These statistics, which are provided by the General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturers Association (GAMA), show the that given the importance of aviation, airports provide an invaluable service to the nation’s transportation services and generate economic wealth.

Nowadays, aircraft manufacturers are investing millions of dollars to create jobs, which has a positive impact on the national economy. $23.9 billion in new aircraft were delivered in 2017, a 1.3 percent increase in business jet deliveries from 2016. This growth was spurred by the introduction of several new aircraft models into service.

As general aviation aircraft fleets expand globally, buyers of private jets who want to travel long distances are purchasing new, larger models. For example, the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), which is approximately 65 percent taller than luxury jets such as the Global Express or Gulfstream V, requires a “Group I” hangar with a more expensive fire suppression system, as well as thicker concrete in the hangar floor and apron area.

Therefore, the introduction of aircraft with larger wingspans presents a new challenge to general aviation airports with older infrastructures. Hangars constructed decades ago are too small to provide the essential support facilities and services.

New capital improvement projects will be necessary to accommodate the new ultra-long-range jets. FBOs, private owners, and jet charter and management companies will have to invest in existing leaseholds and facilities. Also, municipal zoning requirements, which regulate building features such as hangar height, will have to be revised. This could prove a lengthy and costly process for airports.

Additionally, greater hangar door height requires changes to the entire structure. To accommodate larger wingspans, hangars will necessitate a column-free area, which will demand more steel support, which in turn increments the cost of construction.

Andy Shorter, director of Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, says the airport recently won a new $3.9 million FAA grant for “the first transformational project we’ve had in a long time,” an apron expansion. An apron is where airplanes park to load and unload passengers and cargo.

“Even the small airplanes are getting bigger. Bigger means more space… By expanding the apron, we can have enough space for them,” he says.

Airports must also meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s design standards for runway and taxiway widths, as well as runway-to-taxiway and taxiway-to-taxiway separation requirements. All of these changes will add up to billions of dollars in expenditures, which will have to ultimately be borne by users.

Therefore, it is important for airport sponsors, users and operators to join forces to come up with innovative solutions to serve an evolving aircraft fleet, while meeting operational needs, attaining cost-effectiveness and affording passengers an improved flight experience.

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The Global Express is the business jet with the second-largest cabin after the Gulfstream G650 and can carry 12 to 16 passengers in three cabin sections: a forward four-chair club section, a central four-seat conference grouping, and an aft three-place divan facing two chairs. The jet also includes a forward galley, crew rest chair and crew lavatory.

Considered the pioneer of ultra-long-range private jets, the Bombardier Global Express provides range, comfort, and speed. Extensive cabin insulation reduced noise, and superior engines produce less audible vibration. The jet also includes an array of standard and optional cabin amenities, such as a 17 channel SATCOM, fax machine, cabin entertainment system with DVD, CD players, and individual video screens.

The Stunning Interior of the Bombardier Global Express

According to Aviation Week, “Pilots like the aircraft’s systems redundancy, soft control feel, ride quality, short runway performance on medium-length trips, cockpit and cabin comfort, and very low cabin noise levels. They also say the systems are automated, checklists are short and it’s mostly a modern aircraft, including its auto-brake system, electronic circuit breakers, and comprehensive systems monitoring box.”

The jet has been especially popular among upscale Australian individuals and companies that own high-end private jets rather than charter them. Of all jets, the Bombardier Global Express is by far the most popular aircraft.

With its spacious cabin and a range of up to 6700 nautical miles in the most popular variant flown in Australia, the BD-700-1A10, the Global Express can travel non-stop anywhere in Asia. Flights to the US stop to refuel in Honolulu before reaching the mainland, while European flights fill up the tank in the Maldives.

“They are truly intercontinental business jets,” says David Bell, the chief executive of the Australian Business Aviation Association. “This affords those customers and those owners a lot of flexibility and a lot of privacy. They are not concerned with airline delays or cancellations.”

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Luxury private jets owned by the rich and famous often bear their own customized tail plates. Airplanes, just like cars, are required to have registration numbers in order to be identified. Made up of a one- or two-letter country code, aircraft registration numbers features a letter for the country and a a unique series of up to five letters and numbers. Private jet registration, however, may bear a ‘vanity tail number’ which has a special meaning to the owner.

Bill Gates - N887WM

Bill Gates, for example, has N887WM as a registration code. His customized £30 million Bombardier Global Express jet, which seats 19 people and is powered by twin Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, features a wood and leather veneer interior, a luxury bathroom and state of the art entertainment system. His registration code is personalized with “WM”, which references his parents’ names, William and Mary.

