Light jet
The practical short-haul jet
Efficient point-to-point travel for small parties, at jet speed.
- 2–3 hIndicative sector
- Up to 9Seats, Citation CJ3 Gen3
- SeatedCabin height
- WideAirport access
Representative aircraft
Typical types in this category. Actual availability varies by region and date — an advisor will tell you what is realistically on offer for your dates.
Phenom 300E
- Passengers
- By configuration
- Range
- 2,010 nm
- Speed
- 464 kt high-speed cruise
- Charter
- Quoted per trip
Citation CJ3 Gen3
- Passengers
- Up to 9
- Range
- 2,040 nm
- Charter
- Quoted per trip
Range and speed are the manufacturer’s published figures under its stated conditions (passengers carried, reserves, cruise speed). Actual range varies with load, winds and routing. Passenger figures are manufacturer maximums; “By configuration” means seating depends on the cabin layout and no manufacturer maximum is shown for that type. Charter is quoted per trip.
What this category costs
Certified Jets’ estimate of the hourly charter range for this category, where one is shown. Ownership costs depend on the specific aircraft.
| Measure | USD |
|---|---|
| Estimate, per flight hour | $4,000–$5,500 |
Certified Jets market estimate based on published broker guides, 2025–2026. It is not a quote and not a Certified Jets price. Taxes, fees, positioning, crew overnights, daily minimums and de-icing may be added. We quote on-demand charter trip by trip; positioning, season and availability move the price. See how a charter quote is built. For ownership costs, ask an advisor for a figure against a specific aircraft and mission.
When this category is right
Category is decided by the mission, not by preference.
Same-day return business travel
Out in the morning, meetings, home that evening. The classic case where a light jet replaces two days of commercial travel with one.
Small parties
Four to six passengers travelling together with normal luggage rather than a working party with equipment.
Airport flexibility
Access to smaller fields closer to where you are actually going, which often saves more time than cruise speed does.
Compare every category
Certified Jets’ estimated hourly charter range and maximum seating for an example type in each category. The ranges are estimates, not quotes or Certified Jets prices: we quote on-demand charter trip by trip.
| Category | Indicative sector | Seats, example type | Estimate, USD per flight hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 1–3 h | Up to 9 | $2,000–$3,500 |
| Light jet | 2–3 h | Up to 9 | $4,000–$5,500 |
| Midsize jet | 4–5 h | Up to 9 | $5,000–$7,500 |
| Super midsize jet | 5–7 h | Up to 10 | $6,500–$9,500 |
| Heavy jet | 6–9 h | 12–17 | $8,500–$13,500 |
| Ultra long range | 12 h+ | Up to 19 | $12,500–$17,500 |
| VVIP corporate airliner | Global | By configuration | Quoted per trip |
Certified Jets market estimate based on published broker guides, 2025–2026. It is not a quote and not a Certified Jets price. Taxes, fees, positioning, crew overnights, daily minimums and de-icing may be added. Certified Jets quotes on-demand charter trip by trip; positioning, season and availability move the price. See how a charter quote is built. Seats: manufacturer maximum seating for one example type per category (other types seat more or fewer) — Pilatus PC-12 PRO (turboprop), Citation CJ3 Gen3 (light), Citation Latitude (midsize), Challenger 3500 (super midsize), Challenger 650, Falcon 6X and Global 6500 (heavy), Gulfstream G700 (ultra long range). Sector times are indicative examples, not range limits.
Not sure which category fits?
Tell us the route, the party, and the dates. An advisor will tell you which aircraft is right — including when a smaller category will do.