NetJets: pilot interview prep

The essentials

Owner

Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett's group, since 1998)

Head office

Columbus, Ohio (USA); NetJets Europe: Lisbon, Portugal

Model

Fractional ownership: clients buy a share of an aircraft and a number of hours, or a jet card

Fleet

About 868 aircraft (July 2026, NetJets and NetJets Europe), the world's largest business jet fleet

Pilots (Europe)

Based all over Europe (basing program); usually 6 days on, 5 days off

The fleet

• Embraer Phenom 300/300E (most numerous)
• Embraer Praetor 500, Cessna Citation XLS, Latitude, Longitude, Ascend
• Bombardier Challenger 350/3500 and 650
• Bombardier Global 5000/5500/6000/7500, Dassault Falcon 2000

Key dates

• 1964: Executive Jet Aviation founded in the USA.
• 1986: Richard Santulli launches the NetJets fractional ownership program.
• 1998: acquired by Berkshire Hathaway.
• Late 1990s: NetJets Europe launched, head office in Lisbon.
• 2026: about 80 new aircraft planned during the year.

Good to know

• Inventor of fractional business jet ownership.
• Huge orders: up to 250 Praetor 500s and 100 Phenom 300Es announced.
• In Europe, often recruits experienced pilots, with a strong focus on customer service.

How to prepare

• Understand fractional ownership and what it means for pilots (regular owners, service standards).
• Know the Embraer and Bombardier types in the fleet.
• Show flexibility: basing anywhere in Europe, 6-on/5-off rotations.

Questions to prepare

• Why business aviation, and why NetJets?
• How do you handle a demanding client or a last-minute schedule change?
• Are you ready for long rotations and high availability?

Recruitment

Watch Business aviation pilots

Openings posted as they come on the careers site.

Minimum experience and sometimes a type rating are often required.

Open applications and networking matter a lot in business aviation. Always check the airline's website before applying.