The sky under the wing: the most expensive plane in the world. The most expensive plane in the world: photo, rating The most luxurious plane in the world

In the era of capitalism, when almost all borders between countries in the world have been erased, it is simply impossible to do without such a means of transportation as an airplane. It not only simplifies people’s lives, allowing them to cross distances of tens or even hundreds of kilometers in a matter of hours, but is also an integral part of the air military forces of many states. Flight to aircraft not only reduces the time it takes to cover a certain distance, but also allows you to do it comfortably. The cost of aircraft and travel on it is much higher than other types of transport. The most expensive private jet in the world costs over $500 million.

Top 10 most expensive aircraft in the world

The top ten most expensive aircraft from around the world are aircraft whose cost ranges from $100 million to $2 billion. True, the most expensive aircraft in the world is not passenger airliner, and a military aircraft. Many aviation connoisseurs are interested in how much the most expensive aircraft costs. The cost of airliners is influenced not only by their market price, but also by the interior decoration and technical equipment. The most expensive planes in the world belong to well-known multi-billionaires and public figures who can afford to have their own comfortable aircraft or even several in their fleet.

10th place

Gulfstream V.

The liner, owned by the famous actor Jim Carrey, is valued at $59 million. The actor acquired a personal airliner for business trips in comfortable conditions and with all possible amenities. The Gulf Stream is rightfully one of the fastest aircraft of this class. Its cabin is designed for only 16 passengers, but before this aircraft is transformed into a comfortable aircraft vehicle, its board could accommodate up to a couple of hundred people. There are only 191 aircraft of this model worldwide.

9th place

Boeing 757.

The cost of this airliner, which has taken pride of place in the world ranking of the most expensive airliners, is $100 million. The owner of this aircraft is the current US President and famous billionaire – Donald Trump. On board the airliner is the owner's name in large letters, so when you see this ship, you will never confuse it with another aircraft. There is information that this aircraft was previously in the possession of the co-founder of the famous global company Microsoft, Paul Allen, from whom Donald Trump actually bought this aircraft.

The cabin of this top-rated airliner offers real luxury and comfort. Passenger seats are equipped with seat belts with gold-plated buckles, and the onboard bathroom sinks and taps are also made of pure gold. There is also a huge home theater with a 52-inch diagonal plasma screen, two bedrooms for rest and sleep for tired passengers. The Boeing 757 can easily accommodate 23 passengers and no one will be constrained in terms of convenience and comfort, although in fact this aircraft model can easily accommodate several hundred people.

8th place

Boeing 757-8I VIP.

A place of honor in the ranking was taken by the plane owned by one of the richest businessmen in the world, Asian Joseph Lau. The Boeing 757 is one of the most popular aircraft models among multi-billionaires. They don’t mind spending a hundred or two million conventional units to get a personal plane. The cost of Joseph Lau's liner is over 150 million. On board the aircraft there is:

beautiful designer spiral staircases;
home cinema;
conference hall;
video monitors;
vaulted ceilings;
gym;
a wine cellar with a huge collection of more than 10 thousand bottles of different wines;
portrait of Mao Zedong, which is valued at $17.5 million.

The main highlight of this Boeing model is that it is two-story, due to which the area on which you can create a real palace, worthy of attention and a place of honor in the ranking of the most expensive private aircraft in the world.

7th place

Boeing 747.

The seventh place in the ranking is occupied by the Boeing 747, which belongs to Mswati the Third, the king of Swaziland. The plane is valued at $170 million and was purchased by the king with funds from the state treasury in 2002, at a time when Swaziland was in the throes of an economic crisis and average residents in the kingdom had to survive on two dollars a day. This acquisition of the king provoked a wave of protests among the population and almost led to a revolution.

6th place

Boeing 747-400.

The owner of this expensive Boeing is the prince Saudi Arabia– Al-Walid bin Talal, who has another, more expensive airliner in his arsenal. As conceived by the engineers, this aircraft was intended to carry 4 hundred passengers, but it was converted into a real luxurious and magnificent airliner with all the amenities. The following were safely accommodated in the cabin of this aircraft:

two bedrooms;
bathrooms;
dinner table;
work zone;
places for recreation, etc.

The cost of this luxury aircraft is, by today's standards, 220 million US dollars.

5th place

Boeing 747-430.

This liner was purchased for 100 million US dollars, after which another 133 million cu were invested in its interior decoration, which in total exceeded 230 million. There are rumors that the owner has invested a lot more money in his Boeing 747-430 and now its value is about 1 billion dollars. Whether this is true or not, no one knows for sure.

