Light jets charter in the US
The most economical jets for city pairs up to about three hours.
- Models on charter
- 23
- Aircraft
- 1,347
- Operators
- 364
- Per hour
- $5.5k to $9.8k
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
What is a light jet?
A light jet seats 4 to 8 and flies about 1,100 to 2,100 nm, which covers most trips of up to three hours. The class includes very light jets under 10,000 lb, such as the Embraer Phenom 100 and HondaJet, and larger light jets such as the Cessna Citation CJ series, Embraer Phenom 300 and Pilatus PC-24.
Light jets are the cheapest jets to charter and reach smaller airports that bigger jets cannot use. The cabin is too low to stand in and the lavatory is small, so they suit short trips.
- Seats
- 4 to 8
- Non-stop range
- 1,100 to 2,100 nm
- Per flight hour
- $5.5k to $9.8k
- On charter in the US
- 1,347 aircraft, 23 models
Where it sits among the sizes
Each bar is the non-stop range of the class, from its shortest-legged model to its longest. Seats and the hourly price move up with it.
- Turboprops6 to 9 seats1,000 to 1,800 nm non-stop$4k to $4.9kper flight hour
- Light jets4 to 8 seats1,100 to 2,100 nm non-stop$5.5k to $9.8kper flight hour
- Midsize jets7 to 9 seats2,000 to 2,600 nm non-stop$9.8k to $10.8kper flight hour
- Super-midsize jets8 to 10 seats3,000 to 4,000 nm non-stop$11.8k to $13kper flight hour
- Heavy jets10 to 19 seats4,000 to 7,700 nm non-stop$15.1k to $18.5kper flight hour
Every light jet on charter in the US
23 models, most chartered first. The bar under each shows its range against the longest-legged light jet here; figures are the manufacturers' published specifications.
349 on charterEmbraer Phenom 300
154 on charterCessna Citation CJ3 / CJ3+
128 on charterBeechjet 400A / Hawker 400XP
Full specifications on the model page
83 on charterLearjet 35
Full specifications on the model page
78 on charterCessna Citation V / Ultra
Full specifications on the model page
59 on charterCessna Citation II
Full specifications on the model page
58 on charterCessna Citation CJ2 / CJ2+
Full specifications on the model page
54 on charterCessna Citation CJ1 / M2
Full specifications on the model page
51 on charterCessna Citation CJ4
49 on charterPilatus PC-24
46 on charterCirrus Vision Jet SF50
Full specifications on the model page
34 on charterLearjet 31
Full specifications on the model page
30 on charterEmbraer Phenom 100
27 on charterCessna Citation Bravo
Full specifications on the model page
26 on charterBeechcraft Premier I / IA
Full specifications on the model page
25 on charterHondaJet
21 on charterLearjet 40 / 40XR
Full specifications on the model page
16 on charterLearjet 36
Full specifications on the model page
15 on charterCessna Citation Mustang
Full specifications on the model page
14 on charterCessna Citation I
Full specifications on the model page
13 on charterCessna Citation Encore / Encore+
Full specifications on the model page
9 on charterEclipse 500
Full specifications on the model page
8 on charterDassault Falcon 10
Full specifications on the model page
What it is like inside a light jet
How big is the cabin?
4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) tall and 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) wide: most adults stoop slightly in the aisle. The cabin runs 17 ft 2 in (5.23 m).
Drawn to scale from the height and width; the figure is 1.80 m tall.
Drawn for the Embraer Phenom 300E, the most chartered light jet in the US whose cabin size we hold. Other models are listed with their cabin height above.
- Stand-up cabinNot usuallyYou stoop; heights in the table above
- Enclosed lavatoryDepends on the aircraftSmall, and not fully enclosed on some models
- GalleyNot usuallySnacks and drinks from a refreshment centre
- BedsNot usuallySeats recline
- Wi-FiDepends on the aircraftConfirmed for your tail
- Baggage reachable in flightDepends on the aircraftOn some models
Every cabin is fitted out by its owner, so we confirm seats, beds and Wi-Fi for the actual aircraft on your quote.
Where a light jet takes you non-stop from the US
Popular routes within the range of most light jet models on charter here. Flight time is at long-range cruise; the price is flight time at $5.5k to $9.8k an hour.
- New York to Aspen1,502 nm3h 52m$21k to $38k
- Chicago to Las Vegas1,316 nm3h 25m$19k to $34k
- New York to Miami949 nm2h 33m$14k to $25k
- Miami to New York949 nm2h 33m$14k to $25k
- New York to Palm Beach902 nm2h 26m$13k to $24k
- New York to Orlando821 nm2h 15m$12k to $22k
- Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas812 nm2h 13m$12k to $22k
- New York to Atlanta643 nm1h 49m$10k to $18k
One way, flight time only: the quote adds positioning, airport charges and federal excise tax. Headwinds or a full cabin can add a fuel stop on the longest routes.
Is a light jet right for your trip?
Up to about 3 hours with 2 to 6 people: the best value jet.
More than 6 people, or golf bags and skis: a midsize jet.
Very short hops or small airstrips: a turboprop can cost less again.
If a fully enclosed lavatory matters, say so: we confirm it for the aircraft.
per flight hour for the whole aircraft
- Flight time, at the hourly rate above
- Positioning, when the aircraft is based elsewhere
- Crew overnights, on trips of more than a day
- Airport, parking and handling charges
- Federal excise tax
Light jets operators in the US
Compare light jets side by side
Range, speed, cabin, seats and price from checked sources.
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistHow much does it cost to charter a light jet in the US?+
About $5.5k to $9.8k per flight hour, before federal excise tax, positioning and airport charges.
How many light jets are available to charter in the US?+
1,347 aircraft across 23 models with 364 operators.
How many people fit in a light jet?+
Typically 4 to 8.
How far can a light jet fly?+
1,100 to 2,100 nm non-stop, depending on passengers and winds.
What is considered a light jet?+
A business jet with 4 to 8 seats and about 1,100 to 2,100 nm of range, for trips of up to about three hours. Very light jets under 10,000 lb, such as the Phenom 100 and HondaJet, are the smallest of the class.
Do light jets have a bathroom?+
Most have a small lavatory at the front or back of the cabin; on some it is not fully enclosed. If it matters, we confirm it for the aircraft on your quote.
Browse by number of seats
Every model of this size on charter, grouped by passenger seats.
Light jets by manufacturer
Manufacturers with aircraft on charter in the US, most first.
Browse other categories
Tell us where you are going.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.