Determining the Right Jet for You: Cabin Size

Determining the Right Jet for You: Cabin Size

A very important factor in the jet you choose is the size and layout of the cabin. The size of your cabin comes down to personal comfort levels and what makes sense for your needs. As with most things aviation related, there is a trade-off with the more comfort and space the aircraft has, the higher the cost of the purchase price and operating cost.

Many clients have a tendency to start their search looking at the biggest jets with the highest passenger capacity, which for the large cabin jets is typically 13 passengers. However, upon further introspection, they realize most of their flights usually only have two to three passengers on them. Examine your typical flight. Are you mainly traveling by yourself or do you fly with your COO and other team members? Do you fly your family of 4 on holiday trips multiple times every year? Look at how many passengers are on-board for 80% of your journeys and start there.

Bombardier Global XRS Conference Group

Next is to examine what your priorities and preferences are when it comes to size and layout. Here is a list of few examples of preferences that our past clients have expressed:

  • Some people are nervous flyers and need a larger cabin to feel more spacious.
  • Others feel that a very large jet with most of the seats empty is a misuse of resources and want something that is more economical for the few passengers they typically fly with.
  • Your height may also be a factor for consideration. If you are over 6 feet tall, some light jet cabins could be quite uncomfortable for you on long journeys.
  • When traveling with children, some clients want the ability to have them in the aft lounge with the hard pocket door to separate noise levels in the cabin and to give them their own space.
  • Certain cabin layouts may have a mobility impact on you or your passengers that could make it hard to move around. If you have issues with moving around, the layout of your cabin needs to fit your needs. This may mean a straight aisle configuration versus one with a conference group or a layout with a flat floor throughout.
  • Having a divan so you have the ability to berth or lounge may be important to you. The divan is not always comfortable to use as actual seats during flight, but are fantastic for lying down on or reclining during the journey. If you often need to rest on your flights, the divan may be a necessity for you.
  • Many clients really like the conference table where they can dine or get work done. It provides a place for quieter more private conversations to take place. However, some people think the conference table disrupts the flow of the cabin and would rather have all seats.

Citation CJ3 Interior – seating for 7-8 passengers

These are just a few factors that we have found to be strong preferences for past clients. The most important thing is that your jet selection is very personal and you need to determine what you want to prioritize in your cabin size that fits into your predetermined budget.

The number one thing we recommend our clients during their private jet search is to charter any jet you are considering. When you charter, you can determine if the cabin height is too short or if you definitely want a cabin to seat at least 6 passengers. You may decide the conference group is not really necessary but a divan makes a big difference to your well-being during long flights.  You may have felt that you absolutely needed a 6 foot tall cabin but once you were up in the air, you realized you did not actually walk around that much and could compromise in that area. And finally, as unsexy as this is, use the lavatory in the jets you charter. The lavatories vary from model to model (especially in the light jets) and you need to ensure you are comfortable with the setup.

Bombardier Challenger 300 Aft Divan

There is a lot of variety among jet classes that you can explore. Your broker can give you options to consider and direct you to choices you may not have known were available. Stay open minded and enjoy the process of selecting the cabin size that will bring joy and comfort to your journeys.

Gulfstream GV Hard Pocket Door to Aft Lounge

 

Articles are written from real world experience by Colibri Aircraft’s individuals. If you have any questions or comments about the topic of this blog, please feel free to contact us at enquiries@colibriaircraft.com