Key facts
- Celebrities and billionaires are paying over $10,000 per hour for private jet travel to NBA Finals games.
- Private jet traffic increased significantly at Stinson Municipal Airport in San Antonio during the NBA Finals.
- Charter flights from New York to San Antonio started at approximately $45,000.
- The New York Knicks' first Finals appearance in nearly three decades is driving demand for private travel.
- Sports events are a significant business for private jet operators.
Billionaires and celebrities are spending significant amounts on private jet travel to attend the NBA Finals, with the New York Knicks' participation fueling demand. Private jet traffic surged at Stinson Municipal Airport in San Antonio, with flights from New York costing tens of thousands of dollars per trip. Notable attendees included former Disney CEO Bob Iger, Stewart Butterfield, Jen Rubio, Spike Lee, and Ben Stiller. Charter flights from New York to San Antonio started at around $45,000, with more expensive options exceeding $150,000. Flexjet advertises rates starting at $7,000 per hour, leading to a minimum cost of $28,000 for the four-hour flight. Ticket prices also ranged from $800 to well into the six figures. The possibility of the Knicks ending a 53-year title drought is a major draw for fans utilizing private aviation. Sports events are increasingly becoming a significant business for private jet operators, with events like the Super Bowl and The Masters also driving demand. Flexjet plans to offer helicopter transport for attendees of games three and four at Madison Square Garden.