Today, a private jet is not so much a means of transportation, but also an indicator of success, status and membership in the club of millionaires or the Forbes magazine list.

Private jet rental

Before we move on to a more detailed discussion of the sales market, it must be said that renting a private jet, rather than buying one, is another option to join the world of private aviation. Hiring a business jet for 7 seats costs an average of 4,000 euros per hour for national route and up to 8000 and more if the flight is international. Of course, aircraft class, additional equipment and interior luxury will play a significant role in the final rental price.

What exactly makes up the cost of rent and what can you save on when ordering a plane.

The main components of the rental price:

• aircraft class and model, cabin capacity,
• class of service in flight
• flight distance and number of landing airfields.

And now let's look at the most interesting models that are currently on the market or are under development and pre-sale.

1. This spectacular airliner is one of those things that you can only afford if you are a multi-millionaire because it costs at least $51 million (44 million euros). But if you do not want to spend so much money at once, it is possible to rent it by average price about $20,000 (€17,388) per flight hour, according to PrivateFly. When buying an Airbus ACJ319 Elegance, it is possible to order individual tuning using various modules. In addition to the spacious cabin, you can enjoy the kitchen and bathroom at the front of the aircraft, as well as the bedroom and bathroom at the rear.

   

2. Robb Report notes that the ACJ320neo will sell for around $95 million (82.5 million euros). 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 must get on 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 perfect for this, because the cabin has a cozy cinema with a giant screen and speakers on the ceiling.

   

   

3. According to a Bombardier spokesperson, the price in 2017 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 handcrafted seats from expensive materials. The aircraft is trimmed with leather and wood and metal veneer, which give the interior of the aircraft a bright and luxurious look. Touch screens provide real-time flight information and lighting adjustments, while speakers built into the side walls of the car broadcast audio in high-end quality.

   

   

4. Whether you're traveling for business or enjoying a weekend getaway with friends, the Bombardier Challenger 650 is the perfect private jet for a comfortable and luxurious getaway. But unlike the Challenger 350, the Challenger 650 has the widest cab in its category. The price is also slightly higher: 32.3 million dollars (28 million euros). This aircraft has sports seats, folding conference tables, touch screens and other features similar to the Challenger 350.

   

   

5. The purchase price in 2016 for the Global 5000 was $50.44 million (€43 million). This luxurious 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 plush large chairs that fully recline and rotate, two bi-folding tables and a 24-inch HD monitor.

   

   

6. The sale price in 2016 for the Global 6000 was $62.31 million (€54 million). Like the Global 5000, the standard configuration of this aircraft includes two seats at the entrance to the cabin, a dining or conference area and a cabin customizable to the needs of the owner. On the right side of the cabin is a large kitchen. The 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 surprise luxury aviation enthusiasts in the second half of 2018 when it hits the market. The standard selling price of the Bombardier Global 7000 is expected to be around $72.8 million (63.2 million euros). This private jet will offer four spacious areas to accommodate 17 passengers in its standard configuration. Built-in entertainment complex Global 7000 – perfect place for passengers to watch a baseball game or movie during the flight on a giant mega-screen TV.

   

   

8. In 2016, Robb Report reported that Citation Sovereign+ had a starting price of $18.3 million. USA. On its website, Cessna describes its Citation Sovereign+ as "a meeting room of the highest order." Indeed, the aircraft perfectly fulfills its purpose. Rich wood veneers, leather seats and textured fabrics give the aircraft a sense of expensive stability and high class.

   

   

9. The Dassault Falcon 900LX is a real eye-catcher. The aircraft is capable of carrying from 12 to 14 passengers. In early 2017, the Robb Report reported that the Falcon 900LX cost about $43 million (€37 million). This is an upgraded version of the Falcon 9000LX with a completely redesigned interior, LED lighting system, toilet, new acoustics to reduce noise and 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 sale price of the Legacy 650E was $25.9 million (€22.5 million). The Embraer Legacy 650E has many amenities for passengers to enjoy while flying. The interior space of the cabin is divided into three large zones, which allow passengers to not lose their sense of privacy in time. The leather seats can be reclined completely for a good night's sleep.

    

    

History reference. 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, aircraft have come a long way in design, lightness and innovation. An example is the modern Gulfstream G650, which can fly around the globe in just 41 hours and 7 minutes.

Who owns 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 dry figures that show that 70 to 90% of all private jets are for business.

Fun Fact: A study by the US National Business Aviation Association found that companies flying private jets experienced a 219% increase in profit growth compared to those flying commercial flights.

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 takeovers 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 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 whole 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's media. Among the owners we can almost immediately think of are 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 bottom of the list are eccentric millionaires who use private aviation to satisfy their immediate needs. And such examples are the most discussed in the press and the public.

For example, in one case, the owner of a plane who went fishing in northern Norway forgot his fishing rod at his home in London. And he sent a plane to pick her up and bring her back.

Or another case where a private jet owner ordered an expensive plate of sushi from his favorite restaurant in London for a party he hosted at his villa in Italy. And of course, the dish was delivered to Italy within a few hours.

