Owning a private jet is a surefire sign of wealth and success, as these personal aircraft are exceptionally expensive. But just how pricey do private jets get?
The most expensive private jet of all time is the Air Force One VC-25B. This presidential private jet is still in development, but initial cost estimates put its value at about $660 million. When finished, this hi-tech jet will replace the current Air Force One jet, a Boeing Boeing 747-200B VC-25A.
Are you eager to discover how the world’s wealthiest and most influential individuals fly around the globe? If so, this ranking will fill you in. Let’s explore the most extravagant (and costly) private jets of all time!
Here Are the Top 10 Most Expensive Private Jets of All Time:
- Air Force One VC-25B – $660 million
- Saudi Prince Al Waleed’s Airbus A380 “Bourkhan” – $500 million
- Alisher Usmanov’s Airbus A340-300 – Up to $500 million
- Boeing 747-8 VIP by Greenpoint Technologies – $490 million
- Boeing BBJ 777-9 – $453.6 million
- Airbus ACJ350-1000 – $366 million
- Airbus ACJ330-900 – $296 million
- Boeing BBJ 787-9 – $292 million
- Boeing BBJ MAX 9 – $115.2 million
- Donald Trump’s Boeing 757 – $100 million
10. Donald Trump’s Boeing 757 – $100 million
Donald Trump is one of the wealthiest people in the world, with a net worth in the billions. As such, he can afford some of the most luxurious vehicles and aircraft, including his personalized Boeing 757, nicknamed “Trump Force One.”
This $100 million private jet is more than three decades old, but it looks brand-new thanks to intensive maintenance and upgrades. It’s also undeniably iconic, with a massive American flag on the tail and “TRUMP” in gold lettering on each side.
The jet has a kitchen, a private lounge, and more than 40 seats. Each seat is equipped with 24-karat gold-plated seatbelts for an extra touch of luxury.
Why Is It So Expensive?
Boeing planes are some of the most popular long-haul commercial aircraft in the world. The Boeing 757 belonging to Donald Trump was once a commercial airliner, one of only about 1,000 ever built.
Though it’s a narrow-body plane, it’s still large enough to transport dozens of travelers. But this plane’s size isn’t the only reason it’s so costly.
After all, the interior and exterior have been completely renovated and overhauled. The finishes and furniture added to the private jetplane are luxurious. The cost of all these changes and upgrades contributes to the aircraft’s staggering value.
Even the world’s most expensive RVs can’t top the price of this private jet!
9. Boeing BBJ MAX 9 – $115.2 Million
There are several Boeing Business Jets (BBJ), all of which cost upwards of $100 million.
But the costliest (and biggest) of the BBJ MAX lineup is the BBJ 737-9 (MAX 9). This private jet’s price tag is an impressive $115.2 million.
Of course, this is also a massive aircraft, with more than 1,000 square feet of floor space. That’s about twice the size of most one-bedroom apartments.
It’s also remarkably comfortable, featuring a private bedroom with ambient lighting, a spacious conference area, multiple dining and lounge spaces, and a wealth of monitors and televisions. Essentially, the entire Boeing BBJ MAX 9 aircraft is one gigantic business-class cabin.
Why Is It So Expensive?
Although this private jet can’t accommodate quite as many people as Donald Trump’s Boeing 757, with an eight-passenger limit, it’s still a luxurious aircraft with a ton to offer.
The Boeing BBJ MAX 9 is like a flying office and a home away from home, allowing the world’s most influential and significant businesspeople to continue working even while on the go. Because it’s spacious and well-equipped to handle practically every need, it’s a costly commodity.
8. Boeing BBJ 787-9 – $292 Million
Several of the world’s most expensive private jets are as large (if not larger) as commercial aircraft, and the Boeing BBJ 787-9 is a fantastic example.
This huge aircraft can transport dozens of passengers to virtually any destination. But its size means it’s not exactly welcome to land at smaller, regional airports.
