Wealth Insights
The rise of fractional ownership, from private planes to yachts

Article 5 min read Published March 5, 2026

Fractional ownership of aircraft and other luxury assets grows as people prioritize experiences over asset accumulation.

For decades, owning a private jet or gleaming yacht signaled the pinnacle of personal wealth. Today, the meaning of ownership is shifting. Rather than buying an entire aircraft or boat, more high net worth individuals are investing in fractional ownership, a trend that reflects a broader cultural move toward prioritizing experiences over accumulating assets.

The perks of shared assets

Private aviation provides a clear case study of this shift in preferences. Fractional jet ownership continues to rise, led by industry giant NetJets, a Berkshire Hathaway company that operates more than 1,100 aircraft and serves over 13,600 customers who purchase partial shares of planes. The appeal is simple: owners pay only for the hours they fly, while enjoying guaranteed access and the freedom of private travel. After private jet hours flown reached a record high in 2022 as recorded by Argus International, demand has remained elevated, fueled by convenience and lingering post pandemic preferences.

The customer base is evolving too. Kenn Ricci, chairman of private jet company Flexjet, told The Wall Street Journal that the “frugal wealthy” began flying privately during the pandemic for health reasons and have since been reluctant to return to commercial flights. Add in the rise of newly minted millionaires from booming equity and crypto markets, and the user base has grown larger and younger. New apps let travelers book individual seats or pay hourly for flights, lowering the barriers to entry even further.

A new wave of fractional ownership

On the water, the same trend is taking shape, though at a different pace. Fractional yacht ownership in the U.S. remains a relatively small market, with fewer than two dozen fractional vessels, according to Robb Report. Most are modest compared with superyachts. Still, momentum is building. Analysts expect the global market to expand rapidly. Fractional yacht ownership has a projected compound annual growth rate of 7.2% from 2025 through 2033, according to The Business Journals, signaling that more travelers want a taste of luxury boating without the upkeep.

Meanwhile, peer to peer boat rental platforms are opening the water to a broader audience. Boatsetter and GetMyBoat, which list more than 50,000 boats combined, secured around $100 million in bookings in 2025 and plan to merge, according to a news release. Their growth reflects the same shift driving fractional aviation: consumers want access, not obligation.

Taken together, these trends show how the experience economy is reshaping luxury. Wealthy consumers are choosing flexibility, ease, and memorable moments over traditional ownership. Whether soaring above the clouds or cruising along the coast, the new jet set isn’t defined by what they own but by how they choose to explore.