In the modern era of commercial air travel, large passenger “jumbo jets” regularly cost hundreds of millions of dollars—but can still find eager customers among the world’s major airlines.

The following list comprises the most expensive civilian aircraft in the world. While less technically impressive than their military counterparts, civilian aircraft can cost tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, and are charged with arguably the most important task in aviation: the safe and reliable transport of passengers.

10. Gulfstream G700

Price: $75–80 million

The Gulfstream G700 is the most expensive business jet currently on the civilian market. It combines ultra-long range with a large-cabin layout rivaling small airliners in comfort—with multiple living zones, a dedicated crew rest area, and Gulfstream’s latest avionics suite. The price reflects performance (nearly 8,000 miles of range) and also certification costs, state-of-the-art materials, and bespoke interior options, all of which drives the unit cost higher. Outside of the airlines, the G700 is the top end of civilian aviation. 

• Year Introduced: 2007
• Number Built: 251
• Length: 238 ft 7 in (72.7 m)
• Wingspan: 261 ft 8 in (79.8 m)
• Weight (MTOW): ~1,268,000 lb (575,000 kg)
• Engines: Four Trent 900 or GP7200 turbofans
• Top Speed: Mach 0.85
• Range: ~8,200 nm (15,200 km)
• Service Ceiling: ~43,000 ft (13,100 m)
• Capacity: 500–850 passengers
• Aircrew: 2

9. Bombardier Global 8000

Price: $80 million

Bombardier’s Global 8000 competes directly with the G700 at the absolute top of the business-jet market. Billed as the fastest and longest-range business aircraft since Concorde, the Global 8000 can almost break the sound barrier, while completing intercontinental nonstop flights. Its price—very high for a business jet—reflects extreme engineering tolerances, advanced wing design, and a certification process that spikes the price further. Cabin customization can drive the price further, with tens of millions of dollars in electives. 

• Year Introduced: 2025
• Number Built: In production
• Length: 99 ft 9 in (30.4 m)
• Wingspan: 104 ft (31.7 m)
• Weight (MTOW): ~104,800 lb (47,500 kg)
• Engines: Two GE Passport turbofans
• Top Speed: Mach 0.94
• Range: ~8,000 nm (14,800 km)
• Service Ceiling: ~51,000 ft (15,500 m)
• Capacity: 8–19 passengers
• Aircrew: 2–3

8. Concorde

Price: $34 million (1976; roughly $180 million in 2026)

The Concorde was arguably the most iconic plane ever built—one of only two commercial supersonic airliners, alongside the Soviet Union’s Tupolev Tu-144, to ever see service, and by far the more practical of the two. Owing to restrictions on supersonic flight over land due to the problems caused by sonic booms, the Concorde was inherently limited to only a handful of overwater flight paths—chiefly between the United Kingdom and France and the East Coast of the United States—but along those paths, it came to define both luxury and Franco-British technical expertise.

The Concorde was ultimately done in by market pressures rather than obsolescence. Rising fuel costs, restrictions on airlines in the post-9/11 era, and a tragic Concorde crash in 2000 all helped to doom the plane. The Concorde’s final flight came in 2003, ending the era of supersonic air travel—at least for now. 

• Year Introduced: 1976
• Number Built: 20
• Length: 202 ft 4 in (61.66 m)
• Wingspan: 84 ft 0 in (25.6 m)
• Weight (MTOW): 408,010 lb (185,070 kg)
• Engines: Four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 Mk 610 turbojets with reheat, 31,000 lbf (140 kN) thrust each dry, 38,050 lbf (169.3 kN) with afterburner
• Top Speed: ~Mach 2.0
• Range: 4,488.0 mi (7,222.8 km)
• Service Ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,300 m)
• Capacity: 92–120 passengers
• Aircrew: 3 (2 pilots, 1 flight engineer)

7. Airbus A330-900neo

Price: $295 million

The A330-900neo is a modern wide body airliner designed for long-haul efficiency. The cost reflects large turbofan engines, advanced avionics, composite materials, and a long certification timeline. While cheaper than newer ultra-long-range wide bodies, the A330-900neo still represents a massive capital investment for airlines. The aircraft’s value lies in its balance of range, payload, and operating economics—making it an attractive option for airlines replacing older A330s or 787s. Civilian operators are paying for scale and reliability, as well as a global support infrastructure. 

• Year Introduced: 2025
• Number Built: 185+ (production ongoing)
• Length: 99 ft 9 in (30.4 m)
• Wingspan: 104 ft (31.7 m)
• Weight (MTOW): ~104,800 lb (47,500 kg)
• Engines: Two GE Passport turbofans
• Top Speed: Mach 0.94
• Range: ~8,000 nm (14,800 km)
• Service Ceiling: ~51,000 ft (15,500 m)
• Capacity: 8–19 passengers
• Aircrew: 2–3

6. Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner

Price: $338 million

The 787-10 is the largest variant of Boeing’s Dreamliner family and one of the most expensive aircraft ever sold. Its cost is the result of composite construction and advanced electrical systems and next-gen engines, designed to reduce fuel burn. The underlying costs reflects one of the most ambitious commercial aircraft programs in history. The 787-10 is optimized for high-capacity, long-range routes—and the price includes not just the airfare but the enormous R&D investment, spread over decades. 

