10 Most Expensive Planes in the World
10 Most Expensive Planes in the World
Nowadays the best option for fast travel is by airplane, but the world’s billionaires aren’t exactly flying economy class with the rest of us. They have a significantly different, more privileged experience of air travel. Some billionaires are making their airplanes as flying hotels, outfitting and pimping their million dollar flying machines. Meanwhile, organizations, such as US military, spend their millions to invest in the most technologically advanced, safest and most practical aircraft.
It doesn’t matter if those aircraft are used as luxurious private jets or powerful military aircraft, they are expensive and worth seeing. So, here is the list of 10 most expensive planes in the world:
10. Boeing 747-8 VIP – $153 million.
This “VIP” model of the Boeing 747-8 is called the “Dreamliner” and features an exclusive design with all of the latest technology. Some of the features include vaulted ceilings, video displays on the walls, and spiral staircases. The normal 747-8 Intercontinental can seat 467 passengers, although this pimped out version seats quite a few less because of the extravagant additions.
9. Boeing 747-400 Custom – $220 million
This customized version of the Boeing 747-400 was outfitted with two luxury bedrooms, a dining table for 14 people, and even a throne in the middle of the plane.
8. E-2D Advanced Hawkeye – $232 million
This unusual military plane is used by the US Navy as a replacement for the earlier E-1 Tracer. It is an all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft, meaning that it has seriously advanced APY-9 radar systems, an advanced radio suite, integrated satellite communication capability, turboprop engines, a tactical glass cockpit, and advanced electronic scanning. Basically, this is the ultimate plane for surveillance and reconnaissance.
7. Boeing 747-430 Custom – $233 million
The original plane was about $100 million, but the owner spent over $130 million more to update its luxurious interior that includes gold detailing all over the plane. The living room, bedroom, and bathroom are all decorated in gold and Lalique crystal, and the washbasins are even made from solid gold.
6. P-8A Poseidon – $290 million
This spruced up plane was developed for the US Navy by Boeing Defense, Space & Security. It’s a modified version of the 737-800ERX, and it conducts anti-submarine warfare anti-surface warfare, and shipping interdiction, making it one of the best defensive planes on the planet. You don’t want to mess with this thing seeing as that it carries torpedoes, depth charges, SLAM-ER missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and more.
5. C-17A Globemaster III – $328 million
This Boeing plane was developed for the US Air Force, and it is one of their largest military transport aircrafts. The C-17A is used for strategic and tactical airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo, medical evacuation, and airdrops.
4. F-22 Raptor – $350 million
The F-22 Raptor is widely considered the best overall combat plane in the world, and it’s also the most expensive. This single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter was developed for the US Air Force by Lockheed Martin. The F-22 Raptor can shoot down enemy cruise missiles, fly at supersonic speeds for long distances, and can avoid nearly all types of radar detection, making it one of the best fighter planes in the world. Here is this raptor refueling operation.
3. Airbus A340-300 Custom – $350-$500 million
This customized Airbus A340-300 is the largest plane in Russia. The plane itself cost $238 million, but after luxury remodeling it’s estimated to be worth between $350 and $500 million, taking the interior decoration and implemented technology into consideration. The jet can carry 375 passengers and fly for 9,000 miles.
2. Airbus A380 Custom – $500 million
The most expensive private jet in the world has everything from a two-car garage, a room for the prince’s hawks, a stable, multiple bedrooms, bathrooms with showers, and something that is called a “wellness area.” The double-decker Airbus 380 is the largest commercial plane flying today.
1. B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber – $2.1 billion
The B-2 Spirit is by far the most expensive aircraft ever built. This strategic bomber features low-stealth technology designed to penetrate anti-aircraft defenses, and is able to employ conventional and nuclear weapons. It can drop up to 80 500-lb-class JDAM GPS guided bombs, or 16 2,400-lb B83 nuclear bombs. Here is B-2 spirit refueling operation.
