Kajol. Together, they own properties including a Juhu bungalow and a London property. Ajay Devgn , who is currently promoting his latest film, ' Raid 2 ', recently addressed rumours about him being the first Bollywood actor to own a private jet worth Rs 84 crore, which he shares with wife Kajol . What Ajay Said About the Private Jet Buzz In a recent chat with BookMyShow Unscripted, Ajay Devgn responded to rumours about being the first Bollywood star to own a private jet. The usually reserved actor smiled and clarified that the claim isn't true. He explained that while he had planned to buy a jet and had even found a deal, it didn't work out in the end. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scarlett Johansson, 40, Shows Off Her Real Size In A New Vacation Photos 33 Bridges Undo Did Ajay Devgn Buy a Jet in 2010? Back in 2010, Ajay Devgn reportedly purchased his own private jet—a six-seater Hawker 800. It was widely speculated at the time that he was the first Bollywood star to do so. He is said to use the jet for film promotions, shoots, and personal travel. According to media reports, the jet is valued at around Rs 84 crore. A Journey That Began in the '90s Ajay Devgn was born on April 2, 1969, in New Delhi. He began his journey in films as a child artist in Pyari Behna (1985), but it was his lead role in Phool Aur Kaante (1991) that marked his official debut as a Bollywood hero. Known for his powerful performances in action films like Singham, Singham Returns, Action Jackson, Raid, and Raid 2, Ajay has earned a strong fan following over the years. Ajay and Kajol: A Love Story That Grew Over Time Ajay Devgn married Kajol on February 14, 1999, after dating for nearly four years. Though their relationship began with some awkwardness due to Ajay's reserved nature and Kajol's outgoing personality, they eventually grew close and chose to be together. The couple now has two children—daughter Nysa and son Yug. Ajay Devgn and Kajol own a luxurious bungalow named Shivshakti in Juhu, reportedly worth Rs 60 crore. They also have a farmhouse in Karjat, Maharashtra, and a lavish property in London valued at around Rs 54 crore, according to media reports.
