For business leaders a private jet is an incredible way to travel, offering levels of comfort, convenience, and privacy that commercial airlines simply aren’t able to compete with.
Some of the world’s most impressive private jets have been owned by celebrities. The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley liked to travel in style wherever he went, so unsurprisingly he owned three private jets – two Lockheed Jetstars and a Convair 880. He purchased the latter from Delta Airlines in 1975 and called it ‘Lisa Marie’ after his daughter. Today, visitors to Graceland can step onboard the plane and see the remarkable customisation job he had completed on it. This arguably set the standard for the many luxurious celebrity-owned private jets that would follow.
Actor John Travolta is the owner of multiple private jets, as well as a pilot and well-known aviation enthusiast. His Boeing 707-138B was bought from Australian airline Qantas and was customised to provide the ultimate in first-class flying for 15 passengers, with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a shower. He’s also owned a Bombardier Challenger 601, Eclipse 500, Soko Galeb G-2 fighter jet, and more.
Tom Cruise owns a Gulfstream IV, which is valued at around $20 million. Cruise’s plane boasts a variety of impressive features, including a private cinema room, a fully-equipped galley to cater for all food and drink needs, a spacious cabin suitable for 19 passengers, fully reclining seats, and a sofa bed.
Business leaders seeking their own private jet may also wish to consider some of the above options, or the incredible planes mentioned below.
Boeing Business Jets (BBJ)
Those who want the feeling of a five-star hotel at 30,000 feet will find the BBJ range of jets an option well worthy of their attention. The BBJ 737 MAX was launched in 2012 and made its first delivery in 2018. Those who are able to afford the stunning planes might want to look at the upcoming 737-7, which offers 144 pre-designed cabin layouts to choose from, all at a fixed price. The company also offers a choice of three colour schemes – Earthbound, Midnight, and Serene. As these planes are much larger than typical private jets, passengers can enjoy the luxury of en-suites, staterooms, and private rooms during their flight. Those seeking a plane with more bedroom space than any other aircraft may wish to wait for the BBJ 777X, which is expected next year.
Gulfstream G650
The Gulfstream G650 is an icon of business aviation and bespoke luxury. The Gulfstream G650 is capable of incredible speeds of Mach 0.925 and has superb long-range capabilities of 7,000 nautical miles. This makes it an ideal choice for those who need to travel long distances in comfort. Owners of the G650ER especially will find plenty of room to unwind during the flight, and this version has four distinct living areas, plus a master suite with a full-size bed, and even a shower. This private jet is a favourite of high fliers wanting a top-class private flying experience. Famous owners of the Gulfstream G650 include Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos and CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk.
Airbus ACJ350
With its combination of performance and luxury, the Airbus ACJ350 is another popular private jet of choice for C-suite executives, heads of state, and royalty. With 2,900 square feet of customisable floor space, the jet has room for multiple bedrooms, conference rooms, and a dining area, all designed for maximum comfort. The master bedroom is especially palatial, with room for a king-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom. There’s even an advanced cabin management system, allowing passengers to control entertainment, temperature, and lighting at the touch of a button.
The plane offers a range of more than 11,000 nautical miles, making it easily capable of non-stop long-haul flights. It’s also considered one of the more efficient options available, as the designers used advanced aerodynamics and lightweight materials to minimise fuel consumption.
Embraer Lineage 1000E
With five cabin zones, the Embraer Lineage 1000E is as much a luxury residence as a private jet. With plenty of cabin space, it can accommodate 19 passengers. The interiors can be customised to the owner's taste, with options including a master bedroom with a queen-sized bed, en-suite bathroom, and a selection of dining and living areas. Flyers can even enjoy a first-class meal from the fully-equipped kitchen, and benefit from multiple bathrooms, ensuring all the comforts of home while travelling.
The Embraer Lineage 1000E is capable of long and short-haul flights, offering a range of 4,600 miles. That means it can deal with flights such as London to Los Angeles and Dubai to Tokyo. Embraer offers five luxurious, exclusive design options for the Lineage 1000E: the Kyoto Airship, Skyacht One, Skyranch One, Manhattan, and Hollywood.
These private jets are just some of the incredible options available to business leaders wishing to travel in style. With so many choices on how to perfectly tailor a jet to your tastes, the sky really is the limit.
