If there is one certainty in life it is that humans will always look for ways to do things quicker and smarter. The pursuit to achieve faster speeds and reach destinations sooner is in our DNA.
From Charlie “Chuck” Yeager becoming the first pilot to break the sound barrier aboard his Bell X-1 to Concorde flying passengers at over Mach 2, the obsession with ‘traveling fast’ is enduring.
Private jet manufacturers are continuously searching for quicker aircraft to transport their wealthy customers from A to B in no time at all. And there is no shortage of healthy competition in the business jet industry from Bombardier to Cessna and Dassault to Gulfstream.
But which private jet, either already flying today or soon to be released, is the fastest?
AeroTime contacted several of the leading private jet manufacturers to discover the top 10 world’s fastest private jets and business aircraft in 2023.
Honorable mention
The Bombardier Global 5500, Bombardier 6500, Dassault Falcon 6X, Dassault Falcon 7X, and Dassault Falcon 8X were capable of traveling at Mach 0.90.
Note: (The speed of sound – Mach 1 – depends on altitude and temperature. A jet moving at the speed of sound at sea level will be traveling at 760 miles per hour (1,200 kilometers per hour), however, at 30,000 this is reduced to 677 mph.)
10. Cessna Citation X – Mach 0.92
When the Cessna Citation X first flew commercially in 1996 it was the fastest private jet in the world clocking up Mach 0.92.
Over 300 models were sold but the aircraft was discontinued in 2018 after 22 years of service.
9. Bombardier Global 7500 – Mach 0.925
The Bombardier Global 7500 was let loose on the world in December 2018, after taking its first-ever flight in November 2016.
The ultra-long-range business jet can reach speeds of Mach 0.925 and is capable of traveling 7,700 nautical miles.
More than 150 Bombardier Global 7500s have been sold since its inception.
8. Dassault Falcon 10X – Mach 0.925
Set for its introduction in 2025 the Dassault Falcon 10X will travel at Mach 0.925.
The Falcon 10X comes with extra-large windows that are around 50% larger than those on the Falcon 8X.
And with 28 windows it is understandable why Dassault is claiming the Falcon 10X is among the “biggest and most comfortable” on the market.
7. Gulfstream G800 – Mach 0.925
The Gulfstream G800 is currently in development but it could be as soon as 2024 that this private jet is introduced.
Gulfstream claims its G800 will be the world’s longest-range business aircraft with a range of 8,000 nautical miles.
The large private jet can seat up to 19 passengers and sleep 10.
6. Gulfstream G700 – Mach 0.925
Executives are hoping the new Gulfstream G700 will be certified before the end of 2023.
It is understood that around 30 G700s have already been made with deliveries ready to go.
Like the G800 the G700 can reach Mach 0.925 but is able to sleep 13 onboard.
5. Gulfstream G650 –Mach 0.925
The Gulfstream G650 was certified by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in September 2012 and delivered to its first customer three months later.
The jets maximum operating speed is 0.925 but in 2010 Gulfstream reported hitting Mach 0.995 while diving during testing.
4. Gulfstream G650ER – Mach 0.925
The Gulfstream G650ER was introduced to boost the distance the G650 could travel by an extra 500 nautical miles.
Despite making room for more fuel onboard the G650ER was still capable of the same speeds as its predecessor.
The G650ER received its certification in October 2014 and began deliveries in late 2014.
3. Gulfstream G500 – Mach 0.925
With a range of 5,300 nautical miles the G500 is smaller than some of its Gulfstream family members.
However, what the jet lacked in size it makes up in speed, reaching Mach 0.925.
The G500’s first test flight was in May 2015 and it was finally introduced more than three years later in September 2018.
2. Cessna Citation X+ – Mach 0.935
The Cessna Citation X+ is the fastest private jet currently operating around the world.
The Citation X+ was certified in 2014 but was discontinued in 2018 with under 30 aircraft sold due to Citation Longitude taking over the market with a longer range, wider cabin, and similar price.
1. Bombardier Global 8000 – Mach 0.94
Although the Global 8000 is yet to be officially released it has already taken the title of the fastest private jet in the world. The Global 8000’s commercial speed is Mach 0.94 making it the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde.
During testing in May 2021, the aircraft exceeded the speed of sound, travelling supersonic and registering Mach 1.015 on the dial.
Bombardier is hoping its latest private jet is ready for a 2025 release.
Table: The top 10 world’s fastest private jets and business aircraft in 2023
| Rank | Aircraft | Maximum Speed (Mach) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bombardier Global 8000 | Mach 0.94 |
| 2 | Cessna Citation X+ | Mach 0.935 |
| 3 | Gulfstream G500 | Mach 0.925 |
| 4 | Gulfstream G650ER | Mach 0.925 |
| 5 | Gulfstream G650 | Mach 0.925 |
| 6 | Gulfstream G700 | Mach 0.925 |
| 7 | Gulfstream G800 | Mach 0.925 |
| 8 | Dassault Falcon 10X | Mach 0.925 |
| 9 | Bombardier Global 7500 | Mach 0.925 |
| 10 | Cessna Citation X | Mach 0.92 |
Note: AeroTime contacted the major private jet manufacturers to ensure speeds were accurate. However, not all replies were received by the time of publication, so the registered speeds are subject to change.