Back in June, my colleague Deidre Woollard first reported that the Queen of England was in the market for a new private jet. Now the London Sun reports that her budget for the plane, the first intended solely for her own use in her 50-year-reign, has been set at $12.5 million. Since that's several million shy of the price of a Gulfstream IV, an appropriate aircraft for a head of state, we consulted an expert as to what she should spend the money on. Adam Katz, founder / owner of luxury private jet charter and management service Talon Air, says for that kind of money she may have to consider pre-owned.
"She should buy a late model midsized aircraft like a Hawker 850," Katz tells Luxist, "because it has had its roots in England for more than 50 years. The Hawker 850 is exquisitely efficient and low in cost to operate. It can fly for six hours with eight passengers; it's ultra luxurious, tried and true. The $12.5 million can buy her an almost new Hawker 850 and will serve her very well." Katz recently took delivery of the first Hawker 4000 super-midsized business jet for commercial service to add to Talon Air's burgeoning fleet.