• Year Introduced: 2018
• Number Built: ~150+
• Length: 224 ft (68.3 m)
• Wingspan: 197 ft 3 in (60.1 m)
• Weight (MTOW): ~560,000 lb (254,000 kg)
• Engines: GEnx-1B or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000
• Top Speed: Mach 0.85
• Range: ~6,430 nm (11,910 km)
• Service Ceiling: ~43,000 ft (13,100 m)
• Capacity: ~300–330 passengers
• Aircrew: 2

5. Airbus A350-1000

Price: $366 million

The A350-1000 is Airbus’s largest and most capable long-haul twin-engine airliner. Built with a carbon-fiber fuselage and wings, the A350-1000 is designed for ultra0-long-range routes with high passenger loads. The price reflects cutting-edge materials, massive Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, and an extremely demanding certification process. The aircraft is slated to replace older four-engine wide bodies, with costs justified through efficiency, payload, and longevity. 

• Year Introduced: 2018
• Number Built: ~100+
• Length: 242 ft 1 in (73.8 m)
• Wingspan: 210 ft (64.0 m)
• Weight (MTOW): ~694,000 lb (316,000 kg)
• Engines: Two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 turbofans
• Top Speed: Mach 0.85
• Range: ~8,000 nm (14,800 km)
• Service Ceiling: ~43,000 ft (13,100 m)
• Capacity: ~350–410 passengers
• Aircrew: 2

4. Boeing 777-300ER

Price: $375 million

For years, the 777-300ER was the backbone of global long-haul travel and one of the most expensive civilian aircraft in regular production. The enormous GE90 engines, the largest turbofans ever certified, accounted for a significant portion of the cost. The aircraft’s price otherwise reflects the long-range capability and structural robustness. Though the 777-300ER is being replaced, the aircraft’s high unit cost was arguably justified by payload, range, and reliability—making it a favorite among international airlines for decades. 

• Year Introduced: 2018
• Number Built: ~100+
• Length: 242 ft 1 in (73.8 m)
• Wingspan: 210 ft (64.0 m)
• Weight (MTOW): ~694,000 lb (316,000 kg)
• Engines: Two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 turbofans
• Top Speed: Mach 0.85
• Range: ~8,000 nm (14,800 km)
• Service Ceiling: ~43,000 ft (13,100 m)
• Capacity: ~350–410 passengers
• Aircrew: 2

3. Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental 

Price: $418 million

The 747-8 Intercontinental, no longer in production, was the final passenger version of Boeing’s iconic 747 jumbo jet. The price reflects the immense scale: four engines, massive airframe, and a complex system designed to move hundreds of passengers across continents. By the time the Intercontinental entered service, economics were already turning against four-engine aircraft—limiting sales and driving per-unit costs higher. Although civilian production ended in 2023, the 747-8 remains one of the most expensive civilian aircraft ever offered, especially when configured for VIP or government use.

• Year Introduced: 2012
• Number Built: ~47 (passenger)
• Length: 250 ft 2 in (76.3 m)
• Wingspan: 224 ft 7 in (68.4 m)
• Weight (MTOW): ~987,000 lb (447,700 kg)
• Engines: Four GEnx-2B67 turbofans
• Top Speed: Mach 0.86
• Range: ~7,730 nm (14,320 km)
• Service Ceiling: ~43,000 ft (13,100 m)
• Capacity: ~410–520 passengers
• Aircrew: 2

2. Boeing 777-9 (777X)

Price: $440-445 million

The 777-9 is Boeing’s newest and most ambitious civilian airliner, featuring folding wingtips, next-generation GE9X engines, and advanced composite wings. The price reflects cutting-edge tech, a lengthy and expensive certification process, and enormous development expenses spread across a limited production run. Designed to replace both older 777s and some 747s, the 777-9 is optimized for ultra-long-haul, high-capacity routes. Even before entering widespread service, the 777-9 ranks among the most expensive civilian aircraft ever built. 

• Year Introduced: 2012
• Number Built: ~47 (passenger)
• Length: 250 ft 2 in (76.3 m)
• Wingspan: 224 ft 7 in (68.4 m)
• Weight (MTOW): ~987,000 lb (447,700 kg)
• Engines: Four GEnx-2B67 turbofans
• Top Speed: Mach 0.86
• Range: ~7,730 nm (14,320 km)
• Service Ceiling: ~43,000 ft (13,100 m)
• Capacity: ~410–520 passengers
• Aircrew: 2

1. Airbus A380

Price: $445 million

The Airbus A380 was the largest passenger aircraft ever to enter commercial service, and its price reflects that scale. Four massive engines, a double-deck fuselage, and unprecedented passenger capacity drove extraordinary development and manufacturing costs. While airlines rarely paid full list price, the underlying economics were brutal. The A380 was designed for a hub-and-spoke world that never fully materialized—leading to an early retirement. Regardless, the A380 remains roughly the most expensive civilian aircraft ever sold. 

• Year Introduced: 2007
• Number Built: 251
• Length: 238 ft 7 in (72.7 m)
• Wingspan: 261 ft 8 in (79.8 m)
• Weight (MTOW): ~1,268,000 lb (575,000 kg)
• Engines: Four Trent 900 or GP7200 turbofans
• Top Speed: Mach 0.85
• Range: ~8,200 nm (15,200 km)
• Service Ceiling: ~43,000 ft (13,100 m)
• Capacity: 500–850 passengers
• Aircrew: 2

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer at The National Interest. Kass is an attorney and former political candidate who joined the US Air Force as a pilot trainee before being medically discharged. He focuses on military strategy, aerospace, and global security affairs. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global Journalism and International Relations from NYU.

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