The 10 Fastest Planes in the World (Non-Military)
For nearly 30 years, travelers enjoyed the thrill of flying faster than sound. Remember the iconic Concorde? This supersonic jet zoomed at 1,350 mph, making transatlantic flights in under three hours. That’s twice as fast as today’s commercial flights! Unfortunately, the Concorde was retired in 2003, and commercial flights haven’t been as speedy since. But, if you fly private, you can almost hit Mach 1 (767 mph), the speed of sound.
Let’s dive into the world of the fastest non-military jets that can zip you from one place to another in no time.
1. Cessna Citation X+ (717 mph)
The Cessna Citation X+ is the fastest private jet out there, reaching speeds of Mach 0.935. It can travel 3,460 nautical miles, just enough for a trip from New York to Western Europe. Introduced in 2012 as an upgrade to the Citation X from 1996, this jet might soon be outpaced by the upcoming Bombardier Global 8000, expected to fly at Mach 0.94 (721 mph).
2. Gulfstream G700 (710 mph)
Gulfstream’s latest, the G700, flies at Mach 0.925 with a range of 7,500 nautical miles. That means non-stop flights from New York to Johannesburg or Los Angeles to Sydney. The G800, launching later this year, will match its speed but offer an 8,000 nautical mile range.
3. Gulfstream G650 (710 mph)
Like the G700, the Gulfstream G650 cruises at Mach 0.925. Its 7,000 nautical mile range is perfect for flights from New York to Tokyo or Los Angeles to Auckland.
4. Gulfstream G650ER (710 mph)
The G650ER, with “extended range,” matches the G650’s speed but can fly 7,500 nautical miles, just like the G700.
5. Gulfstream G600 (691 mph)
Consistency is key for Gulfstream. The G600 also flies at Mach 0.925 and has a range of 6,600 nautical miles, connecting New York to Dubai or Los Angeles to Sydney.
6. Gulfstream G500 (710 mph)
The G500 matches the speed of its siblings at Mach 0.925 but has a shorter range of 5,300 nautical miles. That’s still enough for a trip from New York to Buenos Aires or Los Angeles to Tokyo.
7. Bombardier Global 7500 (710 mph)
Bombardier’s Global 7500 flies at Mach 0.925 and boasts an impressive range of 7,700 nautical miles, leading the industry until the Global 8000 arrives.
8. Bombardier Global 6500 (691 mph)
The Global 6500 flies slightly slower at Mach 0.9 with a range of 6,600 nautical miles, perfect for non-stop flights from New York to Dubai or Los Angeles to Sydney.
9. Dassault Falcon 8X (691 mph)
Until the Falcon 10X debuts in 2027, the Falcon 8X is Dassault’s fastest, flying at Mach 0.9 with a range of 6,450 nautical miles. That covers routes like New York to Nairobi or London to Jakarta.
10. Dassault Falcon 7X (691 mph)
The Falcon 7X, the 8X’s predecessor, also flies at Mach 0.9 but has a smaller range of 5,950 nautical miles, enough for New York to Tokyo or London to Singapore.
Honorable Mention: Boeing 747–8 (656 mph)
The fastest commercial aircraft, the Boeing 747–8, flies at Mach 0.855 (652 mph). Though no longer in production, airlines like Lufthansa, Korean Air, and Air China still operate these planes with an 8,000 nautical mile range, surpassing any private jet on this list.
These jets are the pinnacle of speed in the skies, promising to get you to your destination quicker than ever. Whether you’re jetting off for business or leisure, these planes ensure you spend less time in the air and more time where you need to be.
