Flying With the One Percent
May 15, 2014, 4:58 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SAN
Programs: AS MVPG, UA Silver, Marriott + SPG Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 302
Considering the US only: If the population is 314 million people and there are 9.5 millionaire households, that's roughly 1%. Those that travel in the BBJs and 747 VIPs are probably among the 492 billionaires in America, that's about .0001%
http://www.forbes.com/sites/luisakro...s-and-figures/
Really, the true 1% of americans don't fly in the luxury we think they do. It's too expensive for them.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/luisakro...s-and-figures/
Really, the true 1% of americans don't fly in the luxury we think they do. It's too expensive for them.
May 15, 2014, 9:20 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
I think my kids earn far less but they seem to have flown much more of their life in C or F compared to me.
Actually, they do. To be in the world top 1%, you need 34,000 $ of yearly salary. I don't think many people who earn less than that travel in C or F.
Source
Source
May 15, 2014, 9:24 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: UA 1K, DL Plat, HHonors Gold, PC Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 201
Those guys aren't all in the top 1%. In fact you'd be surprised how many of these air park communities exist throughout the US. Most of these people are just upper middle class folks who love flying. When they pull their single engine prop out of the hangar, they're usually just going flying locally and not spending the night. It's just a way to go have lunch in another town or catch up with friends. It's not as glamorous as you think.
May 16, 2014, 5:35 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,188
Those guys aren't all in the top 1%. In fact you'd be surprised how many of these air park communities exist throughout the US. Most of these people are just upper middle class folks who love flying. When they pull their single engine prop out of the hangar, they're usually just going flying locally and not spending the night. It's just a way to go have lunch in another town or catch up with friends. It's not as glamorous as you think.
Last edited by mmff; May 16, 2014 at 6:16 am Reason: Better wording
May 16, 2014, 7:08 am
#22
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,508
Alright, perhaps we can agree that flying the Concorde back in the day was more glamorous then?
http://www.mapflipper.com/2014/05/co...ys-google.html
Does flying on this baby qualify as 1%?
http://www.mapflipper.com/2014/05/co...ys-google.html
Does flying on this baby qualify as 1%?
May 16, 2014, 9:48 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: AA 1MM, Hyatt GP Platinum, *wood Gold
Posts: 173
I flew on the Concorde (AF) once, and I can assure you that you didn't miss much. I'd rather spend 5-6 hours in a roomy 1st class cabin or suite on a subsonic plane than be cramped for 3 hours on a plane no bigger than a regional jet. The only cool thing about flying Concorde was a view of the curvature of the earth outside the window.
May 16, 2014, 10:52 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 37,486
Alright, perhaps we can agree that flying the Concorde back in the day was more glamorous then?
http://www.mapflipper.com/2014/05/co...ys-google.html
Does flying on this baby qualify as 1%?
http://www.mapflipper.com/2014/05/co...ys-google.html
Does flying on this baby qualify as 1%?
May 16, 2014, 6:58 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
http://www.emirates-executive.com/english/index.asp
emirates charter jet with emirates F suites
Elite Traveler magazine has some interesting statistics and research
emirates charter jet with emirates F suites
Considering the US only: If the population is 314 million people and there are 9.5 millionaire households, that's roughly 1%. Those that travel in the BBJs and 747 VIPs are probably among the 492 billionaires in America, that's about .0001%
http://www.forbes.com/sites/luisakro...s-and-figures/
Really, the true 1% of americans don't fly in the luxury we think they do. It's too expensive for them.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/luisakro...s-and-figures/
Really, the true 1% of americans don't fly in the luxury we think they do. It's too expensive for them.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; May 16, 2014 at 9:31 pm
May 17, 2014, 5:04 am
#29
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
Plenty of the 1% fly economy as well. I have an uncle who flys private or at least F when going overseas, and refuses to pay for anything but economy when flying between NY - Florida. When I was young, I asked him "Uncle Jack, your worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Why would you fly economy" and his answer; "that's why I'm worth hundreds of millions"
People especially on FT think flying in F screams "I've made it, I'm a success". Maybe back in the 60's and 70's but today, not even close. Some of the richest people I know will fly C all the time but would never pay for F, to them the difference is just not worth it (and no, most "normal" multi millionaires still don't throw money away. Or a better way of putting it is they still watch their money
People especially on FT think flying in F screams "I've made it, I'm a success". Maybe back in the 60's and 70's but today, not even close. Some of the richest people I know will fly C all the time but would never pay for F, to them the difference is just not worth it (and no, most "normal" multi millionaires still don't throw money away. Or a better way of putting it is they still watch their money