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3471Private jet owners—including some of the world’s most high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Taylor Swift—can now keep their identities hidden, thanks to a new policy from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The decision is a major shift in how aircraft ownership data is handled and could significantly limit public visibility into who owns and operates private jets in the U.S.
Celebrity Jet Use Draws Scrutiny—and Attention
The FAA announced it will now allow private aircraft owners to request that their personal information, such as names and addresses, be removed from public databases. This move follows the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which required the agency to create a process for keeping certain ownership details private. It’s a change that’s likely to be welcomed by celebrities, billionaires, and other high-profile individuals who have long complained about being too easy to track.
“Starting today, aircraft owners and operators can submit a request through the Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services (CARES) to withhold this information from public display on all FAA websites,” the agency said in a March 28 statement. This marks a formal pathway for aircraft owners to control their exposure, something privacy advocates have been calling for over the past few years.
Harder to Track Private Flights
The change is expected to make it harder for social media accounts and websites that track celebrity jets to operate. These trackers have grown in popularity in recent years, often going viral by exposing how much high-profile individuals fly—and in some cases, how much carbon they produce. The data has also fueled public debates about wealth inequality and environmental responsibility.
Elon Musk has repeatedly criticized jet-tracking accounts. After he bought Twitter, now renamed X, he banned several of them from the platform. Taylor Swift’s lawyers also sent a cease-and-desist letter last year to one tracker, citing safety concerns and accusing the operator of creating real-world risks.
Inside Elon Musk’s 2024 Flight Activity
According to Business Insider, JetSpy data shows Musk’s jets made 355 flights in 2024, with over half since November. He made 31 flights to or from Palm Beach 25 after the election going .
The jets also flew to swing states like Georgia and Pennsylvania, and made 10 trips to the D.C. area, reflecting Musk’s closer political alignment with Trump.
Musk’s use of his jets intensified as he became more involved in politics, including public appearances and behind-the-scenes support for Trump’s reelection effort.
The jets also traveled internationally to destinations like France, Germany, Indonesia, and the U.K. Musk visited Paris for the Olympics and made multiple trips to Europe for both business and public events. Business Insider reported Musk’s jets burned through about $2.5 million in fuel last year, emitting nearly 4,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Despite his frequent flying, Musk wasn’t the most active celebrity jet user in 2024. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt topped the list with 493 flights, while others like Kim Kardashian, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Travis Scott, and Bill Gates also ranked high in usage. The data, pulled from various trackers, shows how much private aviation is still booming among the ultra-wealthy, even amid criticism.
The National Business Aviation Association, a lobbying group, praised the FAA’s decision. “Flight stalking“ raises serious “passenger security, safety and corporate espionage“ concerns. “Security is a huge issue for companies large and small, all across the country,” said NBAA CEO Ed Bolen. He and others argue that public access to detailed ownership data opens the door to harassment, hacking, and even physical threats.
More Changes Could Be Coming
In addition to the new privacy request process, the FAA is also weighing whether to make hiding personal data the default setting. The agency is seeking public input on how removing this information might affect maintenance, safety checks, and regulatory compliance. It’s unclear how much resistance that idea will face, especially from aviation safety watchdogs who rely on transparency.
For now, those wanting more privacy in the skies can file a simple request to keep their identities out of the public eye. It’s a big win for privacy advocates and a significant shift in aviation policy. And for billionaires like Musk and Swift, it just got easier to fly under the radar—both literally and figuratively.
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