⚡ Quick Summary
| Manufacturer | Best For | Flagship Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfstream | Longest range | G800 (8,200nm) | $75M+ |
| Bombardier | Fastest speed | Global 8000 (Mach 0.94) | $78M+ |
| Dassault | Widest cabin | Falcon 10X (9ft wide) | $75M+ |
| Embraer | Best value | Praetor 600 | $21M |
| Textron/Cessna | Reliability | Citation Longitude | $28M |
Bottom line: Business jets range from $21M–$80M+, with $3–4M/year operating costs. VIP airliners like the BBJ 777X start at $350M+.
Flying private is the ultimate dream for many people. But which companies build the best luxury jets, and what makes their planes special?
Why private jets matter in 2026
The private aviation world changed a lot in the past few years. Today's jets can fly farther, connect to the internet as fast as your home Wi-Fi, and keep you comfortable for 15-hour flights.
If you can fly from New York to Singapore without stopping, or work on a video call at 45,000 feet, that saves you time and stress. For business leaders and wealthy families, these jets are not just luxury items. They're tools that let you do more.
The big five: leading luxury jet manufacturers
Five companies stand at the top of the private jet world. Each one brings something different to the table.
Gulfstream aerospace: The range leader
Gulfstream builds jets in Savannah, Georgia. They're known for planes that fly incredibly far while keeping passengers fresh and ready to work.
Flagship Models:
Gulfstream G800 - This jet holds the current record for range. It can fly 8,200 nautical miles without refueling. That means you can go from London to Perth, Australia in one shot. Even when flying fast at Mach 0.90, it still covers 7,000 nautical miles.
The G800 uses Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines and has a super clean wing design that cuts through the air smoothly.
Gulfstream G700 - This model focuses on cabin space. You get 7,750 nautical miles of range, but the real story is inside. The cabin can have up to five separate living areas. You can fit 19 passengers comfortably.
What really stands out is how the G700 handles altitude. When you're cruising at 41,000 feet, the cabin pressure feels like you're only at 2,840 feet. This makes a huge difference on long flights. You won't feel as tired or dehydrated.
The G700 also has 16 huge oval windows. These are the biggest in the business jet world. Natural light makes the cabin feel open and helps prevent that closed-in feeling on long trips.
Key G700 Features:
- Range: 7,750 nautical miles
- Top speed: Mach 0.935
- Cabin size: 8 feet 2 inches wide, 6 feet 3 inches tall
- Passengers: Up to 19
- Estimated price: $75 million to $80 million
Bombardier Business Aircraft: The speed king
Bombardier calls their Global 8000 the "ultimate time machine." It's the fastest business jet you can buy since the Concorde stopped flying.
Bombardier Global 8000 - This jet cruises at Mach 0.94. That's incredibly fast for a civilian plane. At normal cruise speed (Mach 0.85), it can fly 8,000 nautical miles. Think Dubai to Houston or Singapore to Los Angeles, nonstop.
Bombardier designed a special wing called the Smooth Flĕx Wing. It acts like a shock absorber in the air, keeping the ride smooth even when you hit turbulence. This wing also helps the Global 8000 land at about 30% more airports than competitors, including smaller airports with short runways.
Inside, you get four separate living spaces. The Nuage seat is Bombardier's signature feature - it has a patented zero-gravity position that helps blood flow and keeps you comfortable for hours.
The Soleil lighting system is pretty smart. It changes the cabin lighting to match natural daylight patterns. This helps your body adjust to new time zones and reduces jet lag.
Global 7500 Upgrade Option - If you already own a Global 7500, Bombardier offers an upgrade path. For about $3 million, you can boost your jet to Global 8000 performance levels. This mainly involves a software update to the GE Passport engines and some minor tweaks to the aerodynamics.
Key Global 8000 Features:
- Range: 8,000 nautical miles
- Top speed: Mach 0.94
- Cabin length: 54 feet 5 inches
- Living zones: 4 separate areas
- Estimated price: $78 million+
Dassault Aviation: The fighter jet DNA
Dassault builds fighter jets for the French military. They bring that military technology into their business jets, especially with flight control systems.
