Gulfstream Aerospace introduced their G550 model business jet in 2003. Similar to the G500, the newer model is built for pure luxury. It's also all about performance with this jet. Its range is increased to 6,750 nautical miles, due to reductions in aerodynamic drag. The Gulfstream 550 boasts the longest range of any business jet in the world.

It has a “PlaneView” cockpit, consisting of 4 Honeywall DU-1310 EFIS screens, and a cursor-control system. It also has an enhanced vision system, and an infrared camera that displays an image of the front view on a head up display. The enhanced vision system helps the jet to land in lower-visibility instrument meteorological conditions.

The jet is an all-around masterpiece. The sleek exterior of the jet and the smooth and luxurious interior make the Gulfstream 550 a plane worth flying in. The Cabin pressurization can be maintained at the equivalent of 6-thousand feet as opposed to 8-thousand on a conventional aircraft.

This change in pressure makes for a significant improvement in passenger comfort. When gas gets trapped in the gastrointestinal tract, the middle ear, and the paranasal sinuses, the increased pressure of conventional aircrafts can cause discomfort and pain. But with the G550, the pressure is reduced, resulting in a comfortable journey.

The rich and famous make it a habit of purchasing jets like the G550 to do their flying in. The quality of these jets is what really sells them, however. In the United States, the G550 is a favorite of the Armed Forces to escort their VIPs in. The U.S. Navy owns 3 G550s, the U.S. Army has one, and the Air Force has even escorted the President on their G550. These jets aren't exactly discounted by any stretch of the imagination. To be a proud owner of a Gulfstream 550, you'd have to fork over $59.9-million to cruise the airways in style.

The inside of the jet is roomy and comfortable. It can hold a maximum of 19 passengers, and typically carries 14-18. The cabin length is 50 feet 1 inch, with a height of 6 feet 2 inches, and a width of 7 feet 4 inches. Of course, you have to take into account the pilots and crew. If you're calling 18 of your closest friends to take a ride in the G550, a few ground-bound playmates are going to be disappointed.

The top speed for the G550 is 0.885 Mach, or about 700mph. It can conveniently cruise at 488 knots, and has a ceiling of 51,000 feet. The interior of the jet is designed with pure luxury in mind. The soft leather seats and beautifully built wood accents make the inside of this jet feel like a Rolls Royce, which is coincidentally the type of engines (2) this jet uses. All in all, the Gulfstream 550 is about as good as it gets in the world of business jets.