It turns out that jetsetter Elon Musk is quite the jet collector.
The billionaire (or billionaire?) owner of Tesla, Space X and recently Twitter, has a small fleet of four private jets: three Gulstreams and one Dassault.
According to a report from the news website AustinioMusk plans to add another baby to the family. He recently ordered a Gulfstream G700, the latest model from the business jet giant. The aircraft is expected to be delivered to him in early 2023.
The Gulfstream G700 has an estimated price of $75 million. That sounds like a lot, until you compare it to Saudi Prince Al Waleed’s Airbus A380, which goes for a light-hearted $500 million.
Still, the G700 is something to behold. Gulfstream calls it “the most spacious, innovative and flexible cabin in the industry.” The galley has four living areas, can accommodate 19 people and can accommodate up to 13 people.
The jet’s Rolls-Royce Pearl engines launch it to speeds of 690 mph and can fly for 27.5 hours without refueling.
Not to forget, the pilots also enjoy a first-class travel experience. The state-of-the-art cockpit features ten touchscreen monitors, heads-up displays like you’d find on a jet fighter, and sidestick controls.
Musk is sure to put in a lot of miles with his new toy. According to flight data obtained by: The Washington Post, in 2018 he made 250 trips through Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Total kilometers traveled: 150,000.
Beautiful wings, bad air
But not everyone is celebrating Musk’s recent purchase. Scientists and environmentalists say the climate impact of these private jets is huge.
A 2021 study of Transport & Environment found that only 1% of people are responsible for 50% of global aviation emissions. The math is not difficult to figure out.
Fewer people flying in larger, carbon-emitting aircraft have a disproportionate impact on the environment.
Data shows that the richest 10% in the world are responsible for the same amount of carbon dioxide in a year as the poorest 10% in more than two decades.
Hopefully the next jet fighter purchase will be a electric or hydrogen powered jet.
