35% growth in the U.S. since 2019 and 56% gains by U.S. charter and fractional operators are driving private jet travel to new records.
Worldwide private jet flights increased 4% year-over-year during the first six months of 2026.
The 1,967,290 flights were 36% higher than pre-COVID levels in 2019.
However, much of the growth is being driven by fractional and charter aircraft.
The 1,035,941 flights operated by charter and fractional jets in the first half of 2026 marked a 7% year-over-year increase.
The 2026 totals for charter and fractional flights were 42% higher than in 2019.
According to WingX data, the U.S. remains far and away the largest private aviation market.
First-half U.S. private jet departures accounted for 69.5% of the worldwide total.
Flights in the U.S. were up 5% year over year.
U.S. private jet flights were 35% ahead of first-half 2019 levels.
Fractional and charter growth in the U.S. was particularly strong.
Fractional and charter operators saw 10% year-over-year growth and a 56% spike compared to 2019.
The U.S. accounts for 75.1% of worldwide charter and fractional flights.
| Market | H1 2026 | Share | % Change vs H1 2025 | % Change vs H1 2019 |
| Global | 1,967,290 | 100.0% | 4% | 36% |
| North America | 1,408,037 | 71.6% | 5% | 35% |
| USA | 1,367,867 | 69.5% | 5% | 35% |
| Florida | 207,358 | 10.5% | 7% | 63% |
| California | 134,318 | 6.8% | 7% | 20% |
| Texas | 142,584 | 7.2% | 8% | 44% |
| Europe | 273,554 | 13.9% | 2% | 9% |
| UK | 38,475 | 2.0% | 1% | 12% |
| Germany | 31,359 | 1.6% | -1% | -8% |
| France | 43,131 | 2.2% | 0% | 2% |
| Switzerland | 20,546 | 1.0% | 4% | 9% |
| Italy | 32,893 | 1.7% | 8% | 45% |
| Middle East | 31,131 | 1.6% | -20% | 29% |
| Africa | 21,446 | 1.1% | 1% | 102% |
| Asia | 60,430 | 3.1% | 5% | 108% |
| South America | 68,835 | 3.5% | 16% | 363% |
Source: WingX
Florida and Texas, the two largest states for private aviation activity, helped drive the growth.
Florida private jet flights through June were 63% above 2019 levels.
Texas flights were 44% above pre-COVID levels.
For fractional and charter aircraft, Florida (+85%) and Texas (+73%) showed huge growth compared to 2019.
Florida and Texas accounted for 20.8% of all worldwide takeoffs by fractional and charter jets in H1 2026.
Europe remains the second most important region for private aviation, accounting for 13.9% of worldwide departures, although, by comparison, Florida accounted for 10.3% of total flights.
| Market (Part 91K & Part 135) | H1 2026 | Share | % Change vs H1 2025 | % Change vs H1 2019 |
| Global | 1,035,941 | 100.0% | 7% | 42% |
| North America | 792,991 | 76.5% | 10% | 56% |
| USA | 777,481 | 75.1% | 10% | 56% |
| Florida | 127,085 | 12.3% | 13% | 85% |
| California | 87,955 | 8.5% | 9% | 30% |
| Texas | 68,470 | 6.6% | 14% | 73% |
| Europe | 183,146 | 17.7% | -1% | 4% |
| UK | 25,911 | 2.5% | -2% | 5% |
| Germany | 18,936 | 1.8% | -2% | -13% |
| France | 28,857 | 2.8% | -2% | 1% |
| Switzerland | 15,143 | 1.5% | 2% | 10% |
| Italy | 23,499 | 2.3% | 4% | 36% |
| Middle East | 13,437 | 1.3% | -31% | -1% |
| Africa | 5,410 | 0.5% | -5% | 14% |
| Asia | 7,123 | 0.7% | -5% | 25% |
| South America | 1,565 | 0.2% | 23% | 67% |
Source: WingX
Europe saw 2% year-over-year growth, and its 2026 totals are 9% above 2019 levels.
Fractional and charter jets in Europe accounted for 17.7% of worldwide activity in that category.
However, fractional and charter departures were down 1% year-over-year and just 4% ahead of 2019 levels.
Among Europe’s largest markets, France was flat year over year and just 2% above 2019 levels.
German private jet departures dipped 1% year over year and 8% since 2019.
Italy fared best.
Private jet departures increased 8% year-over-year and were up 45% compared to 2019.
However, German charter and fractional flights this year were 13% lower than the same period in 2019.
Among smaller markets, South America stood out with 16% year-over-year growth and a 363% increase from pre-COVID levels.
However, its 68,835 departures account for just 3.5% of worldwide totals.
Asia (+108%) and Africa (+102%) each enjoyed impressive growth since 2019.
However, they account for only 3.1% and 1.1% of worldwide departures, respectively.
The Middle East saw a 20% year-over-year decline so far in 2026, but it was still 29% higher than in 2019.
READ: WingX Weekly Private Jet Flight Activity Report Library
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