Most Expensive Aircraft – There is no doubt that aircraft are some of the most expensive machines ever created.
With price tags in the billions, only a select few can afford to own and operate these magnificent machines.
In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the most expensive aircraft in the world and see what makes them so special.
From private jets to military bombers, we will explore them all! So, if you’re fascinated by high-priced hardware, read on! If you’re an aviation enthusiast, the list of the most expensive aircraft in the world is sure to interest you.
These planes are some of the most luxurious and advanced flying machines on the planet, and their price tags reflect that. From private jets to military aircraft, read on to learn more about the costliest planes in history.
5 Most Expensive Aircraft In The World
If you like luxurious journeys, imagine the feeling of being in the cockpit of one of these five jets. The most expensive planes are not just flashy or impressive-looking.
They are equipped with amenities that are designed to please the wealthy elites who are the only ones who can afford to ride in them.
1. Air Force One
most expensive aircraft: Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign of a United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States.
In common parlance, the term refers to those Air Force aircraft designed, built, and used to transport the president.
The Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization Project aims to replace these planes beginning in 2017 with Boeing 747-8 series aircraft.
On December 26, 2004, Air Force One became the most expensive aircraft ever purchased ($360 million for a Boeing VC-25A), even though it operates in support of the first customer who would never know if an alternate mode of transportation were to be used.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) requested proposals for a new Air Force One replacement on February 24, 2009.
On January 6, 2010, it was reported that Boeing had been awarded a $3.9 billion contract for two commercial 747-8 aircraft to be converted into Presidential Aircraft. The total cost of the project is estimated at $4 billion.
The current fleet of two VC-25s will be replaced by two 747-8s, which will be configured with military avionics, communications, and security systems.
The planes are expected to enter service in 2017. The VC-25As were initially delivered in 1987, and the Air Force plans to keep them flying until 2040.
The 747-8 series is a stretched variant of the 747-8 jet; it will be longer than the previous version.
The Air Force is reportedly considering a blended winglet design in place of a folding or raked tail, similar to that used on the 747-400ER and 777-200LR series aircraft.
2. Airbus A340-300
Most expensive aircraft: Airbus A340-300
The Airbus A340-300 is the longer version of Airbus’ successful four-engine long-range, high-capacity airliner.
An airframe was built for static testing in 1992 and first flew on November 27th, 1993. The first A340 entered commercial service with Lufthansa and Air France in March of 1994. The first generation of A340s used the Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engine.
The A340-300 is notable for its fuel efficiency and high speed for a four-engine airliner. It can fly up to Mach.86, or 850 kilometers per hour.
The cabin of the airplane is pressurized to a maximum of 6,000 feet, which is below the cruising altitude of most commercial jets.
The maximum range of the A340-300 is 12,430 kilometers, or 7,725 miles. A typical flight from Frankfurt to New York would take about 8 hours and 40 minutes. The average cost of a ticket on such a flight is around $1,000 USD.
A total of 193 first-generation A340-300s were built.
The second generation A340-300, also called the A340-600, first flew in February of 2001. The A340-600 is longer and has a higher maximum takeoff weight than the A340-300. It also has a more powerful engine, the Rolls-Royce Trent 600.
A total of 169 second generation A340-300s were built. As of November 2017, there are only 38 Airbus A340-300s in service worldwide.
An Airbus A340-300 has a list price of $252 million USD on average.The most expensive airplane ever sold was an Airbus A380 for $432 million USD.
3. Airbus A380 Superjumbo Jet
Most expensive aircraft: Airbus A380 Superjumbo Jet
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus S.A.S.
After a much-delayed development program that began in 1999 and was subject to several cost overruns and delays, the A380 is now widely recognised as a commercial success with the delivery of the 100th aircraft in October 2012.
It is currently the world’s largest passenger airliner and features a double-deck configuration for both passengers and cargo.
It holds the record for the biggest passenger aircraft built to date, with its inaugural flight in 2005 carrying 571 passengers.
The A380-800 has a cruise speed of Mach 0.85, a maximum range of 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km), and can accommodate up to 853 passengers in a three-class configuration or up to 2,100 passengers in a single-class configuration.
The list price of an A380-800 is $432 million. In total, Airbus has received orders for 318 A380s from 27 customers. As of September 2014, it had delivered 148 aircraft.
The Airbus A380 is not only the world’s largest passenger airliner, but also the world’s most expensive. The list price of an A380-800 is $432 million.
In total, Airbus has received orders for 318 A380s from 27 customers. As of September 2014, it had delivered 148 aircraft.
4. B-2 Spirit
B-2 Spirit
The B-2 Spirit is the most expensive aircraft in the world. It has a unit cost of $2.1 billion and a total program cost of $44.75 billion. The aircraft was first flown in 1989 and entered service with the United States Air Force in 1997.
The B-2 Spirit is a strategic bomber that has the ability to fly at high altitudes and is undetectable by radar.
The B-2 Spirit was used in combat missions during the Kosovo War, but no missiles were fired at it, despite anti-aircraft guns being fired at its formations. In 2011, a number of B-2s were used in an air campaign in Libya.
The B-2 Spirit is expected to remain in service until 2040. The United States Air Force plans to purchase 20 of the aircraft.
The B-2 Spirit has been controversial due to its high cost and the fact that it has been used for combat missions. However, it is considered to be one of the most advanced and capable aircraft in the world.
5. Boeing 747
aircraft Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is the most expensive aircraft on the market. It typically costs around $400 million to purchase one of these planes.
The high price tag is largely due to the fact that the 747 is a large plane with a lot of features. It can seat up to 416 passengers and has a range of 8,000 miles.
It is these, and other factors, that have helped to make the 747 so popular around the world.
The Boeing 747 was first built in 1969. Since then, it has gone through a number of changes to its specifications. Today, there are three models of 747 available on the market:
the standard aircraft, which typically runs for around $400 million; the longer-range 747-8, which carries a price tag of $440 million; and finally, there is the intercontinental version, which can fly for 9,600 nautical miles and has an average cost of around $600 million.
Who Makes the Most Expensive Aircraft?
The most expensive aircraft in the world are made by a company called Airbus. Airbus is a European company that makes commercial and military aircraft.
The most expensive aircraft that Airbus makes is the A380. The A380 is a large passenger jet that can hold up to 853 passengers. It costs around $432 million to build one of these planes.
Other companies that make expensive aircraft include Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. These companies all make military aircraft that cost billions of dollars to build.
For example, the F-22 Raptor fighter jet made by Lockheed Martin costs around $150 million to build. The B-2 Spirit bomber, made by Northrop Grumman, costs around $2.1 billion to build.
So, who makes the most expensive aircraft in the world? Airbus does, by a long shot. Their A380 passenger jet is the most expensive plane ever built, and it costs over $400 million to produce each one.
Other companies, like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, also make very expensive planes, though not as expensive as the A380.