Michael Jordan - N236MJ

Michael Jordan has N236MJ as a registration code. His private Gulfstream G550 boasts his initials and nickname, MJ, his jersey number, 23, and his NBA championship wins, 6. The exterior of the Gulfstream features the same elephant print design that appears on his sports footwear line and the interior features a luxury bathroom, bedroom and bar.

Taylor Swift - N898TS

Taylor Swift has N898TS as a registration code. Her Dassault Falcon 900 tri-jet boasts her initials, TS, and her birth year, 89, as well as an an 8, the number of chart-topping singles Swift had when she bought the jet, which seats 12 and has a range of nearly 4,600 miles.

Jim Carrey - N162JC

Jim Carrey has N162JC as a registration code. His Gulfstream V, worth an estimated £45 million, seats 16 passengers and features next generation safety features. The tail number references his date of birth, January 1962, and his initials, JC.

John Travolta - N707JT

John Travolta has N707JT as a registration code. Known for his love of flying, Travolta owns seven planes and has a pilot’s license. His collection includes a Boeing 707B, featuring his initials, JT, on the tail plate, as well as three Gulfstreams and a Bombardier Challenger 601.

Even if you don’t have your own personalized plate, you can still travel in style and comfort aboard a leased or chartered private jet. Contact a personal account manager for a private jet charter or lease quote today by calling Flex Air Charters at 1-888-722-0776.

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The next generation of long-range private jets have overshadowed another notable model: the Global 6000, which debuted in 2012 as a variation of the Global Express. The 6000 competes against the Gulfstream G650ER and the Dassault Falcon 8X in the large, long-range business jet segment that those in need of flying half-way at the drop of a hat.

The Global 6000 took center stage at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow, where it was presented alongside Delta Air Lines’ CRJ900, which is manufactured by the company’s commercial aircraft division.

The Bombardier Global 6000 Cockpit

The luxury of the galley within the Bombardier Global 6000 is unmatched

The features of $62.31 million jet include the length of 99 feet, five inches and a height of 25 feet, six inches, and a wingspan of 94 feet. The flexibility of the wings has been enhanced to absorb energy from turbulence, which makes for a smoother ride. Inside, the jet includes a galley with stone countertops, as well as stone flooring. A private rest area for pilots during long flights is located opposite the galley, along with a bathroom.

The Global 6000’s cabin is six feet, two inches tall and seven feet, 11 inches wide, and can hold up to 17 passengers. The passenger cabin is divided into three areas. The first is a set of four individual seats that face each other. There is also a dining and meeting area opposite the entertainment center, as well as a private rest area with two divans that are converted into beds. There is also a bathroom near the divans and a cargo area that can be accessed easily during the flight. The cabin is equipped with several of 24-inch HD monitors and Ka-band high-speed internet. The cabin tech is hidden from view under a panel when not in use.

The cabin provides absolute luxury and comfort

The Bombardier Global 6000 offers full control of media and flight information at your fingertips

The Bombardier Global 6000 is powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce BR710A2-20 turbofan engines, which produce 14,750 pounds of thrust each. According to the company, the 6000 can reach Mach 0.89 and fly up to 51,000 feet. It can also fly more than 6,900 miles with eight passengers, meaning it is capable of flying from Hong Kong to London or Dubai to Singapore. The Global 6000 is equipped with a Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite complete with four high-definition readouts and synthetic vision augmented reality capabilities.

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For the aircraft owners on this list, private travel is more than just a regular trip on a day to day basis, it’s a lifestyle, an exclusive club to belong to. Having a private jet at your disposal by owning the jet or by leasing one is a luxury only those who need air travel often can indulge in. While Flex Air Charters can assist you in your own private jet rental, charter, lease, and purchase, it is highly unlikely that we can get one of these tycoons to share their incredible aircraft. But we can still share the specifications with you so you can start building your list of dream jet options. Here is a list of the most expensive private jets

At the base level, most private jets cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. However, with the means and money of some of these famous people, the possibilities in extravagant extras onboard their private aircraft are limitless and make their costs in the millions. Here are five of the most expensive private jets in the word:

Bombardier Global 8000 – $66 Million

Bombardier Global 8000 – $66 Million

The Bombardier Global 8000 may have made the list of the most expensive jets in the world, but it is much more affordable than the others you will read about here and is also available for purchase. Featuring one of the most comfortable and largest cabins in its class of aircraft, this luxury jet offers economical features as well including next-generation GE engines that deliver more efficiency with low fuel burn and low emissions. Offered at $ 66 million, the aircraft provides a more humble interior including a stateroom with a master bedroom, dining and conference area, and large windows so you can see the glorious sky around you.