But for the owner of this plane, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, whose savings amount to about 40 billion US dollars, this is not much money, so he can afford to fly in comfort and luxury. There are also two more airliners in its fleet, one of which is an Airbus 340. The cabin of the Boeing 747-430 has a very comfortable bathroom, bedroom, and living room, decorated with gilded elements. The interior design is kept strictly in oriental style. The salon is decorated with handmade carpets and sanitary ware made of pure gold, and the rooms are decorated with Lalique crystals.

4th place

Airbus A340-300.

The price of this aircraft is $350 million. This airliner, one of the ten most expensive aircraft, belongs to the Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who, according to the ratings of the famous Forbes magazine in 2016, took an honorable third place among the richest citizens of Russia.

Alisher invested the funds not only in the purchase of the aircraft, creating comfort and luxurious conditions in the cabin, but also in tuning the board, on which the inscription “Burkhan” is emblazoned. This is the name of the businessman's father. But in honor of his mother, Usmanov acquired a yacht worth 100 million, with her name written on board - Dilbar. In this unusual way, the billionaire entrepreneur pays respect to his parents, who gave birth to and raised him.

The Airbus a340-300 was produced in Switzerland back in 2008, and the vessel was registered on the Isle of Man, hence official name airliner - "M-IABU". Alisher invested more than a hundred million in the decoration of his aircraft, but it’s worth it.

3rd place

Boeing 747-200B.

One of the most expensive aircraft in the world belongs to the former President of the United States of America, George Bush. The cost of the aircraft reaches 375 million dollars. On board the liner there is a luxurious, sophisticated, expensive interior, as well as the latest technical equipment in the form of missile defense, electromagnetic protection for defense in the event of a nuclear attack and means for combating radio electronics. This aircraft also entered the top ten most large aircraft peace. Due to its size, not every airport can accept this vessel. Without refueling, the aircraft can cover a distance of more than 12.5 thousand kilometers.

2nd place

Boeing 767.

The owner of this expensive luxury airliner, which costs about $500 million, is the world famous multi-billionaire owner of Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich. It has two aircraft in its fleet, but this one is rightfully the best. The second is an Airbus 340.

The interior of the Boeing 767 is decorated with expensive varieties of mahogany and ebony. Most decorative elements in the interior are made of gold of the highest standard. The Boeing cabin has a dining table for 30 people, a bedroom, a bathroom, and an area for relaxation and negotiations.

The airliner is also equipped with an anti-missile system. The outside of the board is decorated with an original design, which is why this aircraft was nicknamed “Bandit”.

1 place

Airbus A380 Custom.

The Airbus A380, which is the most expensive private airliner in the world, takes pride of place. Its price is slightly more than $500 million, and it belongs to Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, discussed above. This luxurious double-deck liner is famous for its most expensive decorations, which are worthy of a member of the royal family. Inside there is:

five bedrooms with bathrooms;
20 cabins for the prince's guests;
dining room for 14 people;
a meeting room with holographic monitors;
area for health and spa treatments;
garage for the Prince's car park;
sauna with hot tub;
hamam (Turkish bath);
concert hall;
dance floor;
gym with exercise equipment;
hawk room;
a special room for prayer with rugs directed towards Mecca (they change their direction in accordance with the aircraft's course from the airliner's computer positioning systems);
stables and much more.

The plane also has a specially equipped room with many monitors that display the terrain over which the aircraft is flying at a particular moment. The height of the aircraft is 25 meters, and the length of this aircraft is slightly more than 72 meters. There are only 195 aircraft of this model in the world, and only one of them rightfully tops the ranking of the most expensive aircraft in the world.

The most expensive plane in the world

Above is a rating of the most expensive private airliners in the world, but if you make a rating based on the cost of aircraft, without sorting them into passenger and military, then the Top most expensive aircraft will be the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, which costs $2.2 billion. Not only is luxurious decoration an important component of the price of an aircraft, but also its technical equipment and capabilities. Initially, it was planned to produce 132 units of such bombers, but then at a meeting of the US Congress it was decided to reduce the batch to 21 units. In 2008, one such military airliner crashed in a plane crash, as a result of which the military aviation fleet was reduced by one unit of this aircraft model.

This model is military aviation technology equipped with:

stealth technologies that allow you to easily maneuver and bypass any enemy defensive systems;
conventional and nuclear weapons (80 units of homing missiles and 16 units of nuclear bombs).

The B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber took part in air combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Back in 1997, its cost was only 737 million US dollars, and the full package of technical and combat equipment was estimated at 929 million conventional units. And today this model a combat airliner is the most expensive aircraft.

The most beautiful airliner in the world

The concept of beauty is quite subjective, but there are generally accepted rules and criteria (successful or unsuccessful combination of colors in the livery, the presence of the golden ratio, the originality of the design, the font in which the inscription with the name of the airline is written, etc.), by which one can judge the beauty of aircraft and create a conditional rating of the most beautiful of them.

