Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 vs Gulfstream G280

Aircraft are often compared first by category. Single‑engine pistons and light twins are general‑aviation types used for training and personal travel; they typically fly a few hundred to about a thousand nautical miles and carry one to six passengers. Turboprops and light business jets sit above that, serving regional trips and corporate missions; common ranges run roughly 1,000 to 2,500 nautical miles with seating from about six to twenty. Regional jets connect short‑ to medium‑haul airline routes, usually covering about 800 to 2,000 nautical miles and carrying around 50 to 100 passengers. Narrow‑body airliners handle the bulk of domestic and intra‑regional travel; they generally fly about 2,000 to 4,000+ nautical miles and seat roughly 120 to 240 passengers depending on layout. Wide‑body airliners are designed for long‑haul and high‑demand routes, with typical ranges of about 4,000 to 8,000+ nautical miles and capacities from around 250 to well over 400 passengers. At the extremes, very‑long‑range business jets can cross oceans with 10 to 18 passengers, while freighters trade seats for cargo volume and payload.