Aircraft class
Light Jet Charter: Cost, Range & Best Aircraft
Light jets are the workhorses of private aviation, the most cost-efficient way to fly private on short domestic legs of one to three hours. They seat six or seven, reach small runways big jets can't, and price well below their midsize cousins.
Seats
6–7
Range
~1,500 nm
Per hour
$2,600–3,800
Examples
Citation CJ3
Strengths
- Lowest hourly rate of any pure jet, the entry point to flying private.
- Access to short and high-altitude runways (Aspen, Sun Valley, Naples) that larger cabins can't use.
- Ideal for 1–3 hour legs: LA–Las Vegas, New York–DC, Miami–Nassau.
Trade-offs
- Standing headroom is limited, most light cabins are sit-only (about 4'9"–4'11").
- Range tops out near 1,500 nm, so a true transcontinental leg needs a fuel stop.
- Baggage and full-fuel-with-full-seats payload are tighter than a midsize.
Light Jets aircraft
Routes this class suits
Light Jet charter FAQ
How much does it cost to charter a light jet?
Light Jet charter runs about $2,600–3,800 per flight hour in 2026, plus fixed trip fees, the ~2-hour daily minimum, repositioning, and taxes. A typical short-to-medium leg lands in the low-to-mid five figures.
How many passengers does a light jet seat?
A light jet typically seats 6–7 passengers with range around ~1,500 nm. Short domestic hops for up to 6–7 passengers.
What are the best light jet aircraft?
Popular light jet charter aircraft include Embraer Phenom 300, Bombardier Learjet 75. Each combines the class's economics with its own cabin, range, and speed profile.
Charter a light jet
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