What Are the Most Popular Private Jets?
What Are the Most Popular Private Jets?
With over 140 private jet models to choose from, what are the most popular private jets? Which categories of private jets are the most popular? And all Which private jet stands out among the models in ?
In total, there are over 21,000 private jets in active service, but what is the breakdown by class, model and make? Read this article to see how the 21,000 private jet figure compares to other aircraft categories such as commercial and general aviation.
When considering chartering or buying an aircraft, it is helpful to know which aircraft are the most popular and in service. When chartering, the more examples of each type of flight, the easier it will be to charter an aircraft.
At the time of purchase, it becomes easier to find parts and personnel to operate and maintain the aircraft of your choice.
![](https://flyscanbusinessjets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/jetsp7.jpg)
Very Light Jets
Ultralight jets are the smallest jets on the market and are typically used for flights of up to 2 hours with less than 4 passengers. VLJs typically represent the least expensive category of aircraft owned and operated.
There are now over 2,000 of his ultralight jets in active service worldwide, with the most popular aircraft being the Cessna Citation Mustang.
There are currently a total of 487 Cessna Citation Mustangs in operation, the largest operator being Globeair, a European charter operator that operates a fleet of Mustangs.
The Cessna Citation Mustang is a single-hit-pilot certified jet aircraft with ample storage space, advanced engine controls and a sophisticated aerodynamic design.
![](https://flyscanbusinessjets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cessna-Citation-Mustang-Private-Jet-Charter-1024x569.webp)
The smallest member of the Cessna Citation family, the Citation Mustang has the fastest cruising speed in its class, the largest cargo capacity, and is fully type-approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for flight in known icing conditions. increase.
The Mustang will be followed by the Embraer Phenom 100 series of aircraft, including the 100E and 100EV. These planes are slightly more advanced than the Mustang in terms of space and performance. A total of 400+ Phenom 100 aircraft are currently in operation.
Following the Phenom, Cirrus Vision Jet (400 in operation), Cessna Citation M2 (330+ in operation), Eclipse 500 (250+ in operation), First HondaJet (approximately 200 in operation), HondaJet Elite followed by S. (about 50 in operation), the Eclipse 550 (31 in operation), and finally the Vision Jet G2 (12 in operation).
Looking at these numbers, it’s interesting to see how popular the Citation Mustang is over its 11-year production run. Additionally, it competed with the Eclipse 500 when it went into production in 2006. Considering that the Eclipse 500 was only produced between 2006 and 2008, having over 50% of the Mustang in stock is quite impressive.
Aircraft | Category | In Service |
Cessna Citation Mustang | VLJ | 487 |
Embraer Phenom 100 | VLJ | 403 |
Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 | VLJ | 400 |
Cessna Citation M2 | VLJ | 336 |
Eclipse 500 | VLJ | 267 |
HondaJet HA-420 | VLJ | 199 |
HondaJet Elite S | VLJ | 46 |
Eclipse 550 | VLJ | 31 |
Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 G2 | VLJ | 12 |
Light Jets
Light jets are typically used for routes of up to 3.5 hours and traditionally carry up to 6 passengers very comfortably. However, some can theoretically carry up to 9 or 10 passengers. This includes passengers sitting in cockpits and belted toilets.
A total of just over 7,000 light jets are currently in operation, of which 10% are Embraer Phenom 300 and Phenom 300E.
![Phenom_300E_Exterior_01 Phenom_300E_Exterior_01](https://flyscanbusinessjets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Phenom_300E_Exterior_01.jpg)
About 700 Phenom 300 and Phenom 300E aircraft are in operation. Embraer began developing the Phenom 300 after realizing that potential Phenom 100 customers also wanted a larger aircraft. The designer took his 100 basic fuselage cross-section, plus he added a 14-inch length, an all-new wing, and a powerful and quiet Pratt & Whitney his Canadian turbofan engine.
The Phenom 300 can fly up to 1,951 nautical miles and take off from a runway area 3,140 feet above sea level. Combined with a maximum cruising speed of 453 knots, this model has very impressive performance characteristics.
The Cessna Citation II is, after the Phenom 300, the most popular light aircraft in service today, with just over 500 of his aircraft in active service.
