Liftbrief / Comparisons
Which aircraft fits the mission—not just the passenger count?
Treat the aircraft category as a sourcing shortlist, not a suitability conclusion. Manufacturer data itself illustrates the problem: published range depends on stated assumptions, while baggage volume and seating information describe different constraints. (embraer.com)
What should you ask suppliers to compare?
These are suggested sourcing briefs, not aircraft-performance determinations.
| Mission pattern | Options to request | Confirmation that matters |
|---|---|---|
| Regional executive trip | Suitable turboprop and light-jet proposals | Full journey time, passenger comfort, baggage and airport suitability |
| Eight travellers with substantial luggage | Aircraft-specific proposals, including a larger-cabin alternative | Actual passenger seating and a loading assessment for the listed bags |
| New York–Los Angeles with a non-stop requirement | Aircraft the operator considers suitable, plus an explicitly priced stop-allowed alternative | Direction, season, payload, reserves and conditions that could require a stop |
| Multi-city day | A coherent whole-itinerary proposal, not separate optimistic leg estimates | Crew and aircraft plan, waiting assumptions and achievable final arrival |
| Sports or entertainment deadline | Appropriate group aircraft, or a documented split-aircraft alternative | Equipment loading, handling, transfers and recovery before the event deadline |
For a search such as “best private jet for 8 passengers with luggage”, the useful next step is a baggage manifest: quantity, approximate weight, dimensions and unusual items. Ask for the actual cabin plan, including which seats are intended for passenger use.
Phenom 300 vs Citation CJ4: are brochure figures comparable?
The table deliberately names the versions reviewed. A quotation for an older Phenom 300 or CJ4 should not silently inherit another generation’s specifications.
| Published specification | Embraer Phenom 300E | Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 |
|---|---|---|
| Baggage measure | 84 cubic feet, described as total baggage and stowage volume | 77.1 cubic feet, described as baggage capacity |
| Published range | 2,010 nautical miles | 2,165 nautical miles maximum range |
| Important qualification | Embraer states a five-occupant range basis with specified cruise and reserve assumptions | Obtain the applicable mission assumptions and aircraft-specific loading evidence |
These are manufacturer-published figures, not verified charter availability or a conclusion that a particular passenger-and-baggage load will fly either route non-stop. The different baggage descriptions also deserve clarification before treating the volumes as directly interchangeable. (embraer.com)
A separate example shows why range footnotes matter: Textron’s CJ4 Gen2 product card bases its quoted range on a ferry mission, whereas the reviewed Phenom 300E brochure specifies five occupants. Our inference is that comparing the headline distances alone would not establish like-for-like passenger capability. (cessna.txtav.com)
Do airport choices change the comparison?
Include airport constraints and ground transfers in the brief. For example, Teterboro’s official noise programme includes voluntary restraint of non-essential operations from 23:00 to 06:00; it should not be mislabelled as a universal mandatory closure. Ask the operator to check applicable operating conditions for the actual date. (aircraftnoise.panynj.gov)
For Teterboro vs Westchester, this research does not establish a universal winner or a live transfer-time advantage. Obtain dated ground-transfer estimates and operational confirmation for both before comparing total journey time.