The originality of design and avant-garde design on board the aircraft (livery) may not always be to the taste of passengers. Most often, one likes the restrained, harmonious design styles of airliners, so a flashy, bright design cannot always guarantee success with passengers.

The most attractive in terms of external design are the aircraft of British Airways and AirFrance. A laconic design style using exclusively national colors and a minimum of decorative elements gives appearance The airliners of these two air carriers are particularly attractive and elegant.

We should also highlight the aircraft with a pleasant and sophisticated design from the SkyTeam alliance. The side is silver in color with a rich blue keel with the alliance emblem - all this is ingeniously simple and very beautiful. The Swiss company is no less attractive in terms of the attractiveness of the aircraft's external design, but judging by the bright and unobtrusive design of the airliners, there are no equals to the aircraft of the air carrier Air Malta, one of which is shown in the photo.

If we are talking about the beauty of an airliner’s interior, then when looking at photos of the most expensive aircraft, we can conclude that each of them is distinguished by its special elegance and luxury, but here, too, everything is purely subjective. Some people like flashy and pompous design, while others like simple and comfortable minimalism and restraint in the interior style.

How much does the cheapest plane cost?

Today, the smallest and cheapest aircraft is the FlyNano, which weighs only 70 kg, and the length of the miniature airliner is 3 m 80 cm with a wing length of 4 m 80 cm. You can purchase this airliner for only 25 thousand euros. Despite the aircraft's weight being too small, the pilot's weight can reach 130 kilograms.

The maximum height that this invention of technology can reach is 3 thousand meters. The model is available with a gasoline or electric motor. In the first version, the mini-plane can cover a distance of about 70 kilometers without refueling, but in the second version it is almost half as much - only 40 km.

The designer of this miracle of modern aviation is Finnish engineer Aki Suokas, who worked on the project for more than 10 years. Most recently, his brainchild was presented at an air show held in Germany. And, to put it mildly, this airliner created a real sensation among visitors, thanks to which the Finnish aircraft designer received a lot of orders for the production of miniature aircraft.

An airplane is in itself not so much a means of transportation as a luxury: it consumes a huge amount of fuel, requires a hangar, a team of experienced pilots and technicians, and, of course, timely “upgrades.” But people who can afford their own “iron bird” often shell out so fabulously that you want to gasp. Built-in cinemas, gilding, handmade carpets and even (although this has already become mainstream) gold plumbing - this is what the nouveau riche go to, just so that everyone in the world does not doubt that they are really rich.

They are also called business jets.

As you might guess, this aircraft belongs to an Arab sheikh and prince. Al Waleed bin Talal bought an Airbus A380 Custom back in 2012, and immediately - in a special configuration, designed specifically for rich “troubles”. For the most expensive plane, he paid about half a billion dollars.

The plane has two decks. Two of the sheikh's cars fly from below (he especially loves Rolls-Royces), as well as his horses, camels and even hawks - the owner of the plane is a hunter. A prayer room was also built there, the cunning architecture of which, in any direction, can direct the room towards Mecca.

In addition, on the plane you can find:

five bedrooms - for the owner and his guests,
Turkish bath, bath and shower,
gym,
concert hall,
rest rooms from all this splendor...

To make all this beauty shine and sparkle, 15 people work on the airliner - several pilots and a lot of flight attendants. They can serve both one owner and a thousand guests (that’s how many passengers the Airbus A380 can carry).

Many of you may ask a logical question: how does this palace even take off? After all, this is neither more nor less: 25 meters in height, 72 in length! But it not only rises into the sky, it can fly 14.5 thousand kilometers without refueling.

Slightly less cheap, but no less luxurious

Other sheikhs and other rich people of this world learned with envy about the Airbus A380... And immediately bombarded its creators with applications. Therefore, there are already quite a lot of such “birds” in the world - as many as 195 pieces. And you say - the global economic crisis...

We invite you to learn about the no less luxurious, and often no less expensive, planes of other billionaires.

Airbus A340-300 Custom, which has its own name - “Burkhan”. Thus, the owner of the plane, Russian billionaire Alisher Asmanov honored his own father: the winged “bird” bears his name (it’s interesting that he also didn’t forget about his mother, naming him in her honor luxury yacht- “Dilbar”). This flying miracle costs the same 500 million dollars (the price was primarily influenced by the fact that the interior was not basic, but designed to meet the numerous requirements of the owner).
Boeing 767. Its owner is Roman Abramovich. For the same “symbolic” 500 million, he received an interior in mahogany and ebony, gold interior items and even... His own anti-missile system. By the way, when he gets tired of Boeing, the Russian billionaire switches to an Airbus 340.
Boeing 747-430 Custom. Property of the Sultan of Brunei. The owner bought it “only” for 100 million, but significantly modified it, stuffing it with all possible amenities and attributes of luxury, which is why the price of the aircraft increased to 230 million. There is even a golden washbasin (not painted, but entirely made of this most noble metal). History is silent about what the toilets in this plane are made of, although logic dictates that they, too, can be oh so difficult...
Boeing 747-400 Custom. Another “bird” by Al Walid bin Talal, about whom we already wrote above. Yes, this man is richer than Uncle Scrooge! A huge golden living room, two royal bedrooms - and all this for 230 million greenbacks.
Boeing 747-8VIP, also known as Dreamliner. Its owner is not a sheikh (finally), but a billionaire from Hong Kong - Joseph Lau. For 200 million, this man equipped not a nouveau riche, but simply the most comfortable vehicle. There are no golden walls or bulging attributes of luxury here; the interior is more reminiscent of neo-modern.