Falcon 10X - This jet is still in development, with first flight expected in 2026. The 10X will have the widest cabin in business aviation at 109 inches (that's over 9 feet). The height is 80 inches, so tall passengers can walk around easily.
You can set up the interior however you want. Some people choose a full master suite with a queen-size bed and a standing shower. The cabin feels more like a luxury apartment than a plane.
Expected performance: 7,500 nautical miles of range with a top speed of Mach 0.925. Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines will deliver more than 18,000 pounds of thrust.
Falcon 8X - Until the 10X arrives, this is Dassault's top model. The 8X uses three engines instead of two. This gives you extra safety over oceans and better performance from high-altitude or short-runway airports.
The 8X can fly 6,450 nautical miles and reportedly has the quietest cabin in its class. The air filtration system refreshes the cabin air 10 times faster than a modern office building.
Key Falcon 8X Features:
- Range: 6,450 nautical miles
- Top speed: Mach 0.90
- Engines: Three (tri-jet design)
- Cabin: Known for ultra-quiet operation
- Estimated price: $58 million
Embraer executive jets: The performance disruptor
Brazilian manufacturer Embraer built its reputation on commercial regional jets. Their business jets bring airline-quality reliability to private aviation.
Embraer Praetor 600 - This super-midsize jet punches above its weight. It has a range of 4,018 nautical miles, which beats most competitors in its class. You can fly from London to Dubai or São Paulo to Miami without stopping.
The Praetor 600 uses full fly-by-wire controls (like fighter jets) and active turbulence reduction. These features usually only appear on much bigger, more expensive aircraft.
The cabin has a six-foot flat floor and excellent sound insulation. Many pilots say it's one of the quietest jets in the super-midsize category.
Key Praetor 600 Features:
- Range: 4,018 nautical miles
- High-speed cruise: 466 knots
- Cabin width: 6 feet 10 inches
- Technology: Fly-by-wire controls, active turbulence reduction
- Estimated price: $21 million
Textron aviation (cessna): The reliable workhorse
Textron owns the Cessna Citation brand. These jets are famous for being dependable, easy to operate, and cost-effective.
Citation Longitude - This is Textron's flagship midsize jet. It balances performance with low operating costs. The Longitude flies 3,500 nautical miles at speeds up to 483 knots.
Maintenance intervals are 800 hours or 18 months (the longest in its class). This means lower downtime and fewer surprise repair bills.
The cabin has a six-foot flat floor with double-club seating. There's plenty of legroom, and the designers focused on making it extremely quiet.
Citation Ascend - This jet entered service in late 2025. It's a major upgrade to the older 560XL series. New features include Garmin G5000 avionics with autothrottle, which makes flying easier and safer.
The cabin was completely redesigned with a flat floor (the old version had a dropped aisle). The windows are 15% larger, making the space feel more open.
Citation CJ4 Gen3 - This light jet is the first Citation with Garmin's Emergency Autoland system. If the pilot becomes unable to fly, the system can take full control, choose the nearest airport, talk to air traffic control, and land the plane safely by itself.
Key Citation Longitude Features:
- Range: 3,500 nautical miles
- Top cruise speed: 483 knots
- Maintenance: 800-hour intervals (best in class)
- Cabin height: 6 feet (full standing room)
- Estimated price: $28 million
Super-sized: VIP airliners
For people who need even more space, several companies offer business versions of commercial airliners. These aren't just big jets - they're flying mansions.
Airbus corporate jets (ACJ)
ACJ TwoTwenty - Based on the Airbus A220 commercial plane, this jet offers 5,650 nautical miles of range. The cabin is three times bigger than traditional large business jets.
Airbus focused on fuel efficiency and lower operating costs compared to older VIP airliners.
ACJ320neo Family - These jets give you a true penthouse experience in the sky. You can have master bedrooms, full kitchens, dining rooms, even a home cinema or fitness area.
Boeing business jets (BBJ)
BBJ 777X - This is currently the biggest and most capable business jet Boeing offers. It can fly over 11,000 nautical miles, which means you can connect any two cities on Earth without stopping.
The cabin has more than 3,000 square feet of space. People install formal dining rooms, master suites with steam showers, and separate crew quarters for staff who work on long diplomatic or corporate trips.
