How Fast Does a Private Jet Fly?

For decades the supersonic Concorde offered the fastest non-military ride on the planet to anyone who could afford the price of a ticket. The last Concorde retired from service in 2003. Since then private jets, the kind used by businessmen in a hurry, have been the fastest civilian aircraft in the air.

Defining Airspeed

Airspeed, how fast a plane is actually flying, is not the same thing as True Airspeed. True Airspeed is how fast the plane could fly if wind were not a factor.

Cessna Citation X

Since its debut in 1996 Cessna's Citation X has been the fastest private jet on the market, minus the Concorde. The Citation X carries seven passengers and boasts a top speed of Mach 0.92, about 700 miles per hour.

The Competition

In March 2008 Gulfstream announced plans for a new aircraft, the Gulfstream G650. Gulfstream says the G650 will have a maximum speed of Mach 0.925, four miles per hour faster than the Citation X.

Other Corporate Jets

Though the Citation X is the fastest passenger aircraft currently on the market, its competitors are not a lot slower. The Falcon 7X, Gulfstream G550 and Gulfstream G500 all top out at between 670 and 685 miles per hour.

Fun Fact

The first customer to take delivery of a Citation X was golf legend Arnold Palmer.

Resources

• Fastest Corporate Jets