GD Birla and JRD Tata were flying planes even before the jet age dawned. Their modern-day counterparts are drawn to newer machines that fly faster, higher and farther: Speed and utility combine with luxury to form the ultimate status symbol.
Ownership established, the next step is personalisation. Seats fully loaded with telescoping headrests, flexible wings, waterfall leg rests, electric lumbar controls—older CEOs often choose seats with heat and massage options, and full-flat berthing. Leather ledges, less veneer, more gloss. Monogrammed galleys and crockery. Only the sky is the limit. While the slowdown may have tempered demand, leading to a spurt of interest in pre-owned aircraft instead, those who can, buy, or at least aspire.
Here’s a glance at the coolest machines, some already owned by Indians and others that are fresh out of the hangars and currently on shopping lists.
Gulfstream 550
Michael Dell owns one, so does Lakshmi Mittal. The G550 ultra-long range plane is also the ride of choice for Kumar Mangalam Birla.
Dassault Falcon 7X
Dassault has a long history of producing top-notch military aircraft and its business jets often tend to incorporate these cutting edge technologies.
Its sibling, the Falcon 2000, is more popular in India. Eleven of the machines are in use already. Its most famous owner-pilot is Ratan Naval Tata.
Global 6000
The aircraft, formerly known as the Global Express, or the Global XRS, comes from Bombardier’s stable.
Also very popular is the Global 5000. Kalanithi Maran’s Sun group, Sajjan Jindal, Rahul Bajaj and both the Ambani brothers, Mukesh and Anil, count among its users.
Challenger 604
The spacious Challenger 604 is among the world’s best-selling large corporate jets, thanks mostly to its versatility, comfort and cost efficiency.
Probably the most famous Indian owner is Gautam Singhania, who rents it out when he is not globe-trotting himself.
Gulfstream G650
At this point, this plane looks to be the holy grail of business aviation. The G650 is Gulfstream’s biggest and sexiest jet yet.
No Indian owns this one. Yet.
And The Biggest
The world’s most expensive private jet is an Airbus A380 owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud. It has an estimated cost of over $500 million.
14/10/13 Cuckoo Paul/Forbes India
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
Ownership established, the next step is personalisation. Seats fully loaded with telescoping headrests, flexible wings, waterfall leg rests, electric lumbar controls—older CEOs often choose seats with heat and massage options, and full-flat berthing. Leather ledges, less veneer, more gloss. Monogrammed galleys and crockery. Only the sky is the limit. While the slowdown may have tempered demand, leading to a spurt of interest in pre-owned aircraft instead, those who can, buy, or at least aspire.
Here’s a glance at the coolest machines, some already owned by Indians and others that are fresh out of the hangars and currently on shopping lists.
Gulfstream 550
Michael Dell owns one, so does Lakshmi Mittal. The G550 ultra-long range plane is also the ride of choice for Kumar Mangalam Birla.
Dassault Falcon 7X
Dassault has a long history of producing top-notch military aircraft and its business jets often tend to incorporate these cutting edge technologies.
Its sibling, the Falcon 2000, is more popular in India. Eleven of the machines are in use already. Its most famous owner-pilot is Ratan Naval Tata.
Global 6000
The aircraft, formerly known as the Global Express, or the Global XRS, comes from Bombardier’s stable.
Also very popular is the Global 5000. Kalanithi Maran’s Sun group, Sajjan Jindal, Rahul Bajaj and both the Ambani brothers, Mukesh and Anil, count among its users.
Challenger 604
The spacious Challenger 604 is among the world’s best-selling large corporate jets, thanks mostly to its versatility, comfort and cost efficiency.
Probably the most famous Indian owner is Gautam Singhania, who rents it out when he is not globe-trotting himself.
Gulfstream G650
At this point, this plane looks to be the holy grail of business aviation. The G650 is Gulfstream’s biggest and sexiest jet yet.
No Indian owns this one. Yet.
And The Biggest
The world’s most expensive private jet is an Airbus A380 owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud. It has an estimated cost of over $500 million.
14/10/13 Cuckoo Paul/Forbes India
