Aircraft categories

Turboprop

Very Light Jet

The ‘very light jets’, also called ‘VLJs’ and previously known as a microjet is a quite recent business aircraft category. It is a category of small jet aircraft approved for single pilot operation, seating 4 to 6 people, with a maximum take-off weight of under 10,000 pounds (4,540 kg). They are lighter than what is commonly termed business jets and are designed to be flown by single pilot owners. VLJs are intended to have lower operating costs than conventional jets, and to be able to operate from runways as short as 3,000 feet (914 m) either for personal use or in a point-to-point air taxi service.

Examples 

• CESSNA Citation Mustang 

• EMBRAER Phenom 100 

• HONDA HA-420 HondaJet

Characteristics 

• Low jet speed (600-700 km/h)

• Short range 

• Small cabin (2 – 4 pax; no stand-up) 

Light jet

The ‘light’ or ‘small’ jets are the entry-level jets for short to medium range trips, combining jet comfortand speed with affordable economics. Cabin sizes (and baggage capacity) are mostly well-appointed and adequate for trips of up to 3 or 4 hours flight time that light jets are constructed for. Typicalseating is for 6 up to 8-9 passengers, with no stand-up capacity in the cabin.

Examples

• BOMBARDIER Learjet 40, Learjet 40 XR, Learjet 45, Learjet 45 XR, Learjet 70/75

• CESSNA Citation CJ1, CJ2, CJ3, CJ4, Bravo, Encore

• EMBRAER Phenom 300

• BEECHCRAFT HAWKER Premier I, Hawker 400

• PILATUS PC-24

Characteristics

• Jet speed (700 – 800 km/h)

• Short to medium range 

• Small cabin (4 – 8/9 pax; no stand-up) 

Midsize jets

The ‘medium’ or ‘midsize’ jet category is conceived for medium range flight legs of between 3 and 5 hours, typically coast-to-coast in the US. A comfortable cabin typically accommodating 8-9 passenger seats with improved headroom and a separate washroom are typical for this category. Some models offer a flight attendant, whilst the later models also have much-improved luggage space.

Examples

• BOMBARDIER Learjet 70, Learjet 75

• CESSNA Citation XLS/XLS+, Citation Latitude

• DASSAULT Falcon 50

• EMBRAER Legacy 450, Legacy 500

• GULFSTREAM G150

• BEECHCRAFT Hawker 750, Hawker 850XP, Hawker 900XP

Characteristics

• Jet speed (800 – 900 km/h)

• Medium range 

• Medium cabin (8 – 9 pax; limited stand-up)

Super midsize jets

The ‘super midsize’ jets can be considered as a separate category as kind of compromise between midsize jets and long range jets; although bit more restricted long range capacity, they offer many benefits of the long range jets but at more competitive rates. Increased range up to 7 hours, full standing headroom, great luggage capacity and spacious cabins make this category a popular choice. Seating varies from 8 to 12.

Examples

• BOMBARDIER Challenger 300/350

• CESSNA Citation X/X+, Citation Longitude

• DASSAULT Falcon 2000/2000S

• EMBRAER Legacy 500/600/650

• GULFSTREAM G280, G350

• BEECHCRAFT Hawker 4000 

Characteristics

• Jet speed (800 – 925 km/h)

• Medium range 

• Medium cabin (10 - 12 pax; stand-up cabin) 

Long range jets

The ‘long range jet’ category comprises private and business jets conceived for luxury long-distance travel. Some large jets are 3-engined for transatlantic intercontinental range operations. Long range jet aircraft feature spacious cabins, offering 6 to 10 hours range and seating for 8 to 16 in first class executive style. Full standing headroom and galley for full inflight service are standard. Many large jets feature sleeping accommodation facilities.

Examples

• BOMBARDIER Challenger 605, Challenger 850, Global 6000

• DASSAULT Falcon 900EX/LX, Falcon 7X/8X

• GULFSTREAM G450, G550

Characteristics

• Jet speed (850 – 950 km/h)

• Long range (intercontinental)

• Spacious cabin (8 – 15 pax | stand-up)

Bizliners

Bizliners are a contraction of business aircraft and airliners, as these are (mostly short-haul) airliners converted to luxury VIP-configuration and extended range capabilities to accommodate intercontinental long-distance travel. The spacious cabin hosts between 15 and 35 passengers, depending on the configuration. 

Examples

• AIRBUS A318 Elite, A319CJ

• BOEING Business Jet – BBJ

• EMBRAER Lineage 1000

Characteristics

• Airliners’ converted to VIP configuration

• Extended range (intercontinental)

• Very large cabin (16 – 35 pax)