While airlines are typically associated with operating large aircraft carrying large numbers of people, some carriers also operate small fleets of private jets. Typically, these are used for governmental purposes, such as taking the heads of state on official visits. However, there are exceptions, with some airlines dedicating a portion of their fleet to VIPs or sports charters.
5 Air Canada Jetz
Three Airbus A319s and one Airbus A320
Air Canada Jetz is the Canadian airline’s premiere service. According to the carrier, Jetz is a“provider delivering superior Business Class service to satisfy the travel needs of professional sports teams, entertainment groups and corporate clients.” The list of former and current customers includes names like Phil Collins, U2, and the Rolling Stones, as well as companies such as Honda, Toyota, and Comcast.
Photo: Air Canada
In addition, Air Canada Jetz provides services to sports teams, mainly Canadian franchises playing in United States-based leagues, such as the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks.
Describing the service, Air Canada highlighted six main benefits, including but not limited to a personalized concierge, a comfortable aircraft cabin, safety and comfort, and dedicated crews. Recently, the Canadian airline began repainting Jetz’s aircraft, putting them in an all-black livery.
4 Qatar Airways
Two Airbus Corporate Jet ACJ319s, two Bombardier Global 5000s, and several Gulfstream G650ERs
Qatar Airways, one part of the Middle East’s Big Three, has a subsidiary called ‘Qatar Executive.’ The airline owns 100% of the company’s shares, one of many of its subsidiaries that it has listed in its financial filings. Briefly describing the company’s services, Qatar Airways said Qatar Executive provides “commercial and private charter flights.”
Photo: hodim | Shutterstock
Ch-aviation data showed that Qatar Executive owns a pair of ACJ319 aircraft, registered as A7-HHJ and A7-MED, which are 23 and 13.9 years old, respectively. The site does not provide information for many of its business jets, such as the Gulfstream G650ERs. A7-HHJ has been spotted flying as recently as November 12, 2023, with the aircraft’s approach into Doha, Qatar, being tracked by flight tracking services. Meanwhile, A7-MED was last active on October 25, 2023, flying from the United States (US) to Qatar with a refueling stop at London Stansted Airport (STN).
3 Emirates
A single ACJ319
Similarly to Qatar Airways, Emirates has a private aviation subsidiary called Emirates Executive. The service owns a single ACJ319, registered as A6-CJE, initially delivered in September 2011. Ch-aviation data showed that it is owned by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) yet operated by the carrier. According to Emirates Executive, the ACJ319 is equipped with ten private suites, “larger than those in our premium First Class cabins.”
“Slide the privacy doors closed and relax on fully flat-bed seats, surrounded by the comforts of a visitor’s seat, ambient lighting, mini-bar and a personal 32 inch screen for your in-flight entertainment.”
Photo: Emirates Executive
In addition to the private suites, the aircraft has a bathroom at the back, a conference room in the middle, and a lounge just behind the cockpit. Still, Emirates Executive promises that passengers “can arrange the interior of the Emirates Executive A319 aircraft to suit your travel requirements, whether you’re conducting business or on a leisure trip.”
2 AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines
An ACJ319, ACJ320, and ACJ340
AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines, the flag carrier of Azerbaijan, has one of the most unique aircraft in its fleet, an Airbus A340-600 made into a corporate jet. According to ch-aviation, there is only one other ACJ340 in the world, operated by Alpha Star Aviation. Nevertheless, the Azerbaijani airline’s ACJ340-600, registered as 4K-AI08, was initially delivered to National Air Services in 2006. That company is a Saudi Arabian charter organization with two ACJ318 aircraft. AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines acquired the quadjet in 2014, operating it ever since. However, usage has been limited, with the aircraft last flying in 2019. As of December 31, 2021, the ACJ340 has a total of 209 flight hours (FH) and 71 flight cycles (FC), per ch-aviation data.
Photo: Senohrabek | Shutterstock
The airline’s other two corporate jets were originally delivered to it. AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines received the ACJ319, registered as 4K-8888, and the ACJ320, registered as 4K-AI07, in 2005 and 2014, respectively. However, the airline’s website does not mention the trio of aircraft or the services offered onboard, alluding that they are used exclusively for the transportation of the country’s politicians.
1 EVA Air
An ACJ318 and ACJ319
Taiwan-based EVA Air is a privately owned airline whose parent company is the Evergreen Group, one of the largest marine freight companies in the world. Still, the airline, established in 1989, has been on a rapid growth trajectory, including operating 88 aircraft, more than half of which are widebodies.
Interestingly, the airline also has two ACJ aircraft: an ACJ318, registered as B-55411, and an ACJ319, registered as B-54111. While the latter was delivered to the airline originally, the former has had a colorful operating history, flying for Jetalliance, a now-bankrupt charter operator, between 2009 and 2010. Subsequently, BAA Jet Management, a business jet operator based in Hong Kong, had the aircraft between 2010 and 2014, when it finally arrived on the doorstep of EVA Air in late 2014. Like AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines, the Taiwanese airline’s website does not include any information about its ACJs, potentially indicating that the pair are only used for Evergreen Group executives’ travel needs.