People use various means of transport to get where they need to go. The poorest usually have to walk, those with more money can use public transport, rich people drive luxurious cars… And what about the richest of the richest? Well, many of them have their own private jets. It certainly does have some advantages compared to how regular people fly; you don’t need to wait the endless hours to be allowed to board, you don’t have to undergo the embarrassing security check-ins etc. On the other hand, opponents of this snobbery often argue that buying a private jet is nothing but a waste of money that could have been spent on something much more helpful. Whatever your opinion on this, check out these 20 of most expensive private jets that were ever made.
Airbus A380
Airbus A380 is the largest passenger aircraft in the world with a capacity of 800 people therefore it would be crazy to have one as a private jet but this is exactly what happened to Saudi Prince Alawaleed bin Talal. He bought an Airbus A380 for $300 million and then spent another $200 million to customize it into something really extraordinary. The list of what you can find in the plane would be really long so let us just say there are spa treatments, steam rooms with tiles made of marble, giant flat screen tvs on walls and floors, elevators etc.
Cessna Citation Excel
The Cessna Citation Excel is a turbofan-powered, medium-sized business jet built by the Cessna Aircraft Company. The jet has a cruising speed of 441 knots and 2,111 nautical-mile range. With a capacity of up to 9 passengers, the Citation Excel costs almost 12 million dollars. The aircraft is operated by private individuals, companies, fractionals and charter operators.
Dassault Falcon 5X
The new Falcon 5X is set to make its first flight in the first quarter of 2015. A top speed of .90 Mach; a range of 5,200 nautical miles and the short-field capability of much smaller jets suggest this model might be among the most popular jets in its class. Similarly to other Falcon models, luxurious and comfortable interior is guaranteed. Falcon 5X is available for a price of 45 million dollars.
Bombardier Global 8000
Able to fly as far as 7,900 nautical miles at Mach 0.85, the Bombardier Global 8000 can boasts the lowest fuel burn and lowest emissions in its class. The jet offers three separate living areas including a "stateroom". According to the company, the three-zone cabin layout was developed based on research on the needs of its customers worldwide. This model can carry between 8 and 19 passengers and you can have it for a modest 66 million dollars.
Embraer Phenom 300
Developed by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, the Embraer Phenom 300 is a light jet aircraft with a capacity of 9 passengers and a range of 1,971 nautical miles. Introduced in 2008, the Phenom 300 climbed to the top position on the list of most delivered business jets, with 60 units delivered in 2013. The price of the model ranges from 5 to 8 million dollars.
Hawker 4000
Originally known as the Hawker Horizon, Hawker 4000 is a super-midsize business jet developed by Hawker Beechcraft. With a range of 3,280 nm and a capacity of up to 12 passengers, the aircraft costs 22 million dollars. One of the few people who have not hesitated to pay this money for the jet is Segio Garcia, a Spanish professional golfer who uses his plane for traveling to his tournaments. As he said, it helps him to get there safely, quickly and well rested.
Boeing 767
The Boeing 767 is a large, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner with a capacity up to 375 people and a range of up to 6,385 nautical miles but Roman Abramovich, a Russian businessman and the owner of Chelsea Football Club bought one for himself. The interior of the jet is reportedly outfitted with chestnut and decorated with gold. The aircraft can often be spotted at Luton Airport some 40 miles north of London, where Abramovich spends much of his time.
Airbus ACJ319
Airbus ACJ319 is one of the most popular members of its corporate jet family, combining the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet with intercontinental range. Similarly to most of the luxurious private jets, ACJ319 can also be tailor-made to suit your personal preferences you can choose to fit your jet out with a cinema lounge, social area, conference and dining room or office space. If you can afford to spend 80 million dollars for this aircraft, you will also enjoy the rear en-suite super modern bedroom.
Sukhoi Superjet 100
Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a modern Russian jet capable of carrying over 100 passengers. The VIP Version of the model combines outstanding comfort due to its spacious interiors and a superb performance in terms of cost savings. Several comfort zones are easily tailored in order to satisfy the customers' specific needs, including the office, the bedroom and the bathroom areas. The additional fuel tanks provide the aircraft with a range of almost 4,300 nm, which is more than double the standard range. The price is 50 million dollars.
Hawker 850XP
Designed with the latest improvements in technology, the Hawker 850XP climbs faster, goes farther, and performs better than its predecessor, the successful 800XP. It's no wonder that the 850XP is considered one of the best-selling midsize business jets. Features of the cabin include stand-up headroom, LCD lighting, touch-screen seat controls and plenty of in-cabin storage. The cabin accommodates eight passengers. To buy this aircraft, you need to have at least 14 million on your bank account.