Along with the more “modest” features, the aircraft also comes with advanced lighting technology that can be customized to the owner’s liking at any moment or while entertaining the other 16 passengers onboard. The range capability is also one to be mentioned as a benefit as well, with an unsurpassed Mach 0.90 high-speed cruise capability

Airbus ACJ319 – $80 Million

Airbus ACJ319 – $80 Million

Airbus is widely considered one of the leading private-jet manufacturers and they pulled out all the stops for this aircraft, the second most expensive model they create. Typical models run between $72 and $110 million, respectively. In what Airbus calls “unmatched comfort” the ACJ319 is considered a simpler model perfect for busy business owners including its former owner Vijay Mallya.

The aircraft can fit up to 8 passengers in what is known as the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet with intercontinental range. The wide-body version has additional space for a conference or dining room, but this model has plenty to offer. Fitted with two bathrooms, galley, bedroom, private bathroom, and versatile modules that allow for customizations for businesses or personal flyers, the price of the base model is set at $80 million, with the option for additionally customized interiors approximately $7 million more.

Trump’s Boeing 757 – $100 million

Trump’s Boeing 757 – $100 million

You had to know the president, himself, had to make our list of the world’s most expensive private jets. Even though Air Force One is a pretty awesome airplane, a president in the new age, especially one as rich as Donald Trump, has got to have options right? Donald’s 23 seat private jet is home to the latest electronic equipment including TVs on all the seats and a multiplex movie system with a library of 1,000 movies and 2,500 CDs. That’s no surprise though when you learn the previous owner was none other than Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen.

Featuring gold accents such as seat buckles, sink, and faucets this luxury aircraft is very Trump. Decked out in the family’s logo, the glass cockpit and Rolls Royce RB211 turbofan engines also make this aircraft a luxury to fly for most pilots as well. The plane can reach speeds over 500 miles per hour and comes with safety features including a self-checking feature that alerts pilots to issues before they become serious as well as the engines that can keep the plane afloat for 16 hours. Trump pays a lavish price for these amenities and shells out about $10,800 for a one-hour flight including fuel.

Boeing 747-8 VIP – $153 Million to $367 Million

Boeing 747-8 VIP – $153 Million to $367 Million

The private version of Boeing‘s famous “Jumbo Jet” is the longest and second-largest airliner ever built. The base model may only cost $153 million, but the cost including some additional luxury amenities has been rumored to have reached up to $367 million, which probably seemed like a slight expense to its owner, Hong Kong real estate tycoon, Joseph Lau. The interiors of what has been called the “Dreamliner“, were designed by Greenpoint Technologies and they spared no expense.

Featuring two separate lounges, a stately dining area, personal gym, impressive conference room, and even a stateroom featuring its own lounge makes the Boeing 747-8 VIP one of a kind. It can hold up to 32 passengers in it’s 4,786 square feet of space and also offers such luxuries as a spiral staircase that connects both decks, vaulted ceilings and video displays on the walls.

Airbus 380 – $350 Million

Airbus 380 – $350 Million

The world’s biggest private jet, the Airbus 380, is not only fit for a prince but was also owned by one. This jet holding its place as one of the most expensive private jets, after all of the customizations its owner, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud has applied to it is around $500 million ($350 mil at base). The same model, less expensive of course, is also a part of both Singapore Airlines and Emirates fleets. The “kingdom in the sky” as it has been nicknamed, can accommodate up to 800 passengers.

The prince’s version features many amenities fit for a king (pun intended). It includes both a private staircase and an elevator that connects the three floors on board as well as plenty of space for occupants. Comfortable and lavish interiors cloak the family and VIP suites and a prayer room with electronic mats which automatically turn towards Mecca. The aircraft also has a concert hall featuring a grand stage and piano, a full-size boardroom, a Turkish bath and ample parking space for the prince’s Rolls Royce. As the former 5th richest man in the world, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal has made the Airbus 380 an aircraft that can easily rival any of the most luxurious hotels on the planet, which is why it is # 5 on our list of the world’s most expensive private jets.

While We May Not Be Able to Offer Rides on These Five, We Can Still Offer You a Luxury Experience Like No Other, Call Flex Air Charters Today to Schedule Your Exclusive Private Jet Charter Today! 1-888-722-0776

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