Top 5 lowest cost private jets available today
Owning a private jet might sound like the domain of the uber-wealthy, but the cost of the cheapest private jets might surprise you. Whether you’re shopping ‒ or window shopping ‒ for a short, mid-weight or heavy jet, the most affordable private joptions can be a fraction of the price of the most expensive. We’ve listed the cheapest private jet in each category to give you an idea of what’s available.
Very Light Jet: Cirrus Vision Jet
The cheapest private jet on the market is the small but mighty Cirrus Vision Jet at $1.96 million. The Vision Jet is the world’s first single-engine private jet, powered by a Williams International FJ33-5A turbofan engine that produces 1,800lbs of thrust. The aircraft took 10 years to design and build and features a unique V-tail instead of a traditional rudder. It can cruise at 345mph at a maximum altitude of 28,000ft, with a range of 1,150 miles. Although designed to be flown by the owner, a pilot can be hired instead.
Passengers can enjoy a spacious cabin at 4ft tall and 5ft wide, with large windows and seating for up to five adults and two children. Luxurious amenities include an in-flight entertainment system, mood lighting and USB charging points. There’s a panoramic windshield in the cockpit, as well as a cutting-edge Garmin Perspective Touch avionics suite and sidestick technology. The Cirrus Vision Jet even boasts a flight envelope and parachute system for emergencies.
Light Jet: Cessna Citation CJ3+
If the Vision Jet sounds a little tight, you can buy a brand new Cessna Citation CJ3+ for $8.3 million. Launched in 2014, it’s a new and improved version of the CJ3 – named "Best of the Best" in the light jet category by Robb Report in 2011– with a more comfortable cabin and an upgraded Garmin 3000 avionics system. The aircraft is certified for single-pilot operation and has an impressive wingspan of over 54 feet that’s designed for extra lift and less drag.
The cabin can accommodate up to nine passengers and is 4ft 10in wide, 4ft 10 tall and 15ft 8in long. It features 14 large windows, swing-out seats, LED lighting, Wi-Fi and a standard lavatory, with six different design themes to choose from. In addition, the jet has a maximum range of 2,040 nautical miles, a luggage capacity of 1,000lbs and is cheaper to run than its closest competitors such as the Phenom 300.
Midsize Jet: Cessna Citation XLS+
The world’s best-selling business jet can be yours for $12.8 million. Launched in 1998, the Cessna Citation XLS+ is a very versatile aircraft, delivering high performance on short- and long-haul flights. It has a maximum cruise speed of 507mph and a transcontinental long range of 2,100 nautical miles. The jet can also take-off from shorter runways and has a state-of-the-art Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics system.
The cabin comes in six colour schemes and is the largest in its class at 5ft 6in wide, 5ft 8in tall and 18ft 6in long. Passengers can relax with fully-reclining leather seats, foldaway tables, an entertainment system and Wi-Fi. You can even configure the cabin to include a side-facing couch. There’s seating for up to nine passengers and a galley for food preparation, as well as space for over 800lbs of baggage.
Super Midsize Jet: Cessna Citation Sovereign+
Cessna does it again. Their powerful Cessna Citation Sovereign+ is the most affordable super midsize jet available today at $18 million. With a maximum range of 3,200 nautical miles, passengers can fly from Bangkok to Dubai nonstop. The Sovereign X+ is known for its excellent runway performance, with the shortest take-off among private jets in its class meaning it can fly from a small airport. In addition, it has powerful Pratt & Whitney PW306D turbofan engines and a 22.05-meter wingspan with range-enhancing winglets.
The cabin is 5ft 6in wide, 5ft 8in tall and 25ft 3in long. It can accommodate 12 passengers in luxury, with various configurations including an optional couch. There are new recessed armrests for extra aisle space and a Clarity Cabin Management System for in-flight internet. Even more remarkable is the best-in-class external baggage compartment, which can carry up to 1,435lbs of luggage.
Heavy Jet: Embraer Legacy 650E
While the cost of large jets almost always elicits sticker shock, the cheapest private jet in this category may surprise you. The luxurious Embraer Legacy 650E comes in at $25.9 million, a relative bargain when compared to the similarly-sized, $61.5 million Gulfstream G550. The E stands for Evolution and the model certainly offers that, with two Rolls-Royce AE3007A2 engines and Honeywell Primus Elite Avionics. As an aviation industry first, the plane also comes with a 10-year or 10,000-hour warranty.
The Embraer 650E has seating for 12-13 passengers in three separate cabin zones, allowing some to work while others sleep in leather seats. There’s broadband, Apple TV and a worldwide phone service, as well as multiple configurations which can include a conference table for business meetings. The 3,900-nautical-mile range allows for longer flight hours, so travelers can fly nonstop from New York to Munich, for example.
Best of the rest
Looking for more low-cost private jets? Here are some other options:
- Stratos 714 ‒ This very light jet is scheduled for release in 2019 and is being positioned as a competitor of the Cirrus Vision Jet, since it will be the second single-engined private jet on the market. Stratos estimates the aircraft will have a 1,500-nautical-mile range and accommodate up to six passengers. The 714 will feature a Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5 engine and is likely to cost around $2.5 million.
- Embraer Phenom 300 ‒ This light jet is worth $9 million compared to the $8.3 million Cessna Citation CJ3+. The Phenom 300 has a range of up to 2,000 nautical miles and can accommodate up to seven passengers.
- Bombardier Learjet 45XR ‒ This midsize private jet costs $13 million brand new (just slightly more than the Cessna Citation XLS+), with a lower price tag for second-hand versions. The Bombardier Learjet 45XR has a range of around 2,000 nautical miles and can seat eight passengers.
No matter how affordable these private jets may sound, prices don’t include additional costs that affect private plane owners, such as inspections, insurance, hangar space, pilot expenses and interior customizations. You should also take into consideration fuel costs, which vary depending on flight time and aircraft type.
You can avoid most of these costs by opting for a private jet charter or private jet lease instead. Contact us for a personalized quote for the aircraft of your choice. We also offer empty leg flights at significant savings compared to regular private jet charters when a plane is flying empty back to base following a one-way booking. Keep an eye out for deals on our regularly-updated empty leg flights page.
