When it comes to air travel, one of the most often asked questions is, “How much can I bring?” Whether flying on a commercial airline or by private plane, there is often a limit to the amount of room and weight. The room can be an issue for many people who wish to bring some of their toys with them, such as golf clubs or skis.
It’s easiest to compare luggage space in terms of various cars. The big Chevrolet Suburban SUV, for example, has 46 cubic feet with all seats up, 90 cubic feet with one row down, and 137 cubic feet with two rows down. A Lexus RX 350 SUV has about 40 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, while a standard saloon car has about 15 to 20 cubic feet.
You can see below how these compare to the luggage space available in different aircraft.
Determining luggage space
When a general rule, as private jets become bigger and can travel further, they also have more luggage space. The type of plane determines access to the baggage compartment. It may be from the main compartment, the outside of the aircraft, or a combination of the two.
If a passenger has to access personal belongings during the ride, it just takes a little forethought to keep them in the storage room accessible from the cabin.
The number of passengers on the flight will also affect luggage space. Since the plane’s total weight has a significant impact on its range, the pilot needs to know precisely what the plane would be holding.
Luggage space comparisons among different private jets
To get an idea of the space available on a variety of private jets, consider the following:
- A large Gulfstream G550 has 226 cubic feet or about 1 ½ times the capacity of a Chevy Suburban with all of the seats down.
- A mid-size Cessna Citation Sovereign has 100 cubic feet – a little more than the space you’d have in that same Suburban with one row down.
- The Embraer Phenom 300 has 74 cubic feet, or enough room for two sets of golf clubs, two very large suitcases, and three standard suitcases.
- The Hawker 400XP has 46 cubic feet with a maximum range of about 1,400 miles. The same space you’d find in the Suburban with all of the seats up.
- In the very light jet category, the Phenom 100 has a surprisingly large baggage capacity of up to 71 cubic feet if all of the baggage compartments are used – just a little less than the Suburban with a row of seats down.
If you have some specific luggage needs, make sure to inquire with your aviation company about the various aircraft and space choices. Although private aircraft have no clear luggage limits, anything must fit on board. Quite heavy objects can cause a weight problem if the jet is landing on a short runway.
Discussing any future concerns with things you want to carry aboard a private jet would help the aviation company to better prepare ahead of time and will also avoid any confusion on the day of your departure.
What can you bring on a private jet?
There are several things that you may carry on a private plane that you would not be able to bring on a commercial flight, such as:
- Pets (typically at no extra cost)
- Full-size liquids
- Skis and snowboarding equipment
- Golf clubs
What size jet do I need?
The significance of luggage allowance is determined by the intent of your trip. If you only need a small suitcase and a briefcase for a one- or two-day business trip, a light jet with limited luggage space is perfectly adequate. However, if you want to take the whole family on holiday or stay for an extended period, a super-midsize or big jet will be a better option.
Let us take care of your flight needs
If you are looking for flights or have questions about luggage allowance, get in touch with our team who will be more than happy to find the right jet for your trip.