Gulfstream G450
Designed and built by Gulfstream Aerospace, the Gulfstream G450 is private jet aircraft that was made by improving the previous G400. The new model comes with upgraded engines, updated avionics technology, and aerodynamic enhancements. With a range of almost 5,000 statute miles, the G450 connects continents with ease. Fourteen passengers fly in a spacious and comfortable cabin which includes a full-service galley. To purchase it, you have to pull out almost 50 million dollars from your pocket.
Bombardier Challenger 850
Derived from the Bombardier CRJ200 airliner, the Challenger 850 is the largest super-mid size business aircraft offered by Bombardier Aerospace. With a non-stop range of 2,811 nautical miles, the aircraft is powered by engines that are among the most tested and reliable in business aviation today, allowing passengers relax and enjoy a complete suite of in-flight entertainment capabilities or leverage state-of-the-art business communication technology. Available at a price of about 40 million dollars, one of these jets has been used by Jay-Z.
Bombardier Global 7000
Produced by Bombardier Aerospace, the Global 7000 is an ultra long-range corporate and VIP high speed jet. Capable of holding up to ten passengers and traveling over seven-thousand miles on a non-stop flight, the Global 7000 is expected to enter into service in 2016. Boasting an impressive range of up to 7,300 nautical miles, this top-notch aircraft should be available at a cost of about 60 million dollars.
Learjet 60XR
Manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace in Wichita, Kansas, the Learjet 60XR is a mid-size cabin, medium-range business jet popular among those who prefer traveling in a small group of people. With a capacity of only 8 passengers, the 60 XR is a refined version of the model 60 that was first introduced in 1993. The fact that despite its little size the jet still costs over 13 million dollars means it does have a lot to offer.
Dassault Falcon 7X
Introduced in 2005, the Dassault Falcon 7X is a large-cabin, long range business jet manufactured by Dassault Aviation. With a range of up to 6,800 miles, the Falcon 7X is notable for its extensive use of computer-aided design, the manufacturer claiming it to be the "first aircraft to be designed entirely on a virtual platform". Available for "just" 50 million dollars, this model transports celebrities such as Steven Spielberg and Bill Clinton.
Embraer Lineage 1000
Advertised as an "ultra-large" business jet, the Embraer Lineage 1000 is a large private jet providing comfortable seating for up to 19 people. Launched in 2006, the Lineage 1000 is largely based on the successful passenger jet, the Embraer 190. In the Lineage 1000 fuel tanks were added, nearly doubling the jet's range. It can also boast a lavish interior including an optional bedroom, washroom, and a walk-in cargo area at the rear. One of the lucky people who could afford to pay almost 50 million dollars for this jet was a famous Mexican businessman Jorge Vergara.
Boeing 747-8 VIP
Boeing is usually more associated with commercial flying but the brand also wanted to capture a share of the private jet market which led to creation of a special model Boeing 747-8 VIP. Often referred to as the "Jewel of the Sky", all this model is about is pure exclusivity and uniqueness. For more than 150 million dollars, you can have a totally personalized aircraft whose interior might resemble a super luxurious hotel rather an airplane. We would love to tell you who owns this amazing aircraft but Boeing has a policy of never revealing the owners of this model.
Bombardier Challenger 600
Manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace, the Challenger 600 is a twin turbofan, medium range, wide-body business jet. The jet features a large fuselage cross-section, resulting in a spacious and comfortable cabin. Additional fuselage fuel tanks and winglets were offered as a free retrofit by Canadair in order to increase the range. Joyce Meyer, an American author, used to have this stylish model before she replaced it with a Gulfstream IV. Estimated price is about 5 million dollars.
Bombardier BD-700
Produced by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace, the Bombardier BD-700 (also known as the Global Express) is a twin-engined long-range corporate jet aircraft with a capacity of maximum 19 passengers. With a range of up to 6,325 nautical miles, this jet can fly non-stop between many internationals destinations. One of the proud owners of this jet model is Bill Gates himself who didn't mind spending as much as 45 million dollars for it. Gates uses his private aircraft intensively, mainly for his work for the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation.
Gulfstream G550
Produced by General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace, the Gulfstream G550 is a private jet that was released to the market in 2003. With a maximum range of 6,750 nautical miles, the G550 has the longest flight range in its class. Inside, there is space for up to four different living areas, seats for 18 passengers and three different temperature zones. The price of this luxurious jet is about 60 million dollars. One of these jets was owned by a famous Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal and the director of The Lord of the Rings Peter Jackson.
