Charter a Boeing Business Jet 3 (BBJ3)

The Boeing Business Jet 3 (BBJ3) is the largest variant of the Boeing Business Jet 737 Next Generation family, based on the 737-900ER (Extended Range) airframe and the final development of the original BBJ programme before the BBJ MAX family took over. Business Jet Traveler confirmed Boeing announced the BBJ3 in 2005, "based on the Next-Generation 737-900ER" which "has been in commercial service since 2001." Skytamer confirmed "Boeing completed the first example in August 2008." Wikipedia confirmed only "seven BBJ3s were delivered to customers" - making the BBJ3 the rarest and most exclusive member of the 737-based BBJ family. Wikipedia confirmed the BBJ3 "is approximately 16 feet (4.9 m) longer than the BBJ2" and Skytamer confirmed it provides "1,120 square feet (104 m2) of floor space, 35% more interior space, and 89% more luggage space than the BBJ2." Business Jet Traveler confirmed the BBJ3 cabin is "35 percent more cabin volume, weighs 16,700 pounds more at takeoff and is 28 feet longer than the original BBJ introduced in the 1990s." Like its predecessors, the BBJ3 is a product of the 50/50 partnership between Boeing Commercial Airplanes and General Electric. It is powered by two CFM International CFM56-7B27 turbofan engines, each producing 27,300 lbf (121.4 kN) of thrust - the same powerplant as the BBJ1 and BBJ2.

The Boeing Business Jet 3 is the longest narrowbody private cabin available in the charter market, with a floor area of 1,120 sq ft (104 m2) in a fuselage measuring 32.7 m (107.3 ft) long, 3.53 m (11.7 ft) wide and 2.16 m (7.1 ft) high. Jet Advisors confirmed total cabin volume of "1,119 cubic feet." With only 7 examples delivered worldwide, the BBJ3 is an exceptionally rare aircraft on the charter market. It typically accommodates 20 to 50 passengers across individually completed residential interiors. Charter prices start from approximately £16,000 per flight hour. For the full context of how the BBJ3 compares to the wider fleet, see our private jet price guide or browse the complete fleet.

Why charter the Boeing Business Jet 3 (BBJ3)?

