Predictions For Business Aviation In 2026

The conflict between protecting private aircraft ownership and flight tracking and listing an owner in the FAA’s registry will become more public as legal issues arise over titles and ownership during aircraft transactions.

Demand for the next level of luxury service is a growing niche for fractional and charter providers. For instance, startup fractional Bond is focusing on “exclusivity over scale,” Magnifica Air is launching as a “private class” charter, and Flexjet is expanding its exclusive lifestyle offerings and bespoke aircraft interior options.

After a years-long head start, Starlink will face direct competition for broadband inflight connectivity as Gogo’s low-Earth-orbit Galileo system enters service, while manufacturers and aftermarket providers complete supplemental type certifications for numerous aircraft types.

Supply chain shortages, while improving, are expected to carry over into 2026. While these continue to cause delays, they also keep manufacturers with long backlogs from overproducing aircraft.

Charter brokers will organize to develop licensure requirements to prevent unlicensed seat selling over the internet. The FAA will ramp up oversight of Part 135 operators.

Demand will still exceed maintenance slot supply, requiring more advanced planning for upgrades, including connectivity. At the same time, Bombardier and Gulfstream have been building up their maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities to accommodate expanding fleets and to grow life-cycle support revenue, putting pressure on independent aftermarket providers to innovate.

Production of “neat” or pure sustainable aviation fuel will continue to grow, and an increasing proportion will be made in the U.S., as airlines use more sustainable fuel and new production facilities come on line.

The first fixed-base operators (FBO) in the U.S. will be ready to accommodate advanced air mobility vehicles, including with battery-charging infrastructure. This is a key step for operations in urban areas such as Miami.

Beta Technologies is on track to be the first manufacturer to receive FAA certification for an electric aircraft. The company’s CX300 Alia CTOL version is set to be certified by the end of 2026, likely followed by its Alia eVTOL version—which is in active development—in 2027 or 2028.

China will be the first to certify a passenger-carrying, winged, electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) vehicle with either the Aerofugia AE200 or the AutoFlight Prosperity. No U.S. company will certify an eVTOL in 2026.