Whether you’re looking to buy a private plane or getting ready for your first private flight, check out these eight most popular private jets in use.
Sparked by a need for safer travel during 2020, the private jet industry is still flying high, with record sales and inventories at an all-time low. Business jet activity is up by 40%, and used jet inventories are at around 3% for most major manufacturers.
Interestingly, more than 30% of those interested in acquiring a jet nowadays are first-time buyers. Keep reading to find out more about where you should start your search if you’re interested in the world’s most popular private jets.
Types of Private Jets
Before delving into the intricacies of each type of jet, it’s important to get some background on the most common varieties of jets favored by businessmen today.
There are six major types of business jets:
Very Light Jets (VLJs)
These are the newest addition to the range of jets available for private aviation jet owners. They’re considered entry-level jets, offering an alternative to piston and turboprop aircraft.
Despite their small size and cheaper running costs, VLJs still offer a luxurious, convenient, and reliable travel solution for those who require seating for only four or five people at a time.
One of the best benefits of VLJs is that they can land on shorter runways than most jets. These jets can reach speeds of up to 425mph and can travel up to 1,200 miles at a time.
The Cessna Citation Mustang and Embraer Phenom 100 are examples of very light jets.
Super-Light and Light Jets
Light jets can accommodate up to eight passengers, but rarely have enough space for a flight attendant. They can manage a flight distance of up to 2,500 miles and travel at speeds of up to 563mph.
Embraer Phenom 300 is a super-light jet, while the Gulfstream G100 is one of the best-known light jets.
Mid-size Jets
Mid-size jets are among the most common and popular types of business jets. They offer more amenities than the previous two categories and can accommodate about 11 passengers.
These jets have much longer ranges than the previous two categories and can travel up to 5,100 miles at a cruising speed of 494mph. The Hawker Beechcraft 900XP and Cessna Citation Excel are both mid-size jets.
Super-Mid-Size Jets
These incredible machines share many traits with their larger counterparts, boating extreme ranges, a larger size, and extra features, like Wi-Fi or roomier cabins. Surprisingly, they’re about as cost-efficient as smaller mid-size jets.
Most super mid-size jets seat eight to ten passengers in extreme comfort and have a range of over 5,000 miles.
The Cessna Citation X is the most acclaimed super-mid-size jet, with a cruising speed of Mach 0.92.
Heavy Jets and Executive Airliners
Heavy jets have everything the private flyer could wish for, including stand-up cabins, lie-flat beds, and superb entertainment systems. They can carry around 20 passengers and travel for up to 5,500 miles at 53mph.
Bombardier Global 5000 and luxurious Gulfstream V are types of heavy jets.
Executive airliners, or bizliners, are among the world’s most expensive jets. They’re usually refurbished retired commercial aircraft.
The Most Popular Private Jets in the World
Few people can afford the luxury of buying a brand-new jet, but 2,227 pre-owned jets worth $14.5 billion changed hands in 2020.
The average lifespan of a business jet is 13 years, but their maintenance and flight history have more to do with how long they last than their chronological age. A pre-owned jet can still offer years of excellent service, depending on the following:
- Flight hours
- Completed pressurization cycles
- Age of the avionics (\APU time)
- A regular service history
An experienced aircraft broker or dealer or broker can help you decide between these popular models of modern business jets:
1. Cessna Citation CJ3
The Cessna Citation CJ3 is one of the cheaper private jets available, with a price tag of around $7 million. It’s closely related to the Citation 525 model and can seat nine passengers and one pilot.
The Citation CJ3 has a top speed of 600mph and can fly for 2,000 miles non-stop. It’s a popular choice for small businesses and wealthy families. These aren’t the most luxurious jets on the market, but they make up for it with reliable performance.
The Cessna Citation range hits the sweet spot for most jet owners because of its high fuel efficiency coupled with excellent performance.
The airplane has two Williams/Rolls-Royce FJ44-3A turbofan engines, simplistic in-flight systems, and natural laminar flow wings which contribute to the high fuel efficiency of this model.
When compared to its predecessor, the CJ2, the CJ3 has an exceptionally high payload and can carry over 74.4 cubic feet of luggage. The cabin boasts twenty feet of space with fourteen windows and comfortable seating for six passengers.
2. Cessna Citation X
The Cessna Citation X has been around for a quarter of a century, and it’s still one of the most popular jets around. When the first one came out, it was the fastest aircraft available to civilians, and it still delivers speeds of over 600mph.
It has an exceptionally long range, and can easily carry eight passengers from New York to London, LA to New York, or Pittsburgh to San Diego. That means this jet hits the sweet spot for both small businesses and large families.
These benefits come with a high price tag of about $20 million, but it makes up for its high price tag with excellent reliability, and excellent interior comforts, including seats that recline into beds.
Wi-Fi comes standard in the Cessna Citation X and the 23.9 feet cabin and 5.7 feet ceiling ensure every passenger enjoys spacious comfort in flight. The standard seating arrangement has eight executive seats, a fully equipped galley, a bathroom, and a huge closet.
Aerospace engineers spend months fine-tuning this jet’s aerodynamics to increase its speed while maximizing fuel efficiency. For their efforts, they won the prestigious Collier Award in 1996 when Cessna first released the Citation X.
On top of that, the Citation X is also one of the best-looking private jets available.
3. Gulfstream G550
Gulfstream is the undisputed leader when it comes to large-cabin jets, and the Gulfstream G550 doesn’t let them down. This intercontinental aircraft is an ultra-long-range jet and the latest update to the renowned GV.
