Heavy jet.
A heavy jet, also called a large-cabin jet, is a business jet class with a wide stand-up cabin, typically seating 12 to 19 passengers in separate zones, and a range that permits transatlantic and some intercontinental sectors. Examples include the Gulfstream G600, Bombardier Challenger 600 and Dassault Falcon 900. Heavy jets require two pilots and often carry a cabin attendant.
| Term | Heavy jet |
|---|---|
| Used in | Private aviation, charter brokerage and operations |
| Related terms | Super-midsize jet, Ultra-long-range jet, VIP airliner, Range |
| Sources | 2 listed below |
What does Heavy jet mean in practice?
Heavy jets are what many people mean by a long-haul private jet.
The Gulfstream G600, for example, has a maximum range of 6,600 nautical miles, seats up to 19, and offers up to four living areas in a cabin 13.77 metres long. That means separate zones for meetings, dining and sleeping, a full galley, and often a cabin attendant. Heavy jets fly London to New York, Dubai or the west coast of the United States non-stop under normal conditions. Hourly costs sit well above super-midsize. Handling, fuel and parking charges also scale with size, and some smaller airports cannot accept heavy jets because of runway length or weight limits, so check that your preferred airfield can take the type. Heavy jet empty legs are less frequent than light jet empty legs but can represent large savings on transatlantic and intercontinental sectors when they appear.
Questions
What does Heavy jet mean?
A heavy jet, also called a large-cabin jet, is a business jet class with a wide stand-up cabin, typically seating 12 to 19 passengers in separate zones, and a range that permits transatlantic and some intercontinental sectors. Examples include the Gulfstream G600, Bombardier Challenger 600 and Dassault Falcon 900. Heavy jets require two pilots and often carry a cabin attendant.
Sources
- Gulfstream G600 (accessed 2026-09-20)
- Wikipedia: Business jet (accessed 2026-09-20)
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.