Travelling by private jet is both luxurious and fast. And there are many different categories of jet available, but how fast do airplanes go?
60% of private jet users are professionals and businesses looking to maximize their time. Tailor-made aviation makes it possible to avoid security queues and customs checks, bypass scheduled flight times, or access airports not served by commercial flights and arrive as close as possible to a destination.
For the majority of travelers, the main attraction of a private jet is the possibility to get them to their destination very quickly. As a result, private jet manufacturers pay close attention to give to the power of their aircraft and fast aircraft are increasingly popular among travelers. After all, some private jets fly much faster than an airliner.
How fast do airplanes go?
The speed of a private jet depends essentially on aircraft category and engine type.
Turboprops, which are propeller-driven aircraft, generally fly between 300 and 800 km/h when cruising.
The Pilatus PC12, a popular turboprop with business travelers that can accommodate up to 8 passengers, can fly at speeds of up to 500 km/hr.
Private jets, which are almost all powered by turbojet engines, have variable speeds depending on their category:
– Ultra-light private jets (1 to 5 seats) generally fly between 600 and 750 km/h.
The Citation Mustang, a 4-seat ultra-light private jet, can fly at 630 km/h when cruising. The Phenom 100, in the same category, is slightly faster with a cruising speed of 750 km/h.
– Light private jets (5 to 7 seats) generally fly between 700 and 850 km/h.
The Phenom 300, a light private jet that can accommodate up to 7 passengers, cruises at 839 km/h.
– Midsize private jets (8 to 10 seats) fly between 780 and 930 km/h.
The Pilatus PC24 a private jet with 8 seats, can fly at up to 815 km/h when cruising.
– Long-haul private jets (10 to 16 seats), the most popular in the range, generally fly between 850 and 1100 km/h.
Private jets have the advantage of being able to climb to a very high altitude, up to 13,700 meters. This means they are higher than airliners and can fly direct. The Citation Longitude flies up to 910 km/h when cruising.
Speed of a private jet depends on the weather
The airspeed shown on an aircraft’s anemometer (also called the Indicated Air Speed) is not the actual speed the aircraft is travelling at but the speed taken from the aircraft’s external sensors. However, these sensors do not take into account the air mass immediately surrounding the aircraft or the direction and surface area of the wind. And that can change everything!
As an example, in February 2020, storm Ciara was raging over the Atlantic meaning a British Airways Boeing 747-200 was able to fly from New York to London in 4 hr 56 min instead of the usual 6 hr 55 min. On that day, as reported in the DailyMail, winds of up to 400 km/h following the aircraft allowed it to fly at over 1100 km/h when it usually flies at 980 km/h. Obviously, the reverse is true and a headwind will slow an aircraft down.
How fast do commercial planes fly?
Commercial planes, the workhorses of modern air travel, are renowned for their impressive speed and efficiency in transporting passengers across vast distances. The average cruising speed of commercial jets typically ranges between 900 and 965 kilometers per hour (560 to 600 miles per hour). This impressive velocity allows these aircraft to cover substantial distances within relatively short timeframes.
One of the fastest commercial planes in operation is the Boeing 747, known for reaching cruising speeds of up to 920 kilometers per hour (570 miles per hour). However, the title of the fastest commercial jet goes to the Boeing 777, which can achieve speeds of around 945 kilometers per hour (587 miles per hour).
The speed of commercial planes is a crucial factor in reducing travel times and enhancing the overall efficiency of air transportation. This high-speed capability enables airlines to offer passengers the convenience of swift journeys, connecting distant destinations and fostering global connectivity. While the exact speed can vary between different models and manufacturers, the rapid pace of commercial planes remains a testament to the advanced engineering and technology that propel the aviation industry into the future.
10 fastest private jets in the world
An Airbus A320 can fly at 870 km/h while the Rafale fighter plane can reach speeds of up to 2,223 km/h. But how fast do fighter jets fly, and when it comes to speed, which is the fastest private jet in the world?
