The Guide · Aircraft
Private jet types:which one you need for your route.
There are six categories, from turboprop to ultra-long-range. What decides which one suits you isn’t size: it’s how many are traveling, how much luggage they carry, the route’s real distance, and the airport you’re flying into. A Gulfstream G700 can’t land at Aspen; a Citation Latitude can.
Updated: September 22, 2026 · Sources at the end
The essentials
- The six categories: turboprop, light jet, midsize jet, super-midsize, large jet and ultra-long-range. It’s an industry convention, not a standard.
- Published capacity ranges from 9 passengers (Pilatus PC-12 PRO, Citation CJ3 Gen3) to 19 seats (Gulfstream G600 and G700, Bombardier Global 8000), per each manufacturer.
- Published maximum range runs from 1,765 nautical miles (PC-12 PRO) to 8,000 (Global 8000). It’s theoretical: actual range depends on payload and wind.
- Aspen only accepts aircraft up to 95 feet of wingspan and 100,000 pounds. Using the manufacturers’ figures, the G700 (103 ft, 107,600 lb) and the Global 8000 (104 ft) fall outside that; the G600 and the Global 6500 qualify on paper.
- For skis, baggage-hold volume (0.97 m³ to 5.52 m³ in this guide) says less than its length and its door, which almost no manufacturer publishes. We confirm it aircraft by aircraft.
- Vision Air Charter charters the whole aircraft for your group — never by seat — with FAA Part 135 operators.
What are the types of private jet?
The industry groups business aircraft by cabin size and range. Below is each category with one or two representative models and the figures from their own manufacturer — to understand what you’ll be offered, not as a promise of a specific model.
Turboprop: the one that gets in where others can’t
The Pilatus PC-12 PRO is a single-engine propeller aircraft with a pressurized cabin. Pilatus publishes capacity for up to nine passengers, a maximum cruise of 290 knots (about 537 km/h) and a maximum range of 1,765 nautical miles with four passengers, dropping to 1,565 with six. Its advantage: a 1.35 × 1.32 m cargo door, removable seats and short, gravel or snow runways. It’s slower than a jet; it shines on short legs.
Light jet: fast and efficient for two or three hours
The Citation CJ3 Gen3 lists a maximum of 9 occupants, a maximum cruise of 416 knots and a maximum range of 2,040 nautical miles, with a 65 cubic-foot (1.84 m³) baggage hold and up to 1,000 pounds of luggage. The Embraer Phenom 300E publishes 2,055 nautical miles. The cabin is low: the CJ3 measures 1.45 m of interior height, so you don’t walk upright.
Midsize jet: stand-up cabin and range for Colorado
The Citation Latitude is the step up to a stand-up cabin: 1.83 m tall, a maximum of 9 occupants, 446 knots, 2,700 nautical miles and a 127 cubic-foot (3.60 m³) hold for 1,245 pounds. The Embraer Praetor 500E publishes 3,340 nautical miles. For a family heading to the mountains with skis, it’s a good starting point.
Super-midsize: more people, more range, without a wide cabin
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 carries up to 10 passengers, typically cruises at Mach 0.80 and publishes 3,400 nautical miles of range with four passengers; its 106 cubic-foot (3 m³) hold is accessible in flight. The Citation Longitude lists a maximum of 12 occupants, a maximum cruise of 483 knots, 3,500 nautical miles and 112 cubic feet (3.17 m³) of hold.
Large jet: wide cabin and lots of luggage
The Dassault Falcon 2000LXS flies 4,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.80 with six passengers and has 130.6 cubic feet (3.70 m³) of hold. The Falcon 6X, with a wider cabin (2.59 m), publishes 5,500 nautical miles and 155 cubic feet (4.39 m³). The Gulfstream G600 (up to 19 seats) and the Bombardier Global 6500 (up to 17 passengers) publish 6,600 nautical miles and, on paper, still fit at Aspen.
Ultra-long-range: intercontinental, not for the mountains
The Gulfstream G700 (7,750 nautical miles) and the Bombardier Global 8000 (8,000) cross oceans. For Mexico–Colorado they’re overkill, and at Aspen they’re not allowed due to wingspan.
