Choosing which aircraft you fancy for your next trip is what private aviation is all about. The list of options is quite lengthy and can seem overwhelming for anyone new to this mode of transport.
Every route has an aeroplane that will best suit it; therefore, pairing the right plane with your flight is vital. Most private charters should help you choose the right aircraft for you, but familiariaing yourself with your options is always good. Below are some of the most common pairings in private aviation.
Turboprops
Turboprops use jet engines with a propeller that spins the engine turbines. This kind of aircraft is most commonly used for regional travel and can last up to 4 hours in the air without any stops. Turboprops are popular with charter services when travelling between small islands, provincial cities, or multiple-stop tours.
Why not consider the Cirrus SR-22? This aircraft will take three to four people and deliver them to a remote location in no time. The SR22 is a four-seat, single-engine composite aircraft. It has a greater wingspan, more fuel space, and a more powerful (231 kW) engine than the SR20 model. The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System is perhaps the aircraft’s most notable feature.
Light Jets
Lights jets are a go-to for business professionals and leisure travellers looking to do some regional travel. These jets can seat around seven people and can travel up to 3 hours tops or 1500 miles.
Our choice in this category would be the Gulfstream G100. The G100, despite being known as a super-light aircraft, has a long range and can comfortably fly nonstop from Seattle to New York and Singapore to Tokyo. Many G100s in the broader charter market have recently fitted interiors and still offer robust charter solutions in some regions, despite their age.
Mid-Size Jets
Mid-size jets are better for longer flights than the high-efficiency business trips travellers may be required to go on. These jets have full-sized cabins with enough standing room, private restroom facilities, and seating for up to seven people. These jets are most common when looking at continental chartering.
This form of flight may be slightly pricier than others, but the range and comfort you get make it well worth the added expense. The typical range of a mid-size jet is roughly 2500 miles or five hours of flying time. Consider the Embraer Legacy 500 for this category.
The Legacy 500 was recently introduced into service to fill the void between the smaller 450 and the larger 600. It boasts an impressive range (nearly 30% more than the 450) as well as a more extended cabin. The Legacy 500 is an excellent choice for any medium-haul trip, thanks to its impressive features and luxurious interior.
Super Mid-Size Jets
If you’re planning a big family trip or are looking for more space on your next trip, super mid-size jets are a significant step up from standard-sized jets. The cabin space is significantly more extensive, and the increase in range is something to note.
An executive jet of this sort can travel around 3000 miles, with flight times ranging from six to seven hours. This level of jet is best for coast-to-coast travel and transcontinental travel.
Heavy Jets
Heavy jets are the perfect choice for those looking to do some light transatlantic or transcontinental travel. These planes carry up to 18 people and can travel for around seven to ten hours at a time. The cabins are more extensive and allow for unrestricted movement. These jets traditionally come with two sections, one for relaxing and one for more privacy while resting.
Heavy jets can travel over 3000 miles and are built to handle almost anything. These jets have a high demand and are one of the highest output categories. When looking to travel further and for longer, this jet will be your best choice and will get you there in style, safely and more importantly, on time. These planes are often used when travelling between major cities and often cross the route of New York (Teterboro, KTEB) to London (Luton, EGGW) or Palm Beach (West Palm Beach, KPBI) to London (Biggin Hill, EGGB).
You can consider a Bombardier Global 5000 if you and your team must take a long trip that requires space to work while travelling. The Global 5000 is based on the Bombardier Global Express, but with a shorter cabin and a shorter range. It is still capable of flying from Paris to Chicago and London to Mumbai. The Global 5000’s cabin is exceptionally silent, with one of the tallest cross-sections in the heavy jet category and seating for up to 17 passengers. A private stateroom is available in certain configurations, allowing you to be at your most rested or efficient.
Long-Range Jets
Also known as ultra-long-range, this private jet class is ideal for those looking to travel extreme distances quickly. The aircraft traditionally comes with one of the most spacious and luxurious interiors and feels like a hotel room in the sky with decorated interiors and plenty of facilities to enjoy.
The jet will hold up to 18 passengers and fly anywhere between 12 and 14 hours runway to the destination, flying an average of 5500 miles. Some of the most common routes travelled using these jets include New York (KTEB) to Buenos Aires (SABE, EZE) and Palm Beach (West Palm Beach, KPBI) to Moscow (Vnukovo, UUWW).
So if you’re looking for a luxurious premium experience on your next vacation or want to avoid sitting in economy with screaming children and toilets flushing every 15 minutes, hiring a private jet may be the answer.
When looking at jets, keep in mind that the more people or the more luggage you’re looking to take, the shorter the range of the aircraft will be. Another thing to take into consideration is the 20 min fuel stop that flying privately entails.
There are so many options to suit every travel need you may have. If it’s a quick trip home for that dreaded family reunion or a trip to the other side of the world for that destination wedding your sister always dreamed of, hiring a private jet will help you arrive refreshed and on time. And what’s great is there’s no more queueing for your seat or arguing over who gets the window.