Large Cabin Chasm

A gap in the 4,000 to 6,000 nm range prompts the question: Who will take advantage of this sweet spot?

Fred George

Tuesday, August 01, 2023 at 03:22 PM ET

Verified

[Credit: Stephen Yeates]

Key Takeaways:

Business jet manufacturers are increasingly focusing on super-midsize and ultra-long-range segments, leading to intense competition for bigger, faster, and farther-flying aircraft.
This upmarket shift has created a noticeable gap in the entry-level large-cabin business aircraft market (4,000-6,000 nm range), where existing models offer only some desired features.
Buyers in this segment are seeking new aircraft that combine best-in-class cabin comfort (e.g., larger space, lower cabin altitude, quieter), higher speeds (Mach 0.85-0.90), advanced connectivity, and superior fuel efficiency.
The industry faces a challenge to develop a new generation of large-cabin jets that integrates these diverse capabilities to meet growing market demands.

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Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the April 2023 issue of Business AIR.

There are 30 purpose-built business jet models in current production, starting with $4.5 million, 1,000-nm-range light turbofan airplanes, all the way up to $85 million-plus, 8,000 nm-plus uber cruisers. Add in the $100 to $200 million air yachts from Airbus and Boeing, and the total count jumps to 36. The sheer number of these machines, along with notable differences in cabin comfort, speed, range, airport performance, and fuel economy, suggest there’s a perfect fit for every customer.