Payload-range trade-off
The payload-range trade-off is the rule that the more weight an aircraft carries in people and bags, the less fuel it can lift and the shorter it can fly. Manufacturers quote maximum range with a light load, so a light jet advertised at 2,000 nautical miles might manage 1,500 with six people and skis, and a midsize jet that can cross the Atlantic with four passengers may need a Gander or Shannon stop with eight. Headwinds and hot, high airports make it worse. When choosing an aircraft, tell the operator the true passenger count and baggage and ask them to confirm non-stop capability, rather than relying on the type's brochure range.