Heavy Jets: Models, Range and Hourly Charter Prices

Heavy jets at a glance

Six aircraft make up most of the European offer. Their differences do not show in the category name.

What a heavy jet actually delivers

The category covers the North Atlantic without a stop. Paris to or from New York, London to or from Dubai, Geneva to or from Jeddah: these sectors are flown in one leg, which the categories below cannot do.

In day configuration the cabin separates a working area from a lounge. In night configuration the seats convert into single or double berths, made up in flight. On an eight-hour sector that switch entirely changes the state you land in.

Wi-fi is available on board most aircraft, but almost always billed as a supplement. It is a line our quotes set out explicitly, because it often catches clients by surprise.

The Challenger 850, the largest but not the furthest

A counter-intuitive point worth making: the roomiest aircraft in the category is also the one that flies the shortest distance.

The Challenger 850 derives directly from the CRJ200, Bombardier's 50-seat regional airliner. It reuses that airframe, which gives it cabin volume no rival matches, a 5.70 m3 hold and 12 to 16 passengers in executive configuration.

That lineage costs range. The standard version quotes around 5,205 km, the extended-range 850ER around 5,741 km. Either way, appreciably less than a Falcon 900LX and its 8,500 km. Worth noting, the aircraft is out of production: manufacturing ended in 2012, after a run that began in 2006.

The practical consequence: for a group of fourteen flying Paris to or from New York, the Challenger 850 cannot make it without a stop, while the narrower Falcon 900LX can. Choosing on capacity alone leads straight to a fuel stop.

Two engines or three, what it changes over the ocean

The Falcon 900LX is a trijet, where most of its rivals are twins. That is not a brochure detail.

Twin-engine aircraft are subject to diversion-distance rules that constrain routing over the Atlantic and the Arctic. A trijet escapes that constraint, which allows more direct routes and greater flexibility on long crossings. On an oceanic sector it sometimes translates into flying time saved.

Heavy jet price: from 6,500 euros per hour

The hourly rate starts at around 6,500 euros. That covers the aircraft, crew, fuel, ground handling and navigation charges. It excludes de-icing, additional passengers, special catering, wi-fi and out-of-hours airport opening.

The final price depends above all on positioning. A heavy jet already based in Paris costs appreciably less than one that has to be flown in empty from Geneva or Vienna. That is the first lever we work on. The full grid by category is on our private jet rental cost page.

When a heavy jet is the wrong choice

On European sectors under four hours the category is oversized. A super midsize from 5,500 euros per hour covers Paris to or from Athens with enough comfort, at a markedly lower cost.

At the other end, as soon as the sector exceeds nine hours, Paris to or from Singapore or Los Angeles, you move to the ultra long range category. Our comparison of heavy jet or ultra long range sets out exactly where the switch happens.

Chartering a heavy jet with IBC Aviation

As an independent broker we compare the real availability of several operators against your request, and verify range on your precise sector, at your payload, on the intended date. That verification is what prevents a technical stop discovered late. Every aircraft is listed on our fleet page.

Private jet charter with IBC Aviation:

Our teams advise you on the private jet best suited to your itinerary and requirements, and organise your trip to or from your destination. Available 24/7:

• France: +33 1 41 69 88 88
• Switzerland: +41 22 880 28 88
• Dubai: +971 55 303 5161
• Bangkok: +66 81 808 2866
• Email: contact@ibc-aviation.com

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to charter a heavy jet?

From around 6,500 euros per flying hour, including aircraft, crew, fuel, ground handling and charges. De-icing, wi-fi and special catering are added. Aircraft positioning weighs more on the total than the category itself.

Can a heavy jet fly Paris to or from New York non stop?

Yes, for most aircraft in the category. The Challenger 850 is the exception: with around 5,205 km in standard form and 5,741 km in ER form, it cannot cross the North Atlantic in one leg despite the large cabin inherited from the CRJ200.

How many passengers fit in a heavy jet?

From 8 to 16 depending on the aircraft and the operator's layout. The Falcon 2000 seats 8 to 10, the Challenger 850 up to 16. Beyond that you move to a larger airframe.

Is wi-fi included on board?

It is available on most heavy jets but almost always billed as a supplement, like special catering and de-icing. Our quotes set out those lines separately.