Throughout the list, we see that Cessna Citation aircraft tend to be at the top of the list, with all but one (Cessna Citation Encore+) operating over 100 aircraft.
In contrast, there are older Learjet aircraft that are very popular and still in active service. However, more modern Learjets such as the Learjet 70 and 75 do not enjoy the same level of success and popularity.
Aircraft | Category | In Service |
Embraer Phenom 300 | Light | 696 |
Cessna Citation II | Light | 504 |
Bombardier Learjet 45 | Light | 445 |
Cessna Citation CJ3 | Light | 430 |
Cessna Citation CJ4 | Light | 398 |
Bombardier Learjet 35A | Light | 389 |
Beechjet 400A | Light | 361 |
Cessna 525 CitationJet | Light | 349 |
Cessna Citation Bravo | Light | 334 |
Cessna Citation CJ2 | Light | 288 |
Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Light | 226 |
Hawker 400XP | Light | 215 |
Beechcraft Premier I | Light | 207 |
Cessna Citation I | Light | 201 |
Cessna Citation CJ1 | Light | 193 |
Bombardier Learjet 31A | Light | 187 |
Cessna Citation III | Light | 184 |
Cessna Citation CJ2+ | Light | 182 |
Bombardier Learjet 75 | Light | 152 |
Cessna Citation Encore | Light | 149 |
Cessna Citation SII | Light | 138 |
Bombardier Learjet 40 | Light | 130 |
Cessna Citation CJ1+ | Light | 108 |
Dassault Falcon 10 | Light | 91 |
Dassault Falcon 10 | Light | 91 |
Beechcraft Premier IA | Light | 73 |
Cessna Citation Encore+ | Light | 66 |
Mitsubishi Diamond 1A | Light | 46 |
Beechjet 400 | Light | 45 |
Bombardier Learjet 35 | Light | 40 |
Bombardier Learjet 31 | Light | 37 |
Bombardier Learjet 36A | Light | 31 |
Bombardier Learjet 36 | Light | 16 |
Bombardier Learjet 70 | Light | 13 |
Bombardier Learjet 45XR | Light | 12 |
Dassault Falcon 100 | Light | 8 |
Mitsubishi Diamond I | Light | 7 |
Bombardier Learjet 40XR | Light | 4 |
Nextant 400XT | Light | 2 |
Medium Jets
Medium jets (also known as medium jets) can theoretically only cross the Atlantic non-stop. However, with multiple passengers on board and subject to weather conditions, transatlantic crossings are unlikely.
Midsize jets are sometimes divided into two categories: midsize and extra-midsize. However, in this situation, a line is drawn between mid-sized and large-sized machines, rather than the category of ultra-mid-sized machines.
With over 5,000 medium jets registered worldwide, the most popular medium jet is the Hawker 800XP, with 450 in operation.
The Hawker 800XP is a variant of the Hawker 800. Increased payload capacity, performance and updated system. The Hawker 800XP is widely regarded as one of British Aerospace’s most successful aircraft.
![](https://flyscanbusinessjets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Hawker-800XP.jpg)
It is the third generation model in the Hawker 800 series and combines the strengths of the Hawker 400, Hawker 800 and Hawker 1000 models. Production of the Hawker 800XP began in 1995 and ended in 2006.
The Hawker 800XP has two AlliedSignal TFE731-5BR engines. Each engine has 4,660 pounds of thrust at launch. The Hawker 800XP needs a 5,032-foot runway to take off at sea level on a normal day. At an altitude of 5,000 feet, the takeoff requirement increases to a runway of 7,952 feet.
In long cruise configuration, the Hawker 800XP can maintain an airspeed of 402 knots at an altitude of 39,000 feet. To fly faster, the Hawker 800XP can maintain an airspeed of 447 knots at an altitude of 37,000 feet in a fast cruise configuration.
The Learjet 60 followed, of which 415 are still in service. Since then, many Cessna aircraft have appeared, and you can see that the popularity of Cessna aircraft continues. The most popular midsize Cessna aircraft, in descending order, are Sovereign (364 in operation), Excel (359 in operation), XLS (353 in operation), Latitude (328 in operation), XLS+ (322 in operation), and citation. V (263) and Citation V Ultra (249 in service).
