Before getting into the nitty-gritty, as we look at light jets, the industry definition is aircraft under 20,000 pounds for maximum takeoff weight. However, there are several types that you will often find classified as light jets – the Citations Excel/XLS and Learjet 40/45 that are technically midsize jets. For these reports, we’ve used data supplied by Conklin & de Decker, which we divided by maximum takeoff weight, so as you consider jet card providers, you may find aircraft you were expecting to find here with the midsize jets. We offer our Jet Card Decider service for paid subscribers if you want to save some time and let us help you.
The new Pilatus PC-24 edges out Embraer’s Phenom 300 series with 90 cubic feet of storage versus 85 cubic feet when it comes to total baggage space. As you look at the chart below, the difference between internal and external storage is that with internal storage, you have access to that luggage compartment directly from the passenger area so you can get to your bags inflight. Just for reference, the Citation Excel/XLS has 90 cubic feet of baggage storage space, while the Learjet 45 series is at 65 cubic feet.
Back to actual light jets, after the Phenom 300, the Beechcraft Premier 1/1A offers 77 cubic feet of space followed closely by several Citation variations and then the Phenom 100 with 70 cubic space. Of course, your luggage isn’t necessarily measured in cubic feet, for example, golf clubs, skis, dive gear, and so forth, so before signing up for a light jet program, make sure if you travel with large amounts of luggage or various sports gear or other oversized baggage to discuss in depth your needs with the providers you are considering.
Aircraft Name | Baggage Volume Internal | Baggage Volume External |
---|---|---|
13 | 28 | |
12 | 28 | |
20 | 33 | |
31 | 25 | |
Nextant Aerospace 400XTi | 31 | 25 |
16 | 44 | |
16 | 44 | |
16 | 44 | |
12 | 33 | |
30 | 26 | |
40 | 17 | |
28 | 46 | |
8 | 51 | |
45 | ||
4 | 70 | |
65 | ||
Cessna Citation CJ3 | 65 | |
65 | ||
6 | 71 | |
28 | 43 | |
28 | 43 | |
40 | 17 | |
36 | 41 | |
4 | 51 | |
Cessna Citation M2 | 43 | |
6 | 57 | |
36 | 41 | |
26 | 41 | |
26 | 41 | |
16 | ||
16 | ||
36 | 41 | |
36 | 41 | |
54 | ||
Honda Aircraft HA-420 HondaJet | 66 | |
Beechcraft Hawker 400XP | 31 | 25 |
31 | 25 | |
54 | ||
54 | ||
55 | ||
54 | ||
54 | ||
Beechcraft King Air 350 | 56 | 16 |
56 | 16 | |
56 | 16 | |
55 | ||
54 | ||
54 | ||
54 | ||
54 | ||
54 | ||
55 | ||
54 | ||
54 | ||
48 | ||
54 | ||
48 | ||
48 | ||
48 | ||
48 | ||
48 | ||
54 | ||
54 | ||
40 | ||
40 | ||
40 | ||
30 | ||
40 | ||
30 | ||
30 | ||
Bombardier Learjet 35A | 40 | |
27 | ||
6 | 37 | |
40 | ||
Pilatus PC-12 | 34 | |
Pilatus PC-24 | 90 | |
Embraer Phenom 100 | 10 | 60 |
10 | 60 | |
10 | 60 | |
Embraer Phenom 300 | 19 | 66 |
19 | 66 | |
23 | 55 | |
23 | 55 | |
43 | ||
53 | ||
32 | ||
32 | ||
32 | ||
32 | ||
32 | ||
30 | 6 | |
30 | 6 | |
36 | ||
30 | 6 | |
16 | ||
Cirrus Vision SF50 | 24 |