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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 focused on developing larger, faster, and longer-range "uber jets," leading to intense competition at the high end of the market.
  • This upmarket trend has created a "noticeable gap" in the 4,000- to 6,000-nautical-mile range, entry-level large-cabin business aircraft segment.
  • Current offerings in this large-cabin category each present significant trade-offs, failing to combine best-in-class comfort, speed, range, and fuel efficiency.
  • The market seeks a new-generation large-cabin jet that integrates superior cabin comfort, high cruising speeds (Mach 0.85+), improved fuel efficiency, advanced connectivity, and 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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