Is the runway long enough?
Every aircraft class needs a minimum length of paved runway: a light jet needs far less than a long-range jet. The tool compares the longest usable runway at each airport with the typical requirement of the chosen class.
High-elevation airports such as Samedan (St. Moritz) or Aspen require more runway because thinner air reduces lift and thrust. The tool therefore adds 7 % per 1,000 ft of elevation and warns when less than 15 % margin remains. Runways closed by NOTAM are excluded; at night only lighted runways count.
When is a fuel stop needed?
If the route is longer than the practical range of the class, the tool suggests fuel stops: airports within range whose runway fits, that are not closed and that bring you closest to the destination. Airports with handling or an FBO are preferred. Each leg uses at most 95 % of the range.
Fuel and CO₂ are estimated from the typical burn of the class plus a 45-minute reserve. Wind, payload, alternate planning and the routing along airways change the real figure.
Weather, NOTAMs and alternates
For departure and destination the briefing shows the current weather report (METAR) and forecast (TAF) with flight category VFR, MVFR, IFR or LIFR, plus the number of valid NOTAMs. Airport and runway closures feed straight into the assessment. All NOTAMs with a plain-language explanation are on each airport page.
As alternates the tool lists the nearest suitable airports 25 to 300 km from the destination. Each airport shows sunrise and sunset in local time, which matters where runways are not lighted.
For operators: PrivJet Ops
Charter operators get the same briefing free of charge in the PrivJet Ops portal, with full NOTAM texts, FBOs and the class of their own aircraft, right next to requests and empty legs.
How we calculate
- Runway data, elevation and lighting: OurAirports (public domain). Only paved runways count for jets.
- Required runway length: typical value of the aircraft class, +7 % per 1,000 ft elevation (rule of thumb). Below the sea-level value the airport is rated unsuitable; above it but with less than 15 % margin it is rated “check”.
- Route: great circle × 1.05 for airways; flight time, range and fuel burn per class as in our other calculators; 45-minute reserve.
- NOTAMs: FAA SWIM (international), valid at the planned time. Airport and runway closures are evaluated, scheduled closures are shown as a note only.
- Weather: aviationweather.gov (NOAA). The flight category only affects the rating if the flight is within the next three hours.
- Night: sun more than 6° below the horizon (end of civil twilight).
- Not for flight planning or navigation. The aircraft flight manual and performance calculation, official NOTAMs and the aviation weather briefing prevail.
Frequently asked questions
What runway length does a private jet need?
It depends on class, weight, temperature and elevation. As a rough guide: light jets manage with a little over 1,100 m, midsize jets with about 1,400 m, large long-range jets need 1,700 to 1,800 m, noticeably more at high-elevation airports. The tool shows for each airport whether the runway is long enough.
Can every private jet fly across the Atlantic nonstop?
No. Heavy and ultra-long-range jets fly from Europe to the US East Coast nonstop; light and midsize jets need one or more fuel stops, for example in Iceland, Greenland or Canada. The tool suggests suitable airports.
What is a NOTAM?
A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is an official notice about changes to airports, runways, navigation aids or airspace, for example a closed runway or construction work. The briefing counts the valid NOTAMs and evaluates closures.
What do VFR, MVFR, IFR and LIFR mean?
The flight category combines visibility and cloud ceiling: VFR = good conditions, MVFR = marginal, IFR = instrument conditions, LIFR = very low visibility or very low clouds. Private jets usually fly under instrument flight rules, but LIFR can still cause delays or diversions.
Does the tool replace the operator’s flight planning?
No. It is an overview from public data using rules of thumb. Binding planning is done by the operator with the flight manual, performance calculation, official NOTAMs and weather briefing.