Aircraft category
Light Jet: Charter Cost, Range, and Best Uses
At a glance
Seating, speed, range, and cost
Typical passengers
5 to 7
Cruise speed
~420 kt
Planning range
~1800 nm
Hourly cost range
$2,900 to $4,600
Use
What this aircraft is used for
Light jets are a versatile choice for regional trips, balancing cost and capability with room for a small group and luggage.
Typically seats about five to seven passengers with usable baggage space for a few days away.
Best uses
Best route types
- Regional trips up to about three hours
- Small group business or leisure travel
- Most short and medium domestic routes
Tradeoffs
Limitations to keep in mind
- Cabins are comfortable but not as roomy as midsize jets
- Limited non-stop range on longer transcontinental legs
- Baggage space tightens with a full cabin
Alternatives
Similar aircraft and categories
Common questions
What is a light jet best for?
Regional trips of up to about three hours for a small group, where it balances cost and comfort well.
How many people can a light jet carry?
About five to seven passengers comfortably, depending on the model and baggage.
Can a light jet fly New York to Los Angeles?
Usually not non-stop with a full cabin against winter headwinds. A super midsize or heavy jet is the common transcontinental choice.
Routes this aircraft commonly flies
- New York to MiamiPlanning charter cost range, aircraft fit, and routing notes for New York to Miami.
- New York to Palm BeachPlanning charter cost range, aircraft fit, and routing notes for New York to Palm Beach.
- New York to NantucketPlanning charter cost range, aircraft fit, and routing notes for New York to Nantucket.
Estimate a trip on this aircraft
- Charter CostEstimate the cost range of a private charter from flight time, aircraft category, trip type, and trip details.
- Aircraft Hourly RateSee planning hourly rate ranges by aircraft category and estimate a flight cost from hours, with a reference table across all categories.
- Split CostSee per person and per group cost when a group shares a single private charter, including host subsidies.
- AircraftCompare aircraft categories by passengers, speed, range, and planning hourly cost.
Last reviewed June 2026. Estimates use planning assumptions that we revisit periodically.