The number of aircraft per model for medium jets is gradually decreasing, with two types of aircraft at the bottom of the list. First, these are a small number of new aircraft, as production has not lasted long enough to produce sufficient numbers.
For example, the Embraer Praetor 500. Only 28 of his aircraft are currently in service, but production only started in 2019. However, that doesn’t mean planes aren’t a popular option. Considering performance, comfort and quality, they are very affordable and very popular.
Other aircraft types at the bottom of the list are older aircraft that are being phased out, such as the Learjet 55B, G100 and Falcon 200.
Check out the list below to see which midsize aircraft are the most popular private jets.
Aircraft | Category | In Service |
Hawker 800XP | Medium | 450 |
Bombardier Learjet 60 | Medium | 415 |
Cessna Citation Sovereign | Medium | 364 |
Cessna Citation Excel | Medium | 359 |
Cessna Citation XLS | Medium | 353 |
Cessna Citation Latitude | Medium | 328 |
Cessna Citation XLS+ | Medium | 322 |
Cessna Citation V | Medium | 263 |
Cessna Citation V Ultra | Medium | 249 |
Gulfstream G200 | Medium | 195 |
Pilatus PC-24 | Medium | 192 |
Hawker 900XP | Medium | 189 |
Hawker 800A | Medium | 159 |
IAI Westwind 1 | Medium | 132 |
Gulfstream G150 | Medium | 128 |
Cessna Citation VII | Medium | 120 |
Bombardier Learjet 55 | Medium | 112 |
Hawker 700 | Medium | 94 |
Hawker 850XP | Medium | 92 |
Embraer Legacy 500 | Medium | 88 |
Cessna Citation Sovereign+ | Medium | 86 |
Embraer Legacy 450 | Medium | 65 |
IAI Westwind 2 | Medium | 63 |
Hawker 750 | Medium | 51 |
Cessna Citation VI | Medium | 36 |
Embraer Praetor 500 | Medium | 28 |
Dassault Falcon 200 | Medium | 19 |
Bombardier Learjet 60XR | Medium | 17 |
Gulfstream G100 | Medium | 16 |
Bombardier Learjet 55C | Medium | 12 |
Hawker 800XPi | Medium | 10 |
Hawker 1000 | Medium | 9 |
Bombardier Learjet 55B | Medium | 6 |
Large Jets & VIP Airliners
Large jets are an increasingly popular category of aircraft, and some of the largest aircraft allow him to fly non-stop for over 12 hours. The large jet category has some of the most technologically advanced airliners in the sky.
This category houses flagship aircraft from major manufacturers such as Gulfstream, Dassault and Bombardier. These planes are the most expensive to own and operate. A total of about 9,000 large private jets are currently in use.
Of all large jets, the Gulfstream G550 is the most popular model, with over 600 in service. With over 600 aircraft currently in service, this model was in production for his 18 years from 2003 to 2021.
![](https://flyscanbusinessjets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gulfstream-G550-pric1e-1024x485.webp)
The G550 is manufactured at Gulfstream headquarters in Savannah, Georgia and is based on the Gulfstream V platform. The original Gulfstream V was produced in the 1990s for the Bombardier Global Express.
The G550 is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines mounted in the rear of the fuselage. Each BR710 produces 15,385 pounds of thrust (30,770 pounds total). That means the G550 can take off in just 5,910 feet and land in just 2,770 feet.
This engine can propel the G550 to a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet and a maximum cruising speed of 488 knots. With a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 91,000 pounds, her G550 has a range of 6,750 nautical miles and can easily fly from Europe to most of the Americas, Africa and Asia.
The G550 is followed by a number of Bombardier and Gulfstream aircraft, including the Challenger 300 (485 in service), the G650 (419 in service), the Challenger 350 (408 in service), and the Challenger 604 (354 in service). . Outside of Gulfstream and Bombardier, the only other aircraft in the top eight most popular large jets is the fastest private he jet produced, the Cessna Citation X (his 346 in service). Check the list below for complete service numbers for all major jets.