BBJ MAX Series - Boeing also sells business versions of their 737 MAX commercial jets. These bring airline reliability and transcontinental range at a more affordable price than the 777X.
What makes these jets luxurious?
Modern private jets are about more than just leather seats and wood trim. The technology inside makes a real difference in how you feel after a long flight.
Internet in the sky
By 2026, most luxury jets use Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems like Starlink or Gogo Galileo. These provide speeds up to 350 Mbps with very low delay (25 milliseconds).
You can join video calls, stream 4K movies, or download large files just like you would at home. This is a huge change from older satellite internet, which was slow and unreliable.
There's a deadline coming up: Gogo's old Air-to-Ground network shuts down in May 2026. Jet owners who haven't upgraded will lose internet access completely.
Air quality and pressure
Companies now treat the cabin environment like a science project. Bombardier's Pũr Air and Gulfstream's plasma ionization systems remove 99.99% of allergens, bacteria, and viruses from the air.
Lower cabin altitude makes a big difference too. Most commercial airlines pressurize their cabins to feel like 8,000 feet. On a Gulfstream G700, it feels like just 2,840 feet. On the Bombardier Global 8000, it's 2,691 feet.
This might not sound important, but it matters a lot. Lower altitude means:
- Less dehydration
- Less fatigue
- Better sleep
- Easier adjustment to new time zones
- You arrive feeling ready to work, not exhausted
Noise control
Jet manufacturers compete to build the quietest cabins. They use two approaches:
Active noise cancellation - Sensors detect engine noise and generate opposite sound waves through cabin panels. This cancels out the hum.
Passive insulation - Special foams and acoustic liners block sound from entering the cabin.
Together, these technologies can reduce noise by up to 30% compared to older jets.
Comparing the top models: Quick reference
Here's how the flagship models stack up:
| Manufacturer | Model | Range (nm) | Top Speed (Mach) | Cabin Width | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfstream | G800 | 8,200 | 0.935 | 8' 2" | $75M-$80M |
| Gulfstream | G700 | 7,750 | 0.935 | 8' 2" | $75M-$80M |
| Bombardier | Global 8000 | 8,000 | 0.94 | 8' 3" | $78M+ |
| Bombardier | Global 7500 | 7,700 | 0.925 | 8' 3" | $73M+ |
| Dassault | Falcon 10X* | 7,500 | 0.925 | 9' 1" | $75M+ (est.) |
| Dassault | Falcon 8X | 6,450 | 0.90 | 7' 8" | $58M |
| Embraer | Praetor 600 | 4,018 | 0.83 | 6' 10" | $21M |
| Textron | Citation Longitude | 3,500 | 0.84 | 6' 5" | $28M |
| Boeing | BBJ 777X | 11,000+ | 0.84 | ~20' | $350M+ |
| Airbus | ACJ350 | 10,000 | 0.85 | 19' 3" | $300M+ |
*In development, expected late 2027
What you need to know about costs
Buying the jet is just the beginning. Operating costs add up quickly. If you're weighing whether ownership makes sense for you, check out our guide on Buying vs. Chartering: What CEOs Need to Know for a detailed cost-benefit analysis.
Fuel consumption
Smaller jets are much more efficient:
- HondaJet: 120 gallons per hour
- Embraer Phenom 300E: 158 gallons per hour
- Dassault Falcon 8X: 345 gallons per hour
- Gulfstream G650ER: 490 gallons per hour
- Bombardier Global 7500: 460 to 528 gallons per hour (depending on how you fly)
Hourly operating costs
These include fuel, maintenance, crew, insurance, and more:
- Light jets: $1,100 to $1,500 per hour
- Midsize jets: $2,000 to $2,500 per hour
- Heavy jets: $2,500 to $3,000+ per hour
Annual ownership costs
For a large jet like the Gulfstream G700 or Bombardier Global 7500, expect to spend $3 million to $4 million per year on:
- Crew salaries
- Hangar rental
- Insurance
- Regular maintenance
- Unscheduled repairs
- Upgrades and modifications
VIP airliners like the Boeing 777X can cost $5 million or more annually to operate.
Which manufacturer provides the best support?
