Fleet data can sometimes surface trends that feel counterintuitive. In an industry associated with luxury, you might expect the newest aircraft to dominate customer interest. However, the data tells a different story: many of the aircraft getting the most attention, and the most charter requests, are not fresh off the production line. This doesn’t suggest a problem. In fact, it may reflect a more mature charter market where value, availability, and operational reliability matter more than aircraft age alone.

A fleet shaped by the past

Over the past five years, the median age of aircraft listed for charter in Europe has increased from 10 to 14 years. This trend is driven partly by a large number of aircraft delivered in the years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, many of which are still active and in high demand today.

These aircraft are not just active, but thriving. 25% of all requests on the Avinode Marketplace in Europe now go to aircraft over 20 years old, up from just 12% five years ago. At the same time, newer aircraft, though present, aren’t receiving the same level of demand. This raises a straightforward question: Why are older jets performing so well?

Why are older aircraft doing so well?

One explanation is availability. Many older aircraft are more frequently positioned for charter and may be priced more competitively. That makes them a practical option for brokers looking to meet demand quickly and cost-effectively. These aircraft also represent a large portion of the fleet simply because of how many were produced in the early 2000s. And we don’t see them dropping off the platform.

Customer perception plays a role, too. While age may once have been seen as a drawback, there’s growing confidence that well-maintained aircraft can offer excellent value, regardless of build year. This point came up during an Avinode Group panel discussion at EBACE earlier this year. Algernon Trotter, founder of LUMINAIR, offered a candid take:

“I think people are becoming more comfortable flying on older aircraft in Europe as the market matures… They understand that older aircraft are no less safe.” He added, half-jokingly: “Just ’cause my aircraft is from 2008 doesn’t mean I’m gonna say that they’re the best year of manufacture. They are. Because they go wrong a lot less than new aircraft.”

A look at the US fleet

To understand where Europe might be heading, we turn to the US. The charter fleet there is even older on average, and aircraft delivered before 2008 still make up a significant share of available capacity. The US market has long relied on keeping aircraft flying well beyond 20 years, often with high utilization and consistent demand.

At the same time, new aircraft are not being added to the US fleet at the same rate as in Europe, and demand for those newer models remains relatively subdued. That’s led to a slow but steady shift toward a more mature fleet overall—one that Europe increasingly mirrors.

The lesson? An aging fleet isn’t necessarily a limitation, as long as the aircraft remain reliable, supported, and in demand. Europe may be newer today, but the US shows how older fleets can continue delivering value for years.

Older—but still in demand

The growth in demand for older aircraft shows no signs of slowing. Customers are clearly comfortable flying on well-maintained jets, regardless of when they were built. If the US is any indicator, Europe has room to evolve further in that direction.

Still, it’s a trend worth watching. At some point, maintenance complexity, parts availability, and regulatory pressure may shift the economics. But until then, older aircraft remain not just acceptable, they’re essential.