The mileage making headlines
It’s no secret that royal family members, such as Prince William, have made the helicopter one of their main means of transportation. Now, Buckingham Palace has stepped in after a January 4, 2026, report revealed that two new helicopters used by the royal family membershave logged around 58,000 miles since February 2025. According to The Telegraph, the AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters have flown the equivalent of circling the Earth more than twice, accumulating 420 flight hours by the end of November last year. These traveling numbers provoked public debate over royal travel habits and environmental concerns.
Why helicopters matter to royal duties
In response, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace explained that helicopters are essential for modern royal work. They allow senior royals to reach remote parts of the country and complete multiple engagements in a single day.
“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. They also allow members of the Royal family to undertake multiple engagements in a given day.”
It was reported that the royal family obtained new aircraft in 2024, replacing the older Sikorsky helicopters that had been in service for over 15 years. Princess Anne and Prince William have reportedly made frequent use of the new helicopters, especially for travel between official residences and public duties.
King Charles and Prince William see it differently
Despite the practicality, King Charles remains cautious about helicopter use. Reports say he has long raised safety concerns, especially when Prince William flies with his family. This tension reportedly resurfaced after the King announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. A biography published in August 2024 claimed Charles even asked William to formally acknowledge the risks.
It is also rumored that direct heirs to the throne cannot travel together to protect the future of the monarchy, in case an accident takes place. For example, it is said that the future King Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Princess Diana only had Queen Elizabeth’s permission to fly together after Prince William turned 12.
