Trying to find the best private jet on the market is hard. To help clear up some of the confusion, we take a look at some of the most popular private jets in the world.
What are the world's most popular private jets?
With every aerospace manufacturer claiming to produce the finest aircraft, it can be hard to identify the best private jet on the market, especially when you take your personal preferences and itinerary into account.
To help clear up some of the confusion, we take a look at some of the world’s most popular private jets in different categories and explore what makes them so sought-after.
Single-engine turboprops – Pilatus PC-12
According to Business Jet Traveller’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Survey, 61% of private jet users looking for a single-engine turboprop would choose a Pilatus PC-12.
This versatile aircraft is prized for its 1,800-nautical-mile range, spacious cabin and comparatively low operating costs (30-60% less than rival twin-engined jets and turboprops).
In its standard configuration, the PC-12 has space for two crew members and nine passengers. A high-lift wing allows for exceptional short-field takeoff and landing performance, while the plane’s landing gear can operate on grass, gravel, dirt and paved runways. The PC-12 is even certified to fly into known icy conditions.
Other popular private jets in this class include the Cessna Caravan, Daher TBM 900 and Piper M600. Contact one of our specialists today to charter any of these aircraft.
Twin turboprops – Beechcraft King Air 200
Beechcraft’s King Air private jets are among the most popular twin turboprops, with the King Air 200 one of the manufacturer’s most famous models. This twin-engined turboprop plane features the same fuselages as the preceding King Air 100, with a host of modifications including a new T-tail on the redesigned rear fuselage.
The King Air 200 has an impressive 1,580-nautical-mile range and can fly eight passengers in double-quick time, shaving hours off your journey. Its state-of-the-art cabin is one of the largest in its class, making it a great choice for both leisure private jet charters and private business travel.
Corporate travellers should also consider the King Air 350 and 350i, which feature built-in hideaway executive work tables, electric outlets at every seat and LED reading and table lights. With an ability to fly up to 14,000 nautical miles non-stop with eight passengers on board, the aircraft provides optimal performance for a turboprop. The plane can also take off from shorter runways with ease and has an impressive payload capacity of 1,154 kg (2,545 lb).
For more leading twin turboprops, check out the Piaggio P.180 Avanti and Nextant G90XT. To charter any of these private jets, contact one of our specialists today.
View the Beechcraft King Air 350i Showcase Video below. (Courtesy of Beechcraft)
Very light jets – Embraer Phenom 100
Embraer’s Phenom 100 is one of the Brazilian manufacturer’s most successful private jets. The intelligently designed and compact executive jet comfortably seats four passengers, with an optional side-facing seat and belted toilet allowing for seven travellers with a single crew.
The aircraft’s sleek interior boasts the largest windows in its category, a rear private lavatory and a surprisingly large baggage hold, as well as space to store coats and laptops. With a range of 1,178 nautical miles, the Phenom 100 can easily complete journeys such as New York to Miami, São Paulo to Buenos Aires and London to Ibiza.
Alternative very light jets include the Cirrus Vision SF50, Honda Aircraft HondaJet and Eclipse 550. Contact us today to learn more about chartering one of these private jets.
Light jets – Embraer Phenom 300
Another Embraer aircraft to top the list is Phenom 300, which Business Jet Traveller readers named their most popular light jet in 2021.
This twin-engined cantilever monoplane typically seats seven people, but its flexible configuration means an extra chair or divan can be added to accommodate eight passengers plus the pilot and co-pilot.
The Phenom 300’s spacious and high-ceilinged interior is designed for comfort and entertainment. The leather chairs can fully recline, swivel, move forward and back, and control cabin temperature (VIP chair only). The entertainment system includes a 10.4 inch TV with a CD and DVD player, high-speed in-flight internet access, a satellite phone system, and wireless headphones. The cabinets to the front of the cabin contain a coffee maker, drinks cabinet, and ice drawer.
View our video of the Phenom 300 below.
More popular aircraft in this category include the Cessna Citation CJ4, Pilatus PC-24, Bombardier Learjet 70/75 and Hawker 400. Contact our specialists to charter a light jet.
Midsize jets – Cessna Citation Latitude
Cessna is a front-runner in this category – its Citation Excel is one of the world’s best-selling jets, while the Citation Latitude’s popularity has soared in recent years.