It’s faster, more comfortable, and roomier than the GV, with a much longer range, too.
The 42.6 ft G550 boasts superior space efficiency, with a smaller avionics system that frees up 58 cubic feet of cabin space. The result is a cabin that can accommodate 19 passengers or an executive arrangement for ten passengers.
The airplane boasts a full lavatory with a shower, multiple workstations, a crew rest area, and a dining/conference room.
At the time of its release, no jet could travel further than the G550, which is capable of traveling the 7,301 nm trip from Seoul to Miami with ease.
The two BMW/Rolls-Royce turbofan engines produce a huge amount of power, allowing the jet to travel long-range distances in record-breaking time.
An innovative I-NAV system allows pilots to take advantage of interactive flight planning, direct the plane to locations, add, and delete routes as necessary.
4. Bombardier Challenger 350
The Bombardier Challenger 350 boasts an impressive range that makes some of the more popular routes possible. These include:
- Paris to Dubai
- Seattle to Miami
- New York to London
- Hong Kong to Mumbai
With a price tag of $17 to $26 million and enough space for 10 people, it’s one of the more affordable jets in its class and a popular choice for business and leisure travel.
It boasts the largest cabin in its class, sleek interior design, and safe in-flight baggage access. The sound-suppressing design ensures a quiet interior to maximize relaxation or concentration if you’re taking a working trip.
The airplane boasts longer maintenance intervals, good fuel efficiency, and low parts costs, which add up to lower operating costs and account for the popularity of the Bombardier Challenger 350.
5. Dassault Falcon 900LX
With a price tag of up to $44 million, this is one of the most expensive private jets available nowadays. It’s also one of the most luxurious choices for long-range travel.
The Falcon 900LX seats 12 passengers in spacious comfort. It has a top speed of 575mph and can travel for 4,750 nautical miles non-stop.
The 900KX is the culmination of improvements made to the Falcon 900 and Falcon 900EX. It boasts exceptional efficiency, can manage short landing distances and has electronic charting capabilities.
Dassault has manufactured only 61 Falcon 900LX aircraft since 2010, which only increases the rarity and desirability of this model
6. Embraer Legacy 600
Thanks to its $10 to $15 million price tag, the Legacy 600 is a popular choice for first-time jet owners looking for a spacious super-midsize business jet. It’s an exceedingly fast airplane with a cruising speed of 528mph and a range of 3,400 miles.
The Legacy 600 accommodates 14 people comfortably in three cabin zones. It has a large baggage compartment, 22 windows, internal storage areas, a large, fully equipped galley, and a bathroom.
The cabin has fully berthing seats, state-of-the-art onboard entertainment systems, refreshment stations, and low interior noise.
7. Nextant 400XTi
The Nextant 400XT evolved from the original Hawker/Beechjet 400A aircraft into an 88% new aircraft, released in 2011. Nextant first released the upgraded XTi in 2013.
The newer version boasts more onboard space, enhanced aerodynamics, and improved noise insulation. These fast, reliable, and economical jets have a top speed of 529mph and a range of 2,160 nautical miles.
Some outstanding features of this jet include:
- Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics
- Williams FJ44-3AP engines
- Improved engine mounts
- New nacelles and pylons
- Winglet for greater efficiency
The cabin features ergonomic design features and a flat floor that is unique in its class. It seats a maximum of seven passengers and has a three-seater divan, four club seats, and a toilet seat.
There are two alternative floor plans with no divan and extra club seats.
8. Embraer Phenom 300
Another top choice from this Brazilian aerospace manufacturer, the Embraer Phenom 300 has a top speed of Mach 0.78 and can fly 1,781 nautical miles in one trip.
Two podded, rear-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E turbofan engines, fitted with dual full authority digital engine control, power this airplane. Supremely efficient fuel-burn results in low running costs, equivalent to the smaller, older Cessna Citation.
The Embraer Phenom 300 can maintain a 6, 600 feet cabin altitude at 45,000 feet, and has a state-of-the-art pressurization system to eliminate fatigue for passengers, while the luxurious ergonomic design ensures ultimate comfort.
The Phenom 300 boasts a spacious interior with a high ceiling and seats for six or seven people. Passengers can adjust the reclining leather seats to suit their preferences, and the VIP seat has controls for the interior cabin temperature.
A unique window design maximizes natural light and views thanks to strategic placement, with the fully certified lavatory seat offering the best views on board!
An onboard entertainment system offers a 10.4-inch TV with a DVD player, wireless headphones, and high-speed internet access.
What’s Involved in Jet Ownership?
Apart from the initial expense of buying your jet, you’ll need to budget for ongoing expenses when you own a luxury aircraft. Some of these include:
- Insurance
- Repairs and maintenance
- Storage costs
- Hiring a pilot and flight crew
- Aircraft stock and supplies
Many jet owners offer their jet for charter services to help cover some of these costs. One of the easiest ways to ensure your jet is safe and well cared for is by using the services of a fixed-base operator.
FBOs offer a range of services tailored to meet all these needs, including amenities for your crew and charter passengers.
Embrace the Conveniences Available at a Premier FBO
The Republic Jet Center holds pride of place at Long Island’s Republic Airport, forming an efficient hub for owners of the world’s most popular private jets. We are a DASSP-approved service center and boast an impressive range of concierge, passenger, and crew services.
We can assist you with all your jet ownership needs including sales, assistance with servicing and storing your jet, or charter services. Please get in touch for assistance with these aspects of private jet ownership.
