Corporate aviation, also known as Business Aviation, refers to the non-commercial operation or use of aircraft by a company for the carriage of passengers or goods as a tool to conduct company business. These flights are flown under contract by a professional pilot on behalf of the company, the owners of that aircraft, or the administrator of that aircraft, or all of the above.

Is corporate/business aviation, general aviation?

According to the definition provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), general aviation encompasses any flights that are not operated by the military or by scheduled carriers. 

As a result, aviation for Business and private use is considered to be a subcategory of general aviation, which centers on the operation of aircraft, like planes and helicopters. 

As of 2020, there are more than 440,000 general aviation aircraft in the worldwide fleet, ranging from small training aircraft and helicopters to intercontinental business jets. 

About 205,000 of these are based in the United States.

Business aircraft are used by companies and corporations to transport people or goods related to the needs of said businesses. 

Most business aircraft are considered General Aviation variants such as piston, turboprop or business jets.