Roman Abramovich’s Boeing 787-8 BBJ
Abramovich's earlier 767-300ER earned the nickname 'The Bandit' for its Zorro-mask paint around the cockpit; the 787-8 that replaced it in 2021 kept the look and was reported to cost around $350 million after completion. In 2022 a US federal judge authorised the seizure of the 787 and a G650ER under sanctions, though the aircraft were beyond US reach.
What it costs to keep flying
If flown 300 hours a year, our model puts the annual bill at:
- Crew, hangar, insurance, training
- $4,000K
- Fuel & maintenance (300 h)
- $4,200K
- Depreciation
- $17.3M
- Cost of capital (5%)
- $12.5M
Estimate. Bespoke interiors, extra crew and hangar in premium locations push it higher.
The aircraft
- Type
- Boeing Business Jets BBJ 787-8
- Class
- Bizliner
- Range
- 9,945 nm
- Max cruise
- 490 kts (Mach 0.9)
- Passengers
- 25–40
- Cabin
- 116.5 × 18 × 8 ft
- New price
- $250M
- Fuel burn
- 1,500 gal/h
Sources: simpleflying.com · autoevolution.com
Related
Elon Musk
Gulfstream G650ER · $70M reported
The tail number encodes his 28 June birthday, and the G650ER became the most-tracked business jet in the world after a student-run account began posting its movements in 2020. Musk also operates two Gulfstream G550s and was reported to have ordered a G700 in 2022. The jet's public tracking led to a 2022 policy change on Twitter/X that banned real-time location sharing.
Jeff Bezos
Gulfstream G650ER · $65M reported
Bezos has owned two G650ERs through a Seattle holding company and was reported in late 2024 to be selling the older one (a 2015 airframe) for just under $39 million after taking delivery of a new Gulfstream G700 reported at around $80 million. His arrival at the COP26 climate summit by Gulfstream drew wide media attention in 2021.
Bill Gates
Gulfstream G650ER (two) · $70M reported
Gates is reported to own two G650ERs, both 2018 builds based at Boeing Field in Seattle, plus access to Challenger 350s via a NetJets arrangement. He has called private flying his 'guilty pleasure' and says he offsets his emissions by funding direct-air-capture and sustainable fuel ventures.