From very light jets (VLJs) up to heavy jets and executive airliners, there are plenty of different jets to choose from. Whether you’re looking to charter for a golfing weekend, business meeting or holiday of a lifetime, we’ve put them into some simple categories to help you find your ideal private jet to charter.
Types of Private Jets and their amenities: Which Private Jet is right for you?
From very light jets (VLJs) up to heavy jets and executive airliners, there are plenty of different jets to choose from. Whether you’re looking to charter for a golfing weekend, business meeting or holiday of a lifetime, we’ve put them into some simple categories to help you find your ideal private jet to charter.
Very Light Jets
What is a very light jet?
VLJs are relatively new to private aviation and simply offer an alternative to piston and turboprop aircraft for ultra-short-haul journeys of up to roughly five hours, on a budget. Typical VLJS include: the Cessna Citation Mustang, the Raytheon Hawker 400XP and the Embraer Phenom 100.
Why would you choose a very light jet?
Cheaper to run than their standard private jet counterparts and able to use shorter runways, they’re popular with both personal use as well as use as a point-to-point air taxi.
What is the range of a very light jet?
Depending on the VLJ you can expect a range of between 1000-1500 miles, so roughly the distance from London to St Petersburg or Dallas to New York.
Below are the stats for one of the most popular jets in this category, the Cessna Citation Mustang
| PASSENGERS | 4 |
| RANGE | 2161 KM / 1342 MILES |
| LUGGAGE SPACE | 1.78 M / 5'10" |
| LAVATORY | NO |
| FLIGHT ATTENDANT | NO |
| PRESSURISED CABIN | NO |
| SPEED | 630 KMH / 391 MPH |
| FLIGHT TIME IN HOURS | 2 HOURS* |
Light Jets
What is a light jet?
Light Jets offer seating capacity of up to 8 passengers. Designed for shorter, regional flights, most Light Jets have limited movement throughout the cabin and are equipped with an enclosed or curtained lavatory. Some of the most popular models for business travellers are the Bombardier Learjet 35, Cessna Citation CJ2 and Dassault Falcon 10.
Why would you choose a light jet?
Most will carry up to eight passengers and with a range of hold-size options, they are most cost effective than their larger counterparts but still have good range.
What is the range of a light jet?
Most light jets can travel between 1500-2000 miles, so roughly the distance from Palm Beach to Teterboro or London to Rhodes.
Below are the stats for one of the most popular jets in this category, the Cessna Citation CJ2
| PASSENGERS | 6 |
| RANGE | 2863 KM / 1778 MILES |
| LUGGAGE SPACE | 1.66 M / 5'5" |
| LAVATORY | NO |
| FLIGHT ATTENDANT | NO |
| PRESSURISED CABIN | NO |
| SPEED | 759 KMH / 471 MPH |
| FLIGHT TIME IN HOURS | 2.5-3 HOURS* |
Mid-Size Jets
What is a mid-size jet?
With a typical seating capacity of 7 to 8 passengers, ample room to move around the cabin and a fully enclosed lavatory, the Mid-Size Jet offers an outstanding value for 4-5 hour journeys.
Why would you choose a mid-size jet?
A more efficient alternative to the larger heavy jets, their lower operating costs along with ample luggage compartments, fold out divans and enclosed bathrooms make them a popular choice.
What is the range of a mid-size jet?
The range of a mid-size jet is roughly 2000-3000 miles, or the distance between Teterboro and Van Nuys or Munich and Dubai.
Below are the stats for one of the most popular jets in this category, the Hawker 800XP
| PASSENGERS | 8 |
| RANGE | 4752 KM / 2935 MILES |
| LUGGAGE SPACE | 1.53 M / 5'0" |
| LAVATORY | YES |
| FLIGHT ATTENDANT | YES |
| PRESSURISED CABIN | YES |
| SPEED | 745 KMH / 462 MPH |
| FLIGHT TIME IN HOURS | 4.5-5 HOURS* |
Heavy Jets
What is a heavy jet?