• 1,120 square feet (104 m2) of cabin floor area - 35% more than the BBJ2 and the largest narrowbody private cabin of any aircraft in the charter market; a total cabin volume of 1,119 cubic feet in a fuselage 32.7 m (107.3 ft) long. Skytamer confirmed the BBJ3 delivers "1,120 square feet (104 m2) of floor space, 35% more interior space, and 89% more luggage space than the BBJ2." Jet Advisors confirmed "with a total cabin volume of 1,119 cubic feet, this aircraft gives most apartments a run for their money." For a charter client comparing the BBJ2 at approximately £14,000/hr with 1,004 cu ft of volume, the BBJ3 provides 115 additional cubic feet of usable interior space - enough to add a full additional functional zone, whether a second lounge, an exercise area, or dedicated crew quarters entirely separate from all passenger areas. The BBJ3's floor area of 1,120 sq ft is more than double the cabin floor area of the Gulfstream V;
• Only 7 BBJ3s delivered worldwide - the rarest commercial derivative in the Boeing Business Jet family and one of the rarest VIP narrowbody aircraft available for charter anywhere in the world. Wikipedia confirmed "seven BBJ3s were delivered to customers" from the total 143 BBJ1/BBJ2/BBJ3 combined production run. With fewer than 10 examples in existence, each BBJ3 on the charter market is a genuinely unique aircraft with an individually commissioned interior. Business Jet Traveler confirmed the BBJ3 costs "$69 million" for the green airframe plus "$8 million to $30 million" for custom interior completion - a total acquisition cost of up to $99 million per aircraft. The rarity of the type and the scale of investment in each completed example means that BBJ3 interiors available on the charter market are typically of exceptional standard, commissioned by owners who spared no expense on the completion;
• 89% more luggage space than the BBJ2; the largest cargo hold of any narrowbody private jet in the charter market; dedicated crew rest lounge standard on long missions independent of all passenger zones. Skytamer confirmed the BBJ3's "89% more luggage space than the BBJ2" - a direct consequence of the 737-900ER's longer fuselage providing cargo hold volume beyond what auxiliary fuel tanks can consume. Jet Advisors confirmed "long missions utilize a separate relief crew lounge" as standard, physically separated from all passenger areas. For charter groups of 20 to 35 with substantial luggage - a sports team with equipment, a concert touring party with production gear, or a government delegation with security equipment - the BBJ3's hold capacity means no payload compromises regardless of passenger count or mission length;
• Two CFM56-7B27 turbofan engines at 27,300 lbf (121.4 kN) each; ETOPS certified; Honeywell digital avionics with triple IRS, six EFIS LCD screens, dual FMS, Rockwell Collins VHF/HF/GPS, WXR-700X weather radar; Head-up Display (HUD) standard. Jet Advisors confirmed the BBJ3 avionics suite: "Honeywell's digital avionics system with triple IRS and dual digital air data computers" centred on "six large screen EFIS LCD displays" with "dual FMS, dual Rockwell Collins Series 900 VHF comm/nav with DME, HF comms, ADF, GPS, MLS and WXR-700X weather radar." Notably, Skytamer confirmed the BBJ3 includes "a Head-up display" as standard equipment - a capability that was optional on the BBJ2. The HUD provides the crew with guidance projected onto the windscreen, improving situational awareness during low-visibility approaches at challenging airports worldwide;
• Cabin pressurised to a simulated 6,500 ft (2,000 m) altitude - significantly lower than the 8,000 ft typical of commercial airline operations and purpose-built business jets of comparable size; passengers arrive physiologically less fatigued on long intercontinental sectors. Skytamer confirmed the BBJ3 cabin "is pressurized to a simulated 6,500-foot (2,000 m) altitude" - matching the BBJ MAX standard confirmed by Wikipedia for all Boeing Business Jet aircraft rather than the 8,000 ft ceiling typical of the 737NG commercial fleet and many purpose-built business jets. The 1,500 ft difference in cabin altitude is physiologically significant on sectors exceeding 6 hours: lower cabin altitude reduces headache, fatigue, dehydration and sleep disruption. For charter clients on London to Dubai (7 hours) or London to New York (8 hours) with working commitments at the destination, this is a concrete performance advantage over older narrowbody alternatives;
• The BBJ3 is 28 feet (8.5 m) longer than the original BBJ1 and the culmination of the 737NG-based BBJ programme; with only 7 delivered, it is the rarest and most exclusive Boeing Business Jet available in the charter market, offering the maximum possible narrowbody cabin for corporate group charters and government missions requiring intercontinental range. Business Jet Traveler confirmed the BBJ3 "is 28 feet longer than the original BBJ introduced in the 1990s" with "35 percent more cabin volume" and a list price of $69 million for the green airframe before interior completion. Jet Advisors confirmed range of "5,475 nautical miles" - approximately 275 nm less than the BBJ2 but sufficient for London to New York non-stop and London to Dubai non-stop. London to Johannesburg (approximately 5,300 nm) sits at or marginally beyond the practical range with full payload and requires operator confirmation. For MICE charters of 20 to 50 passengers where cabin space, luggage capacity and crew comfort on ultra-long sectors are the priority, the BBJ3 has no equal in the narrowbody charter market.

Charter cost - Boeing Business Jet 3 prices from UK airports

The BBJ3 commands the highest hourly rate of the 737-based Boeing Business Jet family, reflecting its greater cabin volume, larger airframe, heavier MTOW and exceptional rarity - only 7 examples worldwide. Hourly rates run from approximately £16,000 to £25,000 per flight hour depending on the specific aircraft, operator, configuration and sector. At 25 passengers in VIP configuration at £16,000/hr, the per-person cost is £640 per flight hour - directly competitive with commercial first class on the same long-haul routes, with the benefit of a completely private cabin, flexible departure, no airport exposure and 1,120 sq ft of private floor space. At 50 passengers in a higher-density group configuration, per-person rates fall substantially. On shorter European sectors, quoted prices include positioning fees, handling charges and minimum booking time, so the all-in cost per sector will typically exceed the hourly rate multiplied by block time alone. Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to New York - from £128,000 (25 passengers, VIP configuration, approximately 8 hours non-stop);
• London to Dubai - from £112,000 (25 passengers, approximately 7 hours non-stop);
• London to Dublin - from £44,000 (25 passengers, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes);
• London to Madrid - from £38,000 (25 passengers, approximately 2 hours 15 minutes);
• London to Paris - from £29,000 (25 passengers, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes);
• London to Amsterdam - from £26,000 (25 passengers, approximately 55 minutes);
• London to Edinburgh - from £24,000 (25 passengers, approximately 1 hour 10 minutes).

Empty Leg flights appear on repositioning routes. See our Empty Legs page for current availability.

