Aircraft
Private jet types compared
Private jets fall into a handful of categories. Cabin size and range drive both what you can do and what it costs.
Categories side by side
| Category | Passengers | Longest range in dataset | Hourly estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprops Propeller-driven aircraft suited to short sectors and short runways. | 4–8 | 1,806 nm | US$2,000–US$3,500 |
| Light Jets Small-cabin jets for short and medium trips with a few passengers. | 4–7 | 2,040 nm | US$3,500–US$5,000 |
| Midsize Jets Stand-up or near stand-up cabins with transcontinental-short range. | 6–9 | 2,700 nm | US$4,500–US$7,000 |
| Super Midsize Jets Wide cabins and coast-to-coast range without a heavy jet's cost. | 8–9 | 4,018 nm | US$6,000–US$8,500 |
| Heavy Jets Large cabins for bigger groups and longer flights. | 10–14 | 5,300 nm | US$8,500–US$13,000 |
| Ultra Long Range Jets Intercontinental range, multi-zone cabins and sleeping space. | 12–17 | 8,000 nm | US$12,500–US$17,500 |
| VIP Airliners Airliners fitted with executive interiors for large groups. | 19–50 | — | US$18,000–US$25,000 |
Estimate Hourly figures come from the active pricing model (market-2026-09). Method.
All aircraft
Types of private jets, in plain language
The types of private jets you can charter fall into a handful of categories, and knowing them is the fastest way to ask for the right aircraft. Our data uses seven: turboprops, light jets, midsize jets, super midsize jets, heavy jets, ultra long range jets and VIP airliners. Each category is a band of aircraft with similar cabin size, range and running cost. Pick the right band first, and the choice of a specific model becomes a matter of availability and taste rather than guesswork.
The table above compares the categories on passengers, the longest range in our dataset and our estimated hourly cost, and the list below it links to every aircraft we have a page for. This guide explains what those numbers mean on a real trip: what it feels like to fly in each category, where one ends and the next begins, and how to choose without paying for more aircraft than you need.
We are a charter broker. We do not own or operate aircraft, so we have no fleet to fill and no reason to steer you towards one type. We match your trip to aircraft offered by licensed operators. You can read more about how we work on the JetPriceCheck home page.
The seven categories at a glance
| Category | Typical passengers in our data | Cabin feel | Typical mission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 4–8 | Compact cabin, propeller-driven, slower than jets | Short regional hops, short runways |
| Light jet | 4–7 | Seated cabin, limited headroom, small baggage hold | Up to about two to three hours |
| Midsize jet | 6–9 | Taller cabin, often stand-up or close to it | Regional and some coast-to-coast trips |
| Super midsize jet | 8–9 | Flat floor, stand-up cabin, generous baggage | Coast-to-coast, some ocean crossings |
| Heavy jet | 10–14 | Wide cabin, separate seating areas, full galley | Long flights with larger groups |
| Ultra long range jet | 12–17 | Several cabin zones, sleeping areas, crew rest | Intercontinental nonstop |
| VIP airliner | 19–50 | Airliner fuselage with custom interior | Very large parties, delegations, teams |
Passenger numbers are typical ranges, not certified maximums. A specific aircraft's layout, and how much luggage everyone brings, decide the real capacity. For comfort on anything longer than a short hop, plan for fewer passengers than the maximum.
Each category explained
Turboprops
A turboprop uses a jet engine to drive a propeller. It is slower than a jet, but efficient at lower altitudes and able to use shorter runways. For a short hop to an island, a mountain valley or a small regional airport, a turboprop can be the most practical and economical choice. On longer sectors, the speed difference adds up and a jet usually makes more sense.
Light jets
Light jets are the entry point to jet travel. They are quick, efficient and able to use smaller airports, which makes them ideal for business day trips and short leisure flights. Our light jet charter guide covers the category in detail, and the Embraer Phenom 300E is the model in our dataset. The trade-off is space: most light-jet cabins are seated rather than stand-up, and baggage space is finite. On flights of up to two hours, most passengers find that entirely acceptable.
Midsize jets
Midsize jets add headroom, a larger baggage hold and more range. The Cessna Citation Latitude in our data is a good example of a modern midsize cabin with a flat floor. If you are weighing the two smallest jet categories, our light jets vs midsize jets comparison sets out when stepping up is worth it.
Super midsize jets
Super midsize jets are where many experienced travellers settle. They combine a stand-up cabin and a flat floor with the range to cross a continent nonstop, and in our screening they are the smallest category that can fly corridors like London to New York or London to Dubai without a fuel stop. In our data the category includes the Bombardier Challenger 350, the Cessna Citation Longitude, the Embraer Praetor 600 and the Gulfstream G280. See the super midsize jet charter guide.
Heavy jets
Heavy jets bring wide cabins with separate seating areas, a full galley and room for ten or more passengers. They are the natural choice for long flights with larger groups, and for transatlantic routes where a super midsize jet would be at the edge of its range. Our data includes the Embraer Legacy 650E, the Bombardier Challenger 650, the Gulfstream G450, the Dassault Falcon 2000LXS and the Gulfstream G500. Read the heavy jet charter guide for more.
Ultra long range jets
Ultra long range jets are built to connect continents nonstop: Europe to the US west coast, the Gulf to New York, Asia to Europe. Their cabins are divided into zones, often with a bedroom, a shower on some layouts and a crew rest area so the crew can fly long sectors. In our data this category includes the Dassault Falcon 8X, a three-engined design, the Bombardier Global 6500, the Gulfstream G550, the Gulfstream G650, the Bombardier Global 7500 and the Gulfstream G700, along with the Global 5500, Falcon 7X and G600. The ultra long range jet charter guide explains when that range is worth paying for.
VIP airliners
VIP airliners are airliner types fitted with private interiors, from boardrooms to bedrooms. They carry large parties, sports teams and delegations, and they are arranged case by case because few are available for charter at any one time.
How to choose between types of private jets
Start with people and luggage
Count passengers first, then bags. Ski equipment, golf clubs, strollers and large suitcases fill a light-jet hold quickly. If the luggage does not fit, the only solutions are a bigger aircraft or sending bags separately, so it pays to be honest about it early.
Then check distance and practical range
Brochure range is measured under ideal conditions. Headwinds, fuel reserves, a full cabin and routings reduce it, which is why our screening counts only 85% of a model's published range as usable. Our private jet range guide shows how far each category can realistically go, and each route page names the smallest category that can fly it nonstop. Choosing an aircraft with range to spare is sensible on long overwater flights, especially westbound in winter, when headwinds are strongest.
Consider the airports
Larger jets need longer runways. Our screening uses minimum runway lengths that rise from 3,500 feet for light jets to 6,000 feet for ultra long range jets. A small airport close to your destination may only accept smaller aircraft. Mountain airports such as Aspen add altitude and wingspan limits that narrow the choice further.
Match the cabin to the flight time
On a one-hour flight, a seated cabin is fine. On a four-hour flight, the ability to stand, move around and use a proper lavatory starts to matter. On an overnight crossing, a flat bed or a separate sleeping area changes how you feel on arrival. Buy the cabin the flight time needs, not more.
Understand the cost steps
Hourly costs rise with each category, and our estimates show each step clearly in the table above. The difference is not just the hourly rate: larger aircraft also pay more in landing, handling and parking fees. Our private jet cost guide explains how all of those add up in a quote.
Think about service on board
The crew changes with the category too. Charter jets of every size normally fly with two pilots, but a dedicated cabin attendant is usually standard only on larger aircraft, from super midsize or heavy jets upwards depending on the operator and the length of the flight. On a light jet, catering is typically set out before departure and passengers help themselves. If hot meals, a served dinner or special dietary preparation matter on your trip, mention it when you ask for quotes, because it can steer the choice towards a larger cabin with a proper galley. The same applies to connectivity: Wi-Fi availability and speed vary by aircraft and region, so ask rather than assume.
Where the categories overlap
Category lines are useful, but they blur at the edges. A large light jet can fly further than a small midsize jet. Some super midsize jets have more range than older heavy jets. Some heavy jets have cabins almost as large as those of ultra long range types, but less range. That is why we quote by mission as well as category: if a slightly smaller or larger aircraft fits your trip better on the day, we will show it to you.
Two aircraft of the same model can also be quite different. Year of manufacture, cabin refurbishment, seating layout, Wi-Fi and the operator's standards all vary. When we present a quote, we name the operator and the aircraft type, and we can share the year and cabin details so you know what to expect.
Popular models in our data
A few models come up often in charter requests, and each has its own page with our screening data and the routes it can fly nonstop.
- Embraer Phenom 300E. A light jet designed for quick regional trips, popular in both Europe and the United States. Read the guide.
- Bombardier Challenger 350. A super midsize jet with a wide, stand-up cabin that has become a familiar sight at business aviation airports. Read the guide.
- Gulfstream G650. An ultra long range jet known for its speed and range. Read the guide.
- Bombardier Global 7500 and Gulfstream G700. The largest purpose-built business jets in our dataset, with multi-zone cabins for the longest missions. See the Global 7500 and G700 pages.
- Dassault Falcon 8X. A three-engined long-range jet whose design lets it use some shorter runways than similar-sized twins. Read the guide.
Manufacturer specifications are published by Embraer, Textron Aviation for the Cessna Citation family, Bombardier, Gulfstream and Dassault Falcon. Always treat brochure figures as best-case values and let the operator confirm what an aircraft can do on your route and date.
Chartering a type versus a specific aircraft
When you ask for a charter, it helps to name a category rather than a single model. If you ask for "a super midsize jet", we can compare several models from several operators and find the one that is available, well positioned and competitively priced. If you ask for one particular model, the choice narrows, and the price may rise if the nearest example is far away.
That said, if a specific model matters to you, perhaps because you know its cabin or it has the range you need, tell us. We will look for it first and show alternatives alongside. Flexibility on aircraft type is one of the simplest ways to save money, along with flexibility on time and on empty legs.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of private jets?
Light, midsize, super midsize, heavy and ultra long range jets, plus turboprops at the small end and VIP airliners at the large end. Each band has similar cabin size, range and running cost.
Which type is best value?
The right value is the smallest category that fits your passengers, luggage and distance nonstop. Stepping up beyond that buys comfort, not speed, on most routes.
How many passengers fit in a private jet?
From about four in a small light jet to seventeen or more in an ultra long range jet, and many more in a VIP airliner. Comfort on longer flights usually means fewer than the maximum.
Can a light jet fly across the Atlantic?
Not nonstop on the routes we screen. Transatlantic corridors need at least a super midsize jet, and many need a heavy or ultra long range jet.
Why does the same jet cost different amounts on different days?
Price depends on where the nearest available aircraft is, demand on that date, airport fees and whether the trip is one way or return, not just the model.
Find the right aircraft for your route
Pick a route in our route directory to see which aircraft can fly it nonstop and what it is likely to cost, then ask us for quotes. We will compare aircraft from licensed operators and explain the trade-offs.