Owning a private jet may sound out of reach, but the price of the cheapest private aircraft could surprise you. Find out more about the most affordable options and decide if there might be one to fit your budget.
The Most Affordable Private Jets Available Today
Owning a private jet may sound out of reach, but the price of the cheapest private aircraft could surprise you. Find out more about the most affordable options and decide if there might be one to fit your budget.
Private jets are the epitome of luxury, and the idea of owning one may leave you wondering how much these aircraft cost. If you thought that private jet charter was your only choice, the cheapest private jet costs might just surprise you.
Whether you’re considering the feasibility of buying a very light, light, mid-weight, or heavy jet, the least expensive aircraft can be a fraction of the price of the most in the same size category. We’ve listed some of the most affordable private jets available to buy in each class to give you an idea of what’s available.
Very light jet: Cirrus Vision Jet
One of the cheapest private jets is the small but mighty Cirrus Vision Jet. The world’s first single-engine private jet is powered by a Williams International FJ33-5A turbofan engine, which produces 1,800 lbs of thrust and can cruise at 555 kph at a maximum altitude of 28,000 ft. The aircraft is designed to be piloted by the owner, but a pilot can be hired instead. The cabin is spacious, at 4 ft tall and 5 ft wide, with large windows and seating for up to five adults and two children. The Vision Jet is perfect for a business professional who enjoys private family holidays.
Light jet: Cessna Citation CJ3/CJ3+
If the Vision Jet sounds a little tight, you could consider buying a brand-new Cessna Citation CJ3+. Launched in 2014, the CJ3+ is a new and improved version of the CJ3 with a more comfortable cabin and upgraded avionics. Decades after its first flight, the Citation lineup undoubtedly still rules the light-jet class.
The cabin onboard a CJ3+ can accommodate up to eight passengers and features 14 large windows, swing-out seats, and a standard lavatory. In 2011, Robb Report voted its predecessor, the Cessna Citation CJ3, the “Best of the Best” in the light jet category. It’s the ideal choice for a family planning to fly together for the foreseeable future.
Owners can expect superior reliability without sacrificing productivity and comfort. This aircraft provides the ideal combination of range, speed, and operating economics. It also features a Fresh Air System to help keep cabin air clean.
Mid-size jet: Cessna Citation XLS+
One of the world’s bestselling business jets, the Cessna Citation XLS+ is an extremely versatile jet, delivering high performance on short- and medium-haul flights. It has a maximum cruise speed of 815 kph and a transcontinental range of 1978 mi/1,719 nm. It features Collins Pro Line 21 glass-panel avionics with large eight-by-10-inch displays and fadec-controlled engines that have been updated from its predecessor, the XLS, this time to 4,119 pounds of thrust per side (engine designation PW545C).
The cabin is spacious, with reclining leather seats, foldaway tables, seating for eight passengers, and a galley for food preparation. This aircraft is ideal for business trips or flying esteemed passengers worldwide. Travellers can delight in the high-quality leather seats, which are elegant and comfortable.
Taking over from the successful Citation XLS, over 300 XLS business jets were built during its production run, and it’s still one of the most popular mid-size jets on the market today.
Super mid-size jet: Gulfstream G280
The Gulfstream G280 is a derivative of the G200, and of course, there are several improvements, including increased cabin length, new Honeywell engines, a new T-tail, a cabin with four more windows, and improved avionics. Private jet travellers can also expect lavishly improved interiors. This super mid-size jet is the first aircraft to be fitted with an auto-braking system, which enhances passenger safety and comfort during take-off and landing.
This aircraft offers excellent performance and fuel efficiency. The excellent cabin can accommodate ten passengers in two seating areas. The Gulfstream G280's avionics are kitted out with a Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite, which includes cursor control devices, moving map displays, a standby multifunction controller (SMC), automatic descent mode, dual auto-throttle system, and a universal graphical weather station. The Gulfstream G280 can easily complete the journey from Oslo to Cairo and other similar distances.
Heavy jet: Embraer Legacy 650E
While the cost of a heavy jet is high, the most affordable private jet in this category may be priced lower than you think. The luxurious Embraer Legacy 650E is a relative bargain when compared to the similarly sized Gulfstream G550.
The Legacy 650E is a longer-range version of the Legacy 600. The plane typically seats 12–13 passengers in three separate cabin zones, allowing some to work while others sleep or lounge. Its range of approximately 3,916 mi/3402 nm allows travellers to fly non-stop from Toronto to Dublin.
The Legacy 650E is a great aircraft for larger families who frequently fly together. As of May 2020, Europe accounted for the largest combined Legacy 650/650E fleet percentage (38%), with Asia owning 36% and North and South America 12% each, according to JETNET.
Following on from its predecessor, the Embraer Legacy 650, which was renowned for its large baggage hold and three-zone cabin, the Legacy 650E delivers more modern technology and interiors.
Other costs to consider when buying a private jet
Prospective buyers should consider various additional costs in addition to purchasing the jet itself. We’ve outlined some of the main ones below.
Interior customization
If you’re purchasing a jet, you may want to tailor the plane's interior to fit your personal taste. You may also have to consider how you plan to use your aircraft. There are a host of companies dedicated to customizing private jet interiors, but be careful not to blow your budget on appliances and other luxuries if you’re keen to keep costs down. Keep things simple, especially if your jet is going to be multifunctional or if you want to make it available to charter.
Hangar space
Finding the right place to store your aircraft can be one of the most challenging aspects of owning a private jet. It is often just as important as deciding what type of aircraft to buy.
A hangar ensures the jet’s cosmetic finish won’t be tarnished by the elements and provides peace of mind that your aircraft is in a secure location. In the harsh Canadian winters, it also means you won’t need to spend extra on de-icing your aircraft each time you fly.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective arrangement, look for a shared hangar within driving distance of your home but not necessarily closer to the town centre or main business area. Your search for hangar space should focus on location and how often you’ll use it.
Inspections
Private jets have a maintenance inspection cycle related to flight hours, cumulative take-offs and landings, and prescribed times in the year. As would be expected, your private jet will suffer wear and tear over time, so the inspections and maintenance are a mandatory ongoing cost.
If you’re not going to pilot the jet yourself, you should also be aware of pilot and crew expenses, along with insurance. This might seem an obvious point, but it’s essential that it forms a central part of your calculations if you’re buying a private jet.
Weighing up private jet charter costs against purchasing
While buying a private jet may be a viable option for regular flyers, the ongoing costs of ownership can add up quickly. One of the alternatives to buying a private aircraft is, of course, enjoying the ease of a private charter.
Private plane hire offers all the benefits of private travel without the hefty ongoing costs. Instead, you only pay for the flight or flights you desire.
You can also book an “empty-leg” flight if you’re looking for an even more cost-effective private jet flight. These become available when an aircraft is flying back to base or another destination with no passengers. To recoup some of the flight costs, owners and operators offer these flights to potential charter customers at a discounted rate. As a result, empty-leg flights are often considerably more affordable than your standard charter.
Book a private jet charter with Air Charter Service
If you’d like a personalized quote for the aircraft of your choice or to enquire about available empty-leg flights and their costs, contact one of our experts today. We can arrange private jet charters or group charters if you’re planning on travelling with a large party. You and your guests will be able to travel in the same luxury as if you owned the private jet yourself.