Bill Gates once said he only flies coach to stay humble, but his 390-foot luxury superyacht said differently

Bill Gates once made waves by commissioning one of the most ambitious superyacht projects ever conceived: the Breakthrough.

The 390-foot vessel, built by Dutch shipyard Feadship, promised to redefine sustainable luxury with hydrogen propulsion and near-zero emissions.

However, for reasons unknown, Gates reportedly sold the yacht before he ever took delivery.

Interestingly, this isn’t even the biggest plot twist here; rather, it’s the fact that decades ago, the eccentric billionaire once said he preferred to fly in coach.

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Bill Gates made sure everyone in Microsoft flew coach

Back in the 1990s, Gates built his reputation as the unflashy billionaire, at least relatively speaking.

After all, he probably eats at McDonald’s once in a while, given that he can get free food at any outlet for life.

In fact, he even used to sneak onto public buses as a student, which sounds especially funny given the incredible amount he would still be worth if he lost 99 percent of his fortune.

However, during his Microsoft days, company policy dictated that even senior executives flew coach, which was a rule Gates famously embraced himself, too.

According to Brad Silverberg, a former Microsoft SVP, he wasn’t as universally recognized then, so it wasn’t an issue for him to fly commercial.

Those humble roots make his later connection to one of the world’s most expensive and advanced yachts all the more intriguing.

Gates sold it before he ever stepped foot on the superyacht

The Breakthrough (formerly Project 821) wasn’t just another billionaire toy.

Designed as the world’s first hydrogen-powered superyacht, it featured a cryogenic fuel system allowing it to cruise without carbon emissions for limited periods.

At 390 feet long and worth around $645 million, it boasted seven decks, a pool, a helipad, spa, and futuristic glass-walled observation lounge.

But by 2024, as the yacht neared completion, reports emerged that Gates had quietly sold his stake in the vessel.

While the reasons remain unconfirmed, industry insiders speculate it was less about luxury fatigue and more about logistics.

Maintaining a hydrogen-powered yacht is complex, and Gates’ interest may have been primarily to support the technology’s development, rather than to own it.

In that sense, Breakthrough remains perfectly named.

Even without Gates at the helm, the project symbolizes a turning point in maritime innovation.

Of course, while a Japanese billionaire is set to take delivery of another hydrogen-powered superyacht that may outclass even the Breakthrough, we’re sure Bill Gates doesn’t mind.

After all, he’s probably busy on land, racing his collection of Porsches and racking up speeding tickets.

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