Interesting fact: To date, just over 30,000 private jets have been registered worldwide, of which 12,000 are in the United States.

What are the advantages of private jets over conventional commercial flights?

With a private jet, you can fly almost anywhere you want in an environment that is perfect for you.

It is noteworthy that according to airlines, about 96 percent of air services (a flight between two different airports) do not have scheduled commercial flights. And this means that by choosing to travel on a private jet, you can plan to visit the places you need in one day, and return for dinner with your family in the evening.

Private aviation is much more flexible in every way. You can get to small terminals five minutes before the plane's departure, set the departure time and make changes to it in a very short time, you do not have 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 on international flights, on going through border and customs formalities.

Private aviation division by aircraft size.

Let's not focus only on huge airliners that carry top officials of states or companies that occupy top places on the Forbs list. Although, of course, it’s hard to resist not to mention a couple of the top three most expensive airliners that are owned by private individuals.

In the first place, of course, 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 pearl of which is the Airbus A380, one of the largest passenger aircraft made in the world.

The price of the "Flying Palace" is, according to various media, 500 million dollars. Additional options that the prince wanted to have on board include a Turkish bath, a car parking garage and a prayer room where the mats automatically rotate towards Mecca.

It must be said that in the event that the prince flies in his new $ 500 million Airbus, his hangar will not remain empty, because there will be a Boeing 747 parked there, ready to take off at any moment to transport guests, friends and relatives of the monarch.

This airship has a large dining table for 14 people in the main saloon, and the royal throne is placed in the center of the ship. So everyone who travels can feel the atmosphere of the kingdom. Estimated price of the vessel is 220 million dollars.

Second place. Russia's richest oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who made his fortune through trade, metallurgy and telecommunications, has an Airbus A340-300. The cost of the airliner exceeds 350 million dollars.

The plane has its own name - "Burkhan" and is named after Alisher's father. It is the largest private jet in Russia. After all, Usmanov's fortune is estimated at $17.6 billion. The initial price of the Burkhan was $238 million, but Bloomberg believes that the personalization of the liner 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 its improvement.

If you get the chance to fly on this liner, you can wash your hands over a solid gold sink and admire the interior of the cabin, which is decorated with precious glass inlays with gold inlays.

But these are the "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 equip it.

What is the gradation for such aircraft and what should potential buyers pay attention to.

• very light– the smallest class, designed for short flights with a maximum number of passengers up to 4 people,
• Turboprop is a very common category 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 is the aircraft favored 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 to decide whether you really need this expensive "toy"? Experts say that there is a fairly simple formula. If you fly more than 300 hours a year, then buying your aircraft may be justified.

Interesting fact: The private aviation industry in the US is $16.7 billion, in Europe it is $15.8 billion.

Additional costs for the maintenance of a private jet

When purchasing such a complex piece of equipment, be prepared for additional costs. The main ones are:

• 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 for private jet parking is Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

• the annual cost of maintaining the liner, the cost of wages for pilots and maintenance personnel, payment of fuel and insurance premiums from 700,000 to 4 million dollars.

For all this ground, preparatory and service work, owners often hire special management companies. They provide a full range of 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 dollars per month.

Despite all these complexities and costs, the private aviation market is growing.

Over 300 aircraft were sold by the private jet manufacturing and sales industry last year. The average cost of which ranged from 20 to 60 million dollars.

Producing weapons is a profitable business: whatever price greedy gunsmiths set, governments pay generously. Especially when it comes to aviation, which the Western powers love to fight so much.

So, almost a billion overpaid the United States for latest aircraft F-35 Lightning II. Lockheed Martin recently confronted the Pentagon with an increase in the price of the contract by $800 million.

However, this is not so expensive for the Yankees: M PORT found several combat aircraft that cost America no less.

$94 MILLION - F/A-18 HORNET

Twin-engine, US Air Force attack fighter, which was born in the distant 80s. He was the first among his American counterparts to cross a fighter and an attack aircraft, being able to hit both ground and air targets. He received his baptism of fire during Operation Desert Storm. It is in service with Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland.

$102 MILLION - EA-18G GROWLER

Version of the previous aircraft: fewer weapons, but a lot of effective means of electronic suppression. Growler is designed for the needs of the fleet. He is able to jam enemy radars and interfere with enemy electronic communications.

Source: defense.gov

$118 MILLION - V-22 OSPREY

This is a vertical takeoff transport aircraft. It is called a tiltrotor and combines the advantages of an airplane and a helicopter. From the first he took speed, from the second - freedom of maneuver, dropping people and equipment in the most inconvenient places. However, the originality of the idea required sacrifice: about 30 people died during the Osprey tests.

Source: defense.gov

$122 MILLION - F-35 LIGHTNING II

Lockheed Martin tore off the most profitable military contract in world history - we already mentioned it at the beginning of the rating. Still: after all, this F-35 is a fifth-generation supersonic fighter-bomber.

And yet, at the stage of flight tests, the last word of NATO aircraft was criticized for superiority and poor engine thrust. And in 2008, hackers hacked electronic codes aircraft control.

