Very Light Jet Charter
The smallest and most affordable jets: jet speed for four or five passengers on trips of up to about two and a half hours.
- Seats
- 4–5
- Nonstop range
- ~1,151 mi
- Hourly rate
- $2,800–$4,200
- Daily minimum
- 2 hours
What to Expect from a Very Light Jet
Very light jets are the step up from a turboprop. They fly higher and faster, above most weather at 35,000 to 41,000 feet, while keeping hourly costs close to turboprop levels.
Most seat four comfortably, and some have room for a fifth passenger. They fly about 1,100 to 1,500 nautical miles nonstop, which covers trips like New York to Chicago, Miami to Nassau or Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
Best For
- One to four passengers on trips of up to about two and a half hours
- Business day trips and quick regional hops
- Smaller airports with shorter runways, often closer to where you are going
Keep in Mind
- Cabins are compact, typically under five feet tall, and luggage space is limited.
- Longer trips need a fuel stop; for four passengers going farther, a light jet is the better choice.
Very Light Jets You Can Charter
Common very light jets on the charter market. Ask for a specific model, or let us pick the best available aircraft for your trip.
Embraer Phenom 100
- Seats
- 4–5
- Range
- 1,178 nm
- Cruise
- 406 kt
Cessna Citation Mustang
- Seats
- 4
- Range
- 1,150 nm
- Cruise
- 340 kt
HondaJet
- Seats
- 4–5
- Range
- 1,437 nm
- Cruise
- 422 kt
Cirrus Vision Jet
- Seats
- 4–5
- Range
- 1,275 nm
- Cruise
- 311 kt
Cessna Citation M2
- Seats
- 5–6
- Range
- 1,550 nm
- Cruise
- 404 kt
Cessna Citation CJ1
- Seats
- 5
- Range
- 1,300 nm
- Cruise
- 389 kt
Beechcraft Premier I
- Seats
- 5–6
- Range
- 1,450 nm
- Cruise
- 450 kt
Eclipse 500
- Seats
- 3–4
- Range
- 1,125 nm
- Cruise
- 370 kt
Specifications are typical manufacturer figures. Seating and range vary by aircraft and layout.
Very Light Jet Sample Trip Costs
One-way estimates for popular trips. Short trips are billed at the 2-hour daily minimum. Prices exclude taxes, fees and repositioning.
| Trip | Distance | Flight time | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles to Aspen VNY–ASE | 730 mi | 2 hr | $9,000–$14,000 |
| New York to Miami TEB–OPF | 1,092 mi | Needs a fuel stop in a very light jet. Choose a larger class for this trip. | |
| New York to Aspen TEB–ASE | 1,728 mi | Needs a fuel stop in a very light jet. Choose a larger class for this trip. | |
| Miami to Aspen OPF–ASE | 1,791 mi | Needs a fuel stop in a very light jet. Choose a larger class for this trip. | |
| New York to Los Angeles TEB–VNY | 2,450 mi | Needs a fuel stop in a very light jet. Choose a larger class for this trip. | |
How Very Light Jets Compare
| Class | Seats | Nonstop range | Hourly rate | Daily minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprops | 6–8 | ~1,036 mi | $2,500–$3,500 | 2 hr |
| Very light jets | 4–5 | ~1,151 mi | $2,800–$4,200 | 2 hr |
| Light jets | 5–7 | ~1,611 mi | $3,800–$5,500 | 2.5 hr |
| Midsize jets | 7–9 | ~2,302 mi | $4,800–$6,000 | 3 hr |
| Super-midsize jets | 8–10 | ~3,452 mi | $6,000–$9,000 | 3 hr |
| Heavy jets | 10–16 | ~4,603 mi | $8,500–$13,000 | 4 hr |
| Ultra-long-range jets | 12–19 | ~6,905 mi | $11,500–$20,000 | 4 hr |
Popular Very Light Jet Destinations
Airport guides with FBOs, curfews and flight times.
- Private jet AspenASE, EGE
- Private jet Las VegasLAS, HND, VGT
- Private jet LondonLTN, FAB, BQH, LCY
- Private jet Los AngelesVNY, LAX, SMO, BUR, TOA
- Private jet MiamiOPF, MIA
- Private jet New YorkTEB, HPN, JFK, CDW
- Private jet Palm BeachDJT, BCT
- Private jet ParisLBG
- All destinations
Very Light Jet Charter Questions
How much does it cost to charter a very light jet?
Very light jets typically run $2,800 to $4,200 per flight hour, and operators bill at least 2 hours for each day you fly. For example, Los Angeles to Aspen estimates at $9,000 to $14,000 one way before taxes and fees. Use the calculator above for your exact trip.
How far can a very light jet fly nonstop?
Plan on about 1,000 nautical miles (1,151 statute miles) with passengers and fuel reserves. Winds, weather and airport altitude can reduce that.
What is a very light jet?
A small jet, usually with four to five passenger seats, designed to fly shorter trips at jet speed for less than a larger jet costs. The Phenom 100, Citation Mustang, HondaJet and Vision Jet are the best-known examples.
Is a very light jet cheaper than a turboprop?
Usually slightly more per hour, but it flies faster, so on trips over about an hour the total can be similar. A turboprop is better for the shortest trips, very short runways and groups of more than five.
Ready to Book a Very Light Jet?
Send us your trip and we will reply with available aircraft and an itemized quote, any time of day.