​​When you're on the road for months and play across continents, travelling to golf events can be a bit of a hassle. For instance, Arnold Palmer recognized it back in 1966, flying his own Aero Commander 500 to events. And nearly six decades later, most golfers have embraced that tradition, putting their millions in prize money into private jets. Rory McIlroy’s no different. 

He spends nearly ten months every season competing across North America, Europe, and occasionally stops in the Middle East. That schedule demands long flights, tight turnarounds, and constant movement between continents. During those years, McIlroy relied on a Bombardier Challenger 605 to travel in comfort while maintaining his tournament routine

While he no longer owns the aircraft, moving onto a Gulfstream 650, the jet played a key role in helping him move quickly during the busiest periods of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour seasons.

Bombardier Challenger 605

With almost 300 aircraft delivered during its production run, the Challenger 605 became one of the most trusted business jets in the heavy jet category.

The 605 was introduced in 2006 as an update to the Challenger 604 and remained in production until 2015. It featured redesigned windows that provided 30 percent more natural light, a wider cabin than several competitors, and improved onboard comfort standards for long-haul travel.

Cost

The price varied based on configuration, age, and usage history.

A new Challenger 605 could cost up to $27 million (€25m) while older models on the pre-owned market typically sold for around $15 million (€13.5m).

McIlroy was understood to have used a high specification model during his peak travel years, placing it toward the upper end of the pricing range for its time.

The luxuries on board

The Challenger 605 could carry up to 12 passengers in a wide, spacious cabin that made transatlantic flights easier for athletes and their teams.

The jet featured enlarged windows, LED lighting throughout the cabin and multiple seating layouts. Several seats were converted into five beds, making overnight jumps between America and Europe far more comfortable. 

The main cabin could be configured for meeting space, dining or rest. A forward galley allowed hot and cold meals to be prepared during longer flights. Two lavatories and upgraded acoustical insulation made the aircraft quieter compared to earlier Challenger models.

Even though the Challenger 605 is no longer produced, the model continues to be flown worldwide by charter operators because of its reliability and cabin comfort.

McIlroy’s Latest Upgrade After the Challenger 605

After moving on from the Challenger 605, Rory upgraded to a Gulfstream G650, which he purchased in late 2024 after his win at Augusta. He acquired a 2022 model, placing the price near the €50 million mark. The switch reflected the growing demands of his schedule as he continued to travel across multiple continents each season.

The G650 offered longer range, faster travel times, and more space than the Challenger, making it a natural progression for a player who balances tournaments, commercial commitments, and family travel throughout the year.

Though after the upgrade, he has admitted that flying in a private jet weighs on him. The realization struck him when he solo-travelled back home privately after winning in Shanghai, he said, “And I just got this massive sense of guilt come over me, just because this can’t be good and all that sort of stuff.” That moment led him to contact the GEO Foundation, an organisation that works on sustainability efforts within golf. McIlroy now pays around $150,000 (£110,000) a year to offset his carbon footprint, a step he takes out of responsibility rather than image.

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu