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Corporate jets are seen as tools of the privileged—businessmen, politicians, music stars, actors, famous racers—the list can continue. This aviation branch caters to their needs, and the aircraft are the limousines of the skies. Some of their owners are quite famous. They aren't only in the news but also play roles on the big screen or stage. Most people have heard of them and can recognize them.

Everybody likes stars. We each have a favorite actor or singer. Still, sometimes, it is not only the people who are famous but also corporate aircraft. Many business jet models were used to shoot movies and commercials or appear in books. Some are even depicted in oil paintings.  

In general, military jets (every self-declared aviation passionate must have seen Top Gun) are the stars of the show, but civilian airliners, especially bizjets,  are not far behind. Where do they stand on the fame list? This remains to be seen. I only created the list, or at least enriched it, as others also put the topic on the table.

I'll start with the books and move on to the motion pictures, stopping along the way to mention a word or two. The list is not chronological.

 

Bizzjets in books

 

James Clavel's Noble House—The book tells an intricate business story set in Hong Kong in the 1960s. One of the main characters, an American millionaire named Lincoln Bartlett, makes his first appearance in a Boeing 707 converted into a BBJ. The term was coined only in 1998 when a 737 was transformed into a business jet; 707s have been used as VIP planes since the model's inception in the fifties.     

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The same author wrote 'Whirlwind,' a story that follows the complex evacuation plan of a British helicopter company from a revolution-ravaged Iran. The book mainly depicts helicopters, but the Hs-125, one of the first business jets built, plays an important role, ferrying spies and revolutionaries alike to and from Iran.

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The Flight Dispatcher – Just to brag a bit, this is a book I authored. The Bombardier Global 5000 has its role. The book revolves around this model and the people engaged in its operation. The plot is more complex, but I won't tell you. Just read the book. You can find more details on this website.

 

Bizzjets in films

 

Because of its specific appearance, the Lockheed Jetstar, one of the first business jets,  tempted the eyes of film directors. I found it in two films:

-          The classical 1963 Goldfinger, featuring James Bond. James Bond doesn't own the jet in the movie. The JetStar belongs to the bad guy.  

-          The 1968 Hellfighters tells the story of several firefighters. The jet is used to ferry them around.

 

Another classical aircraft, the North American Sabreliner, which is quite rare nowadays, appears in Con Air, a famous production in which Nicholas Cage plays the main character. The Sabreliner is rendered tailless and eventually blown to pieces.

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Tropic Thunder, a comedy film from 2008 in which Tom Cruise is almost unrecognizable, features a  Gulfstream V.

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Wall Street, a business-related film from 1987, features the Cessna Citation 2.

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The Bombardier Challenger 605 appears in 007 Quantum of Solace, another James Bond film from 2008.

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Ocean's Thirteen, a 2007 movie, features George Clooney and a Gulfstream G200.

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The Narcos series hosts an Embraer Legacy 600.

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The Hs-125 appears again in The Da Vinci Code, a 2006 film in which Tom Hanks plays the main role.

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The Gulfstream IV appears in Pretty Woman, along with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.

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An Embraer 600 appears also in Red Notice, a 2021 comedy starring Dwayne Johnson.

 

And last, as the cherry on the cake, John Travolta flies as a pilot in Look Who's Talking Now, a cute comedy featuring the Falcon 50.