In the modern times of private aviation, there is a growing need for smaller jets. While large jets offer more space and amenities, small private jets have their own unique advantages.
These jets are perfect for short-haul flights for small groups of people. They can also easily operate with smaller airports and runways, which greatly expands the amount of possible destinations. Overall, they offer a convenient and efficient way to travel for business or pleasure, without the hassle of commercial airline travel.
In this article, we'll explore the top 10 small private jets in the world, including their specs, features, and prices. Keep reading to see some of the most innovative and striking designs among small jet planes.
There are plenty of options among the best very light jets (VLJ) and best light jets. Together these two categories make up the entire market of small jets.
The smallest private jets on the market today include:
Very light jets, which can typically seat 4-6 passengers and fly 3-4 hours, go from $1 million to $6 million on the pre-owned market. New small private jets usually retail from $2 million to $8 million. For charter flights, small private jets cost between $2,000 to $4,000 per hour.
Let’s take a closer look at each small private plane mentioned above.
Source: Flaris
The Flaris LAR01 is a Polish single-engine, five-seat very light jet. Just under 2000 pounds empty, the LAR01 is an exciting option in a relatively new market of small business jets. The single-pilot aircraft prioritizes simplicity, being both easy to fly and service. At just 27 feet long, it is about the same as two car lengths.
Source: Flaris
With an expected MSRP around $2 million, the LAR01 is pretty affordable among tiny jets. Operating costs are also estimated to be significantly less than every other aircraft type. The jet has undergone rigorous testing since 2019, with more than 200 test flights completed. If you’re looking to get your hands on the most innovative very light aircraft in history, Flaris is beginning to accept pre orders, near the end of 2023. First deliveries are planned for early 2024, but wider production will make the jet available to the wider public around 2026.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
A truly innovative design, the Cirrus Vision Jet is the world’s first single-engine private jet. Cirrus flew the first prototype as early as 2008, and finally started production in 2016. As of July 2022, over 350 units have been delivered. The improved G2 was announced in 2019, with the G2+ variant debuting shortly after in 2021.
The SF50 very light jet is a beautifully unique aircraft, with its V-tail, curved fuselage, and center-mounted turbofan engine. While the cabin looks tiny, it can comfortably seat up to 5 passengers, along with 2 pilots. Like a flying sports car, this jet also excels in performance. It cruises at over 305 knots, and has a flight range of almost 1300 miles. That’s plenty of range for a nonstop trip from New York City to Miami.
The Eclipse 500 is a very light jet originally manufactured by Eclipse Aviation. Production lasted just two years, from 2006 to 2008, with 260 units built. There are 4 forward-facing passenger seats, along with room for two pilots in the cockpit.
The Eclipse 500 design features a T-tail, straight wings (with wingtip fuel tanks), and two turbofan engines mounted to the aft section of the fuselage. This little business jet is best for short trips, and has an impressive top cruising speed at 430 mph. One downside of the Eclipse 500, and some other small private planes, is that it lacks a lavatory, which could be a considerable factor for potential buyers.
The smallest business jet Embraer has to offer, the Phenom 100 packs a punch when it comes to speed, range, and comfort. With a top speed of 470 mph, it is one of the fastest planes in its class. At 42 feet long and 40 feet wide, the Phenom 100 is compact enough to access smaller airports and fly into tighter spaces. This private jet can comfortably seat four to five passengers in a luxurious cabin that showcases leather seats and wooden accents.
Up to 2021, there had been 392 deliveries, most of which were between 2009 and 2011. The Embraer Phenom 300, a stretched version of the 100, is still widely produced today and can hold up to 11 passengers.
The Cessna Citation Mustang is a compact and agile small private jet designed for swift travel for up to four passengers. It has a range of 1,340 miles and a top speed of 480 mph, allowing for speedy short-haul flights. The Mustang's design features aft-mounted turbofan engines, swept wings, and a T-tail. In its standard configuration, it includes a toilet located in the rear of the cabin.
