Which Private Jet Is Right for Your Journey?

Private Jet Comparison: The Lohn Aviation Executive Fleet

The following table combines published manufacturer performance data with the cabin configurations shown in the current Lohn Aviation fleet overview. “Up to” refers to a value achieved under defined reference conditions, not a guaranteed range for a specific private charter flight. Berths or sleeping positions depend on the actual cabin configuration and do not constitute additional seats for take-off and landing.

NM = nautical miles; KTAS = knots true airspeed; Mach = the ratio of airspeed to the local speed of sound. Manufacturers use different reference conditions. These figures are suitable for comparison, but not for operational flight planning.

How to Interpret Aircraft Range, Speed and Seating Capacity

Why published range is not a promise for every flight

A manufacturer’s range figure is established under precisely defined conditions: a specified number of occupants, a defined weight, standard temperature, a particular cruise speed and prescribed instrument-flight reserves. Conditions on an actual flight may differ considerably. Strong headwinds, high temperatures, icing, air traffic control rerouting, additional reserves, substantial baggage, a short runway or a more distant alternate airport can reduce the usable range. A tailwind may improve it.

Why speed alone does not determine journey time

Maximum cruise speed says little about total door-to-door travel time. A faster jet may require a larger airport, whereas the PC-24, PC-12 NGX, TBM 960 or DA62 may, under suitable conditions, use a smaller airfield closer to the destination. The full journey includes positioning, boarding, taxiing, the flight itself, immigration, baggage handling and the ground transfer. The most suitable aircraft minimises the entire travel chain, not merely the time spent at cruise altitude.

Why “eight guests” does not mean “eight guests plus unlimited baggage”

Seating capacity, range and baggage cannot be maximised independently of one another. More guests and more baggage increase payload. Depending on the aircraft, route, temperature and runway, this may reduce the fuel that can be carried or require a technical stop. To make a reliable selection, Lohn Aviation therefore needs not only the number of guests, but also the number, dimensions and type of baggage items.

Manufacturer configurations and the actual charter cabin

Manufacturers frequently publish several seating layouts. For each aircraft in its fleet portfolio, Lohn Aviation provides the relevant guest and berth capacities. Before booking, the aircraft, registration, cabin plan, sleeping configuration and baggage compartment are confirmed. These specific details govern the flight, not the manufacturer’s theoretical maximum seating configuration.

Long-Range Private Jets for Intercontinental Travel

The Falcon 8X, Falcon 7X and Gulfstream G550 are designed for long international missions. Depending on the layout, they offer pressurised stand-up cabins, separate living areas, substantial baggage capacity and sleeping arrangements. On long-range private jet flights, cabin quietness, layout, cabin pressure, sleeping positions, galley, lavatory, connectivity and crew planning become as important as range.

Business Jets for Direct European Flights

The PC-24, Citation XLS Gen2 and Phenom 300E cover many typical journeys within Europe and neighbouring regions. They are faster than turboprops, require less airport infrastructure than large long-range jets and are well suited to business travel, weekend journeys, family travel and multi-sector day programmes. The three aircraft differ primarily in cabin space, runway flexibility, baggage access, speed and the relationship between range and payload.

Turboprops, Very Light Jet and Regional Aircraft

On short- and medium-range routes, a smaller aircraft can be the more precise solution. The PC-12 NGX, Phenom 100EV, TBM 960 and DA62 serve different profiles: a large cabin and cargo door, compact jet comfort, high turboprop speed or particularly efficient regional mobility.

Which Aircraft Suits Which Travel Profile?

Intercontinental business travel

Primary options to consider: Gulfstream G550, Falcon 8X and Falcon 7X. Relevant factors include nonstop capability, cabin zones, sleeping positions, connectivity, baggage, crew rest and the ability to remain productive after landing.

Private long-range or family travel

Primary options to consider: Falcon 8X, Gulfstream G550 and Falcon 7X. Families benefit from separate living areas, sleeping arrangements, more generous baggage capacity and journey planning that accounts for meals, children, pets and ground transfers.

Business appointment within Europe

Primary options to consider: Phenom 300E, Citation XLS Gen2 and PC-24; for a small group and short route, also the Phenom 100EV or TBM 960. The selection depends on whether speed, cabin height, a short ground transfer, baggage capacity or efficiency takes priority.

Travel to a regional airport or short runway

Primary options to consider: PC-12 NGX and PC-24; depending on runway, distance and group size, also the TBM 960 or DA62. Suitability cannot be inferred from the aircraft model alone. Runway length, surface, load-bearing capacity, elevation, obstacles, wind, temperature, moisture, snow, de-icing and take-off weight are decisive.

Weekend or city journey for a couple

Primary options to consider: Phenom 100EV, TBM 960, Phenom 300E or PC-12 NGX. The Phenom 100EV may suit light baggage and a fast journey by jet. The TBM is attractive when using a smaller destination airport; with more baggage or a pet, the PC-12 NGX may offer advantages.