After these troubles, Lockheed Martin no longer believed that the contract could be fulfilled. But the Pentagon had nowhere to go - and the Lightning is already preparing to become a production aircraft.

Source: defense.gov

$232 MILLION - E-2D ADVANCED HAWKEYE

Vigilant observer aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft. The latest modification radar has increased the coverage area by 300% compared to other reconnaissance aircraft. “If necessary, he will hear Ayatollah Khomeini peeling pistachios,” one US weapons expert joked.

So far, only two E-2Ds are flying, which have been transferred to the US Navy.

Source: defense.gov

$241 MILLION - VH-71 KESTREL

The future flagship of the presidential fleet of helicopters has already gobbled up a lot of money. The project, launched under Bush Jr., exceeded its budget by 50% with the advent of Obama. It was decided to reduce costs, but the helicopter still used the extra half a billion dollars.

Source: defense.gov

$290 MILLION - P-8A POSEIDON

Military version of the Boeing 747, designed to accompany anti-submarine ships and lead maritime intelligence. Carries on board torpedoes, missiles, depth charges and other opportunities to jam fish with impunity. Enters service in 2013.

12.09.2018 , 08:16 41462

Flying on planes has become a common thing for us. Comfortably and quickly get from point A to point B. For many, this is just a means of transportation. And if you make the plane so that it is indistinguishable from a luxury hotel? Let's see what are the most expensive planes and what they have interesting on board.

Boeing 747-8 VIP - $153 million

The owner is Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau. The aircraft was upgraded with vaulted ceilings, video displays on the walls and a spiral staircase. You can't forbid living beautifully! Exclusive design and state-of-the-art technology. This aircraft also has another name "Dreamliner".

Boeing 747-400 Custom - $200 million

Order for Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia. Having bought the plane, the prince made a palace out of it! A throne was placed in the center, two luxurious bedrooms and a dining room for 14 people appeared. There are 11 flight attendants on board as servants.

Boeing 747-430 Custom - $233 million

The owner is the Sultan of Brunei from the island of Borneo. This plane was bought for 100 million dollars, and after investing another 130 million dollars, it turned into a golden mansion. Pure gold was used for interior decoration. Gold details and Lalique crystals were used to decorate the living room, bedroom and bathroom, and the washbasin was made entirely of gold. The Sultan has three aircraft - this flying mansion is the largest.

Airbus A340-300 Custom - $350-500 million

Airbus A340-300 Custom - is the largest aircraft in Russia and belongs to Alisher Usmanov, Russian billionaire. He also has the name "Burkhan". Aircraft model cost $238 million by upgrading and modernizing the luxurious interior and specifications, its cost has become within 500 million dollars. This plane rises to a height of 11.5 thousand km. The liner initially accommodated 400 passengers, but after processing, the board can take no more than 100, but how! Expensive finishes, golden interior elements, furniture inlaid with precious stones, even light bulbs with lamps, and those are made of precious metals.

Airbus A380 Custom - $500 million

And again, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia. The owner of the largest private jet in the world. On board this giant, there is a wellness center, a two-car garage, a hawk room, stables, bedrooms and bathrooms with showers. To put it all on aircraft I had to remove the passenger seats.

As we can see, airplanes are not just a means of transportation. If a person occupies a significant place in the world, then he can afford to buy a plane and make it at least a palace, at least a five-star hotel.

Russia's richest man, top of the Russian Forbes list, 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 the park, but, according to experts, this is a budget version of $ 300 million.

Alisher Usmanov's Airbus 340-300 aircraft 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 is 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 aircraft 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 the car from its first days carried out flights with such an inscription. Therefore, it is possible that the Global Jet Concept company at the very beginning decided to bet on the fact that Alisher Usmanov would become the future owner of the aircraft. Over the course of all four years, when the aircraft was operated for various purposes, the billionaire kept an eye on him, periodically ordering the company's services.

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

In the oligarch's fleet, in addition to the purchased Airbus, there are other aircraft, including the Boeing Business Jet. All of its liners are based at Vnukovo Airport. But the new aircraft has become an exception, flying from Sheremetyevo. In size, it is second only to the new A380.

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

		Flight characteristics
Height - 16.8 m	Empty weight - 130.9 thousand kg	Takeoff run - 3 thousand m
Length - 63.7 m	Maximum takeoff - 271-275 thousand kg	Maximum cruising speed 890 km per hour
Wing area - 361.6 m 2	Maximum landing - 192 thousand kg	Flight range with maximum load - 13.5 km
Wingspan - 60.3 m	Maximum landing weight - 192 thousand kg	Maximum flight altitude - 12.5 m
	Run length - 1926 m
	The volume of fuel tanks - 141.5 liters	Engines: 4 x 15400 kgf, CFMI CFM56-5C4

According to experts, such a purchase cannot be considered an empty waste of funds. The liner, thanks to its “multi-engine” nature, has obvious advantages - it is able to lay various air routes and not pay any attention to technical problems during flight with one of the engines. There were cases when liners on three working engines crossed Atlantic Ocean without much effort.

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