Released in 2015, the latter Released in 2015, the latter seats eight passengers in a spacious cabin and boasts a maximum range of about 2,850 nautical miles. One of the reasons for the aircraft’s rise to the top is its outstanding interior comfort levels, with contemporary furnishings like carpet, leather and chrome-plated aluminium panels found throughout. The aircraft combines this with class-leading performance and comparatively low operating costs. For owners, the interior cabin is incredibly customisable, with interior trims like Bisque, Black Edition, Carnegie, French Roast, Hyde Park, and Silver Frost all available upon purchase.
Another popular midsize jet is the Hawker 850XP, which can complete long-distance journeys such as New York to LA and Singapore to Beijing, see our walkthrough video of the Hawker 850XP below.
Other leading midsize jets include the Embraer Praetor 500 and Gulfstream G150. To charter one of these private aircraft, contact one of our team.
Super midsize jets – Bombardier Challenger 350
Introduced to the public in 2013, Bombardier’s Challenger 350 is one of the most popular charter jets across all categories. Fully equipped with more baseline features and premium enhancements than the competition, this versatile jet can carry 10 passengers for up to 3,199 nautical miles at Mach 0.8.
Inside, the quiet and luxuriously appointed cabin features a modern onboard management system, which allows travellers to easily switch from flight information to entertainment options like music, films and video conferencing.
Rivalling the Challenger in this class is the Gulfstream G280. An upgrade to the already successful G200, the G280 features an increased cabin length, new Honeywell engines and a new T-tail. Watch the video below to see more of this aircraft.
Alternative private jets in this category include the Cessna Citation Longitude and Embraer Praetor 600.
Call one of our team now to learn more about chartering a super-midsize jet.
Long-range heavy jets – Gulfstream G500
Re-introduced in 2018, the Gulfstream G500 is seen by many as the epitome of ultra-modern aviation. Ideal for transatlantic flights thanks to its 5,300-nautical-mile range and a top speed of Mach 0.90, the groundbreaking 19-seat business jet combines high performance with revolutionary technology.
Bombardier’s Global 5500 and 5000 are also leaders in this category, with the 5000 known as one of the world’s quietest and most spacious heavy jets. Able to handle shorter runways and steep approaches, this versatile jet is an attractive choice for customers who don’t regularly need the range of a Bombardier Express.
Call one of our experts to learn more about chartering a heavy jet.
Ultra-long-range heavy jets – Gulfstream G650/G650ER
Gulfstream Aerospace claims the G650 and G650ER “set the standard for performance in business aviation” and these ultra-modern jets do indeed offer speed and range combinations that few competitors can match.
The G650ER can cover 7,500 nautical miles at Mach 0.85, while its refined interior comprises up to four living areas for work, dining, entertaining and relaxation. Another sought-after Gulfstream aircraft in this category, the G550, can complete long-haul journeys like Washington to Dubai, London to Hong Kong and Tokyo to Paris.
Other leading private jets in this class include Bombardier’s Global 7500 and Global Express XRS. Rebranded in 2011 as the Global 6000, the purpose-built Express XRS is the manufacturer’s best-performing business jet thanks to its excellent short-field capabilities and plush cabin. With up to 12 hours of flight time, it can connect North and South America, Australia with the Middle East and Europe with Southeast Asia.
For more popular jets in this category, check out the Dassault Falcon 7X and 8X. Call one of our specialists to learn more about chartering a long-range heavy jet today.
For more popular jets in this category, check out the Dassault Falcon 7X and 8X. Call one of our specialists to learn more about chartering a long-range heavy jet today.
Business jets – Boeing BBJ and Airbus ACJ
The incredibly exclusive business jet category is dominated by Boeing and Airbus with their BBJ and ACJ ranges. According to Business Jet Traveller, Boeing trumps Airbus in terms of popularity, possibly due to the fact that its 787 is the world’s longest-range executive jet.
This market share could increase further in 2024 with the much-anticipated release of the 777X, which can travel an incredible 11,645 nautical miles – almost 2,000 further than the 787 and 4,000 further than the next-closest competitor, Bombardier’s Global 8000.
One of Airbus’ most popular aircraft in this class is the A319 CJ, which typically holds 19 passengers but can be configured for up to 48. The corporate jet’s cabin is generally divided into VIP quarters with a bedroom, office and bathroom with stand-up shower, plus a high-density seating area. The A318 Elite is a smaller, shorter-range, lower-cost alternative.
To enquire about chartering a business jet, call one of our specialists.
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