Ski, golf or sporting journey with bulky baggage

Primary options to consider: PC-24 or PC-12 NGX; over greater distances, Falcon 8X, Falcon 7X or G550. Door dimensions and usable volume are decisive, not merely the published baggage-compartment volume. Equipment should be specified by length, width, height and weight.

Multi-city journey with several appointments

Primary options to consider: PC-24, Citation XLS Gen2, Phenom 300E or Falcon 7X for longer sectors. In addition to range, crew duty time, airport opening hours, slots, night-flight restrictions, icing risk and the aircraft’s position after the final sector all matter.

Efficient short regional travel

Primary options to consider: TBM 960, DA62, PC-12 NGX or Phenom 100EV. Over short distances, the fuel-efficiency advantage of a smaller aircraft can be significant. The best solution nevertheless depends on cabin expectations, weather, runway, flight time and the number of guests.

Direct Aircraft Comparisons: Similar Mission, Different Strengths

Knowledge Base: How Private Aircraft Selection and Flight Planning Work

1. The journey begins with the mission, not an aircraft model

A well-founded enquiry specifies the point of departure, destination, date, preferred times, flexibility, number of guests, baggage and any special requirements. These details define the mission profile. A preference for a particular aircraft can be considered, but it must suit the route and airports involved.

2. Door-to-door time is more meaningful than flight time alone

Private aviation saves time principally through direct connections, smaller terminals, flexible departure times and access to airports closer to the final destination. A turboprop may be slower in the air than a jet yet still reach the actual destination sooner by avoiding a lengthy ground transfer.

3. Runway length is only one part of the airport assessment

Other factors include runway width, surface, load-bearing capacity, gradient, contamination, braking action, airport elevation, temperature, wind, obstacles, available approach procedures, fire category, customs, immigration, fuel, handling, opening hours and night-flight restrictions. A list of “accessible airports” can therefore never replace an assessment for the specific day of travel.

4. Nonstop is not always the best solution

A refuelling stop may be necessary or advisable if headwinds, a high payload, a short runway or operational reserves limit nonstop range. In some cases, a smaller aircraft with a planned stop can provide access to an airport closer to the destination or offer better availability. The journey must be considered as a whole.

5. Baggage is planned by weight, volume and shape

A soft weekender bag can be stowed differently from a rigid suitcase. Golf bags, skis, bicycles, pushchairs, musical instruments, sample cases and pet carriers may determine the choice of aircraft. Photographs and dimensions assist flight operations. “Airline-style hand baggage” is not a reliable benchmark because baggage compartments vary considerably in shape between aircraft models.

6. Pets require a separate travel assessment

Private aviation often allows a dog or other pet to travel in the cabin. Immigration and animal-health regulations nevertheless continue to apply. The required information includes species, breed, weight, size, carrier, microchip, vaccination and document status. Certain countries require advance notification, health certificates or quarantine.

7. Sleeping positions are configured berths

“Six sleeping positions” does not mean six separate beds as in a hotel. In business jets, berths are typically created from fully or substantially lie-flat seats, facing seat groups, divans or prepared sleeping surfaces. The precise arrangement should be explained with reference to the cabin plan.

8. Crew and cabin service depend on the mission and aircraft

Large long-range jets operate with two pilots and, depending on the mission, additional cabin crew. Smaller aircraft with the relevant certification may technically be approved for a single pilot; the actual crew is nevertheless determined by the commercial operating framework, company policies and the mission. Catering, a flight attendant, turndown service and special requests are confirmed individually.

9. Weather affects comfort, range and airport selection

Wind affects flight time and fuel requirements. High temperatures reduce take-off performance. Fog or low cloud may render an airport without an appropriate precision approach unusable. Snow, water or ice changes the available braking action. For demanding airports, a realistic alternative plan is an integral part of sound journey planning.

10. Slots, opening hours and permits may matter more than range

Airports with high demand allocate time windows for take-off and landing. Night-flight restrictions, parking positions, customs hours, diplomatic clearances, traffic rights and overflight permits may affect the route. Operational coordination is therefore an essential part of international or short-notice missions.

11. Ownership, management, operation and brokerage are different roles

An aircraft may be owned by a private individual, managed by an aircraft-management company, operated under an operator’s Air Operator Certificate or arranged through a partner. Before a contract is concluded, the specific aircraft offered, the company operating the flight and the applicable conditions of carriage should be clear. “Fleet portfolio” describes the aircraft models available or under management; it does not automatically imply a uniform ownership structure. The Lohn Aviation Group page explains the corporate structure and the Executive Aviation, Charter and Cargo divisions. The actual operator and specific aircraft are named and confirmed separately for every flight.

12. Safety cannot be inferred from aircraft age or number of engines alone

Relevant factors include certification, the operator’s certificate, maintenance, crew qualifications, training, safety management, weather decisions, operating procedures and regulatory oversight. A young aircraft is no substitute for robust processes; nor can a single-engine aircraft be assessed solely by its number of engines. Transparent information about the actual operator and aircraft is valuable to clients.

