They’re often a considerable size, but are there any private jets capable of carrying a car?
While a ‘typical’ small private jet couldn’t carry a car, there are plenty of aircraft that can. Technically, a private jet is just an aircraft that is privately owned and operated, so an Airbus A300 could function as such and definitely be able to carry a car.
Read on to learn more about the specifications of private jets and what they can carry.
Come Fly With Me
When people think of a private jet, they tend to envision a small aircraft, usually prop or jet-driven. They’re luxurious inside and out, privately crewed, and often feature no more than six to eight seats.
That is most often the case with private jets, such as a Citation, King Air, or a Gulfstream. They boast the typical aesthetic of a small, private jet, and they’re instantly recognizable.
However, it isn’t just these jets that make up the thousands of private aircraft around the world. If an aircraft is privately owned and operated, it fits the bill as a private jet.
This can be anything from a three-seater single-prop plane, all the way up to a 450-seater Boeing 747-200. After all, the most expensive private jet in the world is technically Air Force One, valued at more than three billion dollars.
Therefore, when it comes to cargo, the larger planes will definitely have no issues transporting a car. In fact, a cargo liner or converted passenger plane would have the ability to carry several vehicles at once.
The minimum size you’d likely need to transport a car would be an Airbus A300. These iconic aircraft have a seating capacity of around two-hundred and fifty and boast a range of almost five thousand miles.
Built or modified to fit a cargo variant, they’d have the width and interior space to transport a car. However, there are dozens of other aircraft that could fit the bill.
There are numerous models constructed whose sole purpose is to transport heavy cargo. While these are typically not privately owned, it offers a great insight into the carrying capacity of planes.
As an example, there’s the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, the largest aircraft regularly flown within the United States military. It boasts a maximum payload of almost a quarter of a million pounds.
When you open up the cargo space, there’s room for around sixteen Humvees, fully equipped for battle.
In 2020, the world’s largest private jet rivaled these cargo-carrying behemoths with ease. The truly privately-owned Boeing 747-8i became the world’s biggest private jet after a massive refit.
It spanned two levels, took four years to complete, and was reminiscent of a lavish mansion on the inside.
When fresh out of the factory, the 747-8 boasts a massive payload and storage capacity. However, it’s unknown whether the owner of the 747-8i opted for such a large cargo area.
Settling for Smaller
You might not believe it, but some of the more ‘typical’ private jets actually offer much less cargo space.
It all comes down to the maximum carrying capacity of the plane, and the space available. As with any aircraft, the weighting has been measured to the individual pound, to allow for maximum efficiency.
While the rules are slightly less strict aboard a private jet, there are still regulations to follow. There’s certain luggage that must be stored in the cargo hold, while some can come with passengers as a carry-on.
The Gulfstream G550 is one of the largest, offering around two-hundred cubic feet of storage capacity. This iconic aircraft will set you back around sixty million dollars, but it is one of the most recognized in the private jet world.
That level of capacity is said to be around one and a half times the capacity of a Chevy Suburban. That is, when you lay all the seats flat.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the G550 is a considerably larger jet than the stock standard. It can seat nineteen people, all with luggage.
However, a substantially smaller Hawker 400XP only has room for around forty cubic-feet of storage. This is no larger than the trunk on an SUV.
When it comes to private jets, the sky really is the limit. Although, if you’re looking to purchase an aircraft that can transport your fleet of supercars, you’ll definitely need to think outside the box.
And make sure you can afford it – a 747-8 (mentioned above) can cost more than half a billion dollars.