On April 14, 2025, a leaked memo from NetJets, a private jet company owned by Berkshire Hathaway, sent shockwaves through the media, offering a rare glimpse into the in-flight habits of Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI. The document, exposed following a cyberattack on NetJets, detailed Musk’s stringent preferences aboard his private jet, painting a picture of a man who demands solitude, a frigid cabin, and minimal interaction with crew members. Headlines have sensationalized the leak, claiming Musk enforces “bizarre flight rules” such as “no talking, freezing cabin, and family left behind.” However, while the memo confirms some of these preferences, the claim about leaving his family behind lacks substantiation, raising questions about the accuracy of the reporting and Musk’s public persona. As of June 4, 2025, this controversy continues to fuel discussions about Musk’s lifestyle, his approach to privacy, and the ethical implications of such leaks in the age of cybersecurity breaches.

The Leaked Memo: A Peek into Musk’s Jet Preferences

The NetJets memo, dated November 2024, was part of a trove of internal documents stolen during a cyberattack on the private jet company. The breach occurred when hackers successfully “phished” an employee, tricking them into surrendering login credentials that granted access to sensitive data. NetJets confirmed the incident affected a “very small number of owners”—their term for clients in their fractional jet ownership program—but declined to authenticate the leaked document. However, insiders familiar with the company’s protocols told Bloomberg News that such “passenger service plans” are standard practice for briefing flight attendants on client preferences, lending credibility to the memo’s contents.

The document describes Musk as a “nice, laid-back” passenger, but one with specific demands that reflect his desire for control and efficiency. Crew members are instructed to refrain from engaging in small talk unless Musk initiates it, a rule that aligns with his known preference for privacy. Musk reportedly values uninterrupted WiFi and enjoys taking naps, even on short day trips, suggesting a focus on maximizing productivity or rest during travel. The memo also specifies that the cabin temperature should be set at a chilly 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius), with dim lighting and passenger air vents turned off because “he does not like the noise” they make. This preference for a “freezing cabin” has been widely highlighted in media reports, often framed as an eccentric quirk of the billionaire.

Additionally, the memo notes that Musk “is not interested in conserving fuel” and prefers flights to be “as quickly and as direct” as possible, a directive that contrasts sharply with Tesla’s mission to promote sustainability through electric vehicles. This revelation has drawn criticism from environmental advocates, who point to the irony of Musk’s carbon-intensive travel habits—his Gulfstream G650ER logged over 150,000 miles in 2018 alone—while leading a company dedicated to reducing fossil fuel consumption. Crew members are also advised not to offer technical assistance, as “Mr. Musk considers himself self-sufficient and does not need help with technology—if he does, he will ask,” further emphasizing his independent nature.

The Sensationalized Claim: “Family Left Behind”

While the memo provides concrete details about Musk’s in-flight preferences, the headline’s claim that he leaves his “family behind” is not supported by the leaked document or any credible reports. Musk, who has 11 children with three different partners—Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, musician Grimes, and his former wife Justine Musk—has been known to travel frequently for business, often using his fleet of private jets, which includes a Gulfstream G650ER and a recently acquired G700, collectively valued at over $100 million. However, there is no evidence in the memo or elsewhere to suggest that Musk enforces a rule of excluding his family from flights or abandoning them during travel.

This claim appears to be a sensationalized addition, possibly stemming from Musk’s well-documented focus on work over personal life. Musk has openly discussed his grueling work schedule, often sleeping just four to six hours a night and dedicating up to 120 hours a week to his companies. In a 2018 interview, he admitted that his children had to schedule time to see him through his assistant, a practice that drew public criticism. Additionally, his relationship with Grimes, the mother of three of his children, ended in 2022, and subsequent reports of tension over custody arrangements may have fueled speculation about his family dynamics. However, without specific evidence tying this claim to the leaked memo, it remains an unsubstantiated assertion, likely designed to amplify the drama surrounding Musk’s jet habits.

Musk’s Private Jet Lifestyle: A Symbol of Power and Privacy

Musk’s private jet fleet, registered under Falcon Landing LLC, a company linked to SpaceX and Tesla, is a testament to his wealth and influence. His primary aircraft, a Gulfstream G650ER acquired in 2016, is valued between $66.5 million and $78 million and boasts a range of 8,600 miles, making it ideal for long-haul flights. The jet features a full-service galley, a luxury bathroom, a private bedroom, and space for dining and entertainment, accommodating up to 19 passengers. In 2023, Musk added a Gulfstream G700 to his fleet, a $78 million flagship model with five living areas, two restrooms, and 20 oval windows, further enhancing his travel capabilities. These jets, equipped with in-flight WiFi, reclining seats, and advanced entertainment systems, reflect the opulence and functionality Musk demands in his travel arrangements.

