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In a world that is getting more competitive and looking for ways to make travel more efficient, the use of private jets is on the rise. We see the likes of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Taylor Swift, Donald Trump and other highly successful people who use private jets for faster air travel and personal comfort, along with better organizing their work. After all, a scheduled passenger flight can take hours of security checkups, chipping away at valuable time that can be better utilized elsewhere.But some personal jets like those used by our favorite celebrities, politicians, VIPs, etc., can take a whole life of hard work to garner. The price of a personal jet may range up to $100 million, depending upon the models, sizes, amenities and customization. The larger ones with state-of-the-art technology require more than a single pilot to operate. Chartering such aircraft can cost as much as $11,000 per hour.
This is where small private jets, catered to carrying a handful of passengers and operable with a single pilot, become affordable. In this article, we will examine five of the most affordable personal jets in 2024.
5. Pilatus PC-24 ($8.5 - $9.5 million)
In 2023, the equipped price of a Pilatus PC-24 was $11.9 million, with the direct operating cost being around $2,630 per flight hour. This makes it one of the most affordable personal jets.
Capacity and Features of the Pilatus PC-24
Normal Cruise speed: 440 knots/ 815 km/hrMaximum Takeoff weight: 8,500 kg/ 18,700 lbMaximum landing weight: 7371 kg/16250 lbService Ceiling: 13,716 m/ 45,000 ftEngines; Power: 2; 16 kN/ 3597 lbEngine model: Williams FJ44-4A turbofansThe Pilatus PC-24, which can accommodate 11 passengers, became available for commercial service in 2018. This aircraft was developed from the PC-12 and has fixed wings, a narrow body, and a T-tail. Over 100 have been produced to date.
This aircraft can take off and land on runways that are around 750-900 meters long. Its ability to land in grass, dry sand, wet earth and snow makes it an excellent aircraft, even for operations as an air ambulance. The aircraft is also operated by the Swiss Air Force, fractional provider PlaneSense, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia.
4. HondaJet Elite ($6.95 million)
HondaJet is an aircraft that has received praise from all over the world — from being a "Tech to Watch" to receiving an excellence award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. So, the equipped price of HondaJet Elite of merely $5.25 million in 2019 might seem like a bargain.
Capacity and Features of HondaJet Elite
Normal Cruise speed: 422 knots ( 782 km/hr)(486 mph)Maximum Take-off weight: 4853 kg/ 10700 lbMaximum landing weight: 3267 kg/ 7203 lbService Ceiling: 13,106 m/ 43,000 ftEngines; Power: 2 ; 9.11 kN/ 2,050 lb eachEngine model: GE HONDA/HF120HondaJet Elite is equipped with the latest aeronautical breakthroughs, from the Over-The-Wing Engine Mounts to the natural Laminar Flow. These help decrease the jet's noise pollution, and so does a new engine inlet, increased elevator authority and reduced fuel usage.
The aircraft, which started deliveries in August 2018, has a range of 2,661 km. It features a Bongiovi Aviation speakerless in-cabin sound system, which provides passengers with a best-in-class, immersive audio experience throughout the entire cabin.
3. Embraer Phenom 300 ($6 - $8 million)
This twin-engined cantilever monoplane, introduced in 2009, conducted its first flight on April 29, 2008, has a