Most people consider business / private jets to be a status symbol for the wealthy and famous. However, they are more often than not used in the business world to reduce travel time and increase productivity. Depending on the type of aircraft, they can offer a quiet and comfortable work environment while en route and enable executives to arrive at their destinations faster.
In the world of corporate aviation there is a jet for every occasion: fast, long range and luxurious. The different types of aircrafts can be divided into 8 categories:
Very Light Jets (VLJs)
VLJs also know as Compact Light Jets, are the smallest types of private jets. Their cabins seat four to five people. Most are fitted with FADEC and glass cockpits. Examples are the Eclipse 500/550, HondaJet, Embraer Phenom 100, Cessna Citation Mustang, and the Cirrus Jet.
Small Light Jets
Small light jets have more room between seats and a small lavatory area and can comfortably seat between six to eight people. Examples are Hawker 400XP, the Cessna Citation CJ2, and the Dassault Falcon 10.
Super Light Jets
Super-light jet can carry between eight and eleven passengers. Depending on the model their range can be up to 2,000 nautical miles. Examples of super light jets include the Gulfstream G100, Embraer Phenom 300, and the Cessna Citation XLS.
Midsize Cabin Jets
Midsize cabin jets can operate transcontinental flights in North America as their range exceeds 2,000 nautical miles. These jets are usually equipped with a flight attendant who provides meal service, as well as safety functions in the event of an emergency. Examples of midsize cabin jets are the Gulfstream G150, Cessna Citation Latitude, and the Learjet 60.
Super Midsize Cabin Jets
Super midsize jets have a range in excess of 3,500 nautical miles (over seven hours). They can house between ten and twelve passengers and have a more luxurious cabin. Compared to heavy jets they are
less expensive to operate, while being able to cross oceans and continents. They feature enhanced avionics which enables a quieter operation, while delivering greater speed and range. Examples of super-midsize cabin jets include the Gulfstream G200, Cessna Citation Sovereign, and the Bombardier Challenger 350.
Heavy Jets
Heavy jets are designed for the highest level of comfort on long haul flights. They can carry between ten and twenty passengers and have an average range of 4,000 nautical miles. They are fitted with fully enclosed lavatories and full-sized galleys. Examples of heavy jets are the Gulfstream G350, Bombardier Challenger 605, and Dassault Falcon 900.
Ultra-Long Range Heavy Jets
Ultra-long range jets are capable of making non-stop ocean crossings. Some models, like the G700, have a range of 7,500 nautical miles. Most ultra-long range jets feature staterooms for passengers to rest on long flights and many feature crew rest areas. Examples are the Gulfstream G500, G550, G600, G650, and G700, the Dassault Falcon 7X, and Bombardier Global 6000.
Executive Airliners
An Executive Airliner is an airliner which has been converted for private or executive use. They are either purpose-built by the factory or converted after they have been retired from airline use. Featuring a high level of customization, these are the most expensive private jets on the market. Depending on how the aircraft is customized, it can seat around nine-teen to forty-eight passengers.
As these business jets can navigate higher altitudes, they can operate in most weather conditions and cover great distances, making them the ideal choice for intercontinental flights or trips that last up to 10 hours or more without a stopover. Examples of executive airliners: Airbus ACJ380, Airbus ACJ319, Boeing B747-8 and Boeing BBJ.
Rest assured that every occasion can be outfitted with the right corporate jet!