AEROAFFAIRES tells you which are the 10 fastest private jets in the world!
10. Cessna Citation CJ4
The Citation CJ4 is a midsize private jet that can accommodate 9 passengers on-board. It is an improved version of the CJ3 and is more fuel-efficient than its predecessor.
Its two Williams FJ44-4A engines allow it to reach a cruising speed of 835 km/h (mach 0.676; mach 1 is the speed of sound)
9. Cessna Citation Longitude
The Citation Longitude is one of the most modern private jets offered by CESSNA Aircraft. Its spacious, sophisticated cabin fitted out to the highest standard can accommodate up to 12 passengers.
The Citation Longitude is powered by two Honeywell HTF7700L engines which allow the jet to reach a cruising speed of 877 km/h (mach 0.710).
8. Dassault Falcon 2000
The Falcon 2000 is a remarkable private jet from the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault. It was certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 1994 and has the same wingspan as its predecessor the Falcon 900.
The 2000 is powered by two CFE738-1-1B engines created by AlliedSignal and General Electric. This enables it to reach a speed of 880 km/h (mach 0.712).
7. Dassault Falcon 900 LX
The 900LX is the latest jet in the Falcon 900 range from Dassault Aviation.
Powered by 3 Honeywell Garrett TFE731 engines, the 900LX reaches a speed of 900 km/h (mach 0.728). Despite the high speeds it can reach and its three engines, the Falcon 900LX consumes less fuel than its direct competitors and its range allows it to connect New York to Moscow.
6. Bombardier Global 7500
The Global 7500 is a high-end business jet designed for long-haul flights. It is now the flagship product of the Canadian manufacturer Bombardier. Its spacious cabin is divided into four distinct zones and is particularly comfortable thanks to its on-board bed.
The Global 7 500 flies at 902 km/h (mach 0.730) due to two General Electric Passport engines.
5. Gulfstream G550
©Gulfstream Aerospace
The Gulfstream G550 is an American private jet that entered service in 2004. It can accommodate between 14 and 19 passengers and it has a range of 10,850 km.
It is equipped with turbojet engines, 2 Rolls-Royce BR710 Turbofan, that allow it to go at a speed of 1093 km/h (mach 0.885).
4. Bombardier Global 6000
©Bombardier
The Bombardier Global 6000 is a Canadian private jet that entered service in 2012. It can carry up to 19 passengers and has a range of 11,214 km. Its spacious cabin and numerous features make it one of the most expensive private jets on the market.
Its two Rolls-Royce BR710 turbojet engines mean it can fly at up to 1099 km/h (mach 0.89).
3. Dassault Falcon 7X
©Dassault Aviation
The Falcon 7X is a private jet brought into service by Dassault Aviation in 2005. It can accommodate up to 16 passengers and has a range of 11,000 km/h.
Its three Pratt & Whitney PW307A turbojet engines enable it to fly at speeds of up to 1112 km/h (mach 0.90).
In May 2014, a Falcon 7X flew from New York to London in the then-record time of 5 hr 54 min.
2. Gulfstream G500
©Gulfstream Aerospace
The Gulfstream G500 is an American private jet that has been in service since 2004. Its cabin can accommodate up to 19 passengers and it has a range of 9,630 km.
It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW814GA turbojet engines that allow it to reach speeds of up to 1143 km/h (mach 0.925).
1. Cessna citation X+
©Cessna Aircraft
The Citation X+ is the big winner in its category. Launched in 2010 by Cessna as a more modern version of the Citation X, it has a range of 6,410 km. Its spacious cabin can carry between 8 and 13 passengers.
Its two Rolls-Royce AE3007CE turbojet engines allow it to fly at a maximum speed of 1194 km/h (mach 0.935).
It can reach an altitude of 14,300 meters in just 24 minutes and fly from Los Angeles to New York in less than 4 hours. Unfortunately, Cessna ceased production of the Citation X+ in 2018 and there are only 23 of this model in the world.
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