The most sophisticated fighter

This is an American B-2 Spirit bomber. It is literally crammed with electronics. Take the casing for example - it is made of radio-absorbing materials, thanks to which this “bird” cannot be caught by radars.

The plane can carry any weapon (even nuclear).

In the USA, 21 of these were collected. Each cost American taxpayers 2 billion and another 100 million in greenbacks! Military journalists report that it was the Spirits who were involved in bombing campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The most expensive passenger airliner

It's called Concorde.

Its creation is already in itself interesting story. This supersonic aircraft was invented in Europe back in the 50s, but the project turned out to be too expensive for any one country, so two powerful enterprises took on it at once - the American company Boeing and the Russian (at that time Soviet) Tupolev Design Bureau. Over time, the United States withdrew from the project, and France and Britain joined it.

As they say, if you suffer for a long time, everything will work out: the first Concorde (the name is very telling - translated as “commonwealth” or “accord”) took off in 1968. When it successfully (and at record speed) flew for 2 years, the creators blessed mass production.

In principle, only 14 aircraft were assembled. Four became the property of Air France, five - British Airways. They flew throughout Europe and the USA and at first turned out to be unprofitable. After the engines were improved (they began to “eat” less), tickets became a little cheaper, and the planes began to make a profit. Moreover, passengers also appreciated the convenience of super-fast transatlantic flights.

Unfortunately, in 2000, a fire occurred on board one of the “birds”. The plane crashed, killing more than a hundred passengers. The reputation of winged ships was tarnished. They tried to improve them, but since 2003 they no longer fly.

But is it necessary to buy your own plane to fly like a king? No! You can travel first class, and then you will have access to marbled beef on Chinese porcelain, champagne and a luxurious bed strewn with rose petals. This video will tell you more about flying in first class, and in particular about airlines that provide this service:

Everyone knows that an airplane is not a cheap thing, but the examples presented in today’s top list are simply prohibitively expensive. Only some countries can afford such aircraft, not to mention ordinary people. So, what are the most expensive planes in the world today?

B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber – $2,100,000,000

This strategic bomber was developed and first released in the United States in 1946. His whole appearance says so - the future has come. The “flying wing,” as it is popularly called, is distinguished by unsurpassed aerodynamic characteristics and the ability to effectively hide from ground-based radars.

Maintenance of the aircraft also costs the state considerable sums. The B-2 Spirit requires a special room - a hangar with an ideal climate for it. The device reacts negatively to sunlight, which disrupts the radio-absorbing layer on the body. Around the world, only a few air bases can provide adequate conditions for this aircraft.

Airbus A380 – $500,000,000

This aircraft has the title of the largest passenger aircraft and was created as a competitor to the devices of the world giant Boeing. The liner has been developed and improved for more than 10 years. Today, the aircraft accommodates more than 850 passengers, there are sections for business and economy class, and there are also places intended for showers, libraries, bars - all this is organized at the request of the customer company.

To save on pilot training, their cockpit was made almost identical to others located in similar aircraft. The cockpit is equipped with nine LCD monitors, detailing all the information needed for a successful flight. The crew consists of 27 people, including pilots and stewards, but for long flights a couple more pilots are added.

Airbus A340 – from $350,000,000

Apart from price, aircraft of this family have several other common features. They have four engines, a wide fuselage, and are 63 meters long. The family actively uses innovations in the field of aircraft construction - to keep fuel consumption to a minimum, aerodynamic properties have been worked out to the smallest detail. A digital control system has been introduced, and modern composite materials are used for the housing.

In turn, due to low fuel consumption, aircraft are very environmentally friendly, and they also produce very little noise and harmful emissions. Despite the presence of four engines, the cabin of each aircraft is quiet, this factor is important for long flights. The number of passenger seats can reach up to 440, and there is also a spacious cargo compartment.

F-22 Raptor – $350,000,000

This ship confidently proved the leadership of the United States in the development of military aircraft. It is not without reason that it is called the “aircraft of the 21st century” - the latest developments are used in technology. The F-22 Raptor features low radar signature, faster-than-sound speed, and excellent maneuverability.

