Ok so it doesn’t look like much, but this triple-engined business jet is astonishingly quick and can carry 16 people in luxury at speeds of over 1100km/h. This is thanks to a 3-engine design, with one engine mounted centrally in the tail of the plane.

Triple-engine planes (or ‘trijets’) are rare, and Dassault is the only manufacturer that currently makes them. The main advantage of this is that the wings can be mounted further back on the aircraft, changing the centre of gravity and increasing fuel efficiency.

The Falcon 7X is one in a long line of Falcon planes produced by Dassault. The upcoming Falcon 10X will be even quicker, with a planned top speed of Mach 0.925.

6. Boeing 787 Dreamliner – 1111km/h (690mph)

Boeing’s take on the wide-bodied long-haul plane has already built a reputation for comfort and efficiency. But with a top speed of 1111km/h, it also has speed in its favour.

This is a popular plane, with over 1,000 in service around the world. This means that if you are flying long haul, chances are it will be on a Dreamliner.

5. Boeing 747-8i – 1136km/h (706mph)

This plane is truly remarkable in that despite the age of the 747 platform, the 747-8i is the fastest large commercial jet in the world, with the capacity to carry nearly 500 people at speeds of over 1130km/h.

In fact, these planes are so impressive that two are currently being modified by the US Air Force, and will be given the Air Force One call sign when they go into service in 2024.

4. Gulfstream G700 – 1142.19km/h (709mph)

Gulfstream is perhaps the name in private jets, and with a high price tag ($80m or £63m) comes an impressive top speed to match.

It is able to carry 19 (or sleep 10) in the lap of luxury over a range of 13,000km. It is also capable of flying at heights of over 15,000m, meaning that it can fly high above other air traffic and bad weather. This makes for a much more smooth and comfortable experience.

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3. Cessna Citation X+ – 1154.538km/h (717mph)

An updated version of the long-running Citation X was introduced in 2012, with a larger cabin and an improved top speed. This is a very popular plane, despite having a shorter range than some of its competitors at 6400km.

In total, 29 of the faster model have been built, with production ending in 2018.

2. Bombardier Global 8000 – 1160km/h (721mph)

Ever wanted to live like Succession‘s Logan Roy, flying around the globe from meeting to meeting, but felt that traditional planes were way too slow? Well, relax because the Global 8000 is here to help. It can reach speeds of Mach 0.94 (approximately 1160km/h) whilst carrying 19 passengers in the lap of luxury.

With a projected range of over 14,000km, that will be more than enough to attend a far-flung meeting where you could call someone a rude word if you so wished.

It is due to be operational in 2025 and replaces the Global 7500 (which itself is no slouch).

1. SpaceShipTwo ‘Unity’ – 3704 km/h (2301.81 mph)

The fastest plane in the world in 2023 available to passengers is the Virgin Galactic craft. In July 2021, six passengers aboard the rocket plane hit a speed of Mach 3 in the skies above New Mexico, USA.

Unlike the other aircraft on this list, the VSS Unity is powered by a single rocket engine. It cannot take off unaided and needs to be carried to its launch height (15,000m) on the back of a cargo aircraft known as White Knight Two. Once it has launched, it can reach speeds of over 3700km/h, and fly at an altitude of nearly 90km above the Earth’s surface.

The first commercial flights have now taken place after 20 years of development, with a ticket costing a cool $400,000 (£356,000) for a 90-minute flight.

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