Understanding aircraft categories – Light Jets

In business aviation, flexibility and time efficiency are everything. For buyers navigating shorter routes or accessing airports with limited commercial service, light jets offer an optimal blend of performance, luxury, and value.

These agile aircraft are purpose-built for short-haul routes, making them the ideal entry point into ownership or a strategic addition to a corporate fleet.

What defines a light jet and who is it designed for?

With seating for six to eight passengers and a typical range of 1,500 nautical miles, light jets are engineered for fast, focused travel. Cruising at 400 to 450 miles per hour, they’re tailored for regional missions that demand agility.

Their ability to access smaller, underserved airports unlocks routes commercial aviation can’t reach, enabling owners to travel on their own schedule and go exactly where business takes them.

This category attracts a wide range of owners, from business executives to private entrepreneurs. Many enter the market after operating turboprops or participating in fractional ownership programs, looking to take full control of their travel.

Typical missions involve regional routes two to three hours in duration within the continental U.S. or Europe, often carrying a small team.

Light jets align perfectly with the needs of owners managing multiple sites, operating in manufacturing or logistics, or traveling frequently between secondary hubs. For these buyers, it’s about moving with purpose, and reaching the right location at the right time.

Balancing cabin comfort with compact design

Smaller in scale but not in standards, light jets retain many of the hallmarks found across the wider cabin class. Expect reclining seating, onboard Wi-Fi, and fully equipped lavatories, tailored to a more compact footprint.

Galleys and bathrooms may be streamlined, but comfort and functionality remain intact. Luxury doesn’t shrink with size, as light jets uphold the same levels of craftsmanship, design and finish expected in larger cabins.

From the Cessna Citation CJ3+ to the Embraer Phenom 300 and Pilatus PC-24, today’s light jet market combines innovation with a proven track record.

Why light jets continue to lead in private aviation

Light jets were the starting point for much of the private aviation industry and continue to attract consistent demand. As highlighted in Jetcraft’s Ever Forward Report, these aircraft are retaining asking prices and depreciating significantly slower than larger models.

Their resilience and versatility make them a smart acquisition for both first-time owners and corporate operators looking to scale efficiently. Built for frequency, flexibility and consistent performance, the light jet category continues to serve a critical role in today’s market.

At Jetcraft, we match each buyer to the right aircraft for their needs, whether it’s stepping up from a turboprop or adding strategic capability to a corporate fleet.

With access to the broadest inventory and a global team behind every transaction, we deliver the right fit, fast.