Ideal routes for the Boeing Business Jet 3 (BBJ3)

The BBJ3 is optimised for two types of mission: intercontinental sectors where cabin size, luggage capacity and crew rest facilities are the priority, and prestige group charters where the rarity and specification of the aircraft itself are part of the client brief. It performs best on:

• UK to North America non-stop (7 to 9 hours). New York (approximately 3,450 nm), Miami (approximately 4,400 nm) and Dallas (approximately 4,700 nm) are within the BBJ3's confirmed 5,475 nm range non-stop. The 32.7 m cabin and 1,120 sq ft of floor area allow five or more functional zones to operate simultaneously: forward lounge, conference dining, mid-cabin bedroom suite, rear office, and an entirely separate crew rest quarters - giving a London to New York transatlantic flight the residential quality of a long-haul flight on a widebody airliner in a completely private environment;
• UK to Middle East non-stop (6 to 7.5 hours). Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh non-stop from any UK departure airport. Government and corporate delegations of 20 to 35 passengers travel with dedicated workspace, sleeping accommodation, private dining and fully separate crew quarters simultaneously available throughout the flight. At 25 passengers on London to Dubai at £112,000, the per-person cost of £4,480 compares with commercial first class on the same sector, with 1,120 sq ft of private cabin rather than a shared commercial cabin;
• Government and head-of-state missions where the BBJ3's rarity, residential-quality cabin and HUD-equipped cockpit are the appropriate specification. With only 7 BBJ3s delivered worldwide, most completed to exceptional interior standards at costs of $8 million to $30 million per aircraft, the BBJ3 available on the charter market typically represents the highest level of individual interior investment of any 737-based aircraft. The HUD standard on the BBJ3 confirmed by Skytamer, combined with ETOPS certification and dual HF long-range communications, supports operations at remote government destinations with challenging approach conditions;
• Corporate group roadshows of 20 to 40 passengers across multiple intercontinental destinations. A full management team with investor relations, advisors and security flying London - New York - Dubai - Madrid in a single aircraft where all zones operate independently throughout. For corporate charters where the crew rest lounge is essential for flight crew welfare on multi-sector itineraries, the BBJ3 is the definitive narrowbody solution;
• Prestige leisure group charters of 35 to 50 passengers where the specification of the aircraft is as important as its practical capability. At 50 passengers on London to Dubai at £112,000, the per-person cost is £2,240 - below commercial first class on the same route with an aircraft of exceptional rarity and interior investment. The BBJ2 is the more readily available alternative at approximately £14,000/hr; the BBJ3 is chosen when the largest narrowbody cabin and maximum luggage capacity are the non-negotiable requirement.

Cabin and in-flight experience

The BBJ3 cabin measures 32.7 m (107.3 ft) in length, 3.53 m (11.7 ft) in width and 2.16 m (7.1 ft) in height - giving a total volume of 1,119 cubic feet and a floor area of 1,120 sq ft (104 m2) confirmed by Jet Advisors and Skytamer respectively. Skytamer confirmed the cabin "is pressurized to a simulated 6,500-foot (2,000 m) altitude" - lower than the 8,000 ft altitude typical of commercial airline operations, reducing passenger fatigue on long sectors. Jet Advisors confirmed the typical interior "features lounges, distinctive conference areas, a large lavatory with a shower, and comfortable sleeping accommodations" and that "long missions utilize a separate relief crew lounge" fully independent of all passenger areas. The 89% greater luggage capacity over the BBJ2 confirmed by Skytamer is accommodated in the 737-900ER's extended cargo hold, providing genuine hold space for 20 to 50 passengers with full luggage. Every BBJ3 has been individually completed at a specialist interior centre with total completion costs of $8 million to $30 million per aircraft confirmed by Business Jet Traveler - meaning each of the 7 examples in existence represents a unique, high-investment interior that no two aircraft share.

