The best private jet in the world. The most expensive planes: what is special about expensive cars. The most expensive passenger airliner

The richest man in the Russian Federation, leader in Russian list Forbes, flies an Airbus 340-300 worth $350 million. Thus, he becomes the owner of the most expensive aircraft among the participants in the Forbes rating and Russian businessmen.

Usmanov managed to overtake Roman Abramovich himself, who also has the same A340 in his fleet, but, according to experts, this is a budget version of $300 million.

Alisher Usmanov's Airbus 340-300 was created in 2008 and was intended for the Global Jet Concept airline (Switzerland), which used it for four years.

According to some reports, Alisher Usmanov’s plane has tail number M-IABU. It’s easy to guess how it stands for: “I am Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov,” and the letter “M” means the abbreviation of the Isle of Man, where he, in fact, was registered.

The plane was named in honor of the oligarch’s father, as evidenced by the inscription on the fuselage BOURKHAN (that’s his father’s name). It is impossible not to note the fact that from its first days the machine carried out flights with such an inscription. Therefore, it is possible that the Global Jet Concept company at the very beginning decided to bet that the future owner of the aircraft would be Alisher Usmanov. Throughout the four years, when the plane was used for various purposes, the billionaire kept an eye on it, periodically ordering the company’s services.

The Moscow representative office of the Global Jet Concept company refused to answer all questions regarding Airbus aircraft 340-300 BOURKHAN. Let us remind you that this company is one of the largest in Europe specializing in business aviation, as well as one of the largest business aviation operators on the Russian market. She specializes in commercial transportation and manages private jets. The fleet consists of aircraft owned by private aircraft owners. Airbus aircraft 340-300 there are no more than 30 worldwide.

In addition to the purchased Airbus, the oligarch’s fleet includes other aircraft, including the Boeing Business Jet. All of its aircraft are based at Vnukovo Airport. But the new aircraft became an exception, flying from Sheremetyevo. In size it is second only to the new A380 model.

Unfortunately, the exact characteristics of Alisher Usmanov’s plane are not yet known, as are the components of its interior. Although there is information about some of its characteristics.

According to experts, such a purchase cannot be considered a waste of funds. Due to its “multi-engine” nature, the airliner has clear advantages - it is capable of laying various air routes and not paying any attention to technical problems during flight with one of the engines. There have been cases when airliners with three running engines crossed Atlantic Ocean without much effort.

As for regular passenger transportation, then the demand for the Airbus 340 has almost stopped today due to high fuel consumption, which forces companies to use the A330.

An airplane is one of the most unique and versatile vehicles. Centuries-old history coupled with technical progress made it possible not only to improve the vessels, but also to add chic to them. Today, this equipment performs many tasks, ranging from military-strategic to the civilian sector.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on the production of aircraft, as well as on their maintenance. But there is a separate caste of equipment, which is distinguished by its innovative technical part, and can amaze the imagination with luxurious finishes, interiors and other surroundings that accompany the status.

The most expensive private jets are bought by oligarchs, rulers and others the mighty of the world this. Owning such a vessel emphasizes the status of the owner. In addition, this is a good investment of free funds. The most expensive military aircraft can be afforded by developed and, naturally, far from poor states. The advanced technical part helps to solve specific problems, or, conversely, turn the vehicle into a universal tool for anything and everything.

So, let's try to figure out which plane is the most expensive, where it lives and what, in fact, it can boast of. For a more visual picture, the list will be presented in the form of a rating. All the models described below function, fly and delight their owners. Prices are taken from thematic magazines.

It should also be noted that the “indigenous” equipment of the vessel was taken into account when calculating the cost. That is, what is installed there is, as they say, tightly installed. Because some businessmen are cunning in order to get into venerable ratings and “equip” their planes with paintings by Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne and other valuables, which increases the theoretical cost of the board several times.

The top 10 most expensive aircraft are as follows:

1. B-2 "Spirit Stealth Bomber".
2. Airbus A380 Custom.
3. "Airbus A340-300 Custom".
4. "F-22 Raptor."
5. "C-17A Globemaster 3."
6. "R-8A Poseidon."
7. "Boeing 747-430 Custom."
8. "E-2D Advanced Hawkey".
9. "Boeing 747-400 Custom."
10. "Boeing 747-8 VIP."

Let's take a closer look at the participants.

