At Mach 0.85 (647 mph), the Gulfstream G650 takes its privileged passengers directly to international destinations. From Dubai to New York, New York to Beijing, or London to Buenos Aires, the business jet airplane circumnavigates the world in record speed.
Flying in just a few miles behind is the Learjet 85, with a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.82 (624 mph).
So which should you fly? As the old adage goes, it’s not about your destination, it’s about your journey. Here it’s about both.
For the two business jets that will take you physically across the globe or over the state in an incredibly fast time, their interiors are designed to take you mentally somewhere much less tiring until then.
Gulfstream Aerospace, a veteran in aircraft manufacturing, built its first-class jet with internationally traveling businessmen in mind. Those interested can tailor their interior cabin from a variety of 12 interior configurations. A cabin, whose dimensions reach 6’5’’ high and 8’6’’ wide, can be constructed at its largest to comfortably fit up to 19 passengers in up to four separate living areas throughout. Powered by the two-engine Rolls Royce BR725 A1-12 system, the G650—the “flagship of the Gulfstream fleet”—indeed flies farther and faster than any other traditional business jet.
Which brings us to the second plane, the Learjet 85, a business aircraft built by Bombardier Aerospace with the largest interior of its kind—and you don’t need to fly far in it. The cabin, 5’11’’ high and 6’1’’ wide, is spacious yet sophisticated with its fully reclining seats, and easily customizable with its offer of an experienced designer and engineer leading you every step of the way, from seeing the Learjet showroom, to the very detailed crafting of your own Learjet 85 cockpit. Its shorter flight range allows for both a shorter takeoff and shorter landing distance compared to the G650’s, providing the perfect runway for any businessman’s quick day-to-day excursions. The Pratt & Whitney Canadian PW307B turbofan engine, a “greener engine technology” that maintains low noise and emission levels, powers the Learjet 85 to make it a very eco-friendly ride in the sky.
Whether you choose to fly the Gulfstream G650 or the Learjet 85, both are homes in the skies—no matter where you’re headed.
Gulfstream G650
Length 99 ft 9 in
Wingspan 99 ft 7 in
Max. Flight Range 7,000 nm (at Mach 0.85)
Normal Cruise Speed Mach 0.85
High Cruise Speed Mach 0.90
Max. Cruise Altitude 51,000 ft
Crew 2
Passengers 11-18
Maiden Voyage Nov. 25, 2009
List Price $64.5 million
gulfstream.com
Learjet 85
Length 68 ft 1 in
Wingspan 61 ft 5 in
Max. Flight Range 3,000 nm
Long-Range Speed Mach 0.78
Normal Cruise Speed Mach 0.80
Max. Cruise Altitude 49,000 ft
Crew 2
Passengers Up to 8
Maiden Voyage Est. for spring 2014
List Price $20.76 million
bombardier.com
