Jet set

Jet set is a term for an international social group of wealthy people who travel the world to participate in social activities unavailable to ordinary people. The term, which replaced "café society", came from the lifestyle of travelling from one stylish or exotic place to another via jet plane. With the democratization of air travel it has been replaced at least in part by the term "glitterati", reflecting a greater emphasis upon celebrity, including "being seen" and stalked by paparazzi, and less upon mode of travel.

"Jet setter" redirects here. For other uses, see Jetsetter (disambiguation).
For other uses, see Jet set (disambiguation).

The term "jet set" is attributed to Igor Cassini, younger brother of famed international fashion designer Oleg Cassini and a reporter for the New York Journal-American, who wrote under the pen name "Cholly Knickerbocker". A parallel term that developed during the era was Beautiful People, a period equivalent to today's concept of "glitterati" being "supermodels, celebrities and socialites", where looks, youth, and attractive activities predominated over wealth and high social standing.

Jet passenger service in the 1950s was marketed primarily to the upper class, but its introduction eventually resulted in a substantial democratization of air travel. Although the term "jet set" can still be found in common parlance, its literal meaning of those who travel by jet is no longer applicable as such.

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