"Boeing 747-8 VIP"

One of the most expensive aircraft (photo below) received a more popular name - Dreamliner, or, in Russian, “Dream Liner”. Its lucky owner was a billionaire from the Middle Kingdom, Joseph Lau. In addition to the luxury inside the cabin, the model boasts the longest body.

In its basic version, up to one and a half thousand people could easily be accommodated on board. But after design modifications, the ship turned into a real premium hotel and one of the most expensive private jets in the world.

The cost of the liner is about 200 million dollars.

"Boeing 747-400 Custom"

Another private and most expensive plane, the owner of which is a prince from a rich Saudi Arabia. It was bought back in 2003 and thoroughly modernized, turning it into an item of luxury and pride.

On board you can see luxurious bedrooms, living rooms, bars, a swimming pool and other delights of VIP realities. The ship is designed for 14 VIPs, not counting the “cuddle” for security guards.

The cost of the aircraft is about 230 million dollars.

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

This is a rather unusual deck vessel in service with the US military, which does not prevent it from being one of the most expensive aircraft. This is a significantly improved modification of the previous generation E-2, which was so successful that the defense industry decided to revive the series in a new form.

The plane is literally stuffed to the brim with all sorts of equipment and military systems. It has its own satellite, an advanced electronic scanning module, turbo engines, a powerful radar and some weapons.

The vessel is designed to perform a wide variety of tasks, even the most terrible weather conditions no problem for him. The board may not look as attractive as other participants in the rating, but it knows its business.

The cost of the aircraft is about 235 million dollars.

"Boeing 747-430 Custom"

This is a more technically advanced modification than the aforementioned four hundredth and, naturally, the airliner is one of the most expensive aircraft. The model was bought by the Sultan, who lives in Borneo island, for $100 million, but after designers and engineers worked on the ship, its price rose sharply.

The main amount was spent on luxurious chambers and interior elements made of precious metals. For example, ordinary washbasins on an airplane are made of high-carat gold. The owner turned the ship into a real premium flying mansion.

The cost of the liner is about 237 million dollars.

R-8A Poseidon

The Poseidon is in service with the US Army and serves as a reconnaissance aircraft. Its main task is the bearing of enemy submarines and their subsequent destruction. In addition, the transport is also used as an anti-ship interceptor and rescue vessel.

One of the most expensive aircraft was also adopted by Great Britain, India and Australia, but the bulk of the ships (46 in total) are located in the USA.

The cost of the aircraft is about $250 million.

"C-17A Globemaster 3"

This pride of the Boeing company is not only the largest, but also the most expensive vehicle. At the end of 2015, exactly 270 units were produced, after which production of the series ceased. The vessel is designed to transport oversized cargo, ranging from aircraft themselves to other military equipment like artillery, tanks, etc.

As in the previous case, the Americans sold several copies for export to the UK, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, but the bulk of the equipment is based at US military airports. The ship is quite voracious, so one trip costs as much as launching three passenger liners.

The cost of the aircraft is about 330 million dollars.

"F-22 Raptor"

In addition to the fact that the Raptor is an expensive fighter, it has been repeatedly recognized by experts in this field as the best military aircraft in the whole world. The multi-role aircraft is in service with the US Army.

The latest, fifth generation of fighters has exceptional technical characteristics, which only our MIGs can compete with. Yes, the aircraft is considered the best in its class, but it is too voracious, so its tactical combat distance is noticeably shorter than its analogues.

The cost of the fighter is about $350 million.

"Airbus A340-300 Custom"

This plane belongs to businessman Alisher Asmanov and is named “Burkhan” in honor of the owner’s father. The ship in its basic modification was in sixth place, but after expensive renovations it rose to third.

The plane initially accommodated 400 passengers, but after refurbishment it can take no more than 100 on board, but what! Expensive decoration, gold interior elements, inlaid precious stones furniture, even light bulbs and lamps, are made of precious metals.

The cost of the liner is about 500 million dollars.

"Airbus A380 Custom"

This is one of the largest and at the same time expensive aircraft of our time. It is owned by the prince from Saudi Arabia, al-Walid ibn Talal. Its length is almost 80 meters and its height is 25, which is very, very high for a private vessel.

In its basic modification, the board was ready to accommodate up to 1000 passengers, but after designers and engineers worked on it, no more than 50 people. In essence, this is a real house with wings and there is everything from a garage with stables to a huge swimming pool with luxurious bedrooms.

The cost of the model is about 500 million dollars.

