VIP airliner charter guide · Updated October 2026
Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) & Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) Charter Guide
Experience unparalleled luxury and performance with Safe Fly Aviation's BBJ and ACJ aircraft charter services for VIP travel worldwide: range, cabin size, passenger capacity and how the two families compare.
- 15+ Years Experience
- 60+ Countries
- 500+ Airports
What Are BBJ and ACJ Aircraft?
BBJs and ACJs are airliners converted into private jets. A Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) is a VIP version of a Boeing airliner such as the 737 MAX, 787 or 777X; an Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) is a VIP version of an Airbus airliner such as the A320neo family, A220, A330neo or A350. Both give you a stand-up cabin with room for bedrooms, lounges, conference areas and full galleys, with the range to cross continents non-stop.
Safe Fly Aviation has arranged private charter since 2010. Whether you need a Boeing Business Jet for a corporate board meeting or an Airbus Corporate Jet for a large delegation, we source the aircraft from certified operators and manage the trip end to end.
BBJ vs ACJ in one line: on the single-aisle models, the ACJ has the slightly wider and taller cabin, the BBJ 737 MAX has the longer cabin, and both cross 6,000+ nm; for the longest trips, choose a wide-body BBJ 787 or 777X, or an ACJ330neo or ACJ350.
Boeing Business Jets (BBJ): BBJ Aircraft Charter Options
Commercial-aircraft reliability with private-jet luxury, available through our network of certified operators.
History and Evolution of the BBJ
Boeing Business Jets was founded in July 1996, combining the proven reliability of the Boeing 737 airliner with private-jet amenities. The first BBJ flew in September 1998, followed by the larger BBJ2 and BBJ3.
Today the family includes the BBJ 737 MAX (MAX 7, 8 and 9), the wide-body BBJ 787 and the BBJ 777X, each offering more range, efficiency and cabin space for executive travellers.
Key Features of BBJ Charter
- Range of up to 6,600 nm on the BBJ 737 MAX family
- VIP cabins for 19+ passengers (Boeing figure), with private rooms and walk-by aisles
- Low cabin altitude of 6,500 ft at maximum cruise altitude on the BBJ 737 MAX
- Wide-body BBJ 787 and 777X options for the longest routes
- Fully customisable VIP interior layouts
BBJ 737 MAX Specifications
| Range | Up to 6,600 nm (BBJ MAX 7); about 6,465 nm (BBJ MAX 8) |
|---|---|
| Passengers | 19+ in VIP layouts (configuration dependent) |
| Cabin width | 11 ft 7 in (3.53 m) |
| Cabin height | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) |
| Cabin length | 85 ft 8 in (BBJ 737-7) to 98 ft 6 in (BBJ 737-8) |
| Max cruise altitude | 41,000 ft |
| Typical cruise speed | Mach 0.79 |
Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ): ACJ Aircraft Charter Solutions
European engineering and the widest single-aisle cabin in VIP aviation.
History and Evolution of the ACJ
Airbus launched its corporate jet at the 1997 Paris Air Show, in answer to Boeing's BBJ. The first aircraft, an A319-based Airbus Corporate Jetliner, was delivered in 1999.
Today's ACJ family runs from the ACJ TwoTwenty (based on the A220) through the ACJ319neo and ACJ320neo to the wide-body ACJ330neo and ACJ350, covering everything from regional VIP shuttles to head-of-state transport.
Key Features of ACJ Charter
- ACJ319neo range of up to 6,750 nm with 8 passengers
- Widest single-aisle cabin: 12 ft 2 in wide and 7 ft 5 in tall
- Fly-by-wire flight controls across the family
- Wide-body ACJ330neo (about 10,400 nm) and ACJ350 (about 11,100 nm) for the longest routes
- Fully customisable interior configurations
ACJ319neo / ACJ320neo Specifications
| Range | 6,750 nm (ACJ319neo, 8 pax); 6,000 nm (ACJ320neo, 25 pax) |
|---|---|
| Passengers | 8–25 in the range-quoted VIP layouts |
| Cabin width | 12 ft 2 in (3.70 m) |
| Cabin height | 7 ft 5 in (2.25 m) |
| Cabin length | 79 ft (ACJ319neo); 89 ft 10 in (ACJ320neo) |
| Max cruise altitude | 41,000 ft |
BBJ vs ACJ: Which Aircraft Charter Suits You?
