When it comes to customizing private jet interiors, the sky really is the limit. Here are the most expensive private jets that money can buy.
By
Meyme Nakash
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Flying by private jet is the ultimate luxury. Private jets are faster and more efficient than commercial airliners, which require waiting in endless lines, from routine security checks to boarding the plane. If you’re traveling to St. Barths, or another exclusive destination that commercial airlines don’t service, then a private jet is your only means of getting there. But, it’s not enough to save time. Today, private-jet owners are increasingly treating their jets like a home or superyacht with impressive interiors full of opulent finishes and design elements.
Some private aircraft come equipped with luxurious features such as ergonomic seats, a meeting room, and a sleeping area. Private jet companies also offer the ability to customize certain aircraft. This has led the rich and famous to pour millions of dollars into decking out their private aircraft, turning it into a flying palace. Elon Musk recently replaced his Gulfstream G650ER with a brand-new G700, complete with five living spaces and added luxurious features. But, even with all of these elements, it doesn’t make our list of the most expensive private jets in the world.
Some of the most luxurious private jets have features such as gold-plated finishings, marble floors, and elevators (yes, elevators). Naturally, published images of these private jets are scarce due to privacy. Still, if you’re wondering what the most expensive private jets look like, how much they’re worth, and who owns them, our roundup shares all the details.
Air Force One: $660 million
At the top of our list is Air Force One, the official private jet of the president of the United States. The president’s fleet comprises two highly customized Boeing 747-200B aircraft with the Air Force designation VC-25. Air Force One is estimated to be worth $660 million. This hefty price tag is mainly due to the aircraft’s added military features.
Air Force One has physically and electronically hardened exteriors that protect against an electromagnetic pulse. This includes potential ground-to-air and air-to-air attacks. What’s more, Air Force One always has two fighter jets that follow it in case of an attack. The government can refuel these highly modified aircraft in midair, circumventing the need to stop and refuel in a foreign country. Inside, the private jet is incredibly spacious, spanning 4,000 square feet. It has a medical quarter, conference room, two kitchens, and sleeping quarters. Air Force One can seat up to 70 passengers and an additional 26 crew members.
Airbus A380: $600 million
Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal al-Saud commissioned the second most expensive private jet in the world, a bespoke Airbus A380. The prince ordered the aircraft in 2007, but he sold it to an anonymous billionaire for $400 million before he received it. The new owner poured another $200 million into remodeling it, hiring famous interior designer Edèse Doret to create a more lavish interior.
Reportedly, the private jet has three levels and a glass elevator. It also has a Turkish bath, a traditional bathhouse with a full-size steam room, featuring gorgeous gold-plated finishes. The aircraft retained the built-in garage that was part of the prince’s original commission for his diamond-encrusted Rolls-Royce. It’s also equipped with a prayer room with mats that rotate automatically toward Mecca. The aircraft has other luxurious amenities, including a concert hall with a piano, a boardroom with a holographic projector, and a well-being room with a floor that projects an image of what the plane is hovering over to create a “magic carpet” effect.
Airbus A340-300: $600 million
Alisher Usmanov, Russia’s richest man, paid $238 million for this Airbus A340-300. Experts estimate that he spent an additional $362 million customizing the interiors. The owner has not shared the details of the third-most expensive private jet’s interiors with the public. However, one can only imagine what luxurious amenities this staggering amount of money can buy.
Boeing 747-8 VIP: $367 million
At nearly 5,000 square feet, Boeing’s 747 is one of the largest and most comfortable aircraft in the world; it’s nicknamed the Dreamliner. While the commercial versions are quite nice, the aircraft truly shines as a private jet. The most expensive is a Boeing 747-8 VIP that belongs to an anonymous owner and is worth $367 million. Since this Boeing model has a simple design, it is relatively easy to reconfigure according to one’s preferences. The modified interiors of this particular private aircraft include a stateroom, primary bedroom, dining room, lounges, and an office.
Boeing 787-8 VIP: $367 million
Chinese real estate tycoon Joseph Lau owns this Boeing 787-8 VIP model. He paid $150 million for the private plane, but it is now worth $367 million after his customizations. While some sources claim that he purchased a different type of aircraft — the Boeing 747-8 VIP — Boeing confirmed in 2007 that it is really the Boeing 787-8 VIP. This private jet is said to have vaulted ceilings and a spiral staircase. Lau reportedly added a fully stocked wine cellar and state-of-the-art gym.
Airbus ACJ350 Custom: $326 million
Before Lufthansa Technik, a company that offers aircraft repair and modification services, remodeled this Airbus ACJ350, it was worth $326 million. The jet’s owner spent an undisclosed amount of money to customize the interiors.
At the front, there’s a family space, lounge area, and office with a VIP bath and bedroom. In the middle, there’s a guest lounge. There’s also a dining area that seats eight passengers, and a full galley at the back of the jet for fine dining preparations. It has four private guest rooms that share two bathrooms. This custom model also includes a spa, private offices, and children’s playrooms.
Boeing 787-8 BBJ: $324.6 million
The Boeing 787-8 BBJ (Boeing Business Jet) alone costs $225 million before customization. HNA Group, a Chinese aviation company, paid more than $100 million to create an ultra-luxurious interior. This is the first model that was built as a business jet. Before, Dreamliners were commercial aircraft that were converted for private use. The plane spans 2,400 square feet and has a passenger capacity of 40 people.
Upon entering, there is a round foyer with deep-brown wooden walls. This leads down a hallway designed to look like a series of waves. At the end of the hallway, there is an elegant main lounge segmented by different furniture hues. It features day beds and a 55-inch flat-screen display. Each individual seat also comes with a 24-inch screen. The primary suite includes a large walk-in closet and dressing room. The primary bathroom has a double-size shower with heated marble floors.
Boeing 748-430: $220 million
The Sultan of Brunei owns this customized Boeing 748-430 worth $220 million. He paid $100 million for the private jet and more than twice that amount to remodel it. The interiors contain gold accents on the furniture and fixtures. The aircraft also features luxurious wood and leather finishings. Its main claim to fame, however, is the toilet handle made entirely of gold in the primary bathroom.
Boeing 767-33A/ER: $170 million
This Boeing 767-33A/ER formerly belonged to Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire and former owner of the Chelsea Football Club. It is nicknamed the Bandit because of the slanting black stripes near the co*ckpit’s windows. He purchased the private jet for $170 million in 2004. The model originally accommodated 300 passengers, but British yacht and aircraft design company Winch Design remodeled it to include stunning chestnut interiors complete with a banquet hall. The bedrooms, bathrooms, and dining space have gorgeous gold finishings and the dining table comfortably seats 30 people. This aircraft has the same antimissile system as the Air Force One, protecting the aircraft from potential attacks.
Gulfstream III: $125 million
A typical Gulfstream III costs approximately $75 million. This model is worth $125 million because its owner — actor, producer, and director Tyler Perry — spent $50 million customizing it. The modified aircraft has a spacious movie room with a screen display, theater lighting, and electronically controlled window shades. The living room, kitchen, and primary bedroom have custom pillow fabrics and leather patterns. The lampshades and carpets incorporate Perry’s monogram, a pattern using the letter “T,” in their design.
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