Aircraft Guide

Private Aircraft Types,
Compared.

Compare capacity, range, cabin, and mission fit.

Quick Comparison

Match the Category to the Mission

Use these figures to narrow the category, then confirm the exact aircraft against the complete itinerary.

Written byFounder, Stratosphere Aviation

Published

Aircraft CategoryTypical CapacityPlanning RangeBest Starting Point For
Turboprop6–8 passengersUp to ~900 milesRegional trips, island access, shorter runways, and missions where operating efficiency matters most.View guide
Light Jet5–7 passengersUp to ~1,500 milesFast regional business travel, short leisure trips, and smaller groups that want jet speed.View guide
Midsize Jet7–9 passengersUp to ~2,000 milesLonger domestic routes, more luggage, and travelers who want additional cabin room without a large-cabin aircraft.View guide
Super Midsize Jet8–10 passengersUp to ~3,000 milesNonstop transcontinental flying, longer international sectors, and missions requiring more cabin and baggage room.View guide
Heavy Jet10–16 passengersUp to ~3,500 milesInternational trips, larger private groups, and long missions where cabin comfort is a central requirement.View guide
Ultra Long Range Jet12–19 passengersUp to ~6,500 milesIntercontinental and ultra-long-distance travel with the fewest possible stops and maximum schedule flexibility.View guide
Regional Airliner17–50 passengersUp to ~2,200 milesTeams, events, executive groups, and private movements traveling together on shorter regional routes.View guide
Narrow-Body Airliner17–100 passengersUp to ~4,200 milesCorporate movements, sports and entertainment travel, incentive groups, and medium-size private programs.View guide
Wide-Body Airliner17–250 passengersUp to ~7,000 milesLarge-scale group movements, international programs, tour operations, and missions with substantial baggage requirements.View guide

Category figures are representative, not performance promises. Weight, baggage, fuel, winds, temperature, runway, routing, and reserves can change the usable range and payload of a specific aircraft. For a common regional decision, compare aturboprop with a light jet in detail.

Sources

Primary aviation sources support the operating-authority and aircraft-performance principles used in this guide. Category figures remain representative planning references.

  1. Safe Air CharterFederal Aviation Administration · Accessed
  2. Aircraft Weight and Balance HandbookFederal Aviation Administration · Accessed
  3. Aircraft Performance and CalculationsFederal Aviation Administration · Accessed
  4. Business AircraftNational Business Aviation Association · Accessed
Aircraft Categories

Start With the Mission

The right category is determined by more than passenger count. Route length, runway access, baggage, cabin expectations, and schedule all shape the recommendation.

Representative turboprop on an executive aviation ramp01
Private Aviation

Turboprop

The first choice for efficient regional missions, shorter runways, and direct access to more airports.

Typical Capacity
6–8 passengers
Planning Range
Up to ~900 miles

Best Suited To

Regional trips, island access, shorter runways, and missions where operating efficiency matters most.

Cabin Experience

An executive cabin with useful baggage flexibility and direct access to airports larger aircraft cannot use.

Representative Aircraft

Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350, Piaggio Avanti II

Explore TurbopropView guide
Representative light jet on an executive aviation ramp02
Private Aviation

Light Jet

Jet speed and an efficient cabin for regional flights with a smaller passenger count.

Typical Capacity
5–7 passengers
Planning Range
Up to ~1,500 miles

Best Suited To

Fast regional business travel, short leisure trips, and smaller groups that want jet speed.

Cabin Experience

A compact private cabin designed for efficient trips of a few hours, with baggage capacity varying by model.

Representative Aircraft

Phenom 300, Citation CJ3+/CJ4, Learjet 45/75

Explore Light JetView guide
Representative midsize jet on an executive aviation ramp03
Private Aviation

Midsize Jet

A stand-up cabin, enclosed lavatory, and additional luggage room for longer domestic missions.

Typical Capacity
7–9 passengers
Planning Range
Up to ~2,000 miles

Best Suited To

Longer domestic routes, more luggage, and travelers who want additional cabin room without a large-cabin aircraft.

Cabin Experience

More headroom, an enclosed lavatory, and a comfortable balance of cabin space, baggage capacity, and operating range.

Representative Aircraft

Citation Latitude, Hawker 800XP/900XP, Learjet 60

Explore Midsize JetView guide
Representative super midsize jet on an executive aviation ramp04
Private Aviation

Super Midsize Jet

Transcontinental range, a full galley, and a wide cabin without moving into a large-cabin aircraft.

Typical Capacity
8–10 passengers
Planning Range
Up to ~3,000 miles

Best Suited To

Nonstop transcontinental flying, longer international sectors, and missions requiring more cabin and baggage room.

Cabin Experience

A wide stand-up cabin, full galley capability, enclosed lavatory, and space to work or rest comfortably.

Representative Aircraft

Challenger 350/3500, Citation Longitude, Gulfstream G280

Explore Super Midsize JetView guide
Representative heavy jet on an executive aviation ramp05
Private Aviation

Heavy Jet

Large-cabin comfort, full service, and room to work or rest on international and high-capacity trips.

