Our private plane fleet is top of the line, and we mean it when we say — we have the perfect plane for everyone.
Now that you know what it’s like to fly private, you may be wondering which aircraft will be right for your trip. In general, the aircraft for your trip will depend on multiple factors, such as the length of your trip and the number of passengers.
Aero Charter’s charter coordinators are here to help you each step of the way when you book your private flight. But if you’re looking for some information ahead of booking, take a look at these tips for choosing a private plane.
Number of Passengers
No matter if it’s just your spouse and children or you are bringing your team with you, we can help accommodate your group (and of course, our entire fleet can carry a smaller number of passengers).
The Citation CJ2 is a comfortable and light jet with room for up to 6 individuals. Need slightly more room than that? The Beechcraft King Air seats up to 7 passengers, the Pilatus PC-12 seats up to 8 passengers, and the Citation XLS and Sovereign can seat up to 9 passengers.
Once you exceed 9 passengers, you can either split the group into two aircraft or take a larger-class aircraft, such as a Gulfstream, which can hold between 12 and 14 individuals. The cost of the larger aircraft can be double that of the mid-size aircraft, so depending on your travel plans, the multi-jet route can be more advantageous.
There are also other options for very large groups with aircraft similar to what the airlines utilize.
Your Destination
The distance from the departure city to your destination can influence what plane is best for you. Turbo-props (like the previously mentioned Pilatus PC-12 and King Air 200) are popular options for short- to medium-range trips (such as from St. Louis to Nashville). These planes have comfortable-sized cabins, cost less than a jet to charter, and can carry more weight than the light jets.
The only potential downside (depending on how fast you need to get to your destination) is that they are slower in speed. The speed difference does not play a big factor until you start flying more than 500 miles each way. At that point, the cost starts closing the gap to the faster light jets (like the Citation CJ2).
For longer trips and with more passengers and luggage, the mid-size jet (Citation XLS) is a great choice and one of the most popular business jets in the industry.
Have a longer-distance trip that’ll last a few days? You, eight other passengers, and your luggage will fit comfortably in a super-mid-size jet (such as the Citation Sovereign). The Sovereign can travel over 3,000 miles nonstop.
Your best-fit aircraft will also depend on your destination airport. Since there are over 5,000 airports that are accessible with charter aircraft, some airports may be too small for a jet, but easier to access with a turbo-prop.
Your Preferred Travel Style
Whichever private plane you choose, you can rest assured you’ll fly in luxury. At Aero Charter, we can arrange for the type of aircraft that best suits your trip’s needs.
Simply tell us where you would like to go and how many people will be on the flight and we will find the best aircraft to take you to your destination in the safest, most luxurious and most cost-effective aircraft.
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Are you ready to fly a private plane to your next destination? Let Aero Charter take care of your experience, as the only full-service charter company in the St. Louis region. Get an online quote or contact us today to begin.