The functionality of the aircraft is impressive. The aircraft can engage targets from all angles and is equipped with advanced electronics and a 360-degree information system. Alloys of aluminum and titanium were used to create the body - composite materials can significantly reduce weight, which means making the aircraft more maneuverable and less noticeable to radar devices.

C-17A Globemaster III – $328,000,000

This American aircraft first took off in 1991. But, even despite its age of more than two decades, the development is still in demand and is included in the military aviation fleet of many countries - the USA, Canada, Australia, United Arab Emirates etc. One of the important advantages of the model is its excellent carrying capacity and spaciousness, which is why it is included in the list of the most expensive aircraft in the world.

One C-17 can carry, for example, three Apache helicopters or one Chinook, as well as any ground transport, including tanks and jeeps. In addition, more than 100 people can be accommodated on board. Another advantage of the model is that it is quite short (less than a kilometer) runway, which allows you to rise into the air as quickly as possible.

R-8A Poseidon – $290,000,000

This aircraft from Boeing has an on-board radar and reconnaissance system. It is capable of making a cartographic assessment of the area, independently recognizing even stationary objects, and also searching for submarines under water. As for the power component, the R-8A has two reliable engines - the likelihood of their failure is close to zero.

The aircraft reaches enormous speeds - up to 930 km/h, and when patrolling over the sea - 330 km/h at an altitude of 60 meters. Its internal compartment accommodates both conventional bombs and depth bombs or torpedoes. And underwing pylons are necessary for anti-ship missiles. Poseidon's protection is also well organized - there is EWSP, the so-called electronic countermeasures system, as well as interference control systems.

Boeing 747-430 Custom – $233,000,000

This passenger aircraft is the most successful of the 747 series. Compared to the previous version, the 747-300, it has more rounded wing tips, a glass cabin and improved engines. In 1989, a plane without passengers set a record in its category - it flew 18 thousand kilometers in 20 hours.

The Boeing 747-430 is superior to its analogues in the following parameters: speed, payload capacity, payback load level. However, it loses in fuel consumption, maintenance costs and flight costs. Over the entire history of the production of models of this series, there have been about 20 plane crashes (in some cases there was a human factor). In 2007, the model was officially discontinued.

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye – $232,000,000

This aircraft was developed in the USA for reconnaissance purposes back in 1960. It provides the best detection of objects at a distance of up to 540 kilometers (for cruise missiles - half as much). The aircraft can also monitor targets on the water, after which it can quickly transmit information to the operations center on the main aircraft carrier, and patrol assets will also receive it at the same time.

The E-2 serves as a command post, designed to control the process of targeting fighters to an object, warn in advance of the appearance of enemy aircraft in the visual zone, and also control accompanying fighters. On this moment The US has about 140 of these aircraft.

Boeing 747-400 Custom – $200,000,000

This passenger liner was launched in 1969 and accommodates about 580 passengers. On the upper deck there is business class, designed for 44 people. The chairs in it can turn into comfortable beds. The menu includes a wide range of food and drinks, and to make the flight not boring, a multimedia entertainment system is provided.

As for the economy class, located on the lower deck, it is also quite comfortable for the flight - the seats are soft, located at an impressive distance from each other. In general, the airliner is very popular among passengers and provides them with all the necessary conditions for a comfortable flight. People also call it “Eggplant” because of the characteristic humpback shape of the upper deck.

Boeing 747–8 VIP – $153,000,000

True to its name, this aircraft is designed for VIPs - it is as comfortable as possible and is luxurious even in the details. Four powerful engines allow you to travel up to 14 thousand kilometers without transfers. Inside there is a sitting area, a dining room, and every detail of the interior is designed by professional designers and made of expensive materials.

On board you can even find a luxurious bedroom with a large soft bed. For people who cannot tear themselves away from work even on the road, there is a conference room and an office. You can chat with friends and colleagues in the bright, spacious living room.

The listed aircraft amaze not only with their price, but also rich history, enveloping them. It is difficult to imagine that humanity was able to invent, make and lift these giants into the air. Nevertheless, it is true. Whatever the purpose of this or that aircraft, their names today resound throughout the world.

Video

Few people have not at least once in their life thought about how nice it would be to have their own personal plane, on which you can go anywhere in the world at any time. Our top list today includes the most amazing and incredible private jets, the owners of which are the richest and most influential people on the planet:
5. Boeing 757
owner – Donald Trump, billionaire, USA
cost of the aircraft – 100,000,000 US dollars

The aircraft, which was not originally designed specifically for the American businessman, was re-equipped, after which it began to meet all the requirements of its new owner. Mandatory for Donald Trump was the presence of: a modern home theater with a 52-inch plasma screen, a spacious bedroom with silk linens depicting the family coat of arms, personal account, equipped with desks and necessary office equipment, a bathroom with a circular shower, gold-plated faucets and sink, as well as Waterford crystal lamps, expensive paintings and seat belts with gold buckles.

