Wanna choose a private jet for yourself? We’ll help you get started, this is an APERTUS breakdown. Learning about private jets can be quite an information overload – not to mention sieving through the different classes of jets and figuring out what are the differences between one another.
Private jets can be broken up into 7 primary classes, going from smallest to largest:
Very Light Jets
Light Jets
Midsize Jets
Super-Midsize Jets
Heavy Jets
Ultra-Long-Range Jets
Executive Airliners, also known as Bizliners
We will be going through a summary of key features of the jets from 1-6. As a general rule, the cabin and luggage space increases as you go down the list. If you’d like to find out more about the Bizliners, we will soon publish a separate article just on those, titled, ‘Size Matters’.
Cessna Mustang
Interior of Cessna Mustang
Very Light Jets
Key Features
Capacity: Up 4 passengers
Relatively low cost to operate
Relatively new class of aircraft and are fitted with the latest jet engine technology with fuel efficiency thus lowering costs
Cost-efficient way to transport multiple executives around the country for businesses
Perfect for quick, short trips; up to 3 hrs of non-stop flying
Can use shorter runways and fly to locations that are otherwise inaccessible for commercial airlines
More landing options especially in more remote areas thus getting you closer to your destination (eg. rural airports)
No room for a cabin attendant or lavatory
Popular Very Light Jets include the Cessna Mustang, Embraer Phenom 100 and Honda Hondajet.
Learjet 31A
Interior of Learjet 31A
Light Jets
Key Features
Capacity: Up to 6 passengers
Relatively low cost to operate
Up to 4h of non-stop flying
More landing options
Can be outfitted with a lavatory
Popular Light Jets include Cessna Citation CJ1/CJ2/Jet and Learjet 31A. Light jets provide similar benefits to the Very Light Jets like the lower cost and more landing options, except with a little more range and comfort.
Gulfstream G150
Interior of Gulfstream G150
Midsize Jets
Key Features
Capacity: Up to 7 passengers
Up to 5h of non-stop flying
More headroom and full standing capacity
Room for two pilots, a flight attendant, a service galley and a lavatory
Popular Midsize Jets include Gulfstream G150, Learjet 60 and Citation VII.
Bombardier Challenger 300
Interior of Bombardier Challenger 300
Super Midsize Jets
Key Features
Capacity: Up to 9 passengers
Up to 7h of non-stop flying
First-class seats, more spacious legroom, and pull-out tabletops
Room for walking
Popular Super Midsize Jets include Bombardier Challenger 300, Cessna Citation X and Learjet 45.
Gulfstream G450
Interior of Gulfstream G450
Heavy Jets
Key Features
Capacity: Up to 12 passengers
Up to 9h of non-stop flying
Wider and longer cabin size to maximize comfort and mobility
Room for separate sleeping areas
Allows the fixture of bulkhead doors to separate the cabin into compartments
Popular Heavy Jets include Bombardier Challenger 605, Gulfstream G450 and Embraer Legacy 600/650.
Gulfstream G550
Interior of Gulfstream G550
Ultra-Long-Range Jets
Key Features
Capacity: Up to 15 passengers
Up to 14h of non-stop flying
Room for separate workspace and bedroom
Additional crew rest space for an extra pilot during long haul flights
Are able to ascend higher than other private jets, with ceilings of 50,000 ft and above thus being able to avoid turbulence at a higher altitude
Popular Ultra-Long-Range Jets include Bombardier G6000, Gulfstream G550 and G650ER. Both the Heavy and Ultra-Long-Range Jets would have enough storage space for specialised equipment eg. sporting equipment, overnight bags, mobility devices etc.
If you’re still a bit confused about which jet would be best to charter, that’s absolutely fine and you have absolutely nothing to worry about. This is just a very quick summary of private jet classes to give you a general idea so that you can make better-informed requests, if any. Let the APERTUS team know of your needs and requests so that we can recommend and source the most suitable aircraft for you.