For nearly 30 years, travellers could fly faster than sound. Thanks to the iconic Concorde supersonic jet, which cruised at 1,350 mph(2172.6 kmph), transatlantic flights could take less than three hours — that’s about twice as fast as commercial flights today. But Concorde was retired in 2003, and commercial air travel isn’t nearly as fast as it used to be. But if you fly private, you can get pretty close to Mach 1 (767 mph or 1234 kmph), the speed of sound.
Here are the fastest non-military jets in the world that will get you from A to B as quickly as possible.
These are the fastest planes in the world
Cessna Citation X+ (717 mph)
The fastest private jet in the world, the Cessna Citation X+ is capable of speeds as fast as Mach 0.935. However, its range is somewhat limited as far as private jets go: 3,460 nautical miles (5,568.33 km), or just enough to make it between New York and Western Europe. The aircraft was introduced in 2012 as an update to the Cessna Citation X, which has been in service since 1996. The plane might not hold its title for much longer, though — the upcoming Bombardier Global 8000 is anticipated to fly at Mach 0.94, or 721 mph.
Gulfstream G700 (710 mph)
Reaching Mach 0.925, or 710 mph (1142.6 kmph), the G700 is Gulfstream’s newest aircraft, with a range of 7,500 nautical miles (12,070.08 km). That means it can fly from New York to Johannesburg or from Los Angeles to Sydney. The G800, however, is due to launch later this year, and while it’ll have the same speed, its range will be 8,000 nautical miles (12,874 km).
Gulfstream G650 (710 mph)
Like its cousin, the G700, Gulfstream’s G650 flies at Mach 0.925, or 710 mph. Its range is a bit shorter, at 7,000 nautical miles (11,265 km) — though that’s still enough to fly between New York and Tokyo and Los Angeles and Auckland.
Gulfstream G650ER (710 mph)
The ER in G650ER stands for “extended range,” so while you’ll fly just as fast as you would in a G650 (that is, Mach 0.925, or 710 mph), you’ll be able to fly farther. The G650ER has a range of 7,500 nautical miles (12,070 km), just like the G700.
Gulfstream G600 (691 mph)
If there’s something Gulfstream does well, it’s consistency, at least when it comes to speed. Yes, here is yet another Gulfstream jet that flies up to Mach 0.925, or 710 mph (1142.6 kmph). Its range is 6,600 nautical miles (10,621 km), which is enough to connect New York and Dubai or Los Angeles and Sydney.
Gulfstream G500 (710 mph)
You’ve probably already guessed it — the G500 flies at Mach 0.925, or 710 mph (1142.6 kmph). You might also have inferred that its range is less than that of its brethren, and you’d be right again. Gulfstream’s G500 has a range of 5,300 nautical miles (8,529 km), so it can fly from New York to Buenos Aires or Los Angeles to Tokyo.
Bombardier Global 7500 (710 mph)
As you can tell, Mach 0.925, or 710 mph (1142.6 kmph), seems to be something of a sweet spot with private jets. Bombardier’s Global 7500 flies at this speed like many other aircraft, but it has an industry-leading range (until the Global 8000 enters service) of 7,700 nautical miles (12,391 km).
Bombardier Global 6500 (691 mph)
Taking an ever-so-slight step down in speed, the Bombardier Global 6500 reaches Mach 0.9, or 691 mph (1112 kmph), at cruising altitude. With a range of 6,600 nautical miles (10,621 km), it can fly nonstop between New York and Dubai or Los Angeles and Sydney.
Dassault Falcon 8X (691 mph)
Until the Falcon 10X enters service (likely in 2027), Dassault’s fastest and farthest-flying private jet is the 8X, which can travel 6,450 nautical miles (10,380 km) at speeds up to Mach 0.9, or 691 mph (1112 kmph). That covers New York to Nairobi or London to Jakarta.
Dassault Falcon 7X (691 mph)
The Falcon 8X’s predecessor, the Falcon 7X, was the first private jet with fly-by-wire capabilities. It, like its successor, flies at Mach 0.9, or 691 mph (1112 kmph), though it has a smaller range of 5,950 nautical miles (9,575 km). That’s enough for a nonstop flight between New York and Tokyo or London and Singapore.
Honourable mention: Boeing 747-8 (656 mph)
If you’re wondering which commercial aircraft is the fastest, that title goes to the Boeing 747-8, which flies at Mach 0.855, or 652 mph (1005.8kmph). Though the 747 is no longer in production, Lufthansa, Korean Air, and Air China still fly these planes — they have an impressive range of 8,000 nautical miles (12,874 km), which is farther than any private jet on this list.
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(Feature Image Credit: Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com
Related: 5 Of The Most Expensive Private Planes
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