4. Boeing 747-8I VIP
owner - Joseph Lau, billionaire, Hong Kong
cost of the aircraft – 153,000,000 US dollars

The plane of one of the richest Asian businessmen is called “Dreamliner”. It boasts vaulted ceilings, spiral staircases, flat-screen video monitors, a home theater, a gym, a conference room, a wine cellar with an extensive wine collection (about 10,000 bottles), and a portrait of Mao Zedong by Andy Warhol, purchased for $17,400,000 USA.

3. Boeing 747-430
owner – Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei
cost of the aircraft – 233,000,000 US dollars

One of the richest monarchs in the world has three private jets, and the Boeing 747-430 is the Sultan's largest aircraft. He bought it from Lufthansa for US$100 million and spent another US$133 million on the interior: the living room. the bedroom and bathroom are decorated with gold and French Lalique crystal. Even the shells are made of pure gold.

2. Airbus 340-300
owner – Alisher Usmanov, Russian billionaire
cost of the aircraft – 350,000,000 US dollars

The owner of a fortune of 15.8 billion US dollars has several planes, but this is his favorite. The aircraft was purchased for 238 million US dollars and equipped with the latest technology for the remaining 112 million. The aircraft with four engines is ideal for long-term intercontinental flights: its flight range is 13,500 km.

1. Airbus 380
owner - Prince Al-Walid bin Talal bin Adel Aziz Al Saud, member of the Saudi royal family
cost of the aircraft – 500,000,000 US dollars

One of the richest people in the Arab world has 3 personal planes, and one of them is the largest, most luxurious and expensive Airbus 380. It was purchased for 300 million US dollars, and another 200 million was spent on remodeling the interior to the taste of the prince. The "Flying Palace" boasts concert hall for 10 people, an entertainment area, a hammam (Turkish bath) with a marble plunge pool, a SPA room, a dining room for 14 people, a prayer room with rugs oriented towards Mecca thanks to a computer, a garage, a stable, royal hall, 20 guest rooms, 5 bedrooms with bathrooms, a meeting room with holographic monitors, a personal throne located in the center of the plane so that the prince does not get homesick. In addition, the airliner has a "magic" room with monitors on all the walls, floor and ceiling, showing the terrain over which it is currently flying. The aircraft, which has 11 flight attendants on board, can accommodate up to 853 passengers. The list of the royal decoration of the aircraft can be continued for a long time, but its only drawback is that not every airport can accommodate such a giant.

Today, a private jet is not so much a means of transportation, but also an indicator of success, status and a member of the millionaires' club or Forbes magazine list.

Private jet rental

Before we look at what's on the market in more detail, it must be said that chartering a private jet, rather than buying one, is another option to join the world. private aviation. Hiring a business jet with 7 seats costs an average of 4,000 euros per hour on a national route and up to 8,000 or more if the flight is international. Of course, the class of the aircraft, optional equipment and the luxury of the interior will play a significant role in the final rental price.

What exactly does the rental cost consist of and what can you save on when ordering a plane.

Main components of the rental cost:

aircraft class and model, cabin capacity,
in-flight service class,
flight distance and number of landing airports.

Now let's look at the most interesting models that are currently on the market or are under development and pre-sale.

