Aircraft Highlight: Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 400xp

The phone call is all too familiar. "Kevin, you know I prefer the larger midsize cabin, but my budget won't allow a midsize jet this time! I don't want to crawl into a tiny light jet on my hands and knees! Please help.”

If you have not had the privilege of flying on one of Hawker Beechcraft's Hawker 400xp's, then you are really missing out. This aircraft offers a much larger cabin than most light jets, but flies at attractive light jet prices! Featuring the largest cabin of any aircraft in the light jet category, even the most faithful midsize jet traveler will be impressed. With its center club seating, well-equipped galley, fully enclosed lavatory and attention to passenger comfort the Hawker 400 has become a favorite of private flyers since its introduction at the 2003 European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition.

The 400xp does seat up to seven passengers, but range can be compromised quite a bit with full seats. Be sure to ask your charter professional to find out if you’ll need a fuel stop for a trip into strong headwinds or with a distance of more than 1350 miles. Additionally, due to the spacious cabin, a compromise is in luggage space. This is definitely a “travel light” aircraft. If each passenger is bringing two or three bags each, you will certainly be looking at other options to accommodate that high baggage load.

In 2008, Hawker Beechcraft did announce the Hawker 450xp as a high tech, high performance, and more efficient follow up to the successful 400xp. Due to economic uncertainty, the rollout of that aircraft has been delayed, but will most likely happen in the near future.

Get there faster, spend less, with more cabin room! Hawker Beechcraft understands the needs of the light jet client, while pampering them with midsize jet amenities!

If you have specific questions about planning a charter flight, just a general private aviation question, or would like to share your experiences on this topic, please feel free to contact me directly using this form.