Private aviation provides a wide array of amenities and arguably the most coveted trait by passengers is the possibility to choose which aircraft will take them to their next destination. Private jet provider Monarch Air Group shares details on how to choose the right aircraft, depending on a set of variables, while also revealing which are the leading private aviation aircraft in the market.
Today’s most delivered light private jet is, without a doubt, the Honda Jet. With far less decades of experience manufacturing aircraft, Honda has been able to design a competitive product that is superior in various categories, all thanks to a novel layout that accommodates the engines above the wing, which in hand leaves more space in the cabin for passengers and luggage, reduces noise exposure, and produces less vibration. It is also faster than its counterparts and offers more fuel efficiency, as well as having a higher dispatch reliability.
Although the Honda Jet is the most preferred today, there are also other great options in the segment, starting with the Phenom 100. Considered in the “Very Light Jet” category, the smallest Embraer manufactured private jet is comparable to the Honda Jet in its overall performance. Other competitor’s worth mentioning are the Citation 1, Eclipse 500 and the Vision Jet, Cirrus’ first jet aircraft. The Vision Jet is the smallest and it only has one engine, making it also an attractive cost-efficient option for shorter routes.
Choosing the right aircraft for your travel
Passengers use private aviation because of its flexibility, safety, and reliability. They do not need to know all the details of the aircraft they will be chartering. This is where a serious private aviation provider comes into the picture, advising their clients, based on needs and operational capacity, what aircraft to charter. Although light and mid-size jets like the Cessna Citation XLS+ might be one of the most common chartered jet segments, each route needs to be paired with the precise airplane. That is not an overstatement. Safety, cost, and overall client needs are part of that equation.
There is a group of aircraft that adapts to almost any runway, while also having low operational costs and extremely high standards of comfort: turboprops. In fact, for short trips of under three hours, turboprops are the recommended option if cost is a concern. The leading models are the King Air and Pilatus PC-12, with both sharing great reviews by passengers. The King Air has two engines, which is perceived by some passengers as being safer, but makes it more expensive to operate, and the Pilatus PC-12, with one engine, has an excellent safety track record and a larger cabin, as well as a unique cargo compartment.
The success of the Swiss-made Pilatus PC-12 has resulted in the manufacturing of the Pilatus PC-24, the first jet by the company and the only jet in the market with the capacity to operate in grass or gravel runways. Last but not least, another common single-engine turboprop, with a large and comfortable cabin that can seat up to 10 passengers is the Cessna Grand Caravan, also with low operational costs.
Other turboprops worth mentioning are the Conquest and Conquest II, great options because they are inexpensive and relatively fast, which makes for a good starting point to experience private aviation’s full scale of amenities.
Experiencing private jet travel the right way
Private charter providers like Monarch Air Group thrive in providing a superior service and leaving in the hands of their clients the final decision regarding which aircraft will complete their trip. Nevertheless, it must be an informed decision. There are too many moving parts in private aviation and the role of each provider is to communicate effectively and advise for the best option, always. A transatlantic jet can perfectly operate a three-hour short haul flight, but is it the best option?
Private charter providers can therefore make or break the private jet experience with a certain aircraft selection. Relying on experienced companies is the only way to secure passengers are really getting the best of private aviation, from a seamless pre-flight process to choosing the appropriate aircraft. Safety and comfort depend on it and, most importantly, a customer opting for an exclusive service deserves nothing less.
Alina Gavrushenko is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations Monarch Air Group.
