Since Bill Lear invented the first private jet, manufacturers have strived to make private jets that are faster than anything that came before it. So what are the fastest private jets that you can buy?
There are two main ways that you can define the phrase “fastest private jets”- cruise speed and max speed. For the purposes of simplicity, we’ll be using cruising speed for ranking (as that is the speed you’ll more than likely fly at).
15. Gulfstream G280
Gulfstream is well known for making some of the largest private jets in the world. However, they have also developed a shorter range jet. The latest incarnation of this jet is the Gulfstream G280.
In 2005, the Gulfstream G200 (originally the IAI Galaxy, re-designated after Gulfstream bought Galaxy Aerospace) had entered service. As such, Gulfstream began work on the aircraft that would succeed the G200 – the G280.
The G200 was used as the base of the G280. The fuselage was extended and a bulky rear fuel tank was removed. Not to mention new engines being installed, increasing both the range and the speed.
Gulfstream markets the aircraft as not only the most luxurious private jets in its class, but also one of the fastest. When cruising, the G280 obtains speeds of 459 kn (850 km/h, 528 mph) with a range of 3,600 nmi (6,667 km).
14. Cessna Citation Sovereign+
Up until recently, the Citation Sovereign+ was Cessna’s flagship aircraft. Due to it being Cessna’s flagship for several years, Cessna’s designers designed it to be one of the fastest private jets available today.
In the late 1990’s, Cessna decided to design an aircraft that could replace the mid-sized Citation III/IV/Vs. As such, the Citation Sovereign project was announced, being based on the previous model- the Citation Excel.
Cessna took the Citation Excel and lengthened the fuselage, redesigned the wing, and of course, gave it new engines. These new engines, of course, increased the cruising speed of the Citation Sovereign as well as increasing the range.
In 2012, the Citation Sovereign was developed into the the Citation Sovereign+, which had winglets, new engines and an improved flight deck. The Citation Sovereign+’s cruising speed is 460 kn (530 mph, 850 km/h).
13. Dassault Falcon 2000
Dassault is well known for developing some of the best tri-jet business jets in the world. However, they have developed one two-jet business jet- the Falcon 2000. This private jet has gone on to be one of the fastest private jets in the world!
Following the introduction of the Falcon 900 (more on that later!) companies and celebrities began to demand a fast, but relatively cheap to operate jet. That entailed a two-engine private jet, not a tri-jet.
As such, Dassault took the Falcon 900 and re-engineered it to only need two engines. These two engines were a lot more powerful than the engines on the Falcon 900, so boosted both range of the Falcon 2000 a fair bit.
Soon after its introduction, Dassault began to market it as one of the fastest and most luxurious private jets in the world. When cruising, the Falcon 2000 travels at 460 kn (851 km/h; 529 mph).
12. Bombardier Challenger 650
The Challenger 650 is Bombardier’s flagship shorter-haul private jet. Due to this fact, Bombardier Aerospace (originally Canadair) engineers designed the Challenger 650 to be one of the fastest private jets in the world.
In 2015, following the introduction of the Challenger 605 in 2005, Bombardier announced the Challenger 605’s successor. This aircraft would be based on the Challenger 605, although the cabin was extended.
As per usual, Bombardier also re-engineered the Challenger 650 to use better, stronger and more efficient engines. Not only did these increase the speed of the Challenger 650 dramatically, but it also increased the range too.
Bombardier markets the Challenger 650 as one of the fastest and most luxurious private jets for its size and class. When cruising, the Challenger 650 travels at speeds of 461 kn (854 km/h; 531 mph).
11. Embraer Praetor 600
The Praetor 600 is Embraer’s largest non-bizliner private jet. Since it introduction, it has become the flagship aircraft of several companies and celebrities all around the world!
In 2018, Embraer released the Praetor 600, an extension and slightly re-engineered variant of their successful Legacy 500. With that being said, for an extra $500,000, a Legacy 500 can be upgraded to a Praetor 600.
This upgrade mostly comes down to increasing the hold area of the aircraft, giving it bigger fuel tanks and giving it new engines. It is these new engines that give the Praetor not only faster speeds, but also a significantly increased range.
