Summary
- Private jets are popular culture symbols of wealth and exclusivity, often hidden away in private hangars.
- Movies have shaped the perception of private jets, with iconic scenes featuring different types of private jets.
- Films like “The Da Vinci Code” and “Pretty Woman” highlight the allure and luxury of private jet travel.
Since first entering the mainstream in the second half of the 20th century, the private jet has quickly become a key piece of popular culture. Often seen as the ultimate status symbol, owning one’s private jet has long been a way for the wealthiest to flaunt their wealth and provide exclusivity surrounding their lifestyles.
However, the public rarely gets a glimpse at some of these impressive private jets, most of which are hidden away in private hangars at airports that are never trafficked by commercial flights. Today, people can see private jets through social media or hear about them on the nightly news when discussing the world’s billionaires.
Nonetheless, for decades, movies were key pieces of popular culture that helped shape the notion of private jets as the ultimate symbol of personal wealth. In this article, we will examine five unique movie scenes in which private jets were featured front and center.
1
The Da Vinci Code
Year: 2006
In this 2006 thriller, legendary Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon dashes around Europe in an attempt to uncover the mysteries of the holy grail. In this pursuit, he is aided in escaping the authorities from France by flying in the private jet of his long-time friend Leigh Teabing.
The aircraft used in this film’s shooting was a British Aerospace 125, a midsize private jet produced between 1963 and 2013. The jet also touched down at London’s Biggin Hill Airport (BQH), one of the many smaller airfields in the London Area primarily used for private aviation.
After landing in London, Teabing’s jet taxied at a higher-than-normal speed into his hangar. Once there, Langdon and company escaped into the millionaire’s vehicle before the authorities arrived and searched the jet.
2
Ocean’s 13
Year: 2007
In the third installment of the Ocean’s series, George Clooney’s Danny Ocean plans an elaborate scheme with his crew in order to con wealthy Las Vegas elites into giving away the rights to their casinos. According to Rob Report, the opening scene prominently features a Gulfstream G200 in which Ocean is joined by Brad Pitt’s Rusty Ryan.
At the film’s beginning, Ocean and Ryan climb onboard a private jet at a quiet airport and quickly take to the skies. By the end of the sequence, the pair have touched down in Las Vegas prepared to execute their grand ruse.
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3
Goldfinger
Year: 1964
It is difficult to list the most memorable movie scenes featuring private jets without mentioning James Bond, who often interacts with the world’s wealthiest and most dangerous people. In this scene, Bond is flown in the titular character Goldfinger’s Lockheed L-1329 Jetstar private jet from Switzerland to Kentucky, according to Flightradar24.
The aircraft, however, explodes when Goldfinger shoots a window with his revolver. A military-configured version of this Lockheed L-1329 Jetstar would later carry Bond to Washington, with Goldfinger again intervening and hijacking the plane.
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4
Wall Street
Year: 1987
As expected from the title, the 1987 film Wall Street explores the unique dynamics of searching for money and power. Set in the center of the financial world in New York, Michael Douglas plays the protagonist, Gordon Gekko, and was awarded an Oscar for his performance in the film.
As one would expect from a movie so heavily based on the theme of wealth, private aviation emerges as a key theme. The Cessna Citation II, a light corporate jet, plays a central role in multiple movie scenes.
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First produced in the late 1970s, the Cessna Citation II was one of the manufacturer’s most successful business jets and was even certified for single-pilot operations. The aircraft was later built in military variants for the United States Navy. Throughout a 28-year production run from 1978 to 2006, over 1,200 Cessna Citation II jets were built.
5
Pretty Woman
Year: 1990
The concept of the private jet-setting businessman traveling the country onboard his own plane was undoubtedly shaped by the 1990 classic film Pretty Woman. Starring actor Richard Gere as the protagonist Edward Lewis, the film explores the nature of a private jet-driven lifestyle.
While on a business trip on the American West Coast, Gere’s Lewis seeks out a prostitute to serve as an escort to a number of social events. However, all does not go to plan when the relationship between Lewis and Julia Roberts’ Vivian Ward becomes more than strictly business.
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