Aircraft | Category | In Service |
Gulfstream G550 | Large | 603 |
Bombardier Challenger 300 | Large | 485 |
Gulfstream G650 | Large | 419 |
Bombardier Challenger 350 | Large | 408 |
Bombardier Challenger 604 | Large | 354 |
Cessna Citation X | Large | 346 |
Bombardier Global 6000 | Large | 345 |
Gulfstream G450 | Large | 339 |
Dassault Falcon 7X | Large | 316 |
Bombardier Challenger 605 | Large | 300 |
Gulfstream GIVSP | Large | 265 |
Gulfstream G280 | Large | 257 |
Gulfstream GIV | Large | 246 |
Bombardier Global 5000 | Large | 244 |
Dassault Falcon 2000 | Large | 231 |
Dassault Falcon 50 | Large | 225 |
Dassault Falcon 2000LX | Large | 219 |
Embraer Legacy 600 | Large | 185 |
Gulfstream GV | Large | 180 |
Dassault Falcon 900EX | Large | 174 |
Bombardier Global Express | Large | 157 |
Gulfstream GIII | Large | 154 |
Bombardier Global Express XRS | Large | 149 |
Gulfstream G650ER | Large | 139 |
Bombardier Challenger 601-3A | Large | 133 |
Bombardier Challenger 650 | Large | 131 |
Bombardier Global 7500 | Large | 125 |
Gulfstream G600 | Large | 122 |
Dassault Falcon 8X | Large | 115 |
Dassault Falcon 900EX EASy | Large | 114 |
Dassault Falcon 2000EX | Large | 112 |
Dassault Falcon 900B | Large | 107 |
Embraer Legacy 650 | Large | 107 |
Dassault Falcon 2000EX EASy | Large | 89 |
Cessna Citation Longitude | Large | 82 |
Dassault Falcon 50EX | Large | 81 |
Dassault Falcon 900 | Large | 78 |
Hawker 4000 | Large | 75 |
Bombardier Challenger 850 | Large | 72 |
Bombardier Challenger 600S | Large | 65 |
Embraer Praetor 600 | Large | 64 |
Bombardier Global 6500 | Large | 58 |
Bombardier Challenger 601-3R | Large | 56 |
Dassault Falcon 900LX | Large | 55 |
Bombardier Challenger 601 | Large | 48 |
Dassault Falcon 2000S | Large | 43 |
Gulfstream GII | Large | 35 |
Dassault Falcon 900DX | Large | 24 |
Gulfstream G400 (Previous) | Large | 23 |
Dassault Falcon 900C | Large | 20 |
Bombardier Global 5500 | Large | 14 |
Bombardier Challenger 800 | Large | 12 |
Gulfstream G700 | Large | 12 |
Gulfstream G300 | Large | 11 |
Gulfstream G350 | Large | 11 |
Gulfstream G500 | Large | 11 |
Dassault Falcon 6X | Large | 7 |
Dassault Falcon 2000DX | Large | 4 |
Bombardier Challenger 600 | Large | 2 |
Gulfstream G800 | Large | 1 |
Most Popular Private Jet Manufacturers
When it comes to the most popular manufacturer, Cessna is well ahead of the rest, with approximately 7,500 aircraft in active service.
Cessna is followed closely by Bombardier, while Gulfstream and Dassault finish just third and fourth respectively.
Both Cessna and Bombardier produce a wide range of jets and have done so for a long time. For example, Cessna has built both the Mustang VLJ and the Large Citation X, and everything in between.
![](https://flyscanbusinessjets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/exterior1-1024x643-1.jpeg)
Looking at the popularity of all aircraft, some lessons can be drawn from the overall popularity of each individual private his jet type.
Of the top 20 most popular aircraft, 35% are small jets and 25% each for medium and large jets, with VLJ lagging behind with his 15% share.
Then looking at the 50 least popular private jets (i.e. the models with the fewest number of aircraft in service), the large jet category is the most common category with a 42% share. Medium and large jets are roughly even at 26% and 24% respectively. VLJs make up just 6% of these aircraft, while the VIP passenger category makes up just 2% of the aircraft.
Of course, it should be borne in mind that larger jet models and aircraft are used. Therefore, you are more likely to get bigger stakes.