The Praetor’s low operating costs and high speeds have become its biggest selling point. When cruising, the Praetor 600 achieves speeds of 466 kn (863 km/h; 536 mph) whilst carrying 12 passengers.
10. Hawker 4000
Due to financial instability on the part of Hawker (then-parent company Raytheon) the Hawker 4000 is no longer in production. Nevertheless, the Hawker 4000 was designed to be the best private jet in its class…
In 2001, Raytheon decided that they would properly enter the private jet/business jet market and develop jets that people wanted. At the time, however, the only private jet they were producing was the Hawker 1000 (BAe 125).
As such, they designed a new jet, one that was both longer, wider and faster that had similar economics. This aircraft would go on to become the Hawker 4000. Originally, the aircraft was well received, but in 12 years, only 73 were produced.
With that being said, Hawker/Raytheon marketed the Hawker 4000 as the one of fastest and cheapest private jets in its class, but it never sold too well due to poor marketing. The Hawker 4000 would cruise at 470 kn (540 mph, 870 km/h).
9. Bombardier Challenger 350
Bombardier have developed several series in their Challenger family of jets. It is generally agreed that the Bombardier Challenger 350 is one of the best private jets in the world. Not to mention being one of Bombardiers best private jets.
In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Bombardier decided to redevelop their Challenger series. Instead of developing a new variant of the Challenger 600 series they chose to develop the Challenger 300 series.
This entailed a completely new fuselage, engines and layout. In order to compete with other similar jets, Bombardier gave the Challenger 300 powerful engines, which gave it a long range as well as fast speeds.
Bombardier has marketed the Challenger 350 on both its range, size and particularly its speed, being the fastest Bombardier business jet on the market. When cruising, the Challenger 350 travels at 477 kn (882 km/h; 637 mph).
8. Cessna Citation Longitude
The Citation Longitude was only released a few months ago (October 2019), but it has become the flagship of Cessna’s fleet. Cessna expects the Longitude to be the best selling Cessna private jet in recent history.
Following the introduction of the Citation Latitude, Cessna began work on a lengthened, faster replacement. In May 2012, it was announced as the Citation Longitude, with it first being delivered in May 2019.
Due in part to Cessna wanting the Longitude to sell well, they gave it the best engines on the market. As such, it has one of the largest ranges and quickest speeds of any private jet on the market today or in the near future!
In order to sell more Longitudes, Cessna has begun marketing the Longitude as the fastest private jet in its class, with one of the best ranges. When cruising, the Longitude travels at 483 kn (556 mph, 895 km/h).
7. Dassault Falcon 900
The Falcon 900 serves as Dassault’s base for several of its aircraft, including the Falcon 7X and 8X (more on the former later). As such, it is hardly a surprise that the tri-jet is one of the fastest private jets in the world.
In the early 1980’s, with the introduction of the Falcon 50, Dassault began work on a new aircraft. This aircraft, later known as the Falcon 900, was developed based on the Falcon 50 (itself a having been designed based on the Falcon 20).
Most of the technology from the Falcon 50 (and partly from the Falcon 20) were left inside. However, the fuselage was significantly lengthened and new engines were added, increasing both range and speed.
Before the introduction of the later Falcon 7X and Falcon 8X, Dassault prided itself on the Falcon 900’s impressive speeds. When cruising the Falcon 900 cruises at speeds of 510 kn (950 km/h; 590 mph).
6. Gulfstream G550
At one point in time, the G550 was Gulfstream’s flagship aircraft. Today, it is still the flagship of many companies and celebrities. This is partly due to the G550 being one of the fastest private jets on the planet!
Before the introduction of the G600 and the subsequent G650, the G550 was among the largest and most expensive private jets on the planet. Originally, the G550 was developed from the Gulfstream GV.
Originally it was marketed as the G550, before the G500 was introduced later. The G550 was given not only an extended fuselage, but also new engines which gave it a faster speed and heavily increased range.
One of the G550’s main selling point is its range as well as its speed. When it was introduced, the G550 was the fastest Gufstream aircraft ever produced! At cruising speed, the G550 travels at 533 kn (988 km/h; 614 mph).
