Aircraft Falcon 900LX, 2011

A 2011 aircraft, s/n 900LX-251. 3,959 flight hours over 1,953 cycles — about 260 hours a year, well below the market average of 350–450. Cabin — 14 seats. Average sector — 2.0 h: typical short business legs. There is no flight attendant or hot meal service. The baggage compartment is accessible in flight. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

The average pre-owned price for the model is $19.5M. Running costs at 300–400 h/year — about $3.04M/year, or $7,598 per flight hour. The price of a specific aircraft depends on year, hours flown and engine-programme status. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

France's Dassault builds the Rafale fighter and carries military technology into the Falcon business jets. In production today: the Falcon 2000LXS (large class, 7,400 km), the tri-jet 900LX, the new 6X with the widest cabin in class (2.58 m), the flagship 8X (11,900 km) and the 10X, nearing delivery, with 13,900 km. In all, more than 2,700 Falcons have been built. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

The tri-jet layout of the 900LX and 8X is Dassault's signature. The practical benefit: clearance for long ocean routes without ETOPS limits, peace of mind if one engine fails over mountains or water, and approaches to short, demanding runways — the 8X is certified for London City with its steep glideslope. Fuel burn is meanwhile lower than many twin rivals, thanks to a light airframe. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

Falcons age gracefully: an eight-year-old 2000LXS sells for $18–22M (new $37M), a 900LX of the same age $23–28M. Classic 2000s 900EX at $12–16M are considered the best price for a tri-jet intercontinental jet. The discount to a same-size Gulfstream reflects a smaller fleet, but Falcon supply on the market is also notably shorter. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

Gulfstream leads on speed and range: the G650ER flies M0.90 over 13,890 km, while the Falcon 8X does M0.85 over 11,945 km. The Falcon answers with economy (15–20% less burn), short-field operation and digital control honed on fighters. The 6X/10X cabins are wider than Gulfstream equivalents. Roughly: Gulfstream is about maximum performance, Falcon about flexibility and efficiency. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

A class for those who need a maximum cabin without long-range prices: 8–10-hour flights like London–Dubai, Paris–Delhi, Dubai–Singapore. Three cabin zones allow a meeting, a meal and sleep at once. Typical tasks — carrying delegations, family travel in large groups, and government and corporate flights with 10–14 passengers. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

Capacity is 10–16 seats: the Legacy 600/650 take 13–14 passengers, the Challenger 850 up to 14–16. Range: Challenger 850 5,200 km, Legacy 600 6,000 km, Legacy 650 7,200 km, Gulfstream G450 8,060 km, the tri-jet Falcon 900LX 8,800 km. The Legacy's holds of up to 6.8 m³ are the most capacious in the segment short of long-range jets. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

To the large class it adds a third cabin zone and up to 16 seats — but a notable part of the segment (Legacy, Challenger 850) is built on regional airliners, so the aircraft are heavier and climb more slowly. The long-range class (Global, Gulfstream G550+) gives 9,600–14,800 km and fresh airframes, but costs twice as much to buy. Here you get the maximum cabin for sensible money. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

The best 'cabin-metres-per-dollar' on the market: Legacy 600 $8–12M, Challenger 850 $9–13M, Legacy 650 $12–16M, Gulfstream G450 $12–16M, Falcon 900LX $23–30M. Airliner-based aircraft (Legacy, 850) are cheaper per seat but dearer in airframe maintenance. It is critical to check corrosion-programme status and landing-gear life. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

The standard path takes 6–10 weeks. Step 1: a letter of intent (LOI) with price and terms — 3–5 days. Step 2: a 5–10% deposit into escrow and signing of the purchase agreement. Step 3: a pre-purchase inspection — 1–3 weeks. Step 4: rectification of findings and price adjustment. Step 5: closing — simultaneous transfer of funds, title and risk, technical acceptance and ferry of the aircraft.

A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is an independent check at a certified centre: airframe, engines, corrosion, records and compliance with airworthiness directives. It takes from 3 days on a turboprop to 2–3 weeks on a heavy jet and costs $15–100K — paid by the buyer. By market practice the seller pays to rectify airworthiness-affecting defects. A seller refusing a PPI is grounds to walk away.