A like-for-like comparison of the single-aisle models most often chartered, with the wide-body options for longer trips.
| Feature | BBJ 737 MAX | ACJ319neo / ACJ320neo |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum range | Up to 6,600 nm | Up to 6,750 nm |
| Cabin width | 11 ft 7 in | 12 ft 2 in |
| Cabin height | 7 ft 1 in | 7 ft 5 in |
| Cabin length | 85 ft 8 in – 98 ft 6 in | 79 ft – 89 ft 10 in |
| Typical VIP seating | 19+ | 8–25 |
| Wide-body options | BBJ 787, BBJ 777X | ACJ330neo, ACJ350 |
| Best for | Corporate groups wanting a long cabin | Delegations wanting the widest single-aisle cabin |
Figures are manufacturer data for the model named. Each chartered aircraft's range and seating depend on its interior and the operator's certification.
Applications and Use Cases for BBJ and ACJ Charter
Corporate Travel
Executive boardroom meetings, international conferences and multi-city business trips with private meeting space on board.
Leisure and Family Travel
Family holidays, celebrations and destination travel for large groups, with bedrooms, lounges and customised catering.
Medical Transfers
Large-cabin medical transfers with specialist teams and equipment, arranged alongside our air ambulance service.
Why Choose Safe Fly Aviation for BBJ and ACJ Charter?
15+ Years Experience
Arranging private and VIP charter since 2010.
60+ Countries
Global reach across 500+ airports, with permits and handling arranged.
Certified Operators Only
FAA Part 135, DGCA and EASA certified operators, with ARGUS, Wyvern or IS-BAO audits.
60-Minute Quotes
Our 24/7 operations desk replies with options and pricing, typically within 60 minutes.
BBJ and ACJ Charter FAQs
What is the difference between a BBJ and an ACJ?
A BBJ (Boeing Business Jet) is a VIP version of a Boeing airliner such as the 737 MAX, 787 or 777X. An ACJ (Airbus Corporate Jet) is a VIP version of an Airbus airliner such as the A220, A320neo family, A330neo or A350. On the single-aisle models, the ACJ cabin is slightly wider and taller (12 ft 2 in by 7 ft 5 in against 11 ft 7 in by 7 ft 1 in), while the BBJ 737 MAX cabin is longer.
How many passengers can a BBJ or ACJ carry?
It depends on the cabin layout. Boeing quotes 19+ passengers for the BBJ 737 MAX in VIP layouts, and Airbus quotes ranges for 8 passengers on the ACJ319neo and 25 passengers on the ACJ320neo. Layouts with more business-class style seating can take more.
What is the range of BBJ and ACJ aircraft?
The BBJ 737 MAX family flies up to 6,600 nm (BBJ MAX 7) and the BBJ MAX 8 about 6,465 nm, enough for London to Singapore non-stop. The ACJ319neo flies up to 6,750 nm with 8 passengers and the ACJ320neo 6,000 nm with 25. Wide-body versions go much further: about 10,400 nm for the ACJ330neo and 11,100 nm for the ACJ350.
How much does it cost to charter a BBJ or ACJ?
VIP airliners are priced per trip, based on flight hours, positioning, crew, airport and handling costs and catering. They cost more per hour than large-cabin business jets but can carry larger groups. Send us your route, dates and passenger numbers for a firm quote.
Can I charter an ACJ319 or BBJ from India or the Middle East?
Yes. We source VIP airliners from certified operators worldwide and position them for departures from India, the Gulf and Europe, subject to availability and permits. See our Airbus A319 VIP charter page for one of the most requested types.
Ready to Charter a BBJ or ACJ?
Contact Safe Fly Aviation for a personalised BBJ or ACJ charter quote. Share your route, dates and group size and our specialists will propose suitable aircraft.
Safe Fly Aviation has been your partner in private and VIP aviation since 2010. We charter only from FAA Part 135, DGCA and EASA certified operators.