While many of us are used to flying modest private single-engine planes, there’s a whole other luxe pilot and aircraft owner life just waiting to be explored. Welcome to the world of private jets. Private jets offer a luxurious and convenient way to travel, allowing you to experience the ultimate in aviation.
Whether you are a business executive, a VIP, or an ordinary traveler who wants the best possible experience, private jets can get you to your destination quickly and in style. But not all private jets are created equal. There are many different categories of private jets, each offering different features and amenities.
Today we will explain the various types of private jets and the benefits of each. Whether your goal is to own or fly a private jet (or perhaps fly the private jet that you also own), we will walk you through your options while highlighting some of the most popular aircraft in each category.
First, let’s talk about the “why.”
Why a Private Jet?
All these incredible aircraft sound luxurious and glamorous, but you may be wondering, “Are there any practical reasons to own and fly a private jet or are jets simply a status symbol?
Private jets offer numerous benefits to travelers. They allow for faster travel, more privacy, and more comfort. Private jets also offer more convenience, as they don’t require you to wait in lines or deal with the hassles of commercial flights. This makes them perfect for busy executives or VIPs who need to get to their destination quickly and in style.
What is it like to be a private jet pilot?
As the pilot of a private jet, your schedule is often more fluid since depending on your contract, the aircraft owner can decide to make a flight at the last minute. On the upside, private jet pilots also can get to enjoy more downtime between flights while the owner conducts their business or enjoys a vacation.
Another potential bonus is that if you frequently fly for the same private jet owner, you’ll get to know them and develop a relationship that just isn’t possible as a commercial pilot transporting hundreds of passengers on each flight. Even if you fly for multiple owners, it will still be a very different experience from flying commercially.
How to Choose a Private Jet
When choosing a private jet (or helping your client shop for one), there are several factors to consider. First, you need to decide on the size of the jet. The category you choose will depend on variables like:
- The number of passengers
- The type and amount of cargo
- The distance of the trip
After the absolute essentials, you or your client can consider comfort amenities and features like:
- Preferred cabin height
- Entertainment systems
- WiFi
- Dining areas
- Full-service galleys
- Sleeping quarters
- Conference rooms
- Upgraded electronics
As a pilot deciding which private jet you’d like to fly, remember the larger the jet, the more spacious and modern the cockpit. The smallest jets will be single pilot, smaller cockpit, basic electronics configurations. By the time you slip behind the controls of an executive jet, you will have upgraded to the latest technology and creature comforts.
Very Light Jets (VLJs)
Very light jets (VLJs) or Compact Light Jets are the smallest, newest, and most affordable type of private jet to own and operate. They are typically used for short-distance flights, such as a quick business trip or a weekend getaway. These jets have a relatively small cabin, but they are still comfortable and luxurious with some (but not all) including amenities like an onboard lavatory.
VLJs are great for carrying light cargo, such as golf clubs or luggage for a weekend getaway. This category of private jet is popular with owner-operators since you don’t need a co-pilot onboard single-pilot-certified VLJs. You can also fly into locations with shorter runways that are inaccessible to larger jets.
The average range of a very light jet is 1,000 miles at speeds of up to 480 mph and a capacity of 4-6 passengers.
Some of the most popular VLJs include the Cessna Citation Mustang, the Embraer Phenom 100, the Stratos 714m, the Cirrus Vision SF50, and the Cirrus Vision Jet G1/G2.
Light Jets
Light jets are a very broad category (in fact, you’ll sometimes see this group broken down further into “small light jets” and “super light jets.” Light jets offer a slightly larger cabin and more range than the very light category, while still preserving the freedom to land at smaller airports with shorter runways.
Light jets are perfect for short-to-mid-distance trips carrying light cargo. You won’t have a full-height standing-room cabin in this category of jet, but you will find upgraded amenities like reclining seats, air conditioning, and some electronics. Some of the most popular light jets include the Embraer Phenom 300 / 300E, the Hawker 400XP, the Citation CJ4, the Cirrus SR22, and the HondaJet.
Midsize Jets (MSJ)
The midsize jet category’s increased size comes with a corresponding jump in range. They are perfect for long-distance trips and can carry more cargo than their smaller counterparts. A MSJ easily has the range to support coast-to-coast US travel as well as flights across mainland Europe without the need for refueling stops.
If being able to stand up in the cabin of the jet is an important feature, you will want to consider midsize and larger jets. In additional to taller, wider cabins, and amenities like a guaranteed lavatory, passengers on midsize jets will enjoy the comfort of a pressurized cabin as they are flown to their destination by a crew of two pilots.
Once you upgrade to the midsize category, you’ll find additional cabin features like a service galley staffed by a flight attendant, Wi-Fi and phone capabilities, and perhaps even an enclosed shower and fold-out couches.
Midsize jets can accommodate 5-10 passengers with a range of 2,000 to 3,000 miles and speeds of 430 to 480 mph.
Some of the most popular midsize jets include the Bombardier Challenger 300, the Gulfstream G200, the Gulfstream Legacy 600. The Cessna Citation X, the Cessna Sovereign, the Cessna Latitude, the Cessna Longitude, the Embraer Legacy, and the Embraer Praetor.
Super Midsize Jets
Super midsize jets (SMSJs) are the largest of the midsize jets. They offer more cabin space, more range, and more amenities than the other midsize jets making them ideal for long-distance trips with cargo. SMSJs are one of the most popular private jet categories because they hit the sweet spot of larger cabin comfort with reasonable operating costs.
Super mid-size jets typically hold 8-10 passengers, have a range of 3,400 to 3,600 nautical miles and travel at speeds of 490 to 607 mph.
Some of the most popular SMSJs include the Bombardier Challenger 350, the Gulfstream G280, and the Legacy 450.
Heavy Jets
Heavy jets, or large jets, offer expansive cabin space, range, and amenities. Heavy jets are perfect for long trips thanks to their enhanced fuel capacity, luxurious cabins, and significant cargo carrying capacity.
When flying aboard a large jet, you’ll enjoy spacious legroom, large comfortable seating, pull-out tabletops, Wi-Fi, and even full in-flight catering provided by two flight attendants.
Heavy jets carry 10+ passengers, have a range of 4,000 miles and travel at speeds of 490 to 607 mph.
Some of the most popular heavy jets include the Bombardier Global Express, the Gulfstream G650, and the Embraer Lineage 1000.
Executive Liners “aka Bizliners”
Executive liners (or bizliners) are the most luxurious and largest of the private jets. They are essentially converted commercial airliners built with the most cabin space, the most range, and can house the most amenities.
These highly-customizable jets are often built out to include dedicated work spaces and conference rooms for productivity along with a robust and luxurious cabin for comfort. A full-service galley and service is standard onboard.
Executive liners are perfect for long-distance intercontinental travel and can carry an average of 10-18 passengers in style. Range is a minimum of 6,000 miles at cruising speeds of 480 to 560 mph.
Some of the most popular executive liners include the Airbus ACJ318, the Boeing BBJ 787, and the Bombardier Global 7500.
Note: Aircraft like the Gulfstream G650ER, the Bombardier Global 6000, the Embraer Legacy 500E can fall under the executive liner category, though you’ll sometimes see jet chartering companies refer to them as “ultra-long-range heavy jets.”
It’s Your Turn
Now that you know all about the different types of private jets, which category would you most enjoy piloting or flying aboard? Whether you like a VLJ for a quick business trip, an ULR for a long-distance journey, or an executive liner for the ultimate in luxury, we’d love to hear which private jet would be perfect for you.
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