TOP 5 most popular private jets in 2023.

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The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) counts over 1.5 million private jet flights in Europe in 2022. The most popular private jets alone accounted for 30% of the total flights in 2022. What are the most popular private jets for 2022? Why are these private jets so popular with business aviation customers? That’s what we’ll tell you in this article. AEROAFFAIRES presents the TOP 5 most popular private jets in 2022.

 

 1- Cessna Citation Excel /XLS 

 

 

Crédit photo : Cessna Citation Excel / XLS

 

 

How many flights did the Cessna Citation XLS make in 2021 ?

 

This light private jet made 53,501 departures in Europe and 53,502 arrivals, or 107,003 flights. In 2021, its number of movements increased by 2%.

 

History of the Citation XLS :

 

Designed by the aircraft manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company, the Citation XLS made its first flight on 29 February 1996, under the name of Citation Excel. It was only two years later that the aircraft was officially put into service and was able to take passengers on board.

Within 10 years, Cessna had sold 700 XLS aircraft. It was renamed the XLS after several upgrades were made by the aircraft manufacturer.

 

Features of the Citation XLS :

 

The Cessna Citation XLS is 16 m long and 5.23 m high and can carry up to 9 passengers. It has two engines and a range of 3,852 km.

In addition to the passengers, it can carry 4 pieces of luggage in the hold and 3 suitcases in the cabin.

 

The advantages of the Citation XLS that make it so popular :

 

What makes the Citation XLS the most popular private jet is its many advantages. This is because it offers :

  • excellent value for money, which is considered exceptional
  • its range, which allows it to fly all over Europe.
  • its adaptability. The Citation XLS is able to adapt to runways and land on so-called ‘short runways’. It can also accommodate up to 10 passengers if required.
  • high quality comfort.

 

2- King Air 200

 

How many flights did the King Air 200 make in 2021 ?

 

This turboprop aircraft made 53,074 departures in Europe and 53,071 arrivals, i.e. 106,145 flights. In 2021, its number of movements increased by 6%.

 

History of the King Air 200 :

 

Also known as the Beechcraft 200, it was designed in 1970. A year later, in 1971, the aircraft made its first flight, piloted by Bud Francis. It was then certified in December 1972. It was not until April 1974 that the King Air 200 began to carry passengers. Today, there are 2,350 of these aircraft in the world.

 

Features of the King Air 200 :

 

The King Air 200 is 13.34 m long and 4.57 m high and can accommodate up to 9 passengers. It has two engines and a range of 3,340 km.

The King Air 200 turboprop can carry, in addition to passengers, 2 pieces of luggage in the hold and 2 suitcases in the cabin.

 

The advantages of the King Air 200 that make it so popular :

 

What makes the King Air 200 so popular are the benefits it provides to passengers. This aircraft :

  • offers a quiet, spacious and comfortable cabin.
  • allows take-off after runway closing times.
  • is environmentally friendly with low CO2 emissions.

 

3- Pilatus PC-12

 

 

Crédit photo : Pilatus PC-12

 

 

How many flights did the Pilatus PC-12 make in 2021 ?

 

As a turboprop aircraft, the Pilatus PC-12 achieved 48,485 departures in Europe and 48,484 arrivals. These figures represent 96,969 flights in Europe. In 2021, its number of movements increased by 25 %.

 

History of the Pilatus PC-12 :

 

Designed in 1987 and manufactured by the Swiss manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft, the Pilatus PC-12 entered service in 1991. There are 1,700 aircraft in circulation in 2021. It is only in 2017 that it will be approved as a “Public Transport” aircraft in France and will be authorised to carry passengers.

 

Features of the Pilatus PC-12 :

 

The Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine, 14m long and 4.26m high aircraft that can carry up to 9 passengers. It has a single engine and requires two pilots to fly it. It has a range of 2,750 km.

The Pilatus PC-12 turboprop has the capacity to carry, in addition to the passengers, 3 baggage items in the hold and 3 cabin suitcases.

The advantages of the Pilatus PC-12 that make it so popular :

 

The Pilatus PC-12 has made its way into the TOP 5 most popular private jets of 2022 thanks to several special features:

  • It is one of the few private jets that can land on short runways. Its playground extends to more than 2,500 airfields in Europe.
  • The Pilatus PC-12 is all-terrain and can land on grass runways.
  • It offers excellent value for money. It is even considered “economical”.

 

4- Embraer Phenom 300

 

Jet privé Phenom 300
Crédit photo : Embraer Phenom 300

 

How many flights has the Embraer Phenom 300 achieved in 2021 ? 

 

The Embraer Phenom 300 is a light private jet, with 32,379 departures and 32,376 arrivals in Europe. This represents 64,755 flights in Europe. In 2021, its number of movements rose by 22 %. 

 

History of Embraer Phenom 300 :

 

The Embraer Phenom 300 first flew in April 2008. It will enter service one year later, in 2019. This aircraft is the product of the Brazilian manufacturer: Embraer. Today, there are 600 Phenom 300s in the world.

 

Features of the Embraer Phenom 300 :

 

The Embraer Phenom 300 is 15.91m long and 5.10m high and can carry up to eight passengers. It can be flown by a single pilot, but the cockpit is built to accommodate two. It has a range of 3,600 km.

The Embraer Phenom 300 turboprop has the capacity to carry, in addition to the passengers, 3 hold luggage and 3 cabin luggage.

The advantages of the Embraer Phenom 300 that make it so popular :

 

The Embraer Phenom 300 owes its place in the TOP 5 most popular private jets of 2022 to :

  • its design
  • the comfort of the ergonomic seats
  • its competitive price

 

5- Cessna Citation CJ2

 

Cessna Citation CJ2 en vol
Crédit photo : Cessna – Textron Aviation

 

How many flights did the Cessna Citation CJ2 make in 2021 ?

 

The Cessna Citation CJ2 is a light private jet, with 26,995 departures in Europe and 26,993 arrivals. This represents 53,988 flights in Europe. In 2021, its number of movements increased by 8%. 

History of Cessna Citation CJ2 :

 

An upgraded version of the Cessna CJ1, the Citation CJ2 was delivered in 2000. Its predecessor made its first flight on 29 April 1991 and entered service on 30 March 1993 as the CitationJet.

 

Features of the Cessna Citation CJ2  : 

 

The Cessna Citation CJ2 is 14.53 m long and 4.27 m high and can carry up to 6 passengers. It has a range of 2,987 km.

In addition to the passengers, the Cessna Citation CJ2 can carry 3 pieces of luggage in the hold and 6 suitcases in the cabin.

 

The advantages of the Cessna Citation CJ2 that make it so popular :

 

The Cessna Citation CJ2 owes its popularity to :

  • its spacious cargo area
  • its excellent price-performance ratio
  • comfort on board
  • on-board toilet facilities

 

Comfort, value for money and the ability to land on short runways are all features that appeal to passengers who rent private jets. It is therefore no surprise that the Citation XLS, the King Air 200, the Pilatus PC-12, the Phenom 300 and the Citation CJ2 are among the Top 5 most popular private jets.

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