Glenn Beck Will Sell You the World's Oldest Civilian Jet, Cheap
Glenn Beck, a (former) superstar in the conservative media world, is putting up his private jet for sale. And it's not just any jet: It's the oldest civilian jet flying today.
According to a listing on Controller, Beck is selling his 1966 McDonnell Douglas DC-9.
The Federal Aviation Administration database shows that the plane, bearing the US registration N8860, was built in 1966 and is owned by one of Beck's companies, Mercury Radio Arts. That makes the twinjet, with a 52-year history, likely the oldest operating airliner in the world. Reports indicate that Beck is selling the jet due to the struggles of his media company, The Blaze, which has been hit with multiple rounds of layoffs over the past several years.
Once a leading voice of the American right wing, Beck has lost clout and followers and may now be in a position where he needs to raise funds quick. A buyer may even be able to take home the plane for less than seven figures. Even though it looks very well maintained, the DC-9 is a Series 15, the distant predecessor of modern jets like the Boeing 717 which you can still fly in the US in airline service. It's very fuel-thirsty and with limited range compared to today's biz jets. But it's also many, many times cheaper.
According to our research, his DC-9 is oldest operating passenger jet in the world excluding cargo and military aircraft. There is a slightly older (by just six months) 1966 DC-9 operating in East Africa for private charter company FlySAX, but PlaneSpotters.net says the aircraft has recently been put in storage. There's also a 1964 Boeing 707 owned by actor and pilot John Travolta, which is older than either of those DC-9s, but it's currently not flying and was last reported stored, possibly in non-flyable condition, in Brunswick, Georgia.
The aircraft's interior is aging too. With decor straight out of the 1980s, the DC-9-15 comes equipped with recliners and couches with green upholstery, wood paneling, a large bathroom and even a full kitchen. According to the listing the jet is currently configured to seat 13, including one cockpit jump seat. It features Sirius satellite radio, six screens powered by an "Airshow 4000 system with Sony CD and video." So don't expect any sort IFE system like Emirates First Class.
According to the listing, it received a custom paint job in 2014. The jet was purchased by Beck in 2015 from conservative billionaire Richard Mellon Scaife's estate for $1 million. For comparison, even a used Gulfstream V will run you eight times more than what Beck paid for the DC-9, according to listings on Controller.
We contacted Controller about the price, since the listing just says "Make An Offer" on the website. A representative of the company said that there is no asking price and that you can actually just make any offer if you're interested in buying the jet.
H/T: The Daily Beast
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide.§ *Eligible charges vary by property.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.