The interior cabin spaces are 18ft (about 5.5m) wide, offering plenty of room for travelers to walk around, enjoy some fine cuisine, and soak up the soaring sights. Of course, what passengers can do while aboard this plane varies depending on the buyer’s requests.
After all, because this aircraft is designed as the private, personal version of the more traditional commercial Boeing 787, buyers can customize it however they’d like. This means that each Boeing BBJ 787-9 is unique to the person who owns it.
Of course, that kind of personalization comes at a cost. This private jet costs $292 million, which doesn’t include interior decorating expenses.
Why Is It So Expensive?
Luxury and flight range are the reasons behind this private jet’s incredible price tag.
After all, this aircraft can fly from London to Australia without needing to make a pitstop to refuel. Any jet-setter with a desire to skip the hassle of commercial flights is sure to love this Boeing jet!
7. Airbus ACJ330-900 – $296 Million
If you’re in the market for a private jet that can take you across the globe in a single leap (or, should we say, flight), the Airbus ACJ330-900 could be the right investment.
Although this private jet has a somewhat steep price tag of $296 million, it has a range of 9,900 nautical miles. For reference, the circumference of the Earth is about 21,600 nautical miles.
So, in theory, the Airbus ACJ300-900 can just about take you halfway around the world without needing to refuel. Still, if you’d like to outfit this private jet with all the most luxurious furnishings and fittings, you can expect to pay an additional (and probably hefty) fee.
Why Is It So Expensive?
The Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) are pricey due to their exceptional range (how far they can fly without refueling) and customization potential.
The Airbus ACJ330-900 is designed to suit the needs and preferences of only the biggest corporate bigwigs, and its price matches that intention.
6. Airbus ACJ350-1000 – $366 Million
Not all private jets are built for business. Some, like the Airbus ACJ350-1000, are built for comfort and extravagance. Maybe that’s why this aircraft has a whopping price tag of $366 million!
We’re talking about fully customizable interiors containing everything you need to enjoy your time in the sky, from multiple private bedrooms and dining areas to lounges and full-size bathrooms. You could even install a private art gallery in one of these spacious private jets.
Of course, this plane’s 11,100 nautical mile range is also impressive, as is its hospital-grade air filtration system.
Why Is It So Expensive?
This Airbus is basically a flying Rolls-Royce. No, seriously, this private jet is equipped with two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB 97 engines!
Overall, this plane’s high-quality components, innovative design, and customizability make it a natural choice for affluent families and couples looking to jet-set to distant destinations.
5. Boeing BBJ 777-9 – $453.6 Million
When it comes to the priciest private jet line in the world, the Boeing BBJ planes are pretty much king.
While other private aircraft might have higher price tags, this lineup consists of some of the costliest private jets on the planet, including the Boeing BBJ 777-9. In fact, this is the most expensive of all the Boeing BBJ planes.
Costing a jaw-dropping $453.6 million (that’s almost half a billion dollars), the Boeing BBJ 777-9 has a range of about 11,330 nautical miles, putting the flight range of lesser private jets to shame. It’s also quite roomy, with more than 3,600 square feet of cabin space.
Imagine how much easier it would be to travel to the most expensive places if you owned this private jet!
Why Is It So Expensive?
The interior of this private jet is fully customizable, and because it’s so spacious, you could fit an entire house’s worth of rooms inside it.
But apart from roominess, the main reason this aircraft is so expensive is range. After all, few other private jets can boast such an impressive flight distance!
Besides, BBJ jets are made for the world’s elite, including wealthy businesspeople and government officials. Essentially, they’re pricey because they’re built for the most affluent flyers.
4. Boeing 747-8 VIP by Greenpoint Technologies – $490 Million
We might never know who owns the Boeing 747-8 VIP, a jumbo-jet customized by Greenpoint Technologies in 2015. But whoever it belongs to, one thing is for certain; this massive private jet is worth big bucks, about $490 million, to be precise.
But when you consider that this aircraft has an onboard restaurant, multiple bedrooms (including eight guest bedrooms), and a full-size dining area, its high price tag begins to make more sense. There’s even a conference room for in-flight business meetings!