This impressive airliner is one of those things that you can only afford if you are a multimillionaire, because its price is no less than $51 million (€44 million). But if you don't want to spend so much money at once, it is possible to rent one at an average price per hour of flight of about $20,000 (17,388 euros), according to PrivateFly. When purchasing an Airbus ACJ319 Elegance, it is possible to order individual tuning using various modules. In addition to the spacious cabin, you can enjoy a kitchen and bathroom at the front of the aircraft, as well as a bedroom and bathroom at the rear.
Robb Report notes that the ACJ320neo will retail for around $95 million (€82.5 million). Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin at the end of 2018, the company said in a press release. If you want to travel like a VIP multimillionaire, then you should get on board this plane. The impressive business jet features an elegant and luxurious bedroom with a private bathroom with sink and shower. If you want to watch a movie during the flight, this plane is ideal because the cabin has a cozy cinema with a giant screen and speakers on the ceiling.
According to a Bombardier representative, the 2017 price for the Bombardier Challenger 350 was $26.67 million (€23 million). In the Bombardier Challenger 350, passengers can enjoy all the comfort and luxury of seats handcrafted from expensive materials. The aircraft is trimmed with leather and wood and metal veneers, which give the aircraft's interior a bright and luxurious look. Touch screens allow you to receive real-time flight information and adjust lighting, while speakers built into the side walls of the car broadcast sound in Hi-End quality.
Whether you're traveling on business or enjoying a weekend with friends, the Bombardier Challenger 650 is the ideal private jet for comfortable and... luxury holiday. But unlike the Challenger 350, the Challenger 650 has the widest cabin in its category. The price is also slightly higher: $32.3 million (€28 million). This aircraft has sports seats, folding meeting tables, touch screens and other features similar to the Challenger 350.
The 2016 purchase price for the Global 5000 was $50.44 million (€43 million). This luxury private jet has everything you need for a comfortable and efficient flight. At the entrance to the salon there is a toilet, in the salon itself there are four luxurious large chairs that fully recline and swivel, two bi-folding tables and a 24-inch HD monitor.
The 2016 sales price for the Global 6000 was $62.31 million (€54 million). Like the Global 5000, the aircraft's standard configuration includes two entry seats, a dining or conference area and a customizable lounge. By right side The cabin houses a large kitchen. Global 6000 also offers one of the most advanced technologies in the world. Its “Ka band” internet connection allows you to stream content online and even play video games.
The Bombardier Global 7000 is still in development and is expected to wow luxury aviation enthusiasts when it hits the market in the second half of 2018. The standard sale price for the Bombardier Global 7000 is expected to be around $72.8 million (€63.2 million). This private jet will offer four spacious areas to accommodate 17 passengers in a standard configuration. Built-in entertainment center Global 7000 – perfect place for passengers to watch a baseball game or an in-flight movie on a giant mega-screen TV.
In 2016, Robb Report reported that the Citation Sovereign+ had a starting price of $18.3 million. USA. On its website, Cessna describes its Citation Sovereign+ as a “meeting room at its finest.” And indeed the plane perfectly suits its purpose. Rich wood veneers, leather seats and textured fabrics give the aircraft a sense of expensive stability and class.
The Dassault Falcon 900LX is a real spectacle. The aircraft is capable of carrying from 12 to 14 passengers. In early 2017, Robb Report reported that the Falcon 900LX costs around $43 million (€37 million). This upgraded version of the Falcon 9000LX features a completely redesigned interior, LED lighting system, toilet, new acoustics to reduce noise and much more. The interior of the aircraft has three separate seating areas, allowing passengers to sleep, eat or work without disturbing others. The Dassault Falcon 900LX also features innovative technology that allows you to control climate and other cabin conditions from your iPhone, iTouch or iPad.
According to a press release last year, the Legacy 650E sold at US$25.9 million (€22.5 million). The Embraer Legacy 650E has a variety of amenities for passengers to enjoy during their flight. The interior space of the cabin is divided into three large zones, which allow passengers to maintain a sense of privacy in time. Leather seats can be reclined completely for a good night's sleep.

Historical reference. The first private jet appeared in 1957. It was a Lockheed JetStar. It was powered by four 3,300 lb (15 kN) engines. Since then, airplanes have come a long way in design, lightness and innovation. An example is the modern Gulfstream G650, which can circle the globe in just 41 hours and 7 minutes.

Who are the owners of private jets today?

Let's try to get away from stereotypes and find out how private aviation is really used in the world today.

Various marketing and statistical studies give us hard numbers that show that from 70 to 90% of all private jets are intended for business.

Fun fact: A study by the National Business Aviation Association found that companies using private jets experienced a 219% increase in profit growth compared to those with employees flying commercially.

They are mainly used by highly paid top managers of companies to move around the world and participate in meetings and negotiations, where personal presence is very important. For example, in negotiations on acquisitions and mergers of companies.

Another segment of private aviation users is special missions. Modern James Bonds in action. These tasks of private aviation are of course not advertised, but it is no secret that there are organizations with specific functions that use private aviation for reconnaissance missions, surveillance and detection of military targets.

Oil and gas producing companies are very active users of private aviation. Delivery of specialists to hard to reach places, urgent transportation of cargo necessary for the safe operation of oil platforms in the ocean, emergency response - this is not the entire list of tasks for which they use private aircraft.

Finally, these are people who can afford to combine the corporate use of private aviation with its use for personal purposes.

Probably, these VIP users most often appear on the front pages of the world media. Among the owners we can almost instantly recall the likes of Roman Abramovich (Boeing 767-33A owner, $95 million), Bill Gates (Bombardier BD-700 Global Express, $45 million) or Harrison Ford (Cessna 680 Sovereign, $18 million).

And at the very end of the list are the eccentric millionaires who use private aviation to satisfy their immediate needs. And such examples are the most discussed in the press and by the public.

For example, in one case, the owner of an airplane who went fishing in northern Norway, forgot my fishing rod at home in London. And he sent a plane to pick her up and bring her back.

