Flight Deck - How Far Can You Go?

Nonstop flights are the third biggest reason flyers choose private aviation over scheduled airlines, according to research by Private Jet Card Comparisons (door-to-door time savings and more convenient airports were first and second). However, determining how far you can fly without refueling on specific private jet types is not as simple as it seems.

That’s because the maximum range numbers shown are often overstated compared to what you will experience in real life; they were achieved under optimal conditions and usually with a minimal payload – as little weight as possible. In other words, there weren’t skis or scuba gear along for the ride, and the record-setting flights used optimal departure airports, departure times, etc. Temperature, elevation, runway length, cruising speed, and flight plan can all impact whether or not you need to stop.

The point is that while stories like this make for interesting reading before you buy a private jet – or a share in one – make sure it can do your most common flights without fuel stops. While they may seem quaint, they can lead to delays such as waiting for other airplanes to be refueled, weather, and so forth.

Former Jet Edge CEO Bill Papariella, who now heads Aero Ventures, a private aviation advisory that provides bridge financing, relays a story about a former customer from his private jet airline who was buying a large cabin jet to fly between his home in Texas and Europe. He told Papariella about the aircraft he was about to buy based on the OEM’s published specifications. Papariella had to let him know the $50 million-plus jet would need a fuel stop on the westbound flights. His acquaintance shelled out an extra $10 million for a type that could fly nonstop.

Starting small and working our way up, we begin with Embraer’s top-selling Phenom 300E (successor to the 300), which has a nonstop range of 2,313 miles with five occupants and reserves to reach an alternate airport within 100 miles of your destination. Textron Aviation’s Citation CJ4 Gen 3 can fly 2,224 miles nonstop on the same basis. Keep in mind the five occupants include two pilots. With eight passengers and two pilots, the nonstop range goes 1,752 miles, per Textron Aviation. At the same time, operator executives will tell you neither is guaranteed to make it nonstop from New York to Aspen fully loaded, going against the headwinds during the winter.

NetJets, Flexjet, and Airshare each offer the Phenom 300 in their fractional programs. All three, as well as Nicholas Air and Magellan Jets, offer the Phenom 300 in their jet card programs. Jet OUT offers a co-ownership plan on the CJ4.

This brings up another point. What’s the most convenient airport for your trip, and are you bringing oversized luggage? The Pilatus PC-24 has a range of 2,347 miles with four passengers and two pilots. However, its cargo door that spans more than four feet wide by four feet high and its ability to take off from short fields and land on dirt runways could make it a fit. PlaneSense in the U.S. and Jetfly in Europe offer fractional ownership in the Swiss-made light jet.

Looking toward your globe-trotting needs, Gulfstream, Bombardier, and Dassault are battling it out with luxury that goes the distance. After the last Gulfstream G650ER rolled off the assembly line in Savannah, Georgia, earlier this year, the icon of long-range jets is now onto the G700. Its newest jet has a maximum range of 8,918 miles, enough to make it nonstop from Singapore to Los Angeles. Corporate Jet Investor reports the G800 will add about 300 miles in range when it comes into service. For the time being, Qatar Executive offers the G650ER and G700 for on-demand charter flights, while Flexjet features the G650 in its fractional ownership program.

Bombardier’s Global 8000 expects a nonstop capability of over 9,000 miles. The Canadian OEM forecasts nonstop from London to Perth and Houston to Dubai. Its smooth Flex Wing and GE Passport engines also promise long flights from short-runway airports. It’s expected to enter service later this year, according to Aviation International News. Global 7500 owners will be able to retrofit their jets, a process that takes about 10 days. The Global 7500 and, in the future, Global 8000, will be the flagships for NetJets, the largest private jet operator in the world. It sells fractional shares on the ultra-long-range jets while rival VistaJet offers its version of the jet card on its fleet of Global 7500s. Either way, think nonstop flights over 15 hours.

From France, Dassault and Airbus are both elevating their range and comfort. Dassault expects its Falcon 10X to have a nonstop range of 8,630 miles when it enters service in 2027. It will boast the biggest cabin space of any dedicated private jet, with a cabin height of 6’8” and a width of 9’1”. The owner’s suite will have space for a full queen bed, a shower, and 38 windows to let the light in.

Finally, the ACJ TwoTwenty from Airbus is a private jet version of the popular A220. Like Boeing, you can create your own private jet from any of their commercial jet airframes, including the ultra-long-range A350s and 787s.

However, let’s end where we started. Please don’t do it alone. Corporate Jet Investor lists 40 steps to buying your own private jet.

Doug Gollan is Editor-in-Chief of Private Jet Card Comparisons, a buyer’s guide to fractional ownership, jet cards, memberships, and on-demand charter. privatejetcardcomparisons.com