Breaking the speed of sound is the top desire for private jet travelers surveyed by Business Jet Traveler
Respondents to Business Jet Traveler’s Readers’ Choice 2020 Survey want to break the sound barrier.
In the publication’s annual poll, 29% of respondents said they are most interested in supersonic business jets. That could bode well for Flexjet, the launch fleet customer of Aerion’s supersonic private jet, currently under development.
With a range of 7,700 nautical miles and eight sleeping berths, VistaJet says the Global 7500 is a game-changer
The ultra-long-range private jet retails for $73 million
VistaJet is offering guaranteed availability and fixed rates without ownership via its Program membership
NetJets will introduce its version of the Global 7500 to the fractional market in 2021
Last month VistaJet announced its first Bombardier Global Express is available for customers to charter beginning in January. It also said it may have six in the fleet by the end of 2020 and could add six more by 2021.
The timing gives it at least a year’s headstart over rival NetJets, the largest operator of private jets in the world.
Now VistaJet is releasing more details on cabin configuration, both daytime and for sleeping,
Before you buy a jet card, compare over 150 of the private jets you will be flying on
Jet cards eliminate the hassles and time it takes to plan on-demand charter flights, and even more, they provide service guarantees and the opportunity to lock in fixed rates and eliminate ferry fees. Still, figuring out which aircraft fit your flying needs can be tricky.
The Gulfstream G650 is the fastest large-cabin jet, but not by much…
Private jets save you time. Even on short flights, taking a turboprop can cut your travel time in half by avoiding all that time you waste at the airport. When flying by a large-cabin private jet, which is classified as having a maximum takeoff weight of over 41,000 pounds, chances you may be on a longer trip, and there are differences.
Using data supplied by Conklin & DeDecker, Private Jet Card Comparisons estimates a 2,500-mile flight – the distance between New York and Los Angeles – the type of large-cabin jet you select for the trip could mean as much as a half-hour difference in flight time.
The fastest large-cabin private jets are the Gulfstream G650/650ER (594 mph maximum cruise speed), Bombardier Global Express XRS/6000/5000 (588 mph), Gulfstream G550/V/500 (585 mph), Bombardier Global Express (581 mph), and Dassault Falcon 8X (581 mph). Close behind, clocking a maximum cruising speed of 575 mph, are the Gulfstream GIV/IVSP/450/350/300 and related series, plus the Dassault Falcon 900 series.
When buying a jet card, programs typically sell time either in a category, for example, large jets or with the ability to select a specific aircraft when you are buying or, in some cases, if it’s an operator from their fleet per trip.
We have found only one jet card program that offers guaranteed access with fixed one-way rates to the G650, Denver-based OneFlight International, where you will pay $15,921 per hour plus 7.5% Federal Excise Tax (FET). VistaJet offers the Global Express 5000 and 6000 as part of its jet card membership called the Program.
The fastest large-cabin jet card options
If you want a Gulfstream G450/IVSP series, there are several options. NetJets sells 25 and 50-hour Marquis Jet cards on the type, as does Clay Lacy, Magellan Jets, OneFlight International, and Star Jets International.
While comparing performance such as maximum speeds can be interesting and fun, keep in mind that when it comes time to fly, paper advantages can evaporate if you are held on the ground or slowed up inflight by an air traffic controller need to vector around the weather. During the climb and descent, jets are not flying at maximum speeds, and in congested areas after takeoff and on the approach, you will like to find yourself in an aerial parade of aircraft, everyone flying at the same speed.
The table below provides maximum cruise speed, normal cruise speed and long-range cruise speed for over 45 large-cabin jets.
Aircraft Name
Max Cruise Speed (mph)
Normal Cruise Speed (mph)
Long-Range Cruise Speed (mph)
Gulfstream G650ER
594
NA
562
Gulfstream G650
594
NA
562
Bombardier Global Express XRS
588
562
542
Bombardier Global 6000
588
562
542
Bombardier Global 5000
588
562
542
Gulfstream G550
585
562
528
Gulfstream G V
585
562
528
Gulfstream G500 (Old Model)
585
562
528
Bombardier Global Express
581
562
528
Dassault Falcon 8X
581
562
528
Gulfstream G450
575
548
512
Gulfstream G IV SP
575
548
512
Gulfstream G400
575
548
512
Gulfstream G IV
575
548
512
Gulfstream G350
575
548
512
Gulfstream G300
575
548
512
Gulfstream G II B
575
529
495
Gulfstream G II B Hushkit
575
529
495
Gulfstream G III
575
550
491
Gulfstream G III Hushkit
575
550
491
Gulfstream G II SP
575
547
495
Gulfstream G II SP Hushkit
575
547
495
Gulfstream G II
575
547
518
Gulfstream G II Hushkit
575
547
518
Dassault Falcon 900
575
525
493
Dassault Falcon 900B
575
536
493
Dassault Falcon 900C
575
536
493
Dassault Falcon 7X
566
562
533
Bombardier Challenger 604
562
528
489
Bombardier Challenger 605
562
528
489
Bombardier Challenger 650
562
528
489
Dassault Falcon 2000EX
555
528
509
Dassault Falcon 2000EX EASy
555
528
509
Dassault Falcon 900LX
555
528
495
Dassault Falcon 900EX
555
528
495
Dassault Falcon 900EX EASy
555
528
495
Dassault Falcon 900DX
555
528
495
Dassault Falcon 2000LX
550
521
506
Dassault Falcon 2000LXS
550
521
506
Embraer Legacy 650
528
514
489
Embraer Legacy 650E
528
514
489
Bombardier Challenger 850
528
509
489
Bombardier Challenger 601-3AER
528
510
489
Bombardier Challenger 601-3R
528
510
489
Bombardier Challenger 601-1A
528
510
489
Bombardier Challenger 601-3A
528
510
489
Bombardier Challenger 600
527
527
461
Embraer Legacy 600
524
514
488
Source: Conklin & de Decker Associates, Inc. Note: Seating is standard configuration, provided for guidance only, and may vary by owner.
Conklin & de Decker, a JSSI Company, is a leader in aviation research, consulting, and education with offices in Massachusetts, Texas, and Arizona. The mission of Conklin & de Decker is to enable the general aviation industry to make more informed decisions when dealing with the purchase, operation, and disposition of aircraft by furnishing objective and impartial information. Founded in 1984, Conklin & de Decker focuses on fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft operating cost, performance and specification databases, maintenance management software, financial management, fleet planning, market research, aviation tax issues, and financial, tax and management seminars. Conklin & de Decker consults with numerous individuals, corporations, and government agencies worldwide. More information on their products and services, copies of articles published, and a unique “Members Only” section can be found on their website, conklindd.com.