Or another case where a man who owned a private jet ordered an expensive plate of sushi from his favorite restaurant in London for a party he was throwing at his villa in Italy. And of course, the dish was delivered to Italy within a few hours.

Interesting fact: Today, there are just over 30,000 private jets registered worldwide, of which 12,000 are in the United States.

What are the advantages of private jets over regular commercial flights?

With a private jet, you can fly to almost any destination you want, in an environment that's perfect for you.

It is noteworthy that according to airline data, about 96 percent air services(flight between two various airports), have no scheduled commercial flights. This means that by choosing to travel on a private jet, you can plan to visit the places you want on one day, and return in the evening for dinner with your family.

Private aviation is much more flexible in all respects. You can get to small terminals five minutes before the plane's departure time, set the departure time and make changes to it in a very short time, without having to endure the common problems of commercial flights, even if you fly business class, where the wait is endless and strikes are possible. You also save a lot of time on going through airport security procedures, and for international flights, on going through border and customs formalities.

Private aviation division by aircraft size.

Let's not focus only on huge airliners that transport top officials of states or companies occupying top places on the Forbes list. Although, of course, it’s hard to resist mentioning a couple of the top three most expensive airliners that belong to private individuals.

In first place, of course, is the famous Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal from Saudi Arabia. Not only is he the owner of one of the most complete and expensive car collections, but he also owns his own fleet of aircraft. The pearl of which is the Airbus A380, one of the largest passenger aircraft, manufactured in the world.

The price of the “Flying Palace” is, according to various media reports, $500 million. Additional features that the prince wanted on board include a Turkish bath, a garage for parking the car and a prayer room where the mats automatically rotate in the direction of Mecca.

It must be said that if the prince flies in his new Airbus costing $500 million, its hangar will not remain empty because there will be a Boeing 747 parked there, ready to take off at a moment's notice to transport the monarch's guests, friends and relatives.

This airship has a large dining table for 14 people in the main salon, and a royal throne in the center of the ship. So everyone who travels can feel the atmosphere of the kingdom. The estimated price of the vessel is $220 million.

Second place. Russia's richest oligarch Alisher Usmanov, which made its fortune through trading, metallurgy and telecommunications, has an Airbus A340-300. The cost of the airliner exceeds $350 million.

The plane has its own name – “Burkhan” and is named in honor of Alisher’s father. It is the largest private jet in Russia. After all, Usmanov's net worth is estimated at $17.6 billion. The Burkhan's original price was $238 million, but Bloomberg estimates that customization of the aircraft has raised its price to $350 million.

And in third place is the Sultan of Brunei. This man has been on the list of the richest people in the world for many years. That is why he was able to buy a Boeing 747 for $100 million and invested the same amount in improving it.

If you have the opportunity to fly on this airliner, you will be able to wash your hands over a solid gold sink and admire the interior of the cabin, which is decorated with inlays of precious glass with gold inserts.

But these are “birds” of the highest flight, let’s go down to the ground or at least a little lower. If you or your company can afford to buy a private jet, you must decide which model to choose and how to outfit it.

What grading exists for such aircraft and what should potential buyers pay attention to.

Very Light– the smallest class, designed for short-haul flights with a maximum number of passengers up to 4 people,
Turboprop– a very common category for short trips, up to 6 passengers,
Light Jets– passenger capacity from 6 to 8 people, is in great demand in the market,
Midsize Jets– medium range, up to 5 hours of flight, with a capacity of 6 to 10 seats,
Heavy Jets– this category already includes such serious aircraft as the Falcon 2000, Gulfstream 200 or Challenger 605 with a passenger capacity of up to 14 seats,
Ultra Long Range– a plane that is preferred by celebrities for its size, safety and luxury. They have a flight range of 10,000-13,000 km and a capacity of 10 to 18 passengers.

How can you decide whether you really need this expensive “toy”? Experts say there is a fairly simple formula. If you fly more than 300 hours a year, then purchasing your own aircraft may be worth it.

Interesting fact: The private aviation industry in the United States is $16.7 billion, in Europe $15.8 billion.

Additional costs for maintaining a private jet

When purchasing such a complex piece of equipment, be prepared for additional costs. The main ones:

aircraft parking costs (depending on the airport, the cost of a “parking space” ranges from $3,800 to $7,000),

Fun fact: The most expensive airport in the world to park private jets is Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

annual maintenance costs for the aircraft, wages for pilots and maintenance personnel, fuel and insurance premiums range from $700,000 to $4 million.

Owners often hire special management companies for all this ground, preparatory and service work. They provide full complex services for a period of 1 to 5 years. The cost of services of such companies is fixed and averages from $3,000 to $6,000 per month.

Despite all these difficulties and costs, the private aviation market is growing.

Last year, the private jet industry sold more than 300 aircraft. The average cost of which ranged from 20 to 60 million dollars.