Manufacturer | Aircraft In Service |
Cessna | 7,481 |
Bombardier | 5,176 |
Gulfstream | 2,564 |
Dassault | 2,223 |
Embraer | 971 |
Hawker | 1,349 |
Cirrus | 412 |
Beechjet | 406 |
Eclipse | 298 |
Beechcraft | 280 |
HondaJet | 245 |
IAI | 195 |
Pilatus | 192 |
Mitsubishi | 53 |
Nextant | 2 |
All Aircraft
When looking at the popularity of all aircraft, there are some insights that we can draw on the overall popularity of each private jet type.
Out of the 20 most popular aircraft, 35% are light jets, an even 25% split each for medium and large jets, and VLJs trailing behind with a 15% share.
If we then take a look at the 50 least popular private jets (i.e. the models with the fewest aircraft in service), the most common category is the large jet category with a 42% share. Medium jets and large jets are pretty equal, with a 26% and 24% share respectively. VLJs only make up 6% of these aircraft and the VIP Airliner category is only responsible for 2% of aircraft.
Of course, it is important to remember that there are considerably more large jet models and aircraft in service. Therefore, the chances of having a greater share is more likely.
![](https://flyscanbusinessjets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/g800-1024x683-1.jpg)
Aircraft | Category | In Service |
Embraer Phenom 300 | Light | 696 |
Gulfstream G550 | Large | 603 |
Cessna Citation II | Light | 504 |
Cessna Citation Mustang | VLJ | 487 |
Bombardier Challenger 300 | Large | 485 |
Hawker 800XP | Medium | 450 |
Bombardier Learjet 45 | Light | 445 |
Cessna Citation CJ3 | Light | 430 |
Gulfstream G650 | Large | 419 |
Bombardier Learjet 60 | Medium | 415 |
Bombardier Challenger 350 | Large | 408 |
Embraer Phenom 100 | VLJ | 403 |
Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 | VLJ | 400 |
Cessna Citation CJ4 | Light | 398 |
Bombardier Learjet 35A | Light | 389 |
Cessna Citation Sovereign | Medium | 364 |
Beechjet 400A | Light | 361 |
Cessna Citation Excel | Medium | 359 |
Bombardier Challenger 604 | Large | 354 |
Cessna Citation XLS | Medium | 353 |
Cessna 525 CitationJet | Light | 349 |
Cessna Citation X | Large | 346 |
Bombardier Global 6000 | Large | 345 |
Gulfstream G450 | Large | 339 |
Cessna Citation M2 | VLJ | 336 |
Cessna Citation Bravo | Light | 334 |
Cessna Citation Latitude | Medium | 328 |
Cessna Citation XLS+ | Medium | 322 |
Dassault Falcon 7X | Large | 316 |
Bombardier Challenger 605 | Large | 300 |
Cessna Citation CJ2 | Light | 288 |
Eclipse 500 | VLJ | 267 |
Gulfstream GIVSP | Large | 265 |
Cessna Citation V | Medium | 263 |
Gulfstream G280 | Large | 257 |
Cessna Citation V Ultra | Medium | 249 |
Gulfstream GIV | Large | 246 |
Bombardier Global 5000 | Large | 244 |
Dassault Falcon 2000 | Large | 231 |
Cessna Citation CJ3+ | Light | 226 |
Dassault Falcon 50 | Large | 225 |
Dassault Falcon 2000LX | Large | 219 |
Hawker 400XP | Light | 215 |
Beechcraft Premier I | Light | 207 |
Cessna Citation I | Light | 201 |
HondaJet HA-420 | VLJ | 199 |
Gulfstream G200 | Medium | 195 |
Cessna Citation CJ1 | Light | 193 |
Pilatus PC-24 | Medium | 192 |
Hawker 900XP | Medium | 189 |
Bombardier Learjet 31A | Light | 187 |
Embraer Legacy 600 | Large | 185 |
Cessna Citation III | Light | 184 |
