Private jets by number of passengers
Start from how many are flying. Each group below lists the aircraft whose usual layout seats that party comfortably, smallest first, with how far it flies and how tall the cabin is.
Tell us how many are flying27 aircraft types, sourced worldwide.
Which private jet for how many passengers
Passenger figures are the usual layout, not the maximum. A party that fits one row also fits every row below it, with more room and range.
| Passengers | Aircraft | Published range | Cabin height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 to 7 | Citation CJ3, Phenom 300, Learjet 55 | 1,875 to 2,040 nm | 4 ft 9 in to 5 ft 9 in |
| 8 | Citation XLS+, PC-24, Hawker 800XP | 1,750 to 2,540 nm | 5 ft 1 in to 5 ft 9 in |
| 9 to 10 | Citation Latitude, Challenger 350, Citation X+, Praetor 600, Challenger 605, Falcon 2000LXS | 2,700 to 4,018 nm | 5 ft 8 in to 6 ft 2 in |
| 12 to 16 | Falcon 900, Legacy 650, Falcon 7X, Global 6000, Falcon 8X, Global 6500, G650, Global 7500, G700, G550 | 3,900 to 7,750 nm | 6 ft to 6 ft 3 in |
| up to 19 | Lineage 1000, BBJ MAX 7, ACJ319neo | 4,600 to 6,750 nm | 6 ft 7 in to 7 ft 5 in |
| 20 and more | ACJ350, BBJ 787-8 | 9,960 to 11,100 nm | 7 ft 6 in to 8 ft |
Range is the manufacturer's published figure for each type in stated conditions. With a full cabin and luggage, and on a westbound winter crossing, plan on less.
6 and 7 passenger private jets
Light jets for a small party on city pairs of an hour to three hours, with room for a weekend bag each. The cabin is low enough that most people stoop. Indicatively $3,500 to $5,500 an hour for the aircraft, crew and fuel.
8 passenger private jets
Where the cabin starts to grow: the midsize types come close to stand-up height and have an enclosed lavatory, for flights of three to four hours. Indicatively $3,500 to $7,000 an hour for the aircraft, crew and fuel.
9 and 10 passenger private jets
The larger midsize, super-midsize and smaller heavy jets: flat-floored cabins that cross a continent non-stop and, on most of them, seats that make up as flat beds for a night flight. Indicatively $5,000 to $13,000 an hour for the aircraft, crew and fuel.
Large cabin private jets: 12 to 16 passengers
Heavy and ultra-long-range jets with several cabin zones, a galley and, on the longest-range types, a private bedroom at the back. All of them fly London to New York non-stop; the longest-range types reach Los Angeles or Singapore. Indicatively $9,000 to $16,000 an hour for the aircraft, crew and fuel.
Private jets for up to 19 passengers
VIP airliners built on regional and single-aisle airliners. The extra length goes on a lounge, a dining table and a stateroom rather than more seats. Indicatively $18,000 to $28,000 an hour for the aircraft, crew and fuel.
20 passenger private jets and larger
Wide-body VIP airliners for a delegation, a team or several families travelling together, with the range to reach almost anywhere in one flight. Indicatively $18,000 to $28,000 an hour for the aircraft, crew and fuel.
How to count the seats you need
Count the people flying, then add what changes the answer: a long leg, a night flight, children who need their own seat, a nanny or security, skis and golf bags, a dog in the cabin. Light jets carry a weekend bag each; for a fortnight's luggage or bulky kit, the hold matters as much as the seats.
If the party sits between two groups, the larger aircraft usually costs less than you expect over a long distance, because it flies non-stop. We send two or three priced options with our reasoning, usually the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How many passengers can a private jet carry?
From 6 in a light jet to about 40 in the largest VIP airliner we arrange, in the layouts these aircraft usually fly. Denser layouts seat more: up to 80 on the BBJ 787-8, depending on how it is fitted out. On a long flight, plan on the typical figure rather than the maximum.
Which private jets seat 8 passengers?
The Citation XLS+, PC-24 and Hawker 800XP seat eight in their usual layout. For more room, or to fly further non-stop with eight on board, the Citation Latitude, Challenger 350, Citation X+ and Praetor 600 seat eight with a seat or two to spare.
What is a large cabin private jet?
A heavy or ultra-long-range jet with a cabin you can stand up in and walk through: 6 ft to 6 ft 3 in high on the aircraft on this page, seating 12 to 16 in several zones. The Falcon 900, Legacy 650, Falcon 7X, Global 6000 and Falcon 8X are examples. They fly 3,900 to 7,750 nm non-stop, enough for London to New York and, on the longest-range types, Los Angeles or Singapore.
Which private jets take 20 passengers or more?
The ACJ350 (20 to 25 passengers typically) and BBJ 787-8 (25 to 40 passengers typically). For a larger group, tell us the number and the route and we propose the options.
Why plan for fewer passengers than the maximum?
The maximum counts every seat that can be used for take-off, divans included. On a short hop that can be fine. On a long flight, a heavy jet listed at fourteen is comfortable for ten, and if people need to sleep, count flat beds rather than seats.
Does a bigger private jet cost more per passenger?
Charter is priced per aircraft, not per seat, so a full larger jet can cost less per person than a smaller one. Hourly rates rise by cabin class, but on a long leg an aircraft that flies non-stop with the whole party often costs less than two smaller aircraft or a fuel stop.
Request a private jet quote
Where from, where to, the dates and how many are flying. We come back with priced options for aircraft that seat the party comfortably, usually the same day.