5. Bombardier Global 6000
Despite no longer being Bombardier’s flagship aircraft, it still has one lasting reminder that it once was- its speed. In fact, it is actually one of the fastest private jets in the world!
Following the introduction of the Global 5000 and the subsequent Global 5500, Bombardier began working on their replacement. These aircraft, based on the Global 5000 and 5500 would become the Global 6000.
The biggest change came to the fuselage and cabin length, with both being extended greatly. This extension also gave way to a large aft fuel tank that increased the Global 6000’s range greatly.
Despite being the cheapest of all of Bombardier’s “Global XRS” family, one of its biggest selling points is its incredible speed, which at the time of its release, was almost unbeatable!
When cruising, the Global 5000 travels at 487 kn (902 km/h; 560 mph).
4. Dassault Falcon 7X
The Dassault Falcon 7X is Dassault’s flagship aircraft. Despite only being introduced about 15 years ago, the Falcon 7X has become quite successful, in part due to being one of the fastest private jets on the market!
After the introduction of the aforementioned Falcon 900, Dassault began working on its replacement. This aircraft would become the Falcon 7X, and was based almost entirely on its predecessor.
But, just as how its predecessor was lengthened and given new engines compared to its own predecessor, so was the Falcon 7X. these new engines similarly increased the Falcon 7X’s cruise speed and range.
Currently, the Falcon 7X is one of Dassault’s two premier private jets (with the other being the Falcon 8X). When cruising, the Falcon 7X travels at 459 kn (850 km/h: 528 mph), making it Dassault’s fastest private jet yet!
3. Gulfstream G650
Gulfstream’s current flagship, the G650 is perhaps one of the most famous and widely used business jets on the planet! Partly, this is down to the G650’s incredible speed, which is often more than jets of a similar size and range.
Following the introduction of the G500, Gulfstream began to develop the G600 and subsequently the G650. Gulfstream designed the G650 to be an extended G600, in terms of both the fuselage and range.
The latter was done mostly through the introduction of better engines, which not only increased the range, but increased its already fast speed. This resulted in the G650 being one of the fastest private jets on the planet.
Partly due to its speed, the G650 has become one of the most widely produced private jets on the planet. When cruising, the G650 cruises at speeds of roughly 488 kn (904 km/h; 562 mph).
2. Cessna Citation X+
In terms of the fastest private jet currently available, the Cessna Citation X+ is actually the fastest! This is actually quite surprising when you also consider that it is one of the cheapest private jets too!
Cessna developed the Citation X+ from the Citation X, itself a development from the Citation III, which also had a fast cruising speed at 472 kn (543 mph, 874 km/h).
Due to demand at the time, the Citation X+ was lengthened and raised as well as given newer engines.
These newer engines not only increased the Citation X+’s speed but also gave it a significantly increased range. Indeed, the two AE3007C2 engines also gives the Citation X+ a lower operating cost per hour as wll.
Due in part to its great speed and its better economics, the Citation X+ has become a fairly common private jet. The Citation X+ is actually noticeably faster than the G650 at 528 kn (978 km/h; 608 mph).
1. Aerion AS2
I was initially hesitant to include the AS2 in this article- after all it is only in the design phase, with no working prototype. With that being said, within the next few years, a working prototype is expected to be launched, with its first flight by 2025.
Aerion saw the Concorde and Tu-144, and how it became a favorite among business travelers, due to its speed. However, the Concorde and Tu-144 were retired due in part to their sonic booms and poor per seat economics.
As such, Aerion has partnered with Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Airbus in the past in order to reduce fuel costs as well as reduce the impact of the sonic booms, all whilst traveling faster than the speed of sound.
The main selling point of the AS2 is its speed, clocking in at 803 kn (924 mph, 1,487 km/h, Mach 1.6). This is combined with a range of 4,200 nmi (4,800 mi, 7,800 km) all whilst carrying between eight and eleven passengers.
Which are the fastest private jets you’d like to fly on? Tell me in the comments!
Featured image courtesy of Thomas Arnoux via Flickr.