Inside Elon Musk’s Private Jet Demands: Leaked Manual Reveals Strict Rules for Flight Crews

Leaked documents from NetJets expose Elon Musk’s exacting in-flight preferences—from banned foods to strict WiFi rules. Details inside.

Hacked NetJets Manual Reveals Elon Musk’s 27-Page Private Jet Rulebook

A breach at Berkshire Hathaway-owned NetJets has exposed the company’s confidential guide for flight crews serving Elon Musk—detailing everything from banned snacks to strict WiFi protocols that contradict Tesla’s eco-friendly image.

The 27-page document, reviewed by Bloomberg, offers a rare glimpse into the operational complexity of catering to the world’s richest man during his 150+ annual private flights.

Key Revelations From the Leaked Manual

1. The “Absolutely Forbidden” List

• No peanuts or tree nuts (severe allergy risk)
• No artificial sweeteners (only cane sugar allowed)
• No shellfish or rare meats (food safety concerns)
• No strong-smelling foods (e.g., durian, blue cheese)

Irony Alert: Musk’s no-artificial-sweeteners rule clashes with Tesla’s use of synthetic materials in car interiors.

2. Tech Demands That Defy Tesla’s Minimalism

• Two identical WiFi networks (primary + backup)
• Starlink preferred, but must support simultaneous Zoom calls
• No Apple products visible during service (per unconfirmed crew reports)

Context: Musk’s companies (Tesla, SpaceX) compete directly with Apple—hence the alleged embargo.

3. Sustainability Paradoxes

• No disposable plastics (aligns with Tesla’s mission)
• Yet… Musk’s jets burned ~837,000 lbs of CO2 in 2023 (JetSpy data)
• Contradiction: Private jet use dwarfs a Tesla’s lifetime emissions savings

Flight Crew Protocols: Walking on Eggshells

The manual emphasizes extreme discretion, including:

• No photos of Musk or his guests (penalties for violations)
• Neutral expressions during “unusual requests” (no eye-rolling)
• Immediate cabin temperature adjustments (Musk reportedly prefers 68°F)

Most Unusual Rule: Crew must pre-chill sparkling water to exact specifications—reportedly a pet peeve.

NetJets’ Damage Control

After the hack, NetJets:
✅ Confirmed the document’s authenticity
✅ Apologized to affected clients
✅ Began cybersecurity overhaul

Legal Fallout: Potential breach-of-contract lawsuits from Musk’s team.

The Bigger Picture: Billionaire Travel Hypocrisy

While Musk isn’t alone in demanding luxury (see: Tim Cook’s $93M private jet perks), the leak highlights:
🔹 The carbon footprint of tech’s climate champions
🔹 How ultra-rich insulation creates operational blind spots
🔹 Why “do as I say, not as I fly” erodes credibility

Stat to Ponder: Musk’s jet emissions = 300 average U.S. households’ yearly energy use.

What’s Next?

• Musk’s response? Uncharacteristically silent so far
• Policy changes? NetJets may drop client-specific manuals
• Regulatory impact? Could fuel calls for private jet carbon taxes

Final Thought

This leak does more than expose Musk’s Diet Coke preferences—it reveals the contradictions of modern billionaire climate advocacy. When your jet burns more fuel in a month than your EVs save in a year, optics matter.

Does this change your view of Musk’s environmental stance? Or is private travel just a perk of being CEO? Sound off below!