While the media, Hollywood, and even the aviation industry give a lot of press and attention to large cabin aircraft, there is much to be said about small and mid-size jets. The mid-size jets in particular offer incredible capability and versatility. They boast comfortable cabins and have almost all the amenities you would want – galley, lavatory, good storage space, seating for 6 to 8 passengers, and dining/work tables.
Citation XLS+ Interior
Often, the temptation when starting your aircraft search is to find the jet that fits all your missions. However, the majority of users do not do long-range flights very frequently. The light and mid-size jets can accomplish most of your journeys at a fraction of the cost. The larger your jet cabin, the larger your costs will be for items such as fuel, crew costs, maintenance work, and landing fees.
Let’s caveat this with the understanding that large cabin aircraft are extremely capable and offer the ultimate flying experience with great luxury, and some people value this above anything else. If the excess space and capability hold a strong importance to you, you should absolutely include larger cabins in your search. Understanding your wants, as well as your needs, is one of the biggest things you can do to set yourself up for successful ownership.
However, we advise clients to look at what 80% of their flight activity looks like and tailor their search to include jets that fit this range and size. For example, if the majority of your flights are from London to Nice but once a year you do a flight to Florida, the Cessna Citation XLS series would suit your needs perfectly for most of the journeys and you could charter the annual flight to the USA.
Citation Sovereign Interior
Whatever your preferences are in jet size or range, your selection is very personal. Understand your normal flight patterns, the practical needs you have and your financial situation, and then look at your emotional desires. Finding an aircraft that works within your parameters will equal a positive ownership experience.
Hawker 800A Exterior
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
