The workhorse of private aviation: efficient, fast and ideal for 1–3 hour regional trips with a handful of passengers.
Light jets carry 6–8 passengers up to roughly 1,500–2,000 nautical miles — perfect for short regional and domestic legs. They're the most cost-efficient pure jets to charter and own, and the entry point for most first-time buyers.
| Model | Seats | Range (nm) | Charter / hr | New price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer Phenom 300E | 7–9 | 2,010 | $2,900–$3,800 | ~$10.5M |
| Cessna Citation CJ3+ | 7–9 | 2,040 | $2,800–$3,600 | ~$9M |
| Cessna Citation CJ4 | 7–9 | 2,165 | $3,000–$3,900 | ~$11M |
| HondaJet Elite II | 5–6 | 1,547 | $2,600–$3,300 | ~$7M |
| Learjet 75 (pre-owned) | 6–8 | 2,040 | $3,000–$3,900 | ~$5M used |
Indicative 2026 figures for planning only; real pricing depends on aircraft, availability, routing, repositioning and fuel. Request a quote for live numbers.
The Phenom 300 series has been the world's best-selling light jet for years — a benchmark for range, cabin and reliability. For shorter trips on a tighter budget, a turboprop like the PC-12 trades speed for even lower cost.
Tell us the mission — route, dates, passengers, ownership vs charter — and we route you to vetted operators and brokers, then handle the technology and security side as your private office. One confidential brief; no spam, no broker storm.
Request a Private QuoteIndependent guidance. Where we introduce partner operators, an arrangement may exist — it never changes your price or our advice.
Once you fly private, the cabin becomes an office: Starlink/Ka-band connectivity, crew devices, scheduling and payments — all targets. Obsidian Helm is the private technology & cybersecurity office that secures the jet, the household and the ventures behind it. Remote, discreet, under NDA.
Yacht, Jet & EstateRoughly $2,800–$4,500 per flight hour in 2026, making light jets the most affordable pure-jet charter class.
The Embraer Phenom 300E is the segment benchmark for range, cabin and reliability. The Citation CJ3+/CJ4 and HondaJet Elite II are strong alternatives depending on cabin and budget.
Typically 1,500–2,200 nautical miles — enough for most domestic and short international legs, but not transcontinental or transoceanic missions.
New light jets run roughly $7M–$11M; quality pre-owned examples start around $3M–$5M. Annual fixed operating cost is about $0.5M–$0.9M.