Technical specifications

Boeing Business Jet 3 (BBJ3) vs similar aircraft

• BBJ3 vs Boeing BBJ2. The BBJ2 is the more readily available sibling at approximately £14,000/hr with 1,004 cu ft cabin volume, 5,500 nm range and 23 examples delivered. The BBJ3 counters with 1,119 cu ft cabin volume (11% more), 1,120 sq ft floor area vs BBJ2's approximately 1,000 sq ft (12% more), 89% greater luggage capacity, and HUD standard. The BBJ2 counters with approximately 275 nm greater range (5,500 nm vs 5,200 nm), a lower hourly rate (approximately £14,000 vs £16,000/hr) and significantly greater charter market availability (23 delivered vs 7). For groups where maximum narrowbody cabin floor area and luggage capacity are the absolute priority, the BBJ3 is the definitive choice. For groups where availability, range and cost are the primary brief, the BBJ2 provides nearly equivalent capability at lower cost with far greater scheduling flexibility;
• BBJ3 vs Airbus A319 CJ. The A319 CJ is the largest Airbus Corporate Jet at £15,000/hr with 6,800 nm range and a cabin of approximately 25 m x 3.76 m for 18-19 VIP passengers. The BBJ3 counters with 32.7 m cabin length (vs 25 m), 1,120 sq ft floor area (vs approximately 800 sq ft), capacity for 20 to 50 passengers (vs 18-19), HUD standard, and 89% more luggage space than its smaller sibling. The A319 CJ counters with 1,600 nm greater range (6,800 nm vs 5,200 nm), a slightly wider cabin (3.76 m vs 3.53 m), and far greater availability in the charter market (with multiple examples operating in Europe). For sectors beyond 5,500 nm or for small VIP groups of under 20 passengers where individual space per person is the priority, the A319 CJ is the more capable long-range platform. For groups of 20 to 50 requiring the maximum possible narrowbody cabin, the BBJ3 is unmatched;
• BBJ3 vs Airbus A318 Elite. The A318 Elite is a VIP narrowbody at £12,000/hr with a range of 4,000-4,200 nm and a cabin of approximately 75 m2 (807 sq ft) for 18-19 passengers with 15 sleeping berths. The BBJ3 counters with 1,120 sq ft (104 m2) of floor area (39% more), up to 50 passengers (vs 18-19), and range sufficient for London to New York non-stop (5,200 nm vs A318 Elite's 4,200 nm maximum). The A318 Elite counters with a slightly wider cabin (3.72 m vs 3.53 m), lower hourly rate (£12,000 vs £16,000/hr), greater availability in the charter market, and the unique London City Airport steep-approach certification unavailable to any BBJ variant. For sectors within 4,200 nm with a small VIP group of under 20, the A318 Elite provides a lower cost per flight hour. For groups of 20 to 50 on longer sectors where cabin volume and luggage capacity are critical, the BBJ3 offers 39% more floor area at a £4,000/hr rate premium.

Frequently asked questions - Boeing Business Jet 3 charter

How much does it cost to charter a Boeing Business Jet 3 (BBJ3)?
Charter rates start from approximately £16,000 per flight hour. London to New York non-stop (approximately 8 hours) costs from £128,000 for 25 passengers in VIP configuration - approximately £5,120 per person, comparable to or below commercial first class on the same route with 1,120 sq ft of entirely private cabin. London to Dubai non-stop (approximately 7 hours) costs from £112,000. At 50 passengers in group configuration on London to Dubai, the per-person cost falls to approximately £2,240. Contact Private Jets UK for a personalised quote.

How many BBJ3s exist and why is it so rare?
Wikipedia confirmed only "seven BBJ3s were delivered to customers" - making it by far the rarest member of the 737NG-based BBJ family (113 BBJ1s and 23 BBJ2s were delivered). Business Jet Traveler confirmed the BBJ3 green airframe cost "$69 million" plus "$8 million to $30 million" for custom interior completion, with a completion timeline of "a year or more." The combination of high acquisition cost, complex completion process and the relatively small market for the largest narrowbody private jet limited total production to 7 examples before the BBJ MAX family superseded the 737NG-based programme.

What is the range of the Boeing BBJ3 and which destinations can it reach non-stop from London?
Jet Advisors confirmed "5,475 nautical-mile trips" are possible at Mach 0.82, while Skytamer confirms the auxiliary fuel system gives "a range of up to 4,725 nautical miles." The practical charter range is approximately 5,200 nm (9,631 km). From London, this covers New York (approximately 3,450 nm), Dubai (approximately 3,000 nm) and most destinations across North America, the Middle East and Africa. London to Johannesburg (approximately 5,300 nm) exceeds the 5,200 nm practical charter range and requires a fuel stop or operator-specific confirmation that the higher 5,475 nm figure is achievable on the specific aircraft and routing. London to Tokyo (approximately 5,900 nm) definitively requires a fuel stop.

How does the BBJ3 differ from the BBJ2 in practice?
Wikipedia confirmed the BBJ3 is "approximately 16 feet (4.9 m) longer than the BBJ2." Skytamer confirmed this translates to "35% more interior space and 89% more luggage space than the BBJ2." The additional length allows a fifth independently functional cabin zone - in the BBJ2, converting between lounge, dining and sleeping functions in some zones is required during long flights; in the BBJ3, all five areas operate simultaneously for the full flight. The HUD is standard on the BBJ3, confirming Skytamer, versus optional on the BBJ2. The trade-off is approximately 275 nm less range and a higher hourly rate.

Does the Boeing BBJ3 have a lower cabin altitude than other private jets?
Yes. Skytamer confirmed the BBJ3 cabin "is pressurized to a simulated 6,500-foot (2,000 m) altitude" - substantially lower than the 8,000 ft cabin altitude typical of commercial airline operations and most purpose-built business jets of comparable size. The lower cabin altitude reduces passenger fatigue, dehydration, headaches and sleep disruption on long sectors, which is particularly significant on 7 to 8 hour sectors to Dubai or New York where passengers need to arrive in working condition. This 6,500 ft pressurisation standard is shared by the BBJ MAX family.