When a certain pop superstar isn’t making headlines for attending major sporting events, like the Super Bowl, or selling out concert arenas around the globe, she’s often in the news for her use of private jets.
The Grammy-winning singer can’t seem to get near an aircraft of any kind without phrases like “Taylor Swift Private Jet” trending on social media. The reason? Many believe Swift’s frequent use of private aviation—sometimes to take supposedly small, unnecessary trips—is excessive and gives the singer a massive carbon footprint compared to the average person.
While this meme perpetuates the notion that private jets are an indulgence reserved solely for the famous and ultra rich, it ignores the broader landscape of chartered aviation. Increasingly, private jets aren’t the exclusive domain of pop stars, princes, and CEOs, but a vital connector helping industries move, businesses grow, and deliver life-saving medicine and emergency services to underserved populations.
“Private aviation serves a wider array of purposes than is commonly understood,” says Matt Keezer, CEO of Flygreen, a North American private jet charter brokerage that blends advanced technology with tailored, environmentally conscious services for its travelers. “It plays a critical role in serving needs where traditional airlines may not reach.”
In a nation as vast and expansive as Canada—where approximately 12 percent of the population lacks access to a regular medical doctor according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information—private aviation can fulfill this critical role. The reality for many rural and remote communities is that most commercial airlines simply do not service them.
Whether this is due to a lack of demand, insufficient local infrastructure, or both, the fact remains that aviation is quite literally a lifeline in geographically remote communities, bringing not just goods and supplies, but much-needed outside expertise like doctors. From annual checkups to emergency surgeries, health outcomes become worse when doctors can’t reach patients.
Enter Flygreen.
“[Private aviation] offers vital support for medical and emergency services, providing expedited transport for organs or swift travel for specialists in critical situations,” says Keezer, noting that the increased ability for doctors to access remote sites thanks to chartered air travel is an incredible equalizer, making Canada a more inclusive and connected country as a whole.
Even in the era of remote work where video calls and telecommuting are the norm, certain industries—particularly in the resource, energy, and construction sectors—still need teams on the ground and in person to make projects work and grow their businesses. An engineer or specialist may need to be brought to a remote mining site to fix a critical issue on time; an inspector or appraiser may need to tour a construction site or commercial property in person to close a major deal; busy CEOs may need to sync schedules and timezones in order to announce a major merger or acquisition. Some things simply can’t be done on a phone or computer screen.
“Flygreen’s ideal client is someone who values their time highly and seeks to maximize the productivity of their day,” says Keezer. “This could be an individual who wants to enjoy a morning golf trip, attend a critical afternoon business meeting, and still make it home in time for family dinner.”
By facilitating efficient business travel and helping avoid the constraints and inconveniences of commercial aviation, Flygreen’s services are enhancing productivity and connectivity for all types of industries and pursuits.
“Flygreen caters to those who see private flight as a tool for achieving a more balanced, efficient, and fulfilling personal and professional life.”
A key driver of the sports and entertainment sectors, private aviation continues to help professional teams, performers, and musicians meet the rigorous logistical demands and tight schedules of playoff season and multi-city tours. There are no Stanley Cups or Super Bowls without the ability to get teams from city to city in a timely manner—to say nothing of Taylor Swift’s highest-grossing The Eras tour.
“Beyond these applications, private aviation offers access to unique destinations, catering to those who have specific leisure interests that can only be fulfilled in less accessible places,” Keezer says. “Our clients are not necessarily in pursuit of a lavish or glamorous flying experience—though we certainly offer a high level of comfort—rather, they are people who appreciate the freedom to tailor their travel to their unique needs and schedules.”
“Electric aviation [is] a key goal on this journey,” says Keezer. “We’re actively preparing for the development of electric aviation technologies, understanding that this innovation is pivotal for the long-term sustainability of our industry.”
In the meantime, Keezer says Flygreen is implementing immediate and impactful measures to reduce the environmental impact of private jets and help its customers make more informed choices. The company recently launched a carbon matching program for its service, wherein Flygreen matches 50 percent of its customers’ carbon capture contributions.
Innovative technologies, such as Flygreen’s internal sourcing platform JETPRO assist crews and clients in tracking flight options against a range of criteria, including environmental considerations like aircraft fuel economy and carbon emissions. The JETPRO platform also provides Flygreen clients with data on the carbon footprint of their trip through a detailed “Trip Report,” offering travelers tangible ways to participate in reducing their environmental impact.
“The trajectory of private aviation is steering towards greener horizons.”
The environmental impact of aviation is real, but through actively supporting industry sustainability and championing the broad and often life-saving uses of chartered jets, Flygreen is challenging the public’s perception by changing the face of private aviation for the better. With a greener future ahead, from business and leisure to sports, entertainment, energy, medicine, and beyond, the applications for private air travel are almost limitless.