From 2006-2017, 479 Mustangs were delivered - making it one of the most produced small private aircraft in this article. With a price tag of $3.25 million, the Citation Mustang is a solid investment for those seeking a fast, comfortable, and reliable mode of transportation.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
In development by Stratos Aircraft of Redmond, Oregon, the 716x is the company’s second iteration of a very light jet. It turned out that the original proof-of-concept 714 jet gave the team important experience in shaping the development of the newer 716x kitplane.
Stratos decided that increasing the size of the aircraft would better serve the intended market segment. Therefore, the 716x was slightly expanded for a six-seat layout with six configurations, and an interior with a height of 4 feet, 9 inches. The airframe also got a boost in storage, with 5 cubic feet of space in the nose, and almost 15 cubic feet in the aft unpressurized baggage compartment.
It’s powered by the same single Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5 engine, with 2,950 lbs (19.9 kN) of thrust. The design includes bifurcated engine inlets, removable winglets, and retractable landing gear. Inside, it’s powered by Garmin G3X avionics. At the time of this writing, information about the release of the Stratos 716x is limited. While kits are getting ready to be sent to builders, FAA certification for the small private aircraft has yet to be initiated.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Celebrated for its exceptional reliability, impressive performance, and stunning design, the HondaJet is one of the best private jets regardless of size.
Honda’s star aircraft is easily identifiable with the “over-the-wing” engine mounts. This innovative engineering greatly benefits the fuselage of the small jet. In its normal configuration, it seats four to five passengers along with two pilots. In terms of compartment space, it can store up to 66 cubic feet of baggage. The interior of the cabin is just over 12 feet (3.7m) long, not counting the enclosed lavatory behind the rear seats.
Including the Elite and Elite II models, 226 units have been delivered through 2022.
The Cessna CitationJet/M2 is a premium small private jet that is well-suited for both business and leisure travel. With a length of 42 feet 7 inches and a wingspan of 47 feet 3 inches, the aircraft is spacious enough to accommodate up to seven passengers in its comfortable cabin.
One of the most impressive features of the CitationJet/M2 is its maximum range, which is an impressive 1,700 miles. Its top speed of 450 mph ensures that it can get to its destination quickly, while its efficient engines keep fuel costs low. The CitationJet dates all the way back to the early 1990s, while the M2 is the newer production model which was introduced in 2013. The newest M2 models retail for more than $5.8 million.
The Beechcraft Premier I is a premium small business jet that boasts impressive speed, range, and comfort. Production of the Premier began in 2001, as it entered the light jet market to compete with aircraft like the CitationJet. In 2006, the Premier I was upgraded to the Premier IA. The cabin’s seating is most commonly configured in a four seat club with two aft chairs (plus a lavatory in the rear). Two Williams FJ44-2A turbofan engines allow the Premier 1 to reach a max speed of 523 mph.
Compared to other small private jets, the Premier is a bit more spacious and fitting for more mid-range trips. The cabin is also a bit taller, at nearly 5.5 feet.
Rounding off our list of the best little personal jets is the Hawker 400 (a.k.a the Beechjet 400). While the aircraft was initially designed and manufactured by Mitsubishi, it was further produced by Beech Aircraft Company, which is now operated by Textron Aviation.
The Hawker 400 spans over 48 feet long and 43 feet wide. Additionally, it has the most seating capacity of any small jet on this list, with up to nine passengers and two pilots. Coming in at more than 10,000 pounds empty, it is on the heavier side of small jet planes. The cabin features comfortable leather seats, a well-equipped galley, and a private lavatory. With a range of up to 2,490 miles, this aircraft can take you nonstop from New York to Los Angeles.
There are plenty of options when looking at the small private jet industry. They serve a large market who desire fast and comfortable transport for small groups, with the ability to fly into regional destinations. Some of these jets have been around for decades, while others are on the brink of production and certification. If you are looking to charter one of these small jets, there are a number of factors to consider, such as cost, range, seating capacity, luggage capacity, and comfortability. If you are in the market to purchase a small personal jet, consider the previously mentioned factors, as well as reliability and maintenance costs.
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