January 18, 2012

New Flight Charters Reports Most Popular Private Jets & Aircraft for 2011

Light and Midsize Private Jets Strong Compared To Large Cabin Jet Charters

In a year that saw worldwide private jet charter demand make modest but fluctuating gains, U.S.-based leader New Flight Charters reports the most popular aircraft chosen for charter flights in 2011 along with its strong increase in charter flight business. 

Data is from the company’s 2011 North America charter activity, including 1,105 separate flights with 587 charters, which showed notable increases of 27.2% and 16.9% respectively over prior year results. 

Along with a notable increase in business – mostly in light and midsize jets – those who chartered private aircraft in 2011 on average flew more flight legs in their trip itinerary.   This 2011 increase in charter bookings and flight activity bodes well compared to prior years and lends an optimistic outlook for 2012 air charter business.

Light Jets were by far the most popular size chartered in 2011, and were almost half (44.6%) of all charters.   In listing the top five most popular light jets, tied for first were the Citation V/Ultra (19.1% of light jets) and the Beechjet 400/Hawker 400XP (19.1%), followed by the Learjet 35 (14.5%), Citation II (11.1%) and Westwind I/II (9.2%).

Midsize Jets accounted for 21.1% of charters during 2011.   The top five most popular midsize jets were the Hawker 800A at 20.2% followed by the Hawker 800XP (18.5%), Learjet 60 (16.1%), Learjet 55 (15.3%) and the Citation Excel (5.5%).   As a make overall, all Hawker models combined were chosen for almost half (46.8%) of midsize jet charters.  Midsize Learjets as a whole were 33.9% of the category’s jet charter activity.

Turboprops were the next most popular category, at 20.1% of all charters.   Beechcraft King Airs, by far the most popular chosen, accounted for 72.0% of turboprop charters.   The Pilatus PC-12 was second at 12.7% and Piper Cheyenne third at 3.4%.   King Air aircraft have been in production for over 40 years and have much greater charter availability, and thus charter results compared to the Pilatus PC-12.

The remaining aircraft categories were notably smaller portions of 2011 charters; Large Cabin Jets at 5.8%, Piston aircraft with 5.3%, and Super-Midsize jets with 3.1% rounded out the 2011 results.

Recent Market Trend
The popularity of certain aircraft models chosen confirm a trend to more relatively economical aircraft in 2011, a result of the condition of the US economy.   Proven legacy models, such as the Learjet 35 and Citation II light jets, and the Learjet 55 midsize jet, showed high charter demand and availability. 

Many who fly privately may not have the same means to fly they did several years ago, but still desire the ease and freedom of private charter, and cost is a greater factor today in making those arrangements.   The strength of the Light and Midsize jet segments, when compared to luxury large cabin jets, further confirm this market trend.

Full Results

2011 results are broken down by aircraft size category and they by most popular make/model:

Light Jets - 44.6% of all charters.

• Citation V/Ultra - 19% of light jets
• Beechjet 400/Hawker 400XP - 19%
• Hawker 400XP - 13%
• Beechjet 400 - 6%
• Learjet light jet series - 19%
• Learjet 35 - 15%
• Learjet 31 - 4%
• Citation II - 11%
• Westwind I/II - 9%
• Citation CJ series - 9%
  • Citation CJ1 - 5%
  • Citation CJ2 - 3%
  • Citation CJ3 - 1%
• Citation Mustang - 4%

Midsize Jets - 21.1% of all charters

• Hawker, all models - 46% of midsize jets
• Hawker 800A - 18%
• Hawker 800XP - 16%
• Hawker 700 - 7%
• Hawker 1000 - 2%
• Learjet models 45/55/60 - 33%
• Learjet 55 - 15%
• Learjet 60 - 15%
• Learjet 45 - 3%
• Citation, all misize models - 15%
• Citation Excel - 9%
• Citation III - 6%

Turboprops - 20.1% of all charters

• King Air, all models - 72% of turboprops
• King Air 200 - 37%
• King Air 90 series - 20%
• King Air 100 - 8%
• King air 300-350 - 4%
• Pilatus PC-12 - 12%
• Piper Cheyenne - 3%
• Cessna Grand Caravan - 3%
• Kodiak Quest - 3%

Pistons - 5.8% of all charters

• Piston Twins - 71% of pistons
• Piper Seneca - 26% of pistons
• Piper Navajo - 23%
• Cessna 340 - 13%
• Cessna 421 - 9%
• Piston Singles - 29% of pistons
• Cessna 206 - 23% of pistons
• Cirrus SR-22 - 6%

Large Cabin Jets - 5.1% of all charters

• Challenger, all models - 42% of large cabins
  • Challenger 604 - 25%
  • Challenger 601 - 13%
• Gulfstream models 200-IV - 42%
  • Gulfstream III - 29%
  • Gulfstream IV - 13%
• Embraer Legacy - 8%

Super-Midsize Jets - 3.1% of all charters

• Citation X - 44% of super-midsize jets
• Falcon 50 - 39%
• Citation Sovereign - 6%

Care should be taken when comparing numbers and model popularity.  Numbers of each model available for charter across the country are not equal.  The number of particular models vary and will affect the model's frequency of charter.  For example, if there are many more Learjet 35's available for charter across the U.S. than Citation CJ2's, the availability and cost of the Learjet 35 by comparison will be more favorable.

About New Flight Charters

The fastest-growing U.S. jet charter service since 2005, New Flight Charters is an award-winning private jet charter leader nationwide.  The company arranges top-rated aircraft and guaranteed best pricing in the market for each and every flight with arguably the largest nationwide air charter listings of independent jets and operator fleets.  Considered one of the top charter teams in the industry, the company is the most recommended jet charter service in the U.S., from the world’s largest charter marketplace for air charter professionals, CharterX/Avinode.

For the latest updates, information or charter quotes, call (800) 732-1653, or visit www.newflightcharters.com.