| Model | Passengers (published max.) | Published range | Cruise | Hold | Wingspan · max. weight | Aspen? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | ||||||
| Pilatus PC-12 PRO | 9 | 1,765 nm · ≈3,270 km | 290 knots | 34.3 ft³ · 0.97 m³* | 53 ft 5 in · 10,450 lb | Yes, on paper |
| Light jet | ||||||
| Citation CJ3 Gen3 | 9 occupants | 2,040 nm · ≈3,780 km | 416 knots | 65 ft³ · 1.84 m³ | 53 ft 4 in · 13,870 lb | Yes, on paper |
| Midsize jet | ||||||
| Citation Latitude | 9 occupants | 2,700 nm · ≈5,000 km | 446 knots | 127 ft³ · 3.60 m³ | 72 ft 4 in · 30,800 lb | Yes, on paper |
| Super-midsize | ||||||
| Challenger 3500 | 10 | 3,400 nm · ≈6,300 km | Mach 0.80 | 106 ft³ · 3 m³ | 69 ft · 40,600 lb | Yes, on paper |
| Citation Longitude | 12 occupants | 3,500 nm · ≈6,480 km | 483 knots | 112 ft³ · 3.17 m³ | 68 ft 11 in · 39,500 lb | Yes, on paper |
| Large jet · long-range | ||||||
| Falcon 2000LXS | — | 4,000 nm · ≈7,410 km | Mach 0.80 | 130.6 ft³ · 3.70 m³ | 70 ft 2 in · 42,800 lb | Yes, on paper |
| Falcon 6X | — | 5,500 nm · ≈10,190 km | Mach 0.80 | 155 ft³ · 4.39 m³ | 85 ft 1 in · 77,500 lb | Yes, on paper |
| Gulfstream G600 | 19 seats | 6,600 nm · ≈12,220 km | Mach 0.85 | 175 ft³ · 4.96 m³ | 94 ft 2 in · 94,600 lb | Yes, on paper |
| Global 6500 | 17 | 6,600 nm · ≈12,220 km | Mach 0.85 | — | 94 ft · 99,500 lb | Yes, by very little |
| Ultra-long-range | ||||||
| Gulfstream G700 | 19 seats | 7,750 nm · ≈14,350 km | Mach 0.85 | 195 ft³ · 5.52 m³ | 103 ft · 107,600 lb | No: wingspan and weight |
| Global 8000 | 19 | 8,000 nm · ≈14,820 km | Mach 0.85 | — | 104 ft · — | No: wingspan |
Source: each manufacturer’s product page, September 22, 2026. Knots = maximum cruise; Mach = typical or long-range cruise. Range is theoretical, with assumptions that vary (4 to 8 passengers). Km and m³ converted by us, approximate. “—” = not published. *PC-12: aft compartment; the cabin measures 9.23 m³. “Yes, on paper” = within 95 ft and 100,000 lb.
What private jet can land at Aspen?
Aspen (ASE) limits aircraft to 95 feet of wingspan and 100,000 pounds, at 7,838 feet elevation and with a single 8,006-foot runway. Using the manufacturers’ figures, every model in the table up through the Global 6500 qualifies; the G700 and the Global 8000 don’t. The Global 6500 is the borderline case: 94 feet and 99,500 pounds maximum takeoff weight.
Meeting the limit on paper is no promise of operating that day with your group: with altitude, temperature and reserves, the operator may need to limit passengers, luggage or fuel. That’s why for Aspen it’s worth looking first at midsize and super-midsize aircraft, and settling on the alternate airport — Eagle (EGE) or Rifle (RIL) — before departure. Overnight hours and alternates: Flying to Aspen and private flights from Mexico to Aspen (in Spanish). Note: ASE will close from April 4 to November 19, 2027 for the runway rebuild (closure guide).
Which one do I need for my trip, by route?
Distance is the first filter. These are approximate straight-line distances; the actual route assigned by air traffic control is somewhat longer.
| Route (approx.) | Toluca | Monterrey (Del Norte) | Guadalajara |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen | 1,250 nm · 2,310 km | 870 nm · 1,610 km | 1,130 nm · 2,100 km |
| Eagle / Vail | 1,270 nm · 2,360 km | 890 nm · 1,650 km | 1,160 nm · 2,150 km |
| Houston (Hobby) | 660 nm · 1,220 km | 350 nm · 640 km | 700 nm · 1,290 km |
| Dallas (Love Field) | 820 nm · 1,520 km | 450 nm · 840 km | 820 nm · 1,510 km |
| Miami (Opa-locka) | 1,140 nm · 2,110 km | 1,080 nm · 2,000 km | 1,310 nm · 2,430 km |
| New York (Teterboro) | 1,835 nm · 3,400 km | 1,580 nm · 2,930 km | 1,930 nm · 3,570 km |
Geodesic calculation (Vincenty, WGS-84) on each airport’s reference coordinates — Monterrey and Guadalajara from Mexico’s AIP —; figures rounded and approximate.
Houston and Dallas. Short legs. From Monterrey to Houston, estimating with published cruise speed, a PC-12 would take about 1 h 15 min in the air and a Latitude, about 50 minutes.