With a maximum capacity of 18 passengers and range of 6+ hours, heavy jets are the perfect aircraft for transcontinental flights. High ceilings allow for free, comfortable movement around the cabin. Heavy Jets also feature the convenience of a fully enclosed lavatory. Plus, a flight attendant is on board to accommodate every in-flight request. This is the ultimate in private air travel.
Why would you choose a heavy jet?
Heavy jets are luxurious with stand-up cabins, plenty of passenger and baggage capacity as well as lie-flat beds, enclosed bathrooms and a flight attendant to take care of your every whim.
What is the range of a heavy jet?
Heavy jets connect continents with ease, with cruise speeds significantly higher than smaller, lighter jets. Range – Miami to Ibiza.
Below are the stats for one of the most popular jets in this category, the Falcon 2000
| PASSENGERS | 10 |
| RANGE | 7400 KM / 4598 MILES |
| LUGGAGE SPACE | 5.21 M / 17'1" |
| LAVATORY | YES |
| FLIGHT ATTENDANT | YES |
| PRESSURISED CABIN | YES |
| SPEED | 791 KMH / 491 MPH |
| FLIGHT TIME IN HOURS | 6-6.5 HOURS* |
Ultra-Long Range Heavy Jets
What is an ultra-long range heavy jet?
Ultra-long-range heavy jets dominate the top echelon of the air charter market. Always the flagship aircraft of their respective manufacturers, they offer exceptional speed and power capabilities, with ultra-long ranges that can connect virtually any two cities in the world.
Why would you choose an ultra-long range heavy jet?
On board, meeting spaces and private suites, well-appointed galleys, entertainment systems and state-of-the-art connectivity allow travellers to make the most of every moment in flight.
What is the range of an ultra-long range heavy jet?
An ultra-long range heavy jet, as the name would suggest, is made for those journeys that require a little longer in the air, such as those from San Francisco to Hong Kong pr London to Kuala Lumpur.
Below are the stats for one of the most popular jets in this category, the Bombardier Global XRS 6000
| PASSENGERS | 16 |
| RANGE | 11390 KM / 7077 MILES |
| LUGGAGE SPACE | 5.24 M / 17'2" |
| LAVATORY | YES |
| FLIGHT ATTENDANT | YES |
| PRESSURISED CABIN | YES |
| SPEED | 907 KMH / 563 MPH |
| FLIGHT TIME IN HOURS | 10.5-11 HOURS* |
Executive Airliners
What is an executive airliner?
Executive airliners are well and truly in a class of their own, catering for the most eminent of clients on intercontinental routes.
Why would you choose an executive airliner?
With onboard conference centres, lounge areas, private bedrooms with stand-up showers and high-spec galleys, both functionality and luxury meet the most demanding of expectations. For added privacy, executive airliners often have corridors and completely separate rooms, meaning travellers can work or rest uninterrupted.
What is the range of an executive airliner?
Executive airliners are pretty unlimited when it comes to range, and can make transatlantic journeys such as London to Los Angeles with ease.
Below are the stats for one of the most popular jets in this category, the Airbus A319/ACJ
| PASSENGERS | FROM 19 UP TO 48 |
| RANGE | 9100 KM / 5654 MILES |
| LUGGAGE SPACE | 8.4 M / 27'6" |
| LAVATORY | YES |
| FLIGHT ATTENDANT | YES |
| PRESSURISED CABIN | YES |
| SPEED | 850 KMH / 528 MPH |
| FLIGHT TIME IN HOURS | 5-6 HOURS FOR VIP CONFIG, 4-4.5 FOR STANDARD CONFIG* |
*Please note max flight time is heavily subject to passenger weights, payload, winds on the day of the flight etc. All flight times have been based on travellers travelling lightly.
Planning a trip via private jet charter? Air Charter Service has you covered, no matter where, how or what you’re flying. Contact us via our website to find out more about our bespoke private jet rental services.