Shaq Said He'd Never Buy A Private Jet, But Now He Has One – And Fans Are Shocked By The Cost

Shaquille O’Neal is no stranger to the spotlight. From dominating NBA courts to becoming a fan-favorite sports analyst, Shaq has always been larger than life. But now, he's taken his love for the high life to the skies with his latest purchase – a $27 million private jet!

For those unaware of the cost of these things, the purchase of the jet is undoubtedly stunning, but the enormous expense of maintaining it is what has fans talking most.

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In 2010, Shaq said he wasn't interested in buying a private jet. In an interview, he once shared, "No, I don't think so. There's too much maintenance. If I own something, I like to know what is going on. I don't want to get screwed in a bad deal. I've seen it happen to other guys."

But as the years went by, Shaq changed his mind. After years of renting private planes, the 7-foot-1 legend has taken the leap and bought a Bombardier Challenger 650 – decked out with luxury features, from cream leather seats to stylish wood paneling. Plus, it can fly 4,000 nautical miles and hold up to 12 people.

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Owning a private jet or things like a boat isn't just a one-time payment. Keeping it in the air involves massive ongoing costs. Jet maintenance can run between $500,000 to over $1 million per year, depending on usage, repairs, and mandatory inspections. The crew, hangar space, insurance, and fuel costs are also included. 

Fans quickly realized that Shaq will likely spend more on keeping the plane in top shape than most people would on a home!

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Additionally, aviation fuel isn't cheap, especially for a jet of this size. In 2024 alone, Shaq's jet has flown 84 times (with top visits to Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, and Las Vegas airports), racking up 167 flight hours. 

According to JetSpy, that’s nearly 60,000 gallons of fuel and just under 575 metric tons of carbon emissions, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars in fuel costs – and that's just in one year.

So why did Shaq change his mind after swearing off private jet ownership? For one, his booming business career likely plays a big role. With ventures like his Big Chicken restaurant chain and his prominent position on Inside the NBA, Shaq is always on the move. Having his jet makes travel easier, faster, and more flexible than commercial flights.

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