How Fast Can a Private Jet fly ? Top 10 Fastest Private Jets
The private jet is the fastest mode of transport. These luxurious planes allow you to move in no time in the most absolute comfort. There are many business jets, but which one is the fastest in the world?
Why is the Private Jet the Fastest Way of Transportation?
Private jets are relatively light planes, most of them have a fuselage made of aluminum and composite materials. This weight advantage makes them both very fast and low in emissions compared to airliners.
Business jets are also equipped with exceptionally powerful engines. The three engine manufacturers General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls Royce compete in ingenuity to design ever more powerful and efficient engines. This partly explains why private jets have one of the highest power-to-weight ratios in the aviation industry.
In addition, business aviation allows passengers to avoid long queues during check-in and security screening at major airports. Passengers access private terminals (FBO) and go through all controls in just 15 minutes on average.
The private jet offers the luxury of deciding the times of the flight and choosing the airports of departure and arrival. Private jets also save time by having the ability to land at smaller airports closer to the passengers’ final destination.
Why do Private Jets have to be Fast?
60% of private jet flights are transport for professionals on the move. Whether they are business leaders, senior executives, journalists or doctors, the private jet is above all a professional tool that allows them to go quickly.
These professionals who work in a hurry, who have huge responsibilities or who have a very busy schedule, cannot afford to waste a few hours at the airport. Business aviation then emerges as the only means of transport that makes it possible to travel so quickly. This explains the attention private jet manufacturers pay to the power and speed of their planes.
How Does Weather Influence the Speed of a Private Jet?
Weather has a significant impact on the speed of a private jet. The speed indicated on the onboard airspeed indicator is never the true speed at which the private jet is flying. Taken from the aircraft’s exterior probes, this speed does not take into account the mass of air within which the aircraft flies and wind speeds. These weather factors can change the speed of an airplane completely.
In February 2020, a Boeing 747-200 of the British airline British Airways flew from London to New York in just 4:56 hours, compared to 6:55 hours usually. Storm Ciara raged over the Atlantic that day, and westerly winds of over 400 km/h brought the Boeing to an exceptional speed of 1,100 km/h. This extreme example shows how weather can speed up or slow down a private jet in flight.
How Fast are Private Jets?
The speed of private jets depends mainly on their size and motorization. It is possible to distinguish them according to the category to which they belong:
– Ultra-light private jets (1 to 5 seats) fly between 600 and 750 km/h
– Light private jets (5 to 7 seats) fly between 700 and 850 km/h.
– Medium-sized private jets (8-10 seats) fly between 780 and 930 km/h.
– Long-haul private jets (10 to 16 seats) fly between 850 and 1,100 km/h.
The fastest private jets in the world are all long and very long haul business jets. They fly above Mach 0.90 (Mach 1 being the speed of sound), or 1111 km/h.
The Top 10 Fastest Private Jets in the World
1. Gulfstream G700. Top Speed: Mach 0.99
The fastest private jet in the world is the Gulfstream G700. This 19-passenger jet was unveiled in 2019. It dethrones all of its competitors with an ultra-spacious cabin and overpowered engines.
Equipped with two Rolls-Royce 700 Rb.3043 engines each delivering a thrust of 18,250 Lb, the Gulfstream G700 is designed to fly at a speed of Mach 0.925 (1142 km/h) up to 51,000 ft (15.545 meters). But the test pilots went much further with this G700, they pushed it to Mach 0.99 (1222 km/h), almost the speed of sound! An exceptional performance that will be hard to beat.
2. Cessna Citation X+. Top Speed: Mach 0.935
The Cessna Citation X+ is the second fastest private jet in the world. Having held the speed record for a private jet for 6 years, it was dethroned in 2020 with the entry into service of the G700.
Equipped with two high-powered Rolls-Royce AE3007CE turbojets, the Cessna Citation X+ can reach speeds of Mach 0.935 (1194 km/h).
This exceptional speed made it possible to break many records. In particular, the Cessna Citation X+ can climb up to 47,000 ft (14,300 meters) in just 24 minutes. It also connected the two coasts of the United States, from Seattle to Miami, in 4:52 only.
3. Gulfstream G650. Top Speed: Mach 0.925
The Gulfstream G650 is the third fastest private jet in the world. With a capacity of 19 passengers and a range of 7000 nm (12.964 km), this private jet is also one of the most prestigious on the market.