The Aviation International News (AIN) survey tracks manufacturer service quality. In 2025:
Bombardier ranked first overall among business jet makers for the second year running (8.14 out of 10 score).
Gulfstream led in categories like technical support and factory service centers.
Embraer scored highest for aircraft reliability, warranty fulfillment, and parts pricing.
Textron Aviation earned top marks for its network of authorized service centers.
Good support matters because when your jet breaks down, you need fast help. A manufacturer with strong support gets you back in the air quickly.
Awards and recognition
The Robb Report "Best of the Best" 2025 awards highlighted:
- Bombardier Global 8000: "Ultimate Luxury Private Jet" for record-breaking speed and range
- Gulfstream Aerospace: Recognized for visionary leadership in aviation
- VistaJet: Honored for exceptional private aviation experience
In the charter market (renting jets instead of owning), the most popular models are:
- Pilatus PC-12 and Embraer Phenom 300 for regional trips
- Gulfstream G650 and Bombardier Global 5000/6000 for long-range flights
- Pilatus PC-24 for versatility (it can land on unpaved runways)
Making your choice: What to consider
If you're actually shopping for a private jet (or dreaming about it), here are the key questions:
How far do you typically fly?
- Regional trips (under 2,000 miles): Light or midsize jets work well
- Transcontinental (2,000 to 4,000 miles): Super-midsize jets
- Intercontinental (over 4,000 miles): Heavy jets or VIP airliners
How many passengers?
- Solo or small team (1 to 7 people): Light jets
- Corporate groups (8 to 12): Midsize or super-midsize
- Large teams or family (13+): Heavy jets
What's your priority?
- Speed: Bombardier Global 8000 (Mach 0.94)
- Range: Gulfstream G800 (8,200 nautical miles)
- Cabin size: Dassault Falcon 10X (widest cabin) or VIP airliners
- Operating costs: Smaller jets like Citation or Embraer Phenom
- Reliability and support: Check the AIN survey results
New or pre-owned?
- New jets take 18 to 36 months for delivery and customization
- Pre-owned jets are available immediately but may need upgrades
- Certified pre-owned programs offer warranties and peace of mind
Future trends to watch
The private aviation world keeps changing. Here's what's coming:
Sustainable fuel - More operators use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which cuts carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to regular jet fuel.
More autonomy - Features like Garmin's Emergency Autoland are just the start. Future jets will have more automation to make flying safer.
Electric and hybrid designs - Several startups are working on electric jets for short trips. These are still years away from commercial service, but progress is happening.
Better connectivity - As LEO satellite networks expand, internet speeds will keep improving. Future jets might offer gigabit speeds.
What we don't know yet
Some details about 2026 models are still unclear:
Exact pricing - The Dassault Falcon 10X and Bombardier Global 8000 don't have confirmed final prices yet. Estimates range from $75 million to $85 million, but official numbers will come closer to delivery.
Fuel efficiency variations - Different sources report different fuel consumption numbers for the same jet. The Bombardier Global 7500, for example, is listed anywhere from 460 to 528 gallons per hour. Real-world numbers depend on how you fly.
Full customization options - Newer models like the Gulfstream G800 and Falcon 10X are still rolling out. Complete interior options and pricing for different configurations haven't been published yet.
If you're seriously considering a purchase, work directly with the manufacturer or a reputable broker to get accurate, current information.
Final thoughts
The top luxury private jet manufacturers each bring something special to the market. Gulfstream offers incredible range and wellness features. Bombardier builds the fastest jets with amazing cabins. Dassault combines fighter jet technology with spacious interiors. Embraer delivers great performance at lower prices. Textron focuses on reliability and low operating costs.
For most buyers, the choice comes down to your specific needs. How far do you fly? How many passengers? What features matter most to you?
The good news is that every manufacturer in this guide builds excellent aircraft. You really can't go wrong with any of these brands. The hard part is choosing which amazing jet to buy.
Whether you're dreaming about your first private jet or upgrading from an older model, 2026 is an exciting time in private aviation. The planes are faster, more comfortable, and better connected than ever before.
Now you know the leaders, their flagship models, and what makes each one special. The sky really is the limit.
