Meet the planespotting student tracking the private jets of the rich and famous

Jack Sweeney, a 21-year-old university student from Florida, has gained attention for his unique hobby – tracking the private planes of celebrities, politicians, tycoons, and Russian oligarchs and sharing that information on social media. Despite legal threats and backlash, Mr. Sweeney believes in the importance of transparency and public information, especially when it comes to the environmental impact of private air travel.

Using publicly available data collected by plane enthusiasts around the world, Mr. Sweeney operates a website called TheAirTraffic.com and social media accounts where he posts details about the flights of the rich and powerful. His platform has been used in studies to highlight the carbon footprint of private jets and to hold high-profile individuals accountable for their emissions.

He also runs accounts on several social media sites keeping track of planes owned by Kim Kardashian, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Donald Trump and others.

One of Mr. Sweeney’s most notable subjects is pop star Taylor Swift, whose legal team has demanded that he take down his @TaylorSwiftJets account. However, Mr. Sweeney believes that there is a public interest in knowing the whereabouts of Ms. Swift’s private jet, especially for her dedicated fans who follow the account.

Despite claims from Ms. Swift’s representatives that plane tracking puts her at risk from stalkers, Mr. Sweeney maintains that his intention is not to harm the singer but to promote transparency in the aviation industry. He has suggested ways for Ms. Swift to protect her privacy while also sharing the location of her plane with her fans.

In addition to tracking Ms. Swift’s flights, Mr. Sweeney has faced challenges with other high-profile individuals, including Elon Musk, who initially supported his account tracking his flights but later banned it and threatened legal action. Despite the pushback, Mr. Sweeney continues to operate accounts that monitor the private jets of various celebrities and public figures.

While some criticize Mr. Sweeney for invading the privacy of the rich and famous, others defend his actions as a form of hobby and open-source intelligence gathering. His supporters appreciate the insights provided by tracking private planes and highlight the positive impact of holding affluent individuals accountable for their carbon emissions.

As Mr. Sweeney navigates the legal and ethical complexities of his plane tracking activities, he remains committed to promoting transparency, public information, and environmental awareness. His case raises important questions about privacy, data collection, and the role of social media in monitoring the movements of the elite in society. Ultimately, Mr. Sweeney’s efforts shed light on the intersection of technology, aviation, and celebrity culture in the digital age.