The G650ER version, for Extended Range, has a range of 7,500 nm (13,890 km). The Gulfstream G650 can connect most of the world’s capitals non-stop, a unique luxury for business travelers.
Equipped with two Rolls-Royce BR725 engines of 16,900 lbs of thrust each, the G650 flies at a speed of Mach 0.925 (1142 km/h). Which makes it the third fastest private jet in the world.
4. Gulfstream G500. Top Speed: Mach 0.925
The Gulfstream G500 is a 19-passenger private jet that can travel up to 5,200 nm (9,630 km). Launched in 2002, the G500 remains one of the most popular private jets for passengers. The cabin brings a lot of comfort thanks to a kitchen, a bathroom and even sofas or beds.
The two PW800 engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada and the innovative wing design make the G500 one of the market leaders in terms of performance. The G500 flies at a speed of Mach 0.925 (1132 km/h), which makes it the 4th fastest private jet in the world.
5. Global 7500. Top Speed: Mach 0.925
The Global 7500 is a very long-haul private jet from the aircraft manufacturer Bombardier that offers a range of 7,700 nm (14,260 km). The Global 7500 can connect any city on the planet nonstop. It is also one of the largest in terms of cabin area. Up to 19 passengers can enjoy unparalleled comfort in an ultra-luxurious cabin.
The Bombardier Global 7500 is equipped with two GE Passport engines with a respective thrust of 18,920 lbs. It can fly at a speed of Mach 0.925 (1132 km/h), which makes it one of the fastest private jets on the market.
6. Global 8000. Top Speed: Mach 0.925
The Global 8000 is an improved version of the Global 7500 unveiled in 2019 by Bombardier. This very long-haul private jet offers a range of 7,900 nm (14,631 km) to the 17 passengers who can board. The Global 8000 is a unique combination of comfort, performance and range. It is one of the new private jets most popular with passengers.
Two GE Passport engines with a thrust of 16,500 lb allow the Global 8000 to fly at a speed of Mach 0.925 (1132 km/h).
7. Falcon 8X. Top Speed: Mach 0.90
The Falcon 8X is the new flagship of Dassault Aviation’s Falcon range. This very long-haul private jet can accommodate 19 passengers and has a range of 6450 nm (11.945 km), it can connect Paris to Hong Kong non-stop. The Falcon 8X has a key advantage over its competitors, it can take off and land on very small runways like London City.
The Dassault Falcon 8X is powered by three Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307D engines with a thrust of 6.722 lbs each. These engines are 30% more eco-efficient than competing engines. They allow the Falcon 8X to fly at a speed of Mach 0.90 (1111 km/h).
8. Global 6500. Top Speed: Mach 0.90
The Bombardier Global 6500 has been in service since 2019. This very long-haul private jet has a range of 6,600 nm (12,223 km) and can accommodate up to 17 passengers. The cabin is refined and offers pure and simple comfort to passengers, it has been designed to meet the needs of both professionals and families on the go.
The Bombardier Global 6500 is equipped with two Rolls-Royce Pear engines built specifically for this new business aircraft. With a thrust of 15.125 lbs each, they allow the Global 6500 to fly at a speed of Mach 0.90 (1111 km/h).
9. Falcon 7X. Top Speed: Mach 0.90
The Falcon 7X is a top-of-the-line private jet from Dassault that entered service in 2007. It is one of the most popular in the history of business aviation. It is also Dassault Aviation’s biggest commercial success. This private jet offers superior comfort to 16 passengers thanks to a space for cooking, toilets, a sofa, a bed and a range of 5939 nm (11,000 km).
The Falcon 7X is equipped with three Pratt & Whitney PW307A engines which provide 6.402 lbs of thrust each, it can fly up to Mach 0.90 (1,111 km/h).
10. Global 5500. Top Speed: Mach 0.90
The Global 5500 closes this ranking of the fastest private jets. This Bombardier long-range business jet entered service in 2020. It offers a unique blend of innovation, style and comfort to the 16 passengers who can board. The Global 5500 offers an impressive range of 5,900 nm (10,928 km) which connects São Paulo to Paris non-stop.
The two Rolls-Royce Pearl engines, the same as for the Global 6500, each offer a maximum thrust of 15.125 lbs at take-off and can fly up to Mach 0.90 (1111 km/h).