Aspen and Vail. From Mexico, US customs requires, absent a waiver, a first landing at a designated airport, so the trip splits into two legs (see Monterrey to Aspen and Vail (in Spanish)). Even so, Aspen’s altitude and ski luggage weigh as much as distance does: for a family with skis, a midsize or super-midsize gives margin on hold space and performance.
Miami. Within a light jet’s published range; a midsize gives margin with a lot of luggage. From Toluca (in Spanish), a Latitude would take an estimated 2 h 30 to 2 h 40 in the air.
New York. From Toluca or Guadalajara, the distance approaches a light jet’s published maximum range. To go without a technical stop with the full group, the sensible choice is a midsize or super-midsize.
Skis and luggage: what volume doesn’t tell you
Manufacturers publish the hold’s volume and, sometimes, its maximum weight: 1,000 pounds on the CJ3, 1,245 on the Latitude, 1,115 on the Longitude. They almost never publish the interior length or the door size, which is what decides whether a ski bag fits lying flat.
Tell us how many ski or snowboard bags, boot bags and suitcases you’re bringing; the operator confirms the fit for that aircraft. At Aspen, luggage is also weight, and weight counts at 7,838 feet. And on a turboprop like the PC-12, the solution can be the large cargo door and removing seats, something the manufacturer allows for.
Why do we choose by mission, not by category?
The category is a guide, not an answer. The right aircraft comes from weighing passengers, luggage, runway, altitude, range with reserves and the day’s weather; sometimes the smaller one is the one that actually fits. That’s how we explain it in What We Fly, and how we build every quote.
Data verified September 22, 2026 against the product pages of Pilatus, Textron Aviation, Embraer, Bombardier, Gulfstream and Dassault Aviation. Specifications are subject to change.
Vision Air Charter is an air charter broker — not an airline or a direct air carrier. All flights are operated by carriers certified under FAA Part 135 or its local equivalent. The models mentioned illustrate each category; availability of a specific model depends on the operator and the date.
Frequently asked questions.
How many people fit in a private jet?
It depends on the category. Per the manufacturers, a turboprop like the Pilatus PC-12 PRO carries up to 9 passengers, a midsize jet like the Citation Latitude up to 9 occupants, a super-midsize like the Challenger 3500 up to 10, and a long-range jet like the Gulfstream G600 up to 19 seats. Every charter aircraft has its own configuration, so the exact number is confirmed before booking.
What private jet can reach Aspen?
Aspen only accepts aircraft up to 95 feet of wingspan and 100,000 pounds. Using the manufacturers’ figures, turboprops, light jets, midsize, super-midsize and several long-range jets (like the Gulfstream G600 or the Global 6500) qualify on paper; the Gulfstream G700 and the Global 8000 do not. Performance at 7,838 feet elevation decides on the day of the flight.
How many skis fit in a private jet?
Manufacturers don’t publish a number of skis: they publish hold volume, from 65 cubic feet on a Citation CJ3 to 127 on a Citation Latitude and 175 on a Gulfstream G600. What decides it is the length of the compartment and its door, so we confirm with the operator how many bags fit on that specific aircraft.
What private jet do I need to fly from Mexico to New York?
From Toluca to Teterboro is about 1,835 nautical miles in a straight line. That approaches a light jet’s published maximum range, calculated with few passengers, so to go without a technical stop with the full group, the sensible choice is a midsize or super-midsize jet.
What’s the difference between a light jet and a midsize jet?
Cabin height, range and luggage. Per Textron, the Citation CJ3 Gen3 has a 1.45 m tall cabin, 2,040 nautical miles of range and 65 cubic feet of hold; the Citation Latitude has 1.83 m of height, 2,700 nautical miles and 127 cubic feet.
Can I rent just a few seats on a private jet?
With Vision Air Charter, no. The whole aircraft is chartered for your group; the price applies to the flight, not to each passenger.
Sources
- Pilatus — PC-12 PRO, Technical Data and PC-12 PRO page, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Textron Aviation — Citation CJ3 Gen3, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Textron Aviation — Citation Latitude, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Textron Aviation — Citation Longitude, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Embraer — Phenom 300E and Praetor 500E, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Bombardier — Challenger 3500, Global 6500 and Global 8000, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Gulfstream — G600 and G700, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Dassault Aviation — Falcon 2000LXS and Falcon 6X, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Aspen limits (95 feet, 100,000 pounds, 7,838 feet, 8,006-foot runway): Vision Air Charter — Flying to Aspen; 2027 closure: Pitkin County, May 28, 2026, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Monterrey and Guadalajara coordinates: Mexico’s AIP, AD 2-1 MMAN (09/05/2024) and AD 2-1 MMGL, accessed September 22, 2026.
Tell us about the trip.
How many are traveling, how much luggage (and how many skis), the route and the dates. We’ll come back with specific aircraft options and real pricing.
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