How Far Can a Private Jet Fly?
Private jet travel gives you the ability to avoid airline hassles and enjoy flying in luxury. Many people new to the world of private airlines have questions about the specifications and limitations of this mode of travel. One of the most common questions is, how far can a private jet fly? The short answer in most cases is, as far as you need it to fly. The specifics of this answer are explored below, along with some hard numbers and real facts.
Comparing Private Jets to Commercial Airlines
As a general rule, private jets compare very well to commercial airlines. If two people were leaving from the same location and going to a destination on the other side of the country, with one using a private airline and the other using a commercial airline, the person in the private jet would arrive well ahead of the person using the commercial jet almost every time. Part of this is a matter of speed – an average private jet has cruising speeds of 604 miles per hour, which is faster than a commercial Boeing 747’s cruising speed of 500 miles per hour. The other element of this is the fact that private airlines have less wait time on the ground, from check-in to takeoff, making for a faster experience overall.
Factors to Consider When Determining Flying Distance
The exact distance that a private jet can fly depends heavily on the size of the aircraft. Because many private jets are designed to carry small groups of 20 people or less, they are likely to have smaller fuel capacities than public airlines. Even so, the typical range on a single tank of fuel for a private jet are typically about 1,500 miles for small aircraft. In most cases, this is enough to carry passengers to major destinations in the continental US without having to refuel. More expensive private jets might be larger and have more fuel capacity. In such cases, their range might be enough for easy intercontinental flight. The largest private jets have ranges of 4,000 miles, allowing for trips across oceans.
What Type of Jet is Right for You?
If you are planning not just to charter a private jet but to purchase one outright, you should consider where you will be traveling to most often. If you plan many trips inside the continental United States, a small craft might fit your needs. Trips for people who are globetrotters and whose lives bring them across the Atlantic or Pacific on a regular basis might call for a larger aircraft. Remember also that refueling options are plentiful for private jets; having such a craft opens you up to hundreds of more potential landing sites across North America.
Generally speaking, private jets can bring you any length of distance that a commercial airline can, and they can do so faster and more conveniently. The only real question is how big a fuel capacity you need, and that is a question best answered by your individual needs and travel habits.
