Summary
- Cuban owns two private jets, the Gulfstream GV and the Global Express, for efficient travel due to his busy schedule.
- The Gulfstream GV is known for its long-range abilities, while the Global Express is designed for ultra-long-range comfort.
- Cuban views his private jets as necessary business tools allowing for better work/life balance and more productivity.
Billionaire Mark Cuban business owner and investor is known to have a private jet collection.
The shrewd businessman also has ownership of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Dallas Mavericks team and became part of the ‘Shark Tank’ reality TV series where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to potential investors.
His estimated net worth is over $6.2 billion, so it’s no surprise that he owns a private jet or two. Let’s take a look in more detail.
The Gulfstream GV
Cuban bought his first private jet in 1999, a Gulfstream GV registration N718MC, after making $1 billion selling his second company Broadcast.com to Yahoo.
The purchase of the $40 million jet put him in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest single e-commerce transaction. He researched aircraft on the Gulfstream website before emailing them, and he set up a demo flight for his pilot. The pilot loved the aircraft, so Cuban decided to buy the aircraft online.
The aircraft was delivered in 2004. The Gulfstream GV is known for its speed, comfort and long-range abilities. It could fly from Dallas, nonstop, to almost any other city, making it perfect for his hectic schedule.
It has a spacious, comfortable cabin just slightly smaller than the Global Express and can hold up to 14 passengers. There is a private washroom and galley as well as three living zones for sleeping, working, or dining. The Gulfstream GV is more fuel-efficient than the Global Express.
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Range: |
6,500 nm or 12,000km |
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Maximum speed: |
Mach 0.885 940 km/h |
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Ceiling: |
51,000 ft |
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Engines: |
Rolls-Royce BR700 turbofan |
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Avionics: |
Honeywell SPX-8500 |
The Global Express
Cuban’s Bombardier Global Express with registration N921MT was bought in 2018 and has a similar range to his GV and is designed for ultra-long-range travel in comfort.
The aircraft can seat up to 16 passengers and offers separate living zones for working, holding meetings, sleeping and entertaining. Club seating and a conference table allow for meetings or private dining.
The divan seating can be pulled out to make a bed. There is a full-size galley, private washroom, a crew rest area and a crew lavatory.
The Global Express was one of the most sought after jets of its time and was comparable to the Gulfstream GV, a major competitor.
The Global Express can travel from Los Angeles to Tokyo or New York to Dubai without the need to refuel for up to 14 hours. Later, this would develop into the improved Global Express XRS, which would compete with the Gulfstream G550.
|
Range: |
6,500 nm or 12,000km |
|
Maximum speed: |
Mach 0.89 950 km/h |
|
Ceiling: |
51,000 ft |
|
Engines: |
Rolls-Royce BR700 turbofan |
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Avionics: |
Honeywell Primus 2000XP EFIS |
Private jet use
It is clear that Cuban uses his jets on a regular basis and has said in interviews that buying a private jet was the smartest thing he’d ever bought.
He has described the costs as being ‘brutal’ but a necessity in his busy schedule. It allows for him to have a better work/life balance by freeing up travel time and allowing him to spend more time with friends and family.
He uses the aircraft for both business and leisure use and like many private jet owners, says it is time-efficient and means he has complete discretion and productivity onboard, whilst running his multiple ventures.
The hassle and stress of commercial flights are gone and private jets offer the ultimate in convenience and flexibility. Cuban says that his private jets are a business tool and not considered a luxury item.
Typical schedule
Indeed, his schedule is a busy one and he travels many times per week. Many of his flights are domestic and within the US. Both aircraft have made a steady amount of trips, according to JetSpy., with the Global Express being used slightly more. From January up until July 2024:
97 flights = 186 flight hours
Most popular airports:
1. Dallas Love Field
2. Nashville International Airport
3. Los Angeles International Airport
71 flights = 133 flight hours
Most popular airports:
1. Dallas Love Field
2. Nashville International Airport
3. Boson Logan International Airport
Along with these airports, Teterboro Airport (New York) and Washington Dulles International Airport are also featured. The furthest trip Cuban has flown recently was to Linate Airport in Milan, Italy at 5,423 miles and 11 hours, according to CelebrityPrivateJetTracker.com.
One for the team
Cuban also has at least one Boeing 757 for his team, who he purchased in 2000.
The aircraft has features such as personalized oversize seats for team members, weight rooms and rooms for physiotherapy and training.
It is also reported that he sometimes charters a Boeing 767 again for team use, but at the present time, this information cannot be clarified.
It is clear that Mark Cuban has taken a like to private jets since first traveling in a Gulfstream II, back in the day. Some may think his use of private jets is excessive, but he does see it as an essential for business in terms of time saving, productivity and work/life balance.
With billions in the bank and numerous money-making ventures and a hectic schedule, who can argue with that?