Musk’s obsession with privacy during air travel is well-documented. In 2022, he clashed with Jack Sweeney, a 19-year-old student who ran the @ElonJet Twitter account, which used publicly available flight data to track Musk’s jet movements. Musk offered Sweeney $5,000 to shut down the account, citing security concerns, and later threatened legal action, resulting in the account’s suspension from Twitter (now X) after Musk acquired the platform. The leaked NetJets memo reinforces this desire for discretion, with its emphasis on minimal interaction and a controlled cabin environment, suggesting that Musk views his private jet as a sanctuary where he can work, rest, or reflect without interruption.

A Critical Perspective: Eccentricity or Efficiency?

The media’s portrayal of Musk’s flight rules as “bizarre” warrants scrutiny. While a 65-degree cabin may seem uncomfortably cold to most, it’s not uncommon for high-profile individuals to have specific preferences for their travel environment. The “no talking” rule, while strict, aligns with Musk’s known focus on productivity—his aversion to small talk may simply reflect a desire to use flight time efficiently, whether for napping, working, or strategizing. The directive to prioritize speed over fuel conservation, however, is more troubling, given Tesla’s sustainability mission. Critics argue that Musk’s carbon footprint, exacerbated by his frequent private jet use, undermines his environmental advocacy, especially as Tesla faces scrutiny for its reliance on regulatory credits to offset its own emissions.

The leak also raises broader questions about cybersecurity and privacy in the luxury aviation sector. NetJets’ breach, which compromised sensitive client information, highlights the vulnerability of high-profile individuals to cyberattacks. The incident, which involved a hacker phishing an employee to gain access to internal systems, underscores the need for stronger security measures to protect such data. For Musk, who has gone to great lengths to shield his travel details, the leak is a significant intrusion, potentially exposing him to further security risks.

The Fallout: Musk’s Image in 2025

The timing of the leak, which surfaced in April 2025, coincides with a turbulent period for Musk. His recent fallout with President Donald Trump, following Musk’s criticism of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on June 3, 2025, has placed him under intense scrutiny. Musk’s tenure as head of DOGE ended on May 29, 2025, after he failed to deliver on his promise to cut $2 trillion in federal spending, achieving only $175 billion in savings while drawing backlash for the social impact of his cuts. Tesla, meanwhile, is grappling with a 71% drop in first-quarter profits in 2025 and a 13% decline in global deliveries, exacerbated by Trump’s tariffs and the elimination of EV tax credits in the aforementioned bill. Musk’s public image has taken a hit, with his favorability rating dropping to a net -13 points in April 2025, down from +29 before the 2024 election.

The leaked memo, while offering a glimpse into Musk’s private world, has done little to rehabilitate his reputation. Instead, it has fueled perceptions of him as an eccentric billionaire, detached from the environmental values he claims to champion. The sensationalized claim of leaving his family behind, though unsubstantiated, plays into existing narratives about Musk’s prioritization of work over family, further polarizing public opinion. Some admire his unrelenting focus and efficiency, drawing parallels to his success at Tesla and SpaceX, while others view his jet rules as emblematic of an aloof, out-of-touch persona.

Conclusion: A Window into Musk’s World

The leaked NetJets memo offers a fascinating, if incomplete, look at Elon Musk’s private jet habits, revealing a man who values solitude, efficiency, and control in the air. The “no talking” rule, freezing cabin, and emphasis on speed over fuel conservation paint a picture of a billionaire who uses travel time strategically, prioritizing rest and productivity over social interaction. However, the claim that Musk leaves his family behind lacks evidence, suggesting a media tendency to sensationalize aspects of his life for clicks and headlines.

As Musk navigates the fallout from his political missteps and Tesla’s financial struggles in 2025, this leak serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny he faces as one of the world’s most influential figures. It also underscores the ethical dilemmas of privacy breaches, particularly for individuals like Musk, whose personal security is a constant concern. Whether viewed as eccentric or efficient, Musk’s flight rules reflect the singular mindset of a man who has reshaped industries—and who continues to provoke fascination, criticism, and debate at every turn.