Key Facts
- ✓ Nearly 160 private jets from dozens of different countries arrived near Davos on Monday for the World Economic Forum's annual meeting.
- ✓ The Gulfstream G650 was the most popular aircraft model, with 31 tracked flights, and typically costs over $65 million to purchase.
- ✓ London was the most common departure point, with 19 flights originating from four airports in and around the British capital.
- ✓ The longest recorded journey was a 7,600-mile flight from Hawaii, which took 14.5 hours aboard a Gulfstream G700.
- ✓ More than half of the tracked flights landed at Zurich International Airport, with another 45 arriving in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
- ✓ Jets belonging to high-profile figures such as Marc Benioff, Eric Schmidt, Bill Gates, and Michael Dell were identified among the arrivals.
Quick Summary
The Alpine town of Davos transformed into a global aviation hub on Monday as the world's elite descended for the World Economic Forum's annual meeting. Tracking data from aircraft monitoring services revealed a significant influx of private aviation traffic, with nearly 160 jets arriving from dozens of countries.
This annual gathering of political and business leaders consistently draws high-profile attendees, and the 2026 meeting was no exception. The concentration of private aircraft near the Swiss border highlights the scale and global reach of the event, with flights originating from locations as distant as Hawaii and Uruguay.
The Arrival Fleet
Analysis of ADS-B Exchange and JetSpy data tracked at least 157 private jets landing near the Alpine town on the first day of the forum. The majority of these flights, more than half, landed at Zurich International Airport. An additional 45 aircraft touched down in Friedrichshafen, a German city located just across the Swiss border on the shore of Lake Constance. The remaining jets were distributed across other smaller airports throughout Switzerland.
The arriving aircraft included planes registered to some of the world's most influential companies and individuals. According to the tracking data, jets belonging to Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt were present. The data also indicated the arrival of private jets from numerous corporations, including:
- Aramco
- BlackRock and Blackstone
- Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase
- Google and HP
- Lockheed Martin
- Two Sigma
Aircraft & Origins
Among the diverse fleet, the Gulfstream G650 emerged as the most prevalent model, accounting for 31 of the tracked flights. This aircraft represents a significant investment, with a typical purchase price exceeding $65 million. The G650 is known for its long-range capabilities and luxury amenities, capable of accommodating up to 19 passengers or being configured with a double bed and a shower.
The Gulfstream G800, the world's newest private jet model, also made an appearance. Delivered for the first time in August of the previous year, the G800 was tracked three times on Monday. The variety of aircraft underscores the diverse needs of the attendees, from long-haul intercontinental travel to shorter regional hops.
Global Journeys
The geographic spread of the incoming flights was extensive, with aircraft arriving from dozens of different countries. London was identified as the most popular departure point, with 19 flights originating from four airports in and around the British capital. However, many of these flights appeared to be part of multi-leg journeys, with some aircraft making brief stops en route to Switzerland. For instance, a Google private jet reportedly spent 13 hours on the ground near London after arriving from San Jose.
Other significant journeys included flights departing from 10 private jets departing from the New York area, 7 from the Bay Area, and 6 from Dubai. The longest recorded trip was a 7,600-mile flight undertaken by a Gulfstream G700, which JetSpy data attributes to Marc Benioff. This aircraft flew for 14.5 hours from Hawaii, a journey that would typically require over 24 hours and multiple stops on a commercial flight. Additional long-haul arrivals originated from Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, and Uruguay, with jets also arriving from Sierra Leone and Montenegro.
The Week Ahead
The influx of private aviation is expected to continue throughout the week as the World Economic Forum progresses. Tuesday already saw the arrival of additional high-profile aircraft, with tracking data identifying jets belonging to Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The concentration of such a large number of private jets in a small region underscores the logistical scale of hosting the annual meeting.
As the event continues, the airspace around Davos and neighboring regions remains a focal point. The data collected provides a snapshot of the global mobility of the world's business and political elite, converging on the Swiss Alps for a few days of discussion and networking.
Key Takeaways
The arrival of nearly 160 private jets near Davos for the World Economic Forum illustrates the extensive global network of attendees. The data highlights not only the volume of traffic but also the specific preferences for aircraft models and departure locations among the world's elite.
From the dominance of the Gulfstream G650 to the record-breaking long-haul flights from Hawaii, the aviation patterns offer a unique lens into the logistics of high-level international gatherings. As the week unfolds, the skies above the Alps will continue to tell the story of global influence and mobility.
