Whether you are an experienced and frequent flyer using the various types of private jets available on the market, or if you are new to the experience but interested in finding out what is the best aircraft to book for your on-demand charter experience, we try and break down some of the classifications of jet aircraft available.
Large, Medium and Small Cabin Aircraft
In broader terms, jet aircraft can be classified into many basic categories and these are based on values such as the maximum passenger capacity, the aircraft’s range, and the size of the aircraft. The core three categories we will focus on are:
- Small & Light Jets
- Mid-size Business Jets
- Large & Long-Range Jets
There are also much larger executive airliners (sometimes known as bizliners) which for example are Airbus corporate jets and Boeing business jets.
Small cabin charter aircraft can comfortably carry 4-8 passengers and as these are ideal for shorter trips, the flying time is up to 3 hours.
Midsize cabin jets usually accommodate up to 8 passengers and the types of aircraft –would have a travel range of up to 5 hours or 2,200 miles.
Terms such as large cabin aircraft tend to apply to larger aircraft such as heavy jets, and heavy cabin jets. The term deceived capacity for as many as 18 passengers and the aircraft could cover flights of up to 12 hours or 9,500 kilometres, and onboard the passengers might enjoy sleeping configurations in these aircraft, an enclosed lavatory, or even a full kitchen.
Find out more about the private jets of choice of the world’s billionaires and most famous football players.
Small and Light Jets
The smaller light jets (sometimes referred to as Compact Light Jets) are some of the most commonly chartered aircraft and are ideally suited for short-haul flights. These jets also are a perk for business travellers as they offer the flexibility and options of using less busy airports compared to large commercial airports.
These are also popular for business services and small cabin-sized aircraft could include the Turboprop aircraft which easily can take off and land on shorter runways than many other larger jet aircraft.
Smaller types of aircraft are affordable but provide the needed comforts and are well suited for short runways. The aircraft can cover distances of 1,000-1,200 miles and around a 3-hour flight time while still carrying reasonable baggage capacity.
Some of these jets could include an onboard lavatory and even with a 2-3-hour flight, they can be used for intracontinental routes with comfortable single-row seating.
This class of aircraft is popular among business jet manufacturers like Beechcraft, Learjet, and Cessna Citation.
Some specific examples are the Bombardier Learjet 35, and the Cessna Citation II which can reach 2,000 miles or the Embraer Phenom 300, which provides a spacious cabin in this category as well as fantastic luggage space in its class. The Gulfstream G100 has even a great range of up to 3,000 miles.
Mid-size Jets
Mid-size aircraft can offer more luxurious features but still offer great value for charter experiences that require a decent flight range, and comfort so these aircraft can cover short and long-haul flights with flights up to five to seven hours. The passenger capacity is larger too, with these aircraft carrying up to 9-11 passengers and are a great option for short-haul and long-haul flights.
Benefits over smaller light aircraft might include larger luggage compartments and stand-up cabins as well as seating for more passengers and even customisable cabin layouts. This is also the first size of aircraft which may offer flight attendant services.
The Hawker Beechcraft 900XP, which can seat nine passengers in a spacious cabin, can also cover a range of 3,242 miles. The more luxurious Cessna Citation Excel meanwhile, remains a popular mid-size jet which can carry up to 9 passengers in comfort and covers 3,889 kilometres (2,100 nm) - meaning it's suitable for intercontinental trips.
Super-mid-size jets could offer a superior range, size, and most likely some additional features compared to smaller categorised aircraft mentioned before which may include, for example, a larger cabin, onboard Wi-Fi, and even offer a quieter and more comfortable flight overall due to the technology found on these aircraft (The Cessna Citation X is a great example).
This class includes the Hawker 1000, Gulfstream G200, Falcon 50, Legacy 500, Citation Latitude, and Citation X.
Bombardier announced the Challenger 3500 Super-midsize Jet which is due to enter service in late 2022!
Large and Long Range Charter Jets
This category of charter jets (also known as king-size) tends to be the most luxurious and advanced so passengers can expect to find stand-up cabins, ample space, incredibly comfortable chairs, enclosed bathrooms, the option for lie-flat beds, or even premium entertainment facilities with business suite amenities such a phone, Wi-Fi and more.
The category includes Ultra-long-range jets and all of the planes in this category more than likely will include inflight attendants which won't be found on smaller categories of aircraft. In essence, these private jets offer the ultimate privacy and exclusivity in on-demand charter travel.
The Bombardier Global 5000 is yet another popular example and can easily and comfortably accommodate 17 passengers while reaching massive flying ranges of up to 5,500 miles.
The luxurious Gulfstream V can even carry 16 passengers but reach 7,300 miles and even extends into the ultra-long-range category of heavy jets but still offers luxurious comfort with a three-zone cabin for working, entertaining or dining for all of the party on board.
- The newly announced Bombardier Global 8000 promises to offer an even better flying experience in this category and will be in the market in 2025.
- Falcon 10X is an Ultra-Long Range private jet which launched in 2021 and has a range of 7500 miles (over 13.500 KM).
- The Dassault Falcon 6x is yet another new aircraft coming online soon and will target long-range missions that typically take between 10 – 12 hours and is due to enter service at the end of 2025.
Choosing The Right Jet Charter For Your Trip
It is important to select the right jet aircraft for your trip, and you want to make sure the selected aircraft has the right capacity, technology, range and other factors to consider. Our team at YUGO is on hand to help you make the best choices to suit your trip of course and not every private aircraft can offer the same thing.
Depending on the size of the boarding party, the destination, and even the amenities needed on board for the duration of the trip (are in-flight business calls planned, do you need somewhere to sleep?), you might also need to consider what is best for a quick domestic or regional city-hop or short-haul flight.
Finding the best solution to provide the most cost-effective, efficient or luxurious aircraft is important when selecting a private jet charter, and knowing what type of private jet best suits your needs and comforts.
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