NetJets customers popped 27,000 bottles of champagne in 2025. That’s roughly 74 bottles per day. Every day. For a full year.
The number sounds like a publicity stunt, and maybe it is. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find something far more interesting than bubbly consumption. This metric, combined with NetJets’ jet card relaunch and aggressive fleet expansion, paints a picture of a fractional ownership market that’s thriving in ways many analysts didn’t predict.
Beyond the Bubbles
Champagne consumption is a proxy metric. It tells you people are celebrating. Flying for special occasions. Bringing clients aboard. Marking deals closed. That’s exactly the kind of flying that fractional programs are built for.
The real story shows up in NetJets’ operational numbers. The company recently relaunched its jet card program after refining the structure based on post-pandemic flying patterns. That move signals confidence. You don’t expand your entry-level product when you’re worried about demand.
Fleet expansion tells the same story. NetJets has added significant capacity during a year when some operators were still cautious about growth. New aircraft orders take years to fulfill and cost hundreds of millions. You make those commitments when your forward bookings justify it.
The Jet Card Comeback
Jet cards took a beating during the pandemic. Operators struggled with inventory management when commercial aviation ground to a halt and everyone suddenly wanted private access. Some programs suspended sales. Others raised minimum deposits or cut back on guaranteed availability windows.
NetJets’ relaunch suggests the market has stabilized. The new card structure likely reflects lessons learned about peak demand management and pricing elasticity. For buyers, this matters. A confident operator offers better terms than one hedging against uncertainty.
The timing aligns with broader industry trends. First-time private flyers who discovered the product during COVID are now regular users. They’ve moved past pure charter into structured programs. They want predictability. Jet cards offer that middle ground between pay-as-you-go charter and full fractional shares.
What Fleet Growth Signals
Aircraft purchases work on long lead times. An order placed in 2025 might not deliver until 2027 or 2028, depending on the manufacturer and model. NetJets’ expansion tells you they see sustained demand through the end of the decade.
Fleet composition matters too, though NetJets hasn’t broken out specific models. The trend across fractional operators has been toward larger cabin aircraft. The light jet segment has softened while super-midsize and large cabin orders have accelerated. Passengers want transcon range and full cabin amenities. That shift reflects a maturing market with higher expectations.
This creates a trickle-down effect. As operators add new flagships, older aircraft cascade into charter markets or get sold to smaller operators. The entire ecosystem benefits from top-tier fleet upgrades.
Reading the Luxury Travel Tea Leaves
The champagne metric is not just about alcohol. It’s a lifestyle indicator. NetJets could stock every flight with premium champagne whether passengers want it or not. But 27,000 bottles consumed means passengers are actually celebrating something. That suggests the people flying are doing well. Their businesses are thriving. Their investments are performing. They’re in the mood to toast.
Compare this to the 2022-2023 period, when some operators reported softer demand amid economic uncertainty. Corporate flight departments tightened budgets in certain sectors. The current numbers suggest that correction has passed.
For anyone evaluating private aviation options, this context matters. A growing market means better service, more aircraft availability, and competitive pricing. Operators invest in customer experience when they’re fighting for share in an expanding pie. They cut corners when defending margin in a shrinking one.
What This Means for Flyers
If you’re considering fractional ownership or a jet card, market health directly affects your experience. Strong operators can maintain guaranteed availability windows. They can afford to position aircraft efficiently. They invest in cabin refurbishments and crew training.
NetJets’ growth also puts pressure on competitors. VistaJet, Flexjet, and Wheels Up need to respond. That competition benefits consumers through better terms, more flexible contracts, and enhanced service offerings.
The jet card relaunch specifically matters for people flying 25 to 50 hours annually. That’s the sweet spot where cards make economic sense. Too few hours and you’re better off chartering flight by flight. Too many and fractional shares or whole aircraft ownership pencil out better. NetJets refining this product suggests they see sustainable demand in that band.
Looking Ahead
Champagne bottles are a fun headline number. But the real takeaway is what they represent alongside fleet expansion and program relaunches. The fractional ownership market has found its footing after years of volatility.
For prospective owners, this creates a buyer-friendly environment. Operators are competing aggressively. Aircraft availability is improving as new deliveries arrive. Program terms are being refined based on actual usage data rather than pandemic-era guesswork.
The question for anyone evaluating options is not whether the market is healthy. These numbers answer that. The question is which program structure fits your flying profile. Because in a growing market, you have real choices. And that’s worth raising a glass to.