Heavy Jet Charter

Heavy jets are the top tier of private aviation: full stand-up cabins, flat-bed sleeping, onboard Wi-Fi, dedicated galleys, and enough range to cross oceans nonstop. At $8,000–$12,000+ per flight hour, they’re also the most expensive charter category — and for the missions they’re built for, nothing else will do.

This guide covers what defines a heavy jet, which aircraft to request, real pricing on long-range routes, and when the step up from a super-midsize is genuinely worth it.

What Is a Heavy Jet?

Heavy jets — also called large-cabin or long-range jets — sit at the top of the charter market:

• Cruise speed: 500–600 mph
• Range: 4,000–7,500 nautical miles — genuinely intercontinental
• Passengers: 10–16, commonly configured for 12–14
• Cabin height: 6’0″–6’5″ — full stand-up, walk-around cabins
• Baggage: 150–250 cubic feet
• Amenities: Flat-bed berthing, full galley, private lavatories, satellite Wi-Fi, often a stateroom
• Hourly rate: $8,000–$12,000+

The defining difference isn’t luxury — it’s capability. A heavy jet turns a 14-hour multi-stop ordeal into a single nonstop flight where you sleep in a real bed and land ready to work.

Heavy Jet Charter Cost

Route	Flight Time	Estimated Cost
New York → Los Angeles	5 hrs	$40,000–$75,000
New York → London	7 hrs	$80,000–$150,000
Los Angeles → Honolulu	5.5 hrs	$50,000–$85,000
New York → Dubai	12 hrs	$140,000–$250,000
Miami → São Paulo	8 hrs	$90,000–$160,000
Los Angeles → Tokyo	11 hrs	$130,000–$230,000
Chicago → Las Vegas	3.5 hrs	$28,000–$42,000

International heavy jet flights carry additional costs beyond the hourly rate — overflight permits, customs and handling at foreign airports, and crew overnight expenses. Long-range trips often require an augmented crew, which adds cost but enables longer duty days. See our guides on private jet customs and immigration and charter fees explained.

The Best Heavy Jets for Charter

Gulfstream G550

The long-range workhorse and one of the most chartered heavy jets in the world. Around 6,750 nm of range, seating 14–16, with a four-zone cabin and full berthing. Broad operator availability makes the G550 the most practical choice for most transatlantic charters.

Gulfstream G650 / G650ER

The flagship. The G650ER flies roughly 7,500 nm at up to Mach 0.925 — New York to Hong Kong nonstop. Seats 11–18, with the largest cabin in the Gulfstream line, a private stateroom, and exceptionally low cabin altitude that meaningfully reduces fatigue on long flights. Premium pricing to match.

Bombardier Global 6000 / 7500

The Global 6000 offers about 6,000 nm and a notably wide, quiet cabin seating 13–17. The Global 7500 extends that to roughly 7,700 nm with a four-zone cabin including a genuine private bedroom and full-size shower on some configurations — arguably the most comfortable business jet flying.

Dassault Falcon 7X / 8X

The efficiency and airport-access specialists. Three engines, around 5,950 nm (7X) to 6,450 nm (8X), seating 12–16. Falcons burn notably less fuel than comparable Gulfstreams and offer superior short-field performance — the 8X can use airports many heavy jets cannot, including challenging fields like London City.

Gulfstream G450 / G500

Entry-level heavy jets. The G450 offers about 4,350 nm seating 13–16; the newer G500 around 5,300 nm with updated avionics and a quieter cabin. Both handle transcontinental and shorter transatlantic routes at lower rates than a G550 or G650.

Airbus ACJ319 / Boeing BBJ

Converted airliners — the largest private aircraft available. Seating 18–50 with separate bedrooms, conference rooms, and lounges. Reserved for very large groups, heads of state, and clients wanting an apartment in the sky. Pricing runs well beyond standard heavy jet rates.

When a Heavy Jet Is Worth It

Choose a heavy jet when:

• You’re flying intercontinental — transatlantic, transpacific, or South America
• Your flight exceeds 6 hours and you need to sleep or work meaningfully en route
• You have 10+ passengers, or a smaller group needing space to spread out
• You need a genuine flat bed — overnight flights, or landing ready for immediate meetings
• You’re carrying substantial luggage — 150–250 cubic feet handles a large group with gear
• You need reliable satellite Wi-Fi for a working flight
• The trip is client- or delegation-facing and the aircraft is part of the impression

A super-midsize is likely enough when:

• Your longest flights are domestic transcontinental — a Challenger 350 does coast-to-coast nonstop for materially less
• You’re traveling with 8 or fewer passengers
• You don’t need berthing
• Cost efficiency is a real consideration

The most common overspend we see is booking a heavy jet for a five-hour domestic flight with six passengers. A super-midsize does that mission nonstop, comfortably, for $15,000–$25,000 less. We’ll tell you when that’s the smarter call.

What the Heavy Jet Cabin Actually Gets You

Real sleep

Divans and opposing seats convert to flat beds, and larger aircraft add a private stateroom. On a New York–London red-eye, this is the entire point: you sleep properly and land functional.

Cabin altitude and fatigue

Modern heavy jets pressurize to a lower cabin altitude than most aircraft — the G650 maintains roughly 4,850 feet at cruise. Lower cabin altitude measurably reduces fatigue and dehydration on long flights. It’s an unglamorous spec that makes a real difference at hour ten.

Working space

Conference groupings, worktables, and satellite Wi-Fi make a heavy jet a functioning mobile office. Teams routinely arrive at a deal having finished preparation in the air.

Full galley

Heavy jets carry proper galleys with ovens and refrigeration, so hot multi-course meals are genuinely possible rather than reheated catering. See our private jet catering guide.

Baggage without compromise

150–250 cubic feet means skis for twelve, golf bags for a full group, or production equipment — no triage required.

Booking a Heavy Jet Charter with VOMOS

Heavy jet charters involve real complexity: international permits, customs, crew duty limits, augmented crews, and fuel-stop planning on ultra-long routes. Getting those details wrong causes delays that cost far more than the aircraft difference.

• Aircraft matched to genuine range requirements — no upselling range you won’t use
• Full international handling: permits, customs, foreign FBO coordination
• Crew duty planning, including augmented crews for ultra-long-range flights
• Transparent, itemized pricing including international fees
• Operators verified to ARGUS and Wyvern standards
• Honest advice when a super-midsize would serve you better

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to charter a heavy jet?

$8,000–$12,000+ per flight hour. A 5-hour transcontinental flight runs $40,000–$60,000; New York to London typically $80,000–$150,000.

What is considered a heavy jet?

A large-cabin business jet above roughly 35,000 lbs MTOW, seating 10–16, with 4,000–7,500 nm range. Examples: Gulfstream G550/G650, Global 6000, Falcon 7X.

Can a heavy jet fly transatlantic nonstop?

Yes. A G650 flies about 7,000 nm nonstop — New York to London, LA to Tokyo, or New York to Dubai without a fuel stop.

Do heavy jets have beds?

Most offer berthing where divans and opposing seats convert to flat beds. Larger aircraft like the Global 7500 and G650ER include a private stateroom with a full bed.

How many passengers can a heavy jet carry?

Typically 10–16, though many are configured for 12–14 to allow more berthing and lounge space.

Planning a long-range trip? Request a heavy jet charter quote from VOMOS.