Commercial passenger jets can have anywhere from two to four engines. The more engines they have, the faster and farther they can travel, although they will also burn a lot more fuel as well. The majority of passenger jets (also called airliners) have just two engines. This helps conserve fuel while still allowing for very long flights over long distances. The most popular makers of these types of jets include Boeing, Airbus, Cessna, De Havilland, Embraer, Fokker, Lockheed, Piper and Raytheon.
Cargo jets are large planes that are very similar to passenger jets. In fact, in some cases they may be old passenger jets that are converted for cargo. Things like kitchens, seats and overhead bins are removed to make way for more cargo space. Some planes are made specifically for cargo purposes and never had seats or compartments. Many of the same jet makers of commercial airliners also make cargo jets.
Military jets include a wide-ranging group of planes. Fighter planes are jets that are kept small for better and faster maneuverability. The military also has larger planes used for things like airdrops and special operations. It also has cargo jets used for both people and supplies.
General aviation jets serve specific purposes such as teaching flight students. Other things that people can use general aviation jets for include mapping and photography. These planes tend to be very small, seating only one or two people. They may also have only a single engine, whereas most jets have two or more engines.
