Tired of check-in queues? Go private

Roger Sperry says the Gulfstream G450 can fly from Auckland to Sydney in 2 hours 40 minutes. Picture / Greg Bowker

Stumped about what to do with that spare $50 million?

The answer may have just landed in the country.

Luxury jet aircraft Gulfstream G450 made a brief stop at Auckland Airport yesterday afternoon as part of an Asia-Pacific tour, the aircraft's makers having identified New Zealand as a potential market for the first time.

For $50 million, the buyer gets ample legroom, seats in a choice of leather or fabrics, pullout footrests, wool carpets and electric window shades.

There's a kitchen too - not that you'd have to prepare food yourself.

And you don't even have to share a loo with the help; the plane has two.

When you've got your own plane, even the air's fresher, courtesy of the 100 per cent fresh air system.

As one of the fastest jet planes in the world, the G450 can leave New Zealand and be in Sydney in 2 hours and 40 minutes - similar to a 747.

But $50 million doesn't buy you a pilot, co-pilot or flight attendant. The mandatory crew are extra.

Despite a projected economic downturn, Gulfstream's vice-president of international sales, Roger Sperry, was confident of the demand here.

He said security concerns had been driving sales since the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"You no longer stand in line for two hours at security or check-in."

The jet offered security plus confidentiality.