Typical Capacity
10–16 passengers
Planning Range
Up to ~3,500 miles

Best Suited To

International trips, larger private groups, and long missions where cabin comfort is a central requirement.

Cabin Experience

A large cabin with multiple living zones, full-service galley, generous baggage space, and berthable seating.

Representative Aircraft

Challenger 650, Gulfstream G500/G600, Falcon 900LX

Explore Heavy JetView guide
Representative ultra long range jet on an executive aviation ramp06
Private Aviation

Ultra Long Range Jet

The longest-range cabin category for intercontinental missions, berthing, and separate living zones.

Typical Capacity
12–19 passengers
Planning Range
Up to ~6,500 miles

Best Suited To

Intercontinental and ultra-long-distance travel with the fewest possible stops and maximum schedule flexibility.

Cabin Experience

A flagship cabin with separate zones for dining, working, sleeping, and extended time aboard.

Representative Aircraft

Global 7500, Gulfstream G650ER/G700, Falcon 8X

Explore Ultra Long Range JetView guide
Representative regional airliner on an executive aviation ramp07
Private Group Charter

Regional Airliner

A dedicated regional aircraft for teams, events, and private groups traveling together on shorter routes.

Typical Capacity
17–50 passengers
Planning Range
Up to ~2,200 miles

Best Suited To

Teams, events, executive groups, and private movements traveling together on shorter regional routes.

Cabin Experience

Airline-style seating in a private group configuration, with coordinated baggage, catering, and ground handling.

Representative Aircraft

Embraer ERJ 135/145, CRJ 100/200, Saab 340

Explore Regional AirlinerView guide
Representative narrow-body airliner on an executive aviation ramp08
Private Group Charter

Narrow-Body Airliner

More seating and range for corporate movements, incentive travel, sports, entertainment, and large private groups.

Typical Capacity
17–100 passengers
Planning Range
Up to ~4,200 miles

Best Suited To

Corporate movements, sports and entertainment travel, incentive groups, and medium-size private programs.

Cabin Experience

A single-aisle airliner cabin that can support multiple seating classes and customized onboard service.

Representative Aircraft

Airbus A319/A320, Boeing 737, Embraer E195

Explore Narrow-Body AirlinerView guide
Representative wide-body airliner on an executive aviation ramp09
Private Group Charter

Wide-Body Airliner

A full-scale private airliner solution with tailored cabin, baggage, catering, handling, and operational planning.

Typical Capacity
17–250 passengers
Planning Range
Up to ~7,000 miles

Best Suited To

Large-scale group movements, international programs, tour operations, and missions with substantial baggage requirements.

Cabin Experience

A twin-aisle cabin with the greatest seating, cargo, service, and long-range configuration flexibility.

Representative Aircraft

Airbus A330/A350, Boeing 767/787

Explore Wide-Body AirlinerView guide

Aircraft specifications are representative planning figures. Exact seating, range, baggage capacity, and cabin configuration vary by aircraft, payload, routing, and operating conditions.

Choosing a Category

The Aircraft Follows the Trip

Our flight team evaluates the complete mission before recommending a category and sourcing specific aircraft.

01

Passengers & Baggage

Seating is only the beginning. Luggage volume, specialty equipment, and pets can change the right cabin.

02

Route & Runway

Distance, weather, airport elevation, runway length, and customs access determine which aircraft can perform the mission.

03

Cabin & Schedule

Standing room, sleeping arrangements, onboard service, connectivity, and timing refine the final recommendation.

Aircraft Questions

Choosing a Charter Aircraft

The category narrows the search. The proposed aircraft confirms the answer.

What is the best aircraft type for a private charter?

The best category is the smallest aircraft that safely and comfortably satisfies the route, passengers, baggage, runway, weather, cabin, and schedule requirements. The specific available aircraft must then be checked against the complete mission.

Are aircraft capacity and range figures guaranteed?

No. Category figures are planning references. Exact seating, usable baggage, payload, range, runway performance, and nonstop capability vary by aircraft, configuration, weather, routing, and required reserves.

When should I choose a turboprop instead of a light jet?

A turboprop can be a practical choice for shorter regional flights and airports where runway access or operating efficiency matters most. A light jet adds cruise speed, but baggage, cabin, payload, and airport performance still determine the better fit.

When does a midsize jet make more sense than a light jet?

A midsize jet becomes useful when the mission needs more cabin height, baggage capacity, passenger room, or practical range than a light jet can provide for the requested route and payload.

How is group aircraft charter different?

Group charter planning begins with the complete passenger manifest, baggage and equipment profile, airports, ground handling, schedule, and recovery plan. Aircraft selection can range from regional airliners to narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.

Know the Trip?
Start With the Route.

Enter the route, dates, and passenger count. We will show the categories suited to the mission and help source the right aircraft.

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