13. Emissions depend heavily on aircraft size, occupancy and route

A smaller aircraft appropriately matched to the mission will generally use less fuel than a large long-range jet on the same short route. The actual climate impact depends on the aircraft, engines, route, altitude, occupancy, positioning flights and fuel. Depending on availability, supply chain and blend, Sustainable Aviation Fuel can reduce life-cycle emissions, but it does not make a flight emission-free.

14. A reliable quotation requires specific travel details

• Departure and destination airports, or the journey’s start and destination addresses
• Date, preferred time and scheduling flexibility
• Number of adults, children and, where applicable, infants
• Number, dimensions and weight of baggage items
• Sports equipment, special baggage or goods
• Pets, including species, size and weight
• Cabin preferences, sleeping requirements, catering and connectivity
• Return flight, additional sectors and waiting times
• Nationalities, where relevant to immigration and permits

Private Aviation Glossary

AOC – Air Operator Certificate

An Air Operator Certificate confirms that a company may conduct commercial air transport subject to the applicable requirements. The actual operator should be named in the quotation.

Alternate airport

An airport included in the flight plan as an alternative if the destination airport cannot be used. The distance to the alternate affects the amount of fuel required.

Block time

The time from the release of the parking brake at departure until the parking brake is set at the destination. It includes taxiing and flight and is therefore longer than flight time alone.

Cabin altitude

The air pressure inside a pressurised cabin expressed as an equivalent altitude. A lower cabin altitude can improve comfort on long flights.

Empty Leg

A positioning flight without a primary client booking that may be offered at a reduced price. Its route and timing are usually determined by the underlying flight and are less flexible.

Ferry or positioning flight

A flight that moves an aircraft to the departure point of a client’s journey or to its next assignment after the client’s flight. Positioning affects availability and price.

IFR

Instrument Flight Rules. They govern flights conducted under instrument procedures and require defined planning, equipment and reserves.

KTAS

Knots True Airspeed. One knot equals one nautical mile per hour, or 1.852 km/h. KTAS describes true speed relative to the surrounding air, rather than speed over the ground.

Mach

The ratio of an aircraft’s speed to the local speed of sound. Mach 0.80 equals 80 per cent of the local speed of sound; the corresponding km/h value varies with temperature and altitude.

Nautical mile

A unit of distance used in aviation and maritime navigation. One nautical mile, abbreviated NM, equals exactly 1.852 kilometres.

NBAA IFR range

A comparative value based on defined assumptions regarding passenger load, flight profile and IFR reserves. NBAA IFR figures from different manufacturers may nevertheless use different assumptions in detail.

Nonstop

A flight without a scheduled intermediate landing. “Direct flight” is often used synonymously in everyday language but may include an intermediate stop in other transport contexts.

Payload

The weight of guests, baggage and other cargo. A higher payload may limit the fuel that can be carried and therefore reduce range.

Short Field

Operation from a comparatively short runway. An individual performance calculation is always required.

Slot

An allocated time window for take-off or landing at a coordinated airport. A slot may constrain the preferred departure time.

Turboprop

A gas turbine that primarily drives a propeller. Turboprops combine turbine technology with propeller efficiency and are particularly well suited to short- and medium-range routes.

Very Light Jet

A compact class of small business jets, typically designed for a small number of guests and short- to medium-range routes. The Phenom 100EV belongs to this category.

Wet Lease / ACMI

The provision of an aircraft including Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance. The term is primarily relevant to airline and large-scale charter operations and is not equivalent to a single private jet booking.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Lohn Aviation Fleet and Aircraft Selection

Data Status, Sources and Editorial Methodology

Data status: 10 July 2026. The Executive fleet portfolio and Lohn Aviation cabin configurations were cross-checked against the published current fleet overview. Technical reference values are drawn primarily from manufacturer documentation. Where manufacturers apply different assumptions regarding payload, reserves or speed, this is stated in the text. This page should be reviewed at least quarterly and whenever an aircraft joins or leaves the fleet or its configuration changes. This page provides an accessible basis for comparison. It does not replace the flight manual, a performance calculation, quotation, contract of carriage, safety assessment or operational approval. The specific aircraft, actual cabin, flight planning by the operating carrier and conditions on the day of travel are always decisive.

Primary sources

• Lohn Aviation: current Executive fleet overview
• Lohn Aviation Group: corporate structure and business divisions
• Dassault Aviation: Falcon 8X
• Dassault Aviation: Falcon Family
• General Dynamics / Gulfstream: G550 performance
• Pilatus Aircraft: PC-24
• Textron Aviation: Citation XLS Gen2 performance and certification
• Embraer: Phenom 300E
• Embraer: Phenom 100EV performance reference
• Pilatus Aircraft: PC-12 NGX
• Daher Aircraft: TBM 960
• Diamond Aircraft: DA62 technical specifications

Select the Right Aircraft for Your Journey

Send us your point of departure, destination, date, preferred times, number of guests and baggage details. Lohn Aviation will assess range, cabin, airports, runways, crew, weather requirements and availability, then recommend a reliable solution for the entire journey. Request a flight