I toured a $65 million Gulfstream G650ER private jet like the ones owned by billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos and saw how the ultra-rich travel
Taylor Rains
Taylor Rains/Insider
- The Gulfstream G650ER is one of the world's fastest and longest-range business aircraft.
- Billionaires like Elon Musk own the jet, which was tracked by 19-year-old Jack Sweeney on Twitter earlier this year.
Launched in 2014, the Gulfstream G650ER is one of the world's fastest and largest business aircraft, drawing in billionaire customers like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
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Source: Gulfstream
The ultra-long-haul flagship jet is equipped with two Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, which power its incredible 7,500-nautical-mile range and 0.925 Mach speed.
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Source: Gulfstream
The range is 500 nautical miles longer than the jet's predecessor — the Gulfstream G650.
Gulfstream
Source: Gulfstream
The range and speed helped Gulfstream and Qatar Airways, which operates G650ER jets, break a world record for the fastest "round-the-world" flight in 2019, flying the aircraft pole-to-pole in less than 47 hours.
The Gulfstream G650 on display at Farnborough International Airshow. Stephen Jones / Insider
Source: One More Orbit
The same year, the G650ER flew another record-setting flight when it journeyed between Singapore and Tucson, Arizona, covering 8,379 nautical miles (9,600 miles) nonstop. The achievements are just two of the jet's 120+ world speed records.
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Source: Gulfstream
Celebrities like Musk and Bezos, as well as Bill Gates, have proven the jet's capabilities, with Musk flying over 150,000 miles in 2018 alone. A bulk of his flights were around California, but he also flew overseas to places like Ireland and Israel.
Elon Musk and the Gulfstream G650ER. Patrick Pleul/picture alliance/Getty Images/Courtesy of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Source: The Washington Post
Jack Sweeney, a 19-year-old University of Central Florida student, popularized Musk's G650ER earlier this year when he publicized the whereabouts of the jet on Twitter.
Inside a G650ER (not Musk's). Sean Zanni / Contributor/Getty Images; Courtesy of Jetcraft
While the G50ER is considered one of the most trusted jets in the world for its speed and range, Canadian rival Bombardier is pushing the envelope further with its new Global 8000 aircraft.
Bombardier
Source: Bombardier
Despite the competition, Gulfstream's G650ER is one of the world's best-selling business planes, having had a multi-year waiting list at the time of its initial launch.
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Source: Bloomberg
I toured the jet at the Farnborough International Airshow 2022 in July to see how the rich travel — take a look inside.
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The G650ER has a plush, luxury interior that features four living spaces and can be completely customized by the owner.
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The cabin, which can carry up to 18 passengers and sleep up to seven, is designed to be the quietest in business aviation, ensuring travelers have a peaceful ride.
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The 47-foot cabin includes a galley, where flight attendants prepare food and drinks…
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…a meeting room…
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…a dining room…
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…a storage room…
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…and a bedroom.
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When not a bedroom, the space doubles as a conference room with a couch instead of a bed.
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There were also two lavatories onboard, one in the front closest to the galley and the cockpit…
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…and one in the back behind the bedroom.
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In the cockpit is an advanced fly-by-wire system that is designed to improve the human interface and help pilots better track and understand their surroundings in low-visibility conditions.
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Source: Gulfstream
Moreover, the jet is equipped with Gulfstream's Predictive Landing Performance System which helps pilots not overrun the runway, enhancing overall safety.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Gulfstream
Also in the front of the plane is a crew rest area for the pilots, which is crucial for the ultra-long-haul flights that the plane is capable of flying.
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Behind the small rest room is a galley, which comes equipped with glassware, a sink, granite countertops, and plenty of storage, though the layout and materials can be customized.
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There was also a coffee pot, oven, and pull-out cutting board on the display jet.
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Four pairs of larger leather armchairs are situated in the main cabin, featuring a legrest and deep recline…
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…swivel capabilities..
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…an adjustable headrest…
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…and noise-canceling headphones.
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The seats face each other, allowing passengers to have business meetings inflight. They can also combine to create single beds.
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Moreover, tables are built into the side of the fuselage and fold out between each set of seats at the push of a button.
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The larger of the tables sits between the set of four chairs, creating a dining space.
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Also in the dining room is a large TV and countertop…
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…and a wine cooler.
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Along the fuselage are 16 of Gulfstream's giant signature windows, which are the largest in the industry and give passengers great panoramic views.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Gulfstream
Moreover, they come with window shades so passengers can more easily nap during daytime flights.
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Walking through the cabin, I found the jet extremely spacious...
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...and the seats had plenty of legroom,
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After touring the plane, I see why deep-pocket customers favor the amenity-heavy jet.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Its speed, range, and size make it favorable for long-haul flying, and it would be easy to pass the time with the comfortable bedroom, meeting space, and large TV.
Taylor Rains/Insider
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