B-2 Stealth Bomber "Spirit"

The top of the ranking is occupied by the American multi-purpose bomber. This is the most expensive aircraft in the world, and it is ahead of the others by a very significant amount. Experts value the Spirit series at $2.1 billion. The aircraft is a multirole tactical bomber capable of performing a wide variety of missions.

The model was developed by Northrop Grumman, which has solid experience in the construction of not only military but also civilian vessels. After developing the project, the Pentagon planned to order more than a hundred units of such equipment, but due to its high cost, it was decided to stop at two dozen.

The uniqueness and versatility of the aircraft lies in its rich equipment. Almost any weapon of various calibers can be installed on its board, from machine guns to nuclear warheads. In addition, the ship has an advanced stealth system that helps it avoid enemy defense systems.

The cost of the vessel is about 2.1 billion dollars.

It's hard to think of a faster way to get from point A to point B than air travel. Moreover, if the flight takes place with all imaginable comfort.

Our top ten today contains: And if military vehicles cost millions of dollars, thanks to high-tech filling, then the cost of private airliners skyrockets due to gilded ceilings and marble plumbing.

10. Bombardier Global Express by Mikhail Fridman ($57 million)

The expensive plane of the founder of Alfa Group was purchased back in 2005. The interior decoration includes valuable woods, natural leather and gilding, which are familiar to oligarchs.

9. Airbus A-319-115XCJ - Ukrainian aircraft No. 1 of Viktor Yanukovych ($86 million)

The luxury liner was assembled to order over three years. To appreciate the luxury of the aircraft, it is enough to say that the bathroom on board the aircraft has a gold-plated faucet, as well as pink marble fixtures.

8. Boeing 747 of King Mswati III of Swaziland ($170 million)

The plane was purchased in 2002 with government money, at a time when most of the country's population lives on less than $2 a day. The purchase almost caused a revolution, because the cost of an expensive aircraft was 5 times higher than the national debt.

7. Airbus 340-300 by Alisher Usmanov ($350 million)

The richest man in Russia in 2012 owns a plane with the inscription “M-IABU” on its side, which stands for “I am Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov.”

6. American F-22 Raptor fighter ($350 million)

The most expensive fighter in the world not only costs insane amounts of money, but is also extremely difficult to operate. One hour of flight of a combat vehicle costs approximately $19 thousand.

5. George W. Bush's Boeing 747-200B ($375 million)

One of the largest government aircraft in the world, it not only has a luxurious interior, but also missile defense and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as an electromagnetic defense system in the event of a nuclear attack.

4. Boeing 767 Roman Abramovich (according to various estimates from $500 million to $1 billion)

Black and mahogany wood and gold of the highest standard were used in the decoration of the liner. The plane is even equipped with an anti-missile system. Abramovich's fleet also includes an Airbus 340.

3. Airbus A380 of Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. ($520 million)

There are several bedrooms on board the aircraft, concert hall, SPA area with sauna and hydromassage, dance floor, gym and bar. For the prince's guests, there are 20 cabins, which are not inferior in comfort to rooms in a five-star hotel.

2. Boeing 747-430 of Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei (at least $1 billion)

The interior of the world's most expensive private jet is decorated with oriental luxury– handmade carpets coexist with pure gold sanitary ware. The ruler of a small country on the border with Malaysia is considered one of the richest people on the planet. The Sultan also owns two Aerobus A-340s and one Boeing 767.

1. B-2 Spirit Bomber ($2.1 billion)

The most expensive in the world The strategic bomber can become invisible to the enemy thanks to stealth technology. These aircraft were used by the US Air Force during bombing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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, additional 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.

1. 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 that much money at once, it is possible to rent one for an average price per hour of flight of around $20,000 (€17,388), 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.

   

2. 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.

   

   

3. 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.

   

   

4. 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.

   

   

5. 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.

   

   

6. 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.

   

   

7. 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 complex Global 7000 – perfect place for passengers to watch a baseball game or an in-flight movie on a giant mega-screen TV.

   

   

8. 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.

   

   

9. 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, 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.

   

   

10. 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 information. 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 goods 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 almost anywhere 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 crown jewel 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 initial price of the Burkhan 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.

Everyone knows that an airplane is not a cheap thing, but the examples presented in today’s top 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 plane and was created as a competitor to the devices of the global 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, 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 at the moment The US has about 140 of these aircraft.

Boeing 747-400 Custom – $200,000,000

This passenger airliner launched in 1969 and accommodates approximately 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. No matter what purpose this or that aircraft was intended for, their names are resounding throughout the world today.

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