Today’s Big Story

Private Jet Use Soars

And the U.S. is responsible for the most flights

What’s that famous Ferris Bueller quote … “It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend it.” That’s my thinking on flying private. When I’ve had the opportunity, it’s been an amazing experience and I won’t fault anyone for choosing a PJ over slogging through an airport and debating whether they should choose an aisle or a window seat. But, according to the latest data, all those little aircraft are adding up to a big environmental problem.

According to a new study from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), private jet use is up—way, way up, particularly in the United States. Of the 20 largest airports for private jet use, 18 are located in the U.S., including Van Nuys in Los Angeles, Palm Beach International Airport, and New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport, which is just 12 miles from midtown Manhattan. (The other two top airports for private jets were located in France.)

Fast Company breaks down the typical private jet’s huge carbon footprint. The average plane used by CEOs and celebrities emits the same amount of greenhouse gasses per year as 177 cars. ICCT estimates that private jets produced up to 19.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, a 25% increase over the past decade—and equivalent to driving nearly 50 billion miles in an average gas car.

Private jet use accounts for a mere 2% of global aviation emissions. But in one year, global private jet flights collectively emitted more greenhouse gasses than all flights departing from London’s Heathrow Airport, which is the busiest airport in Europe. Many private jet flights also tend to be quick jaunts, too: less than 930 miles, and lasting fewer than two hours. (Short haul flights produce a disproportionate amount of emissions, accounting for about a third of aviation’s total carbon footprint.)

The Washington Post reports that policy efforts to cut down on emissions from private aviation have largely fallen short. Legislation introduced in 2023 would have raised the federal fuel tax on private planes nearly ninefold, from $0.22 to $1.95 per gallon, but the bill never came to a vote. At the same time, a Federal Aviation Administration program implemented last year allows some owners to remove their flight data from public distribution, making it more difficult to track private aircraft.

After all, more and more well known people, from Taylor Swift and the Kardashians to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol have generated the occasional controversy with their frequent use of private jets. More than 90 private jets landed in Venice over 48 hours, shuttling high-profile guests to the flashy Bezos wedding last month. But not all celebrities choose to fly private. Ed Sheeran may be one of the world’s biggest artists and have an estimated net worth of $350 million, but he has admitted that he is not a fan of private jets, and would rather use budget airlines instead.

Trump Revives Trade War

The president announced new tariffs of up to 40% on a growing number of countries

Just when you thought it was safe to stop worrying about a trade war, President Donald Trump threatened more than a dozen countries on Monday, telling them that they would face steep tariffs on their exports as of Aug. 1 unless they agreed to trade deals by then. The president targeted two of America’s closest foreign allies, Japan and South Korea, as well as Malaysia, Indonesia and South Africa.

For businesses craving certainty, who've had a period of relative calm, the move could once again upset that balance. It also injects a new risk into financial markets that have largely already moved on to a post-tariff world. Later Monday, Trump told reporters at the White House that the Aug. 1 deadline was “firm but not 100% firm,” adding the U.S. would be open to listening to offers from other countries.

At the same time, Trump took some of the edge off by officially extending the timeline for dozens of other countries to agree to deals with the United States or face tariffs, signing an executive order delaying the stiff levies that were supposed to snap back on July 9. Markets, of course, dropped as investors assessed the prospect of more trade conflict with some of America’s closest allies and largest trading partners. The S&P 500 ended Monday down 0.8 percent. Other major indexes also fell.

TSA to Stop Requiring Shoe Removal

Could this dreaded airport practice really be over?

After nearly two decades, the TSA is preparing to drop one of its most hated airport rules: removing your shoes at security. It appears some airports have already stopped requiring shoes to be taken off. The agency says advanced screening tech and lower threat levels now make the rule unnecessary for most travelers. But, the change will roll out gradually, and TSA agents can still ask for shoe removal on a case-by-case basis.

Despite multiple news outlets reporting this, the agency has not officially announced this change and did not confirm the new policy, which appears to be taking effect at airports across the country. “TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture,” one TSA spokesman told the New York Times. “Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels.”

The policy, you may remember, dates back to 2006 and was implemented after the infamous 2001 “shoe bomber” attempt. But critics have long questioned its effectiveness, pointing to a lack of similar threats and better detection systems. Now, frequent flyers are already betting on the next onerous requirement to be scrapped—for example, the large electronic removals policy, given the widespread implementation of more detailed X-ray screening technology.

Remove Your Personal Data From Google and ChatGPT

Get the gunk out of there.