What's inside Lionel Messi's luxurious private jet

After scoring a hat-trick at the FIFA World Cup last week, Lionel Messi continues to excel as captain of the Argentina national team. The Inter Miami star is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having also played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. 

With an estimated net worth of around $500 million, it is no surprise that he and his family travel in their own private jet.

No stranger to private jets

Owning a private jet gives Messi the flexibility to travel wherever he wants while saving time by using smaller airports. It also allows him to spend more time with his family and maintain privacy during journeys. Messi and his family own a Gulfstream V aircraft, registration LV-IRQ, built in 2004.

Messi bought the aircraft in 2018 for an estimated $15 million. He previously owned an Embraer Legacy 650 worth $35 million. Registered in Argentina, the Gulfstream V is known for its reliability, performance and long range, making it a suitable choice for the football star.

Lionel Messi inside his private jet. Photo: Instagram

The aircraft has a top speed of Mach 0.885 and a range of 7,480 miles, allowing it to fly routes such as Miami to Buenos Aires or North America to Europe without difficulty. It has 14 leather seats that can be converted into seven lie-flat beds. After the purchase, Central Jets refurbished the aircraft, upgrading both its interior and exterior.

City pairs that the Gulfstream GV can fly include: Tokyo to Los Angeles; Auckland to San Francisco; Denver to Beijing and Miami to Paris.

The aircraft also carries personal touches. The number 10 appears on the tail, reflecting Messi's famous shirt number, while the names of his wife, Antonella, and their three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, are engraved on the steps. These details highlight the importance of family in Messi's life.

The aircraft is usually based at San Fernando Airport near Buenos Aires and is operated by private charter company Flyzar. It is believed that Messi also leases it out when it is not in use, helping to offset operating and purchase costs.

In the cabin

Inside, the cabin is divided into three zones with club seating for dining, meetings and entertainment. There are two enclosed lavatories with vanity units, one of which includes a wardrobe and shower. A full-size galley contains a convection oven, microwave, sink, coffee maker and chiller cabinet. There is also a walk-in baggage compartment at the rear.

Inside, the cabin is divided into three zones with club seating for dining, meetings and entertainment. Photo: Simple Flying 

The aircraft includes a crew rest area, Wi-Fi throughout and a rear divan that converts into a bed. A pocket door can create a private suite, while another separates the galley from the cabin. Large oval windows provide natural light and panoramic views. The aircraft also features 100 per cent fresh air circulation, satellite phones, surround-sound entertainment and large monitors.

The original Gulfstream V used the Honeywell SPZ-8500 avionics suite with six displays. It was later upgraded to the lighter PlaneView system, based on Honeywell's Primus Epic suite, and includes Gulfstream's Enhanced Vision System, which improves visibility in poor weather conditions.

Performance

Maximum speed: Mach 0.88

Range: 7,500 miles (12,000km) with four crew and eight passengers

Endurance: 14 hours 28 minutes

Service ceiling: 51,000ft (16,000m)

Cruise speed: Mach 0.83 (882km/h)

Normal cruise range: 5,500 nautical miles (10,186km) with five crew and 12 passengers

Take-off distance: 6,100ft (1,900m)

Climb rate: 4,188ft per minute (21.28m/s)

Ceiling: 51,000ft (16,000m)

The aircraft also carries personal touches as the number 10 appears on the tail, reflecting Messi's famous shirt number. Photo: Instagram

Aircraft facts and figures

The Gulfstream V was introduced in 1997 as an upgraded version of the Gulfstream IV and competed with Bombardier's Global Express. It first flew in November 1995, received FAA certification in April 1997 and entered service in June that year. Gulfstream produced 193 aircraft before developing the later G550 model.

Compared with its rival, the Gulfstream V offers greater range, lower cabin noise, better fuel efficiency and strong reliability. It can fly up to 12,500km non-stop.

The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR700-710-A1-10 turbofan engines, each producing 15,000lb of thrust. It also carries 12,000lb more fuel than the Gulfstream IV and has a fuselage seven feet longer. According to Global Air, a used Gulfstream V is now worth around $9.75 million, compared with its original price of $45 million. Charter rates range from $5,200 to $10,000 per flight hour.

Operating costs

According to Liberty Jet, annual operating costs range from about $1.8 million to $3 million, depending on usage. These include fuel, maintenance and engine overhaul costs, as well as crew salaries, insurance and management fees.

Besides private owners, Gulfstream V aircraft are used by military and government operators worldwide. The US Air Force uses them for VIP transport, while the Israeli Ministry of Defence and Japan Coast Guard operate specially configured versions. The National Centre for Atmospheric Research also uses one for environmental studies.

Private jets help professional footballers meet sporting and business commitments around the world. Messi also uses the aircraft for family holidays and occasionally lends it to relatives, friends and teammates.

The jet features 16 seats that can be turned into eight beds. Photo: Simple Flying

The aircraft can no longer be publicly tracked, ensuring greater privacy and confidentiality during travel. This may be linked to previous public criticism over his use of private jets.

Away from football, Messi has earned substantial income through sponsorship deals with Adidas and Pepsi. He also owns luxury cars, including a Ferrari F430 Spider, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale, Mini Cooper and three Audi models. He is also rumoured to own a superyacht and seven hotels in Europe in partnership with Majestic Hotels, valued at around $232 million.

Other famous Gulfstream V owners include entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks co-owner Mark Cuban, actor Jim Carrey, musicians P Diddy and Jay-Z, singer Lady Gaga and billionaire Elon Musk.