Why Is It So Expensive?
This private jet is more like a five-star hotel of the sky than a cramped passenger plane or tiny personal aircraft.
Every inch of it is covered in lavish furnishings and elegant decor. The only things that give away the fact that it’s an airplane (and not a luxury-quality mansion or hotel) are the side windows!
3. Alisher Usmanov’s Airbus A340-300 “Bourkhan” – Up to $500 Million
Few airplanes have a specific name beyond their model type and registration number. But Alisher Usmanov’s Airbus A340-300 isn’t your typical aircraft.
This private jet, named “Bourkhan,” is somewhat of a mystery, and only a handful of images showing its luxurious interior are available online. But we do know that this customized Airbus A340-300 cost Usmanov between $300 and $500 million, making it one of the priciest private jets on the planet.
Why Is It So Expensive?
Bourkhan is one of the largest private planes in Russia and likely one of the most lavish as well. We can guess that its size and interior (furnishings, rooms, etc.) are behind its high estimated value.
2. Saudi Prince Al Waleed’s Airbus A380 – $500 Million
As you might imagine, members of royal families can afford the finest transportation, including private jets. But Saudi Prince Al Waleed’s Airbus A380 would have taken things to truly opulent levels.
We say would have because this private jet never fully came to fruition. Sadly, Prince Al Waleed’s investments took a downturn the year after he began designing the concept for his flying Airbus palace.
But if this private jet (which would have been worth about $500 million) had been completed, it would have had:
- Onboard stables
- An elevator for travel between the two levels
- A concert hall
- A spacious boardroom
- An onboard garage
Why Is It So Expensive?
There’s no doubt that this jetplane would have been expensive due to its multiple rooms, massive size, and luxurious features.
Flying around the globe in an aircraft outfitted with multiple stables and a concert hall (complete with a grand piano) doesn’t come cheap! Unfortunately, this plane was never fully realized, partially because it was such an expensive undertaking.
1. Air Force One VC-25B – $660 Million
The most expensive private jet is the Air Force One VC-25B, currently being developed by Boeing. This private plane has a pre-tax cost of $660 million, though Boeing has lost more than $1 billion (so far) while attempting to build it.
Though this upgraded version of the presidential Air Force One aircraft isn’t quite finished yet, it’s already the most expensive private jet of all time. It’s not challenging to understand why, as the Air Force One plane is designed with both comfort and security in mind.
For example, the current Air Force One (a Boeing 747-200B VC-25A) has tons of hi-tech communications equipment. It’s essentially a flying bunker!
Why Is It So Expensive?
Any vehicle designed to transport the President of the United States will be worth a fortune.
That’s true of the still-in-development Air Force One VC-25B, the US Presidential State Car (one of the most expensive Cadillacs of all time), and all previous Air Force One aircraft.
But the higher-than-expected cost of the VC-25B being built to replace the current Air Force One private jet comes down to unexpected production delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation costs, and supply chain issues.
Current estimates are that it’ll finally be ready to hit the skies in 2026, though it might be completed as early as 2024.
How Much Does the Average Private Jet Cost?
A private jet could cost as little as $1 million, though most brand-new private jets cost several million dollars.
Price varies depending on the jet’s size, age, and technical capabilities. Generally, the larger and more advanced the private jet, the higher the price tag.
It’s also worth noting that, like superyachts and the most expensive sailboats, private jets incur additional costs.
Annual maintenance, fuel costs, and hangar fees can quickly add up. Private jet owners typically spend millions each year to store and maintain their aircraft.
Of course, those with the funds to purchase a private jet are often wealthy enough to foot these extra costs.
What’s the Most Expensive Private Jet?
The most expensive private jet in the world is the Air Force One VC-25B. This $660 million aircraft will likely be ready for take-off and landing sometime in 2026.
Although the plans for this yet-to-be-finished private jet were settled in 2018, multiple factors have caused setbacks in the plane’s development. In fact, Boeing has lost more than $1 billion attempting to fulfill its contract for this pricey plane.
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