If you thought customisation in a private jet was mainly focused on the interior, think again. The rich and famous can also spend time choosing their own jet registration codes, which probably makes it even more fun to fly. We take a look at some of the more unique codes. 
Private Jet Registration Codes of the Rich and Famous
Many of the rich and famous choose private planes as their mode of transport and a large portion of them go with private jet charter. However, there are a couple of celebrities who have invested in their own planes rather than choosing private jet rental. Given how often some of these celebrities travel, it might make sense for them to buy instead of paying regular private jet rental costs.
Every plane has to have a registration code. Whether you fly on commercial airlines or use a private jet charter, you will have seen unique letters and numbers – normally on the aircraft’s tail. These registration codes are there to help airport personnel identify the planes coming in and out of airports and air traffic zones.
Private jet registration codes can say a lot about their famous owners. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting personalised jets and registration plates owned by the rich and famous, from Taylor Swift to Bill Gates.
What are tail numbers?
Just like a car, planes are required to have registration numbers so they can be identified. Aircraft registration numbers are made up of a one- or two-letter country code – the United Kingdom’s is G, for example, while Ireland’s is EI, and Australia’s is VH – followed by a unique series of up to five letters and numbers. These are typically displayed on the tail of the aircraft and referred to as tail numbers. When it comes to private jet registration though, things tend to get more interesting.
Since the USA makes its aircraft registry information public, it’s easy to look up the tail number of a US-registered jet and find out who it belongs to. For privacy purposes, some high-profile clients choose to register their jets in offshore locations like Aruba or the Cayman Islands. Others like to show off their private aircraft by buying a “vanity tail number”, which has a special meaning.
Private jet registrations of the rich and famous
Take a look at how these rich and famous private jet owners have personalised their aircraft registration codes.
Bill Gates – N887WM
Business mogul and philanthropist Bill Gates spent a tiny fraction of his estimated £70 billion fortune on a customised Bombardier Global Express jet. Seating 19 people and powered by twin Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, the Bombardier cost over £30 million and boasts a sumptuous wood and leather veneer interior, luxurious bathroom, and entertainment system. Gates has personalised his registration code with the letters “WM,” which could be a reference to his parents’ names, William and Mary.
Michael Jordan – N236MJ
Basketball legend Michael Jordan personalised his private Gulfstream G550 with his initials and nickname, “MJ.” The registration also includes the number 23 – the number on the back of Jordan’s jersey – as well as the number 6, referring to his tally of NBA championship wins. As the owner of the Charlotte Hornets basketball team and Air Jordan sneaker brand, MJ is worth an estimated £1.2 billion and is known for his extravagant tastes. The exterior of his Gulfstream is covered in the elephant print design that graces his sports footwear line, and the interior includes a luxury bathroom, bedroom, and bar.
Taylor Swift – N898TS
Pop superstar Taylor Swift has two private jets, and her Dassault Falcon 900 tri-jet is full of personal touches. Swift’s favourite number, 13, is painted near the cabin door, while her initials and part of her birth year (1989, which is also the title of her award-winning album) feature in the jet’s tail code. The registration also includes an 8, which is the number of chart-topping singles Swift had at the time of buying her jet. The impressive Dassault Falcon has a range of nearly 4,600 miles and can carry 12 passengers, so Taylor’s entourage of celebrity friends can follow her wherever she goes.
Jim Carrey – N162JC
Award-winning Hollywood actor and comedian Jim Carrey has his own Gulfstream V, reportedly worth nearly A$85 million. The jet can seat 16 passengers, travels at almost the speed of sound, and is known for its cutting-edge safety features. The tail number of Carrey’s jet references his date of birth, January 1962, and his initials, JC.
Alan Sugar – G-SUGA
British business icon Lord Alan Sugar, who claims to spend around 300 hours a year flying around the world, travels in his own Embraer Legacy 650, which features his name on the tail plate. Worth an estimated A$2.17 billion, Lord Sugar is the face of the UK version of The Apprentice and is the founder of British electronics company Amstrad. He also has his own pilot’s licence and owns a second Embraer jet. Sugar’s current aircraft has three cabin areas, high-speed broadband, an entertainment system, and a huge bathroom.
John Travolta – N707JT
John Travolta is well-known for his love of flying. The Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction actor owns seven planes and has a pilot’s licence. Travolta even has an aeroplane hangar attached to his mansion in Florida. His collection includes a Boeing 707B, which features his initials “JT” on the tail plate, as well as three Gulfstreams and a Bombardier Challenger 601.
Tom Cruise – N808T
Given how convincing he was as a pilot in Top Gun, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that Tom Cruise has his own private jet. The actor invested in a Gulfstream IV, which is a popular choice for many people. The plane can seat at least 14 passengers and has a fully customisable interior, which we’re sure “Maverick” has decked out in his unique style.
Bernie Ecclestone – N-999BE
The former chief executive of Formula One might be getting on in years – he is 90 after all – but this doesn’t impact how he travels. Ecclestone is the proud owner of a luxurious Dassault Falcon 7X, which can carry up to 16 people in three different cabins. The approximate value of these planes is over A$55 million.
Other famous tail numbers
It’s not just celebrities and business tycoons who have personalised plane codes – plenty of well-known brands also customise their private jet registrations. McDonald’s has the plate N1955M, which references the year the company was founded, optician chain Specsavers has a King Air 350 jet with the registration M-SPEK, and Nike owns a Gulfstream V G650 featuring the code N1KE.
Travel in style with ACS
You might not have your own personalised tail number, but you can still fly in style and comfort with a private plane charter. ACS has access to a range of over 100 aircraft, and you can rent private jet charter flights to worldwide destinations, whether you’re travelling for business or leisure. Contact us for tailored private jet charter costs.