Icons of the Sky: The First, The Fastest, and the Longest-Range Private Jets

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Icons of the Sky 1: The First, The Fastest, and the Longest-Range Private Jets of all time

 

The history of private jets is a long and fascinating one packed full of incredible stories and phenomenal innovation. In this article, we take a look at the first private jets to be introduced, the fastest jets of all time, and the jet with the range to fly around the world non-stop.

The First Private Jets

Lockheed Jet Star

Which model should be crowned as the first private jet is open to debate. For many, the first official private jet to be launched was the Lockheed JetStar in 1957. A relatively large aircraft for the time, it could carry up to 10 passengers and two crew; it was also a four-engine quadjet.

Whether or not this was the first private jet is debated due to the fact that Lockheed developed the Jet Star originally for a US military contract before being switched to private use at a later date.

Designed and deployed in record-breaking time, the Jet Star quickly became popular with the US military due to its ease of maintenance and versatility in the field. The aircraft answered the US Strategic Air Command's need for a way to transport high-priority cargo from its headquarters at high speed and at a much lower cost than contemporary big jets. The JetStar also filled speed/altitude gaps between trainer and tactical aircraft in use at the time.

In the years that followed, the Jet Star became very popular private jet for many famous faces. The most notable was Elvis Presley who owned two Lockheed Jetstars at different times.

Lockheed JetStar Trivia:

 

The Jet Star also made numerous appearances in popular fiction over the years. With its unique rear-mounted four engines, it took on the role of the title character’s private jet in the James Bond movie Goldfinger.

Learjet 23

The Learjet 23 was launched in 1964 by American entrepreneur William P. Lear and, despite being based on another military aircraft – FFA P-16 fighter jet designed for Switzerland - the 23 was the first aircraft intended to be used as a private jet from the outset of the project.

The LearJet 23 was a six-passenger aircraft boasting a combination of speed and privacy that was revolutionary, and one that defined the standard for business jets and not only ignited the private jet market, but also established the Learjet brand as an industry icon.

The Learjet 23 took to the skies for the first time on a test flight on October 7, 1963.

The first production craft was then delivered the following year and the Learjet 23 quickly became a very popular option for both the business flights of corporations and jet-setting celebrities.

Production of the 23 ended in 1966 after 101 aircraft had been delivered.

Learjet 23 Trivia:

 

William P. Lear was 61 when he founded Learjet. He wasn’t an aeronautical engineer, but an entrepreneur who invented the eight-track music player, car radios and the first jet autopilot.

The Fastest Private Jet in the World

Gulfstream G700

The fastest private jet in the world is currently the Gulfstream G700.

Unveiled in 2019, the G700 is the ultimate expression of the luxury long-range private jet. Capable of transporting 19 passengers, it offers an ultra-spacious cabin and the latest technology in every aspect of its design. But it is perhaps its two Rolls-Royce 700 Rb.3043 engines, each delivering 18,250 lbs of thrust, that are the most exciting part of the G700 story. This is because these engines are designed to enable the Gulfstream G700 to fly at a speed of Mach 0.925 (1142 km/h) up to 51,000 ft (15.545 meters).

However, during test flights, the test pilots pushed the G700 to its limits and achieved a speed of Mach 0.99 (1222 km/h), almost the speed of sound. This exceptional engineering accomplishment has created a level of performance that will be hard to beat. Especially when considering the full breadth of what the G700 offers its passengers.

The G700 is easily the most spacious and impressive aircraft in Gulfstream’s already spectacular fleet. With five living zones for its maximum of 19 passengers and a maximum range of 7,750 nautical miles, Gulfstream has pushed boundaries in every aspect of this aircraft.

For example, alongside the luxury elements expected on a Gulfstream jet, a circadian lighting system simulates sunlight while crossing multiple time zones to reduce jet lag, and 100% fresh, plasma-ionized air is replenished every two to three minutes. The G700 also features 20 of Gulfstream’s signature horizontal elliptical windows—the largest in the industry—meaning it offers the most light and the best views possible.

Gulfstream G700 Trivia:

 

The Gulfstream G700 has surpassed 50 city-pair speed records, the 51st being a 5,754 nm/ 10,656 km carbon-neutral flight from Nice to Singapore which it completed in just 11 hours and 30 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90. 

The Private Jet with the Longest Range

Boeing BBJ 777-8

The Boeing BBJ 777-8 pushes the boundaries of what’s possible by taking you further than any other business jet ever made. Capable of flying 11,645 nm without stopping - with up to 75 passengers onboard - the impressive range allows the jet to complete many of the world’s longest routes. For example, the Boeing BBJ 777-8 can fly non-stop from London to Sydney or Seattle to Dubai – basically around the world with no need to land.

The incredibly long range is also achievable thanks to the BBJ 77X’s innovative, super-long wings with retractable wingtips. These wings allow the aircraft to increase initial cruise altitudes while still fitting gates and ground facilities designed for previous models.

The smaller of the two Boeing BBJ 777X models launched in 2018, the BBJ 777-8’s fully customizable cabin is still a very substantial 3,256 sq ft, leaving space and scope to create any luxury interior your heart could desire.

According to Boeing, the jet’s GE9X engines produce 29% lower emissions than CAEP/8 requirements and offer improved fuel efficiency.

Boeing BBJ 777-8 Triva:

 

The starting price for purchasing a brand-new Boeing BBJ 777-8 business jet is $426m.

Conclusion

The history of private jets is packed full of fascinating stories and incredible innovations. Some of the jets designed throughout the decades have become icons in their own right and have provided convenience, privacy, safety and luxury to passengers like no other mode of transport.

Here at SHY Aviation, we have access to the finest aircraft on the market. Our team of global private aviation specialists is available around the clock to provide you with a private jet chartergroup charter, or helicopter transfer solution tailored to your individual requirements.

The SHY Lifestyle team of luxury travel experts provides concierge services to ensure your trip is seamless from start to finish, whether you need the finest accommodation, car transfers, or access to exclusive events, products, or services.

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