Cessna Citation CJ2+ | Light | 182 |
Gulfstream GV | Large | 180 |
Dassault Falcon 900EX | Large | 174 |
Hawker 800A | Medium | 159 |
Bombardier Global Express | Large | 157 |
Gulfstream GIII | Large | 154 |
Bombardier Learjet 75 | Light | 152 |
Bombardier Global Express XRS | Large | 149 |
Cessna Citation Encore | Light | 149 |
Gulfstream G650ER | Large | 139 |
Cessna Citation SII | Light | 138 |
Bombardier Challenger 601-3A | Large | 133 |
IAI Westwind 1 | Medium | 132 |
Bombardier Challenger 650 | Large | 131 |
Bombardier Learjet 40 | Light | 130 |
Gulfstream G150 | Medium | 128 |
Bombardier Global 7500 | Large | 125 |
Gulfstream G600 | Large | 122 |
Cessna Citation VII | Medium | 120 |
Dassault Falcon 8X | Large | 115 |
Dassault Falcon 900EX EASy | Large | 114 |
Bombardier Learjet 55 | Medium | 112 |
Dassault Falcon 2000EX | Large | 112 |
Cessna Citation CJ1+ | Light | 108 |
Dassault Falcon 900B | Large | 107 |
Embraer Legacy 650 | Large | 107 |
Hawker 700 | Medium | 94 |
Hawker 850XP | Medium | 92 |
Dassault Falcon 10 | Light | 91 |
Dassault Falcon 10 | Light | 91 |
Dassault Falcon 2000EX EASy | Large | 89 |
Embraer Legacy 500 | Medium | 88 |
Cessna Citation Sovereign+ | Medium | 86 |
Cessna Citation Longitude | Large | 82 |
Dassault Falcon 50EX | Large | 81 |
Dassault Falcon 900 | Large | 78 |
Hawker 4000 | Large | 75 |
Beechcraft Premier IA | Light | 73 |
Bombardier Challenger 850 | Large | 72 |
Cessna Citation Encore+ | Light | 66 |
Bombardier Challenger 600S | Large | 65 |
Embraer Legacy 450 | Medium | 65 |
Embraer Praetor 600 | Large | 64 |
IAI Westwind 2 | Medium | 63 |
Bombardier Global 6500 | Large | 58 |
Bombardier Challenger 601-3R | Large | 56 |
Dassault Falcon 900LX | Large | 55 |
Hawker 750 | Medium | 51 |
Bombardier Challenger 601 | Large | 48 |
HondaJet Elite S | VLJ | 46 |
Mitsubishi Diamond 1A | Light | 46 |
Beechjet 400 | Light | 45 |
Dassault Falcon 2000S | Large | 43 |
Bombardier Learjet 35 | Light | 40 |
Bombardier Learjet 31 | Light | 37 |
Cessna Citation VI | Medium | 36 |
Gulfstream GII | Large | 35 |
Bombardier Learjet 36A | Light | 31 |
Eclipse 550 | VLJ | 31 |
Embraer Lineage 1000 | VIP Airliner | 31 |
Embraer Praetor 500 | Medium | 28 |
Dassault Falcon 900DX | Large | 24 |
Gulfstream G400 (Previous) | Large | 23 |
Dassault Falcon 900C | Large | 20 |
Dassault Falcon 200 | Medium | 19 |
Bombardier Learjet 60XR | Medium | 17 |
Bombardier Learjet 36 | Light | 16 |
Gulfstream G100 | Medium | 16 |
Bombardier Global 5500 | Large | 14 |
Bombardier Learjet 70 | Light | 13 |
Bombardier Challenger 800 | Large | 12 |
Bombardier Learjet 45XR | Light | 12 |
Bombardier Learjet 55C | Medium | 12 |
Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 G2 | VLJ | 12 |
Gulfstream G700 | Large | 12 |
Gulfstream G300 | Large | 11 |
Gulfstream G350 | Large | 11 |
Gulfstream G500 | Large | 11 |
Hawker 800XPi | Medium | 10 |
Hawker 1000 | Medium | 9 |
Dassault Falcon 100 | Light | 8 |
Dassault Falcon 6X | Large | 7 |
Mitsubishi Diamond I | Light | 7 |
Bombardier Learjet 55B | Medium | 6 |
Hawker 800SP | Medium | 5 |
Bombardier Learjet 40XR | Light | 4 |
Dassault Falcon 2000DX | Large | 4 |
Bombardier Challenger 600 | Large | 2 |
Nextant 400XT | Light | 2 |
Gulfstream G800 | Large | 1 |