(((someone))) told you the math .... right ? It really depends if you see the future or not, if you live by the day, as a slave not free to wander on earth Short sighted reasoning: I need a flight today (no idea about tomorrow), I do not have the whole money for a plane, I rent it. Long sighted reasoning: I know that I will need the plane 10 times at year, I will buy a plane now, possibly rent it out to the above, when I am not using it and use it myself. If I do not need it anymore, I will sell it. Another way to see it: When you rent, you pay for the actual plane PLUS all the "management" Clearly, some smart ass would chime up and say, ha, but you pay a ticket for trains, planes and so on, so, see.... you ARE renting something Obviously YES, if you REALLY need a single trip, it is cheaper to "rent", BUT if you do it often, smarten up and consider buying it. Same with houses, cars, everything. Owning means freedom to use it whenever you wish, it means actual freedom, not begging to use something.