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Flight times for business jet flights decreased by 3% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This was a drop of almost 170,000 hours. Nevertheless, aircraft were added to the Bombardier, Cessna and Gulfstream fleets, which grew by 5.7%, 2.1%, and 5.1%, respectively. Cessna had the greatest share (35%) of operating jets in the US market. Gulfstream and Bombardier, with 17% and 12% market share, respectively, were second and third.The Gulfstream G550 stood out as an original equipment manufacturer in the Ultra Long Range Jet Class, while the Cirrus Vision Jet was the dominant model in the Very Light Jet Class. But which were the top five business jets in the US by flights in 2023? Let's find out.
5. Embraer Phenom 300
The Embraer Phenom 300 was introduced to the world in 2009. Initially, it was simply an enlarged derivative of the Phenom 100, a very light jet from the same Brazilian aerospace company.
Total Flights in 2023: 173,248Maximum Speed: 464 knots/ 859 km/hMaximum Take-off weight: 8,414.59 kg/ 18,551 lbMaximum landing weight: 7650 kg /16865 lbService Ceiling: 13,716 m/ 45,000 ftRange: 2010 nautical miles/ 3723 kmEngines; Power: 2; 15.471 kN/ 3,478 lb thrust eachEngine model: Pratt Whitney Canada PW535E1 turbofan,Fifteen years after its introduction, 600 units of the Phenom 300 have been produced. In a standard configuration, the Embraer Phenom 300 can accommodate 6-8 passengers. It was the most-delivered business jet for three consecutive years, from 2013 to 2015.
4. Bombardier Challenger 300
The Challenger 300 was developed in the 1990s by the Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier. This super mid-sized business jet was introduced into commercial service in 2003 by Flexjet and clocked the fourth-highest number of flights (approximately 200,000) for business aircraft in the US in 2023.
Total Flights in 2023: 197,101Maximum Speed: 477 knots/ 883 km/hMaximum Take-off weight: 17,622 kg/ 38,850 lbMaximum landing weight: 15,309 kg/ 33750 lbService Ceiling: 13,716 m/ 45,000 ftRange: 3,100 nautical miles/ 5,741 kmEngines; Power: 2; 30.4 kN/ 6,826 lbEngine model: Honeywell HF 7000To date, 450 Bombardier Challenger 300s have been delivered. Before its final assembly in Montreal, the aircraft's parts are produced in 12 different subassemblies.
3. Cessna Citation Sovereign
The third in the top 5 business jets in the USA in 2023 by flights, the Cessna Citation Sovereign, isn't produced anymore. The production of the aircraft ceased in 2021. Since its launch in 2002, more than 400 of these have been produced. This figure includes close to a hundred of the variant, Cessna Citation Sovereign +.
Total Flights in 2023: 200,982Normal Cruise speed: 534 knots/ 988 km/hrMaximum Take-off weight: 12,292kg / 30,775 lbMaximum landing weight: 12,508kg/ 27100 lbService Ceiling: 14,000 m/ 47000 ftRange: 3,200 nautical miles/ 5,900 kmEngines; Power: 2; 26.28 kN/ 5,907 lbEngine model: Pratt Whitney Canada PW306D turbofan,Cessna Citation Sovereign is 19 meters long, with its wingspan 3 meters longer than its length. With a fuel capacity of 5166 kg, the aircraft can climb up to 21 meters per second. The Sovereign can accommodate 12 passengers. About three-fourths of all Sovereign aircraft are operated in North America.
2. Cessna Citation V/ Ultra/ Encore
The Cessna Citation V type of aircraft, which includes the Citation Ultra, Citation Encore, and Citation Encore+, clocked more than 255,000 flights in the USA in 2023, making this family the second-most flown private jet in the USA in 2023. Even the military of various nations, such as Peru, Pakistan, Spain and Columbia, operate the Cessna Citation V.
Total Flights in 2023: 255,912Top speed: 503 knots (932 km/hr)Maximum Take-off weight: 7,394 kg/ 16,300 lbMaximum landing weight: 12,508kg/ 27575 lbService Ceiling: 13,716 m/ 45,000 ftRange: 1,960 nautical miles/ 3,630 kmEngines; Power: 2; 13.54 kN/ 3,045 lbEngine model: Pratt Whitney Canada JT15D-5D turbofans,The Cessna Citation V was produced from 1989 to 2011, and 774 were built during this time. The "Ultra" variant was the most produced aircraft of this family. The Citation V has the distinction of being the first Cessna Citation aircraft to be standardized with Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS).
1. Cessna Citation Jet
The Cessna Citation M2, CJ2, CJ3, and CJ4 make up the Cessna CitationJet family of aircraft. CitationJet was awarded FAA certification in 1992, and the first aircraft was delivered a year later. Since then, more than 2,000 of these models have been delivered - a number greater than any other aircraft on this list. So it comes as no surprise that CitationJet also had the most flights in 2023.
Total Flights in 2023: 273,522Maximum Cruise speed: 404 knots/ 748 km/h - 451 knots/ 835 km/hMaximum Take-off weight: 4,853 kg/ 10,700 lb- 7,761 kg/ 17,110 lbService Ceiling: 12,497 m/ 41,000 ft - 13,716 m/ 45,000 ftMaximum Range: 1,550 nautical miles/ 2,871 km - 2,165 nautical miles/ 4,010 kmEngines; Power: 2; 8.74 kN/ 1,965 lb - 16.11 kN/ 3,621 lbEngine model: Williams FJ44 familyThe first member of this family was the Cessna CitationJet CJ, also known as Model 525. This was later upgraded to the CJ1, and with successive betterments came CJ2, CJ3, and CJ4. CitationJets can carry 7-10 passengers and can cost $2 million—$10 million, depending upon the year of its completion and the specific CJ model.