Palantir private jet spending for Alex Karp reached $17.2 million

Palantir private jet spending for CEO Alex Karp reached $17.2 million in 2025, covering both business and personal travel, according to Morning Brew. The figure matters because Palantir chartered aircraft owned by Karp, a detail that drew investor scrutiny as top executives’ company-paid air travel becomes more common.

The amount was more than double the $7.7 million Palantir spent on Karp’s flights the year before, Morning Brew reported. Palantir is one of several large companies where private-air travel for chief executives has become a substantial corporate expense.

How much did Palantir spend on private jets?

Morning Brew reported that Palantir paid $17.2 million in 2025 to fly Karp around the world for work and personal reasons. The report said the cost drew attention from investors because Karp owns the aircraft that Palantir chartered.

Company-provided private jet use refers to flights paid for by an employer for an executive’s travel. These costs can include business trips and, when companies allow it, personal travel treated as part of an executive’s compensation or security arrangements.

Private flying is now common among the highest ranks of large U.S. companies. The Wall Street Journal, citing executive data firm Equilar, reported that most Fortune 500 CEOs now fly privately at company expense. Data cited in the report showed that company-paid private jet costs rose 19% from 2021 to 2024.

Meta also spent more on CEO air travel. Morning Brew reported that Mark Zuckerberg’s private-jet travel cost Meta more than $2.4 million last year, compared with $968,000 in 2023.

Why are companies paying for CEO private flights?

Companies have described private flying as a way to retain top executives and address personal security concerns, according to Morning Brew. The security argument has received more attention since the 2024 murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Starbucks changed its rules for CEO Brian Niccol after citing safety concerns, Morning Brew reported. The company removed a $250,000 annual cap on free personal private flights for Niccol, who travels between his home in Southern California and Starbucks’ Seattle headquarters.

The spending also supports the broader private aviation business. Morning Brew reported that the private jet industry is worth more than $80 billion and has benefited from the growing number of very wealthy individuals, alongside increased corporate use by senior executives.

The figures show that private-air travel remains a protected executive perk at some major companies even as employers reduce other benefits for top leaders, according to Morning Brew. For investors, the issue can become sharper when the company’s spending involves assets tied to the executive receiving the benefit.

This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.