Camilla Jessen
Royal family’s flight miles draw fresh attention.
Fresh scrutiny has been directed at how senior royals travel around the UK.
New figures have prompted debate about cost, frequency and safety, forcing Buckingham Palace to respond publicly.
The issue has also revived long-running concerns within the royal family itself.
Mileage questioned
The Telegraph reported on Jan. 4 that two new AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters leased by the royal family have flown a combined 58,000 miles since February 2025.
That distance is equivalent to more than twice around the Earth.
According to the newspaper, the helicopters logged about 420 hours of flight time between late February and the end of November. The aircraft replaced 15-year-old Sikorsky helicopters previously used by the royals.
Princess Anne and Prince William were reported to be the most frequent users of the new helicopters.
Palace response
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson defended the use of the aircraft, saying helicopters are essential to royal work.
“Helicopters are a key component of the royal travel plan due to their unique capability to access remote regions of the U.K., which are not otherwise readily served by other modes of transport,” the spokesperson said.
“They also allow members of the Royal family to undertake multiple engagements in a given day,” the statement added, describing the approach as a way to maximise impact.
The palace has previously said leasing the aircraft improves efficiency and flexibility.
Who flies most
The Telegraph reported that Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park home was the most frequent destination, with 68 helicopter stops recorded.
Prince William also made extensive use of the aircraft.
Flight data cited by the outlet showed 52 helicopter journeys between Windsor and Forest Lodge, the home William and Kate Middleton moved into with their children in October.
The Princess of Wales also used the helicopter for solo engagements, and she and William travelled together for joint duties.
Despite the defence, King Charles is said to be uneasy about helicopter travel.
The Telegraph reported that the King is “pretty allergic” to using helicopters and would “raise an eyebrow” when the idea is suggested.
In his biography Catherine, the Princess of Wales, author Robert Jobson wrote that Charles and William clashed over safety.
According to excerpts published by the Daily Mail, the King raised concerns after his cancer diagnosis in February 2024 and even asked William to sign a document acknowledging the risks.
Sources: The Telegraph, Daily Mail
