In Best of the Best, we honour the brands and people behind the most covetable products. Here are the two best flying experiences you should be a part of
Best Large Cabin Jet: Dassault 6X
Dassault recently delivered its first long-range 6X, completing a circle that began after the French aerospace firm cancelled its four-year-old 5X programme in 2017 without delivering any aircraft. It stretched the 5X’s fuselage by 20ft to get the 6X, creating its debut wide-body configuration, which has a wider floor and taller cabin than its competitors. Despite the extra girth, the 6X’s statistics are impressive: 5,500-nautical-mile range (delivering non-stop flights from Los Angeles to Geneva or São Paulo to London), 16-passenger capacity and maximum speed of Mach 0.9. The customisable cabin, divided into three zones, has 30 extra-large windows, a full galley and features such as a low-altitude pressurisation system and circadian- rhythm lights to mitigate jet lag. Fly-by- wire controls and an advanced situational- awareness system called Falcon Eye are the cockpit differentiators. Plus, the 6X has paved the way for an even larger wide- body, the ultra-long-range 10X, scheduled for delivery in 2027.
Best Turboprop: Piper M700 Fury
Piper has pumped its new flagship turboprop up a notch in power, giving the M700 the added range and climb rate—and just enough speed—that it needs to really compete in the category. The Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 moves the Fury to 700 shaft hp, clicking up to a top speed (at 28,000ft) of 301 knots true airspeed. Two vastly improved statistics: the climb rate jumps to 3,432ft per minute, while takeoff distance has been dialled back to 1,994ft. That means the M700 Fury closes the gap with its faster competitors—the Epic E1000 GX and Daher TBM 960—for up to US$1 million less, making it perfect for a couple or young family of four.
