At Air Partner, we ensure that we bespoke an aircraft charter to best suit our customers’ needs – whether that be a smaller Citation XLS for leisure or a VIP configured aircraft for music tours with entourage. In fact, we have seen a real increase in requests for our larger aircraft and some intrigue around 'which private jet has the longest range?'
The answer to what private jet has the longest range really depends on what you define as a private jet. There are the conventional private jets familiar to the world's elite and Hollywood film fans alike. Then there are the VIP airliners; these are essentially the same airliners that anyone might experience plying their trade with the scheduled airlines around the globe, but in this instance they have been re-purposed as truly exceptional private jets.
If you're curious as to what kind of range your budget will stretch to; read on.
1. VIP Dreamliner - 15,000KM range, 17 hours flying
Available on the private jet charter market right now is a Boeing 787-800 'Dreamliner'. As an airliner it was designed to carry up 335 passengers and their bags, but this beautifully appointed example boasts just 40 seats. Costing $225million new, plus VVIP fit out costs probably in excess of $100million on top. This is not an economy option.
However, for that kind of money it can achieve a range of more than 15,000 km, flying up to 17 hours before refuelling. To put that into perspective, that's not too far short of the longest range 'off the peg' airliner in production; the Boeing 777-200lr, with a published range of 16,700km. With endurance like that (and enough spare crew onboard) you can pretty much fly between any two descent sized airports on the planet. And in some style too.
What is the on-board experience like in a Dreamliner?
Throughout the cabin there are high domed ceilings, hardwood floors, sculptured hardwood doors and hand-tufted carpets with silk accents. Tablets control lighting, video monitors, audio, window shades and flight-attendant requests.
The crew themselves are selected from the best and most experienced pilots and stewards available with 7-star hospitality standards.
To keep you comfortable and entertained for these longest of long haul flights, this Dreamliner cabin boasts some remarkable features:
The Dreamliner's master suite
On boarding the aircraft, you immediately encounter the doors to its massive master suite. It is divided into several sections and designed to be completely independent from the rest of the plane. The master suite's sleeping area features a large California king-size bed. The suite is designed to be an oasis of calm with noise level in the room during flight at just 48 decibels — on par with a quiet suburban home.
The master suite includes a gigantic dressing room and walk-in closet. There's even a refrigerator and safe too.
The ensuite washroom
The ensuite washroom has plenty of room for two with marble surfaces all round, heated floors and large his and her's sinks. The oversized two-person shower it contains (and 4 other washrooms on board) are fed from a supply of up to 210 Gallons of water; enormously generous given the complexity and costs of doing so.
The main lounge
Down the elegant hallway and you'll find yourself in the plane's cavernous main lounge, designed to accommodate up to 16 guests. To create an open and airy feel, the room is free of any physical partitions. Instead, designers segmented the space using different furniture colors.
The lounge features a pair of day beds positioned in front of a large 55-inch flat-screen display. They can move away or combine together with a touch of a button. On each side of the center screen, there are individual seats each equipped with a 24-inch screen. The 2 large tables can be used for dining or conference.
At the back of the lounge there are a pair of divans that can be turned into sleeping accommodation or used as a dining and meeting area. The rear of the lounge hosts a pair of 47-inch screens. Another stylish, round VIP lavatory is just aft of the lounge.
The guest cabin
Behind the VIP lavatory is the guest cabin. It features 18 full-flat, first-class sleeper seats. Behind that, the guest cabin includes a row of six premium economy seats for the staff.
The kitchen
Finally, at the rear of the cabin, you'll find a generous and well-appointed kitchen worthy of the bests chefs and they would find everything they need here to cater for even the most discerning palette onboard. The Dreamliner is ideal for tour trips with multiple stops that include long-haul routes. Its carefully thought out aesthetics and generous accommodation can bring comfort and hopefully enjoyment to any trip that is going to require a significant number of hours in the air.
But are VIP airliners, really private jets? True private jets; those conceived, designed and manufactured from the outset as private jets are the product of different commercial realities. Their future owners will have deep pockets for sure, but every extra dollar on the price tag must be justified in a competitive market place and this equates to more earthly constraints on their design capabilities.
2. The Gulfstream G650ER - 14,000KM range, 14 hours flying
Of the true private jets then, the Gulfstream G650ER reigns supreme with a published range of 7,500 nautical miles (14,000km). They've worked hard to make that time aloft more comfortable here too. It offers the lowest cabin altitude in its class, at 3,290ft. That means the cabin pressure inside is equivalent to that at 3,290ft even when actually cruising at well over 35,000ft. It's the physical effects of the cabin altitude that is often blamed for the familiar ill effects of long haul flying. This cabin is longer and taller than any other Ultra Long Range private jet currently in production, and features 16 iconic Gulfstream oval windows, the largest in the industry. It's an uninterrupted view unrivalled in any other cabin. Only pilots enjoy better. Whilst the maximum range of this aircraft is a notably longer distance than the Global 6000, the flying hours are similar as the G650 ER flies much faster.
3. The Bombardier Global 6000 range - 11,000KM range, 13 hours flying
The Gulfstream's chief rival currently is the Bombardier Global 6000, taking its name from its range of 6000 nautical miles and it aims to be more the cost-effective. However, the Global 7000 is due to supersede the 6000 this year and there are advanced plans for the Global 8000, with a range of 7,900nm (14,600km) to follow that.
When it arrives, the Global 8000, is expected to be able to fly farther than any other conventional private jet, connecting Sydney to Los Angeles, Hong Kong to New York, and Mumbai to New York, and at the same time throwing down the gauntlet for the next challenger.
If you would like to experience the Gulfstream G650ER, Global 6000 or VIP Dreamliner please contact our Private Jets team, who can talk you through all the available options.
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