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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?

[Credit: Stephen Yeates]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Business jet manufacturers are increasingly migrating upmarket, fueling intense competition in the super-midsize and ultra-long-range "uber jet" segments with larger, faster, and farther-flying aircraft.
  • This upmarket trend has created a noticeable gap in the entry-level large-cabin business jet market (4,000-6,000 nm range), where existing models each present compromises in comfort, speed, or fuel efficiency.
  • The market seeks a new generation of large-cabin aircraft that combine best-in-class cabin comfort (e.g., lower cabin altitude, quietness, advanced amenities), high cruise speeds (Mach 0.85+), and significantly improved fuel efficiency, all while maintaining excellent airport performance.
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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.

Fred George

Fred George has flown in the left seat of nearly every business jet produced in the last 30 years, encompassing more than 195 aircraft models total over his career. He reports on the business aviation industry for FLYING, returning to the senior editor position after first contributing to the magazine in the 1980s and 90s.

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