Photographs contained within newly released Department of Justice (DOJ) files offer a rare glimpse into Jeffrey Epstein’s fleet of private aircraft. Along with his infamous “Lolita Express” — a VIP Boeing 727-100 — Epstein had access to multiple Gulfstream business jets at various times and was also a frequent helicopter traveler.
The images came to light following the DOJ’s release of hundreds of thousands of documents relating to Epstein to comply with a deadline.
Inside Epstein’s Private Aircraft
With the US DOJ slowly releasing hundreds of thousands of files over the next few weeks, images of Epstein and his entourage traveling by air have emerged. Several photographs show the disgraced financier — who died in a New York prison in 2019 — traveling by helicopter, with Epstein known to have had access to Sikorsky helicopters. Prosecutors have identified Epstein’s aircraft fleet as playing a critical role in his sex trafficking crimes, allegedly ferrying victims and guests around his various estates both within the US and overseas.
The helicopters were not just for Epstein’s personal use — they were frequently deployed to carry his guests to and from nearby airports, as well as between mainland and island locations. As reported by HotCars, he also had a glitzy fleet of vehicles at his disposal, including a $450,000 Mercedes SLR McLaren.
As per a Newsweek report from 2019,
“In addition to his black Gulfstream, private helicopter and twin-engine Cessna 421, Epstein also owns a Boeing 727-200—a passenger jet with a seating capacity of nearly 200, modified for private use, including a Bloomberg terminal that lets him conduct much of his finance work while airborne.”
How Many Aircraft Did Epstein Have?
While some of the aircraft Epstein had at his disposal are well-documented, the full extent of his fleet is murkier, given the use of shell companies to register them. Besides the Boeing 727 nicknamed the “Lolita Express,” Epstein is believed to have flown on Gulfstream G-II, G-IV and G-V models over the years. But these were just his jet aircraft, with Epstein also traveling onboard at least two different Sikorsky helicopters.
In August 2019, Page Six reported that Epstein was selling a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter built in 2008. This aircraft featured a plush interior with two divans facing one another, with a total capacity for eight passengers. Bearing the registration 722JE, the helicopter had an asking price of $3 million when it was listed for sale.
With authorities closing in on his crimes, Epstein’s Boeing 727 was parked at Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK) and had its registration revoked by the FAA. As Simple Flying reported last year, the 727 has been earmarked for the scrapheap, with its current status unknown.
From Jeffrey Epstein To Donald Trump: Who Currently Operates This Gulfstream G550?
The Gulfstream G550 has had a unique list of operators since it was introduced in 2007.
How Expensive Are VIP Jets?
The cost of purchasing a private jet is in the millions, rising to tens of millions for larger models, and this doesn’t factor in the huge overheads of operating, maintaining and storing your own private jet. Taking an aircraft like the Boeing 727, MyAircraftCost estimates the annual operating costs of a private Boeing 727 at over $5 million, while the initial acquisition costs would be in the tens of millions.
Helicopters are considerably cheaper to operate than jet aircraft, particularly as they cover much shorter distances. A Sikorsky S-76 has an estimated annual operating cost of over $700,000, while the purchase price for an older S-76 model is around $5 million. The most costly operating costs are crew salaries and fuel costs, both of which typically make up over half of total operating costs.
At one point, Epstein is estimated to have ruled over a $600 million estate, but various legal battles chipped away at his millions before he resorted to selling off his aircraft to raise legal funds. Records show that Epstein wired over $30 million to his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, who remains locked up in a Texas prison serving a 20-year sex trafficking sentence.
