Unsealed Flight Logs (Lolita Express)

Overview of the Flight Logs

The flight logs from Jeffrey Epstein's private aircraft — most notably his Boeing 727-31, registration number N908JE, which tabloid media dubbed the "Lolita Express" — are among the most discussed and widely referenced documents in the Epstein case. Partially unsealed as part of the Giuffre v. Maxwell litigation and through various legal proceedings, these records document passengers, routes, and dates of flights operated by Epstein's aviation fleet over a period spanning approximately 1995 to 2013.

The flight logs became a focal point of public attention when batches were released in connection with the January 2024 unsealing of documents from the Giuffre v. Maxwell case (Case No. 15-cv-07433, S.D.N.Y.). They offer one of the few documentary records of who traveled in Epstein's orbit — though understanding what the logs do and do not prove is essential for responsible interpretation.

Epstein's Aircraft Fleet

Epstein maintained several aircraft during the period covered by the logs:

Boeing 727-31 ("Lolita Express"). The most well-known aircraft, a modified commercial jet that Epstein used for long-distance travel between his various properties and international destinations. The aircraft could carry dozens of passengers and was configured for private use with sleeping quarters.

Gulfstream II. A smaller business jet used for shorter trips and smaller groups of passengers. This aircraft also appears frequently in the flight logs.

Helicopters and smaller aircraft. Epstein also used helicopters and smaller planes for transport between his properties, including his private island Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

What the Flight Logs Document

The flight logs are handwritten records maintained by the pilots of Epstein's aircraft. They typically include:

Date of flight. The date on which the flight occurred.

Route. The departure and arrival airports, often designated by their airport codes. Common routes included flights between Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey, Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in Florida, the Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in St. Thomas (the commercial airport nearest to Epstein's private island), and various international destinations.

Passenger names. The names of passengers on each flight, as recorded by the flight crew. Names were typically handwritten and in some cases are difficult to read. The accuracy of the passenger lists — including whether all passengers were recorded and whether names were always correctly spelled — has been the subject of debate.

Crew members. The names of pilots and other crew members who operated the flight.

Notable Routes and Destinations

The flight logs reveal a pattern of travel that connected Epstein's various residences and properties:

New York to Palm Beach. Frequent flights between the New York area (typically Teterboro Airport) and Palm Beach, where Epstein maintained his residence on El Brillo Way.

Flights to St. Thomas/U.S. Virgin Islands. Regular flights to the airport nearest Epstein's private islands, Little St. James and Great St. James, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. From St. Thomas, passengers would typically transfer to a helicopter or boat for the short trip to the islands.

New Mexico. Flights to and from Epstein's Zorro Ranch property near Stanley, New Mexico.

International destinations. The logs document flights to various international locations, including Paris (where Epstein owned an apartment), London, and other cities.

Frequency. The logs indicate that Epstein's aircraft were in frequent use, with flights occurring multiple times per week during some periods.

Passengers Named in the Logs

The flight logs mention numerous individuals across hundreds of flights spanning nearly two decades. The passengers fall into several categories:

Epstein and his staff. Jeffrey Epstein appears on virtually every flight, along with members of his household and office staff, including personal assistants, pilots, and security personnel.

Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell appears frequently throughout the logs, consistent with her role as Epstein's close associate and, according to prosecutors, his principal co-conspirator.

Political figures. The logs include names of various political figures and government officials. These appearances have generated significant public attention and media coverage.

Business and finance figures. Executives, entrepreneurs, and financiers appear in the logs, reflecting Epstein's extensive connections in the financial world.

Academic and scientific figures. Scientists, academics, and intellectuals who were part of Epstein's social and philanthropic circles appear in some entries.

Entertainment and media figures. Actors, musicians, journalists, and other media personalities are among the named passengers.

Young women. The logs also include the names of young women, some identified only by first names, who traveled on Epstein's aircraft. Investigators have identified some of these individuals as victims of Epstein's trafficking operation.

Critical Context for Interpretation

Several essential caveats must be applied when reviewing the flight logs:

Being Listed as a Passenger Does Not Imply Criminal Conduct

This point cannot be emphasized strongly enough. The flight logs are records of air travel — nothing more. Being listed as a passenger on one of Epstein's aircraft does not mean that the individual:

• Was aware of Epstein's criminal activities
• Witnessed or participated in any illegal conduct
• Traveled to locations where abuse occurred
• Had any relationship with Epstein beyond the specific flight

Many passengers used Epstein's aircraft for legitimate travel purposes, including business meetings, social events, and philanthropic activities. Epstein cultivated an extensive network of social and professional contacts, and his aircraft were part of the infrastructure he used to maintain that network.

The Logs Are Incomplete

The flight logs that have been made public do not represent a complete record of all flights on all of Epstein's aircraft. There are gaps in the records, flights where passenger lists may be incomplete, and periods where logs may not have been maintained or preserved.

Handwriting and Accuracy Issues

The logs are handwritten, and some entries are difficult to decipher. Names may be misspelled, abbreviated, or recorded inconsistently. In some cases, the same individual may appear under different name variations across multiple entries.

Context of Travel Matters

The significance of any particular flight depends heavily on context: the date, the destination, who else was on the plane, and what is known about the purpose of the trip. A single flight entry, viewed in isolation, provides very limited information.

The Logs as Evidence

Despite these caveats, the flight logs have served as important evidence in multiple legal proceedings:

Giuffre v. Maxwell. The logs were introduced as evidence in the civil case, where they corroborated testimony about travel patterns and the movements of key individuals.

United States v. Maxwell. Prosecutors referenced flight records during Maxwell's criminal trial to establish her presence at specific locations at specific times, corroborating victim testimony about where and when abuse occurred.

Civil litigation against banks. The flight logs were referenced in civil lawsuits against financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank, to demonstrate the scope of Epstein's operations.

USVI AG complaint. The U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General cited flight records in the civil enforcement action against the Epstein estate, documenting the transport of young women to Epstein's private islands.

The "Epstein List" Confusion

In media coverage, particularly following the January 2024 document releases, the flight logs were frequently conflated with the broader "Epstein list" — a term used loosely to refer to all individuals named in the Giuffre v. Maxwell documents. This conflation has led to significant misinformation, with social media users characterizing anyone mentioned in any document as being on a list of participants in Epstein's crimes.

In reality, the flight logs are just one category of documents within a much larger body of evidence. Being named in the flight logs says nothing about why a person was traveling, what they knew, or what they did. The responsible interpretation of these records requires careful attention to context and an understanding that presence on an aircraft is not evidence of criminal conduct.

How to Access the Logs

The flight logs that have been made public are available through several sources:

• The docket of Giuffre v. Maxwell (Case No. 15-cv-07433, S.D.N.Y.) via court records databases
• Document repositories maintained by media organizations that covered the January 2024 unsealing
• The FBI's investigative files (with significant redactions)

Researchers should use the original court filings rather than secondary compilations, which may contain errors, omissions, or editorial additions.

Sources and Further Reading

• Case Docket: Giuffre v. Maxwell, 15-cv-07433 (S.D.N.Y.)
• Associated Press, "Epstein Court Documents Unsealed" (January 2024)
• Julie K. Brown, "Perversion of Justice," Miami Herald (November 2018)
• FBI Vault: Jeffrey Epstein Records