Top 5 Private Jet Owners in Europe: Soaring with the Continent’s Elite Billionaires
In the world of ultra-wealthy Europeans, private jets are more than transport – they are symbols of power, time-efficiency and unfiltered luxury. At Safe Fly Aviation, we live and breathe business aviation, so in this feature we look at five of Europe’s most talked-about private jet owners and the aircraft they are widely associated with.
From investment magnates commuting between London, New York and the Riviera to industrial tycoons whose business empires stretch from Moscow to Mumbai, Europe’s richest individuals operate some of the most impressive private aircraft fleets on the planet.
In this article, we highlight five prominent Europe-based billionaires who are reported to own or operate notable private jets and VIP airliners. We summarise their backgrounds, the types of aircraft commonly associated with them and how these jets are used in real-world private aviation. While the exact registrations, values and configurations can change, the aircraft types paint a fascinating picture of what “flying private” looks like at the very top of the wealth pyramid.
Please note: all ownership and fleet details are based on publicly available reporting and aviation enthusiast sources as of late 2025 / early 2026, and may evolve over time.
At the top of our list sits Sir Len Blavatnik, the Ukrainian-born billionaire who holds British and American citizenship and calls London home. With a fortune built across chemicals, energy, music (via Warner Music Group) and sports and media investments, he is frequently cited as one of Europe’s most active private aircraft users.
Public sources suggest that Blavatnik is associated with a multi-aircraft fleet, giving him flexible options for everything from short European hops to ultra-long-range business missions.
Reported Aircraft Types Associated with Len Blavatnik
- Boeing 767 VIP: A widebody long-range aircraft, often described as a “flying residence”, with space for private suites, conference rooms and entertainment areas – ideal for transatlantic and intercontinental travel.
- Converted Boeing 777: A former commercial airliner reportedly reconfigured into a VIP transport, capable of carrying several dozen passengers in high comfort on long-haul routes.
- Boeing 737 BBJ or similar: A smaller but still spacious aircraft suited to intra-European and Middle East sectors where runway performance and airport access are important.
- Gulfstream G650: One of the world’s most desirable business jets, offering a range in excess of 7,000 nm and near Mach 0.925 cruise speeds – perfect for point-to-point missions between financial capitals.
Fleet variety gives Blavatnik the ability to match aircraft to mission – from intimate business trips with a small executive team to large entourage movements and family holidays in the Mediterranean or Caribbean.
Roman Abramovich, long known for his ownership of high-profile assets including football clubs and superyachts, has also been widely reported as operating a substantial aviation portfolio. His business interests span energy, steel and investments, and his travel patterns historically reflected a need for global mobility.
Reported Aircraft Types Associated with Roman Abramovich
- Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VIP conversion): Sometimes described in media as a “flying palace”, the Dreamliner in VIP layout can accommodate around 40–50 passengers with private suites, lounges, a gym and high-comfort meeting spaces.
- Boeing 767 VIP: A large-cabin widebody used historically by Abramovich, often noted for its distinctive external livery and luxurious interior fit-out for long-range trips.
- Gulfstream G650ER: A high-speed, ultra-long-range jet ideal for missions where flexibility, smaller airports and rapid city-pair connections are required.
Over the years, Abramovich’s aircraft have attracted significant media attention – from enthusiasts tracking movements to broader coverage around sanctions and asset restrictions. For aviation professionals, the story underscores how widebody VIP aircraft occupy a unique niche at the intersection of commercial and private flying.
Vladimir Potanin, often described as Russia’s richest man through his holdings in Norilsk Nickel and other assets, is reported to favour a more focused but extremely capable fleet of long-range business jets. For an executive whose business touches multiple continents, time and discretion are powerful assets.
Reported Aircraft Types Associated with Vladimir Potanin
- Gulfstream G650: A flagship aircraft in the large-cabin market, with around 7,000–7,500 nm of range and high-cruise speeds for Moscow–London, Moscow–New York and other non-stop pairings.
- Gulfstream G550: A proven long-range workhorse, popular with corporations and governments, combining strong range with excellent reliability and avionics.
- Additional Gulfstream models: Public flight-tracking and registration data over recent years have linked Potanin with multiple Gulfstream airframes, underlining a preference for a consistent, high-performance fleet.
Potanin’s aircraft have periodically appeared in news coverage around political developments and market events, illustrating how private aviation is deeply woven into the day-to-day operations of large global businesses.
Alisher Usmanov, whose wealth stems from metals, telecoms and technology investments, has long been associated with one of the most famous single aircraft in the VIP widebody space – a highly customised Airbus widebody jet.
Reported Aircraft Type Associated with Alisher Usmanov
- Airbus A340 VIP: Often cited in media as one of the world’s most expensive private jets, this four-engined widebody reportedly features a bespoke interior with lounges, private cabins, office areas and high-end finishes. It is frequently compared to a flying mansion and is sometimes mentioned in the same breath as his equally famous superyacht.
The aircraft has attracted extensive commentary for its size, cost and level of personalisation. While sanctions and asset-freeze discussions have added complexity in recent years, the jet remains a benchmark example of what is technically possible in VIP completions.
Rounding off our list is Lakshmi Mittal, the Indian-born chairman of ArcelorMittal who resides in London. With business interests spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas and beyond, his aviation choices lean towards cutting-edge technology and comfort.
Reported Aircraft Types Associated with Lakshmi Mittal
- Bombardier Global 7500: One of the most advanced purpose-built business jets on the market, offering around 7,700 nm of range, four distinct cabin zones and a full-size bedroom option. It is frequently used as a reference point for state-of-the-art private jet travel.
- Gulfstream G550 (previously): Historically associated with Mittal before upgrading to the Global 7500 class, the G550 remains an important part of the story of how his fleet has evolved over time.
For a global industrial leader, such aircraft offer the ability to link London, Luxembourg, Dubai, Mumbai and New York with minimal stops – turning historic steel routes into high-speed air corridors.
The Bigger Picture: Europe’s Private Jet Phenomenon
These five examples capture only a small slice of Europe’s private jet ecosystem, but they highlight a clear pattern: at the highest levels of wealth, aircraft are no longer occasional luxuries – they are strategic tools. Widebody VIP airliners become mobile headquarters, while ultra-long-range business jets turn back-to-back meetings across continents into a practical reality.
At the same time, the sector faces growing scrutiny around topics such as emissions, sanctions and transparency. Public interest in billionaire flight movements has never been higher, and regulators increasingly expect owners and operators to demonstrate compliance, safety and, where possible, steps towards more sustainable flying.
From Billionaire Fleets to Your Own Charter
You may not be planning to acquire a Boeing 787 or an Airbus A340 for personal use – but the good news is that you do not need to. Through experienced brokers such as Safe Fly Aviation, you can access a broad range of aircraft on a per-flight basis:
- Light and midsize jets for efficient intra-European trips – ideal for London–Geneva, Paris–Milan or Dubai–Riyadh.
- Large-cabin and ultra-long-range jets such as Gulfstreams and Globals, suitable for non-stop flights between Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
- VIP airliners (ACJ / BBJ and similar) for delegations, band tours, family groups or VVIP events where space, privacy and bespoke service are critical.
Our role is to help you find the right aircraft for your mission – balancing range, cabin comfort, runway performance and budget, while keeping safety and compliance front and centre.
Share your route, dates and passenger count with our charter team and we will provide tailored options – from entry-level jets for first-time flyers to large-cabin aircraft reminiscent of the fleets showcased in this article.