A new poll has found that 61% of Americans believe that private jet travel is “excessive and unnecessary”. The survey, conducted by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, also found that 17% of Americans felt that private jet travel was acceptable and 19% were undecided. Respondents aged 18-34 were found to be the most critical of private jets, with 67% deeming them unnecessary; 58% of those aged 50 or over, by contrast, felt that such journeys were excessive. Among those registered as Democrats, 71% felt that private jet flights were excessive and unnecessary, compared to 51% of Republican voters.
Respondents to the survey who felt that private jet travel was unnecessary suggested that it was an extravagance which only the wealthy could afford. Critics argued that such journeys were inappropriate during a time of economic hardship for many, and at a time when the US aviation industry as a whole was seeing increases in prices and cutbacks in service.
Last year the use of private jets by US government officials was a subject of controversy, with reports finding that the number of flights being taken had increased despite the economic crisis, and that some officials were abusing their privileges by including personal activities in their work trips. The issue was considered by Congress, but no action was taken.
