The Public Side Of Private Aviation

Several programmes have been introduced that allow jet operators to opt out of sharing tail numbers, concealing your identity

-  Jaclyn Trop

ONE OF THE great perks of private aviation is right there in the name: privacy. But the ability to stay hidden from prying eyes applies only inside the cabin. Social-media accounts that broadcast flight patterns of noteworthy names—including Drake, Nancy Pelosi and LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault—have racked up millions of followers. The spotlight it shines is equal parts geeky hobby, gawker-level curiosity and emissions shaming—and Arnault eventually got sick of the glare, selling his Bombardier Global 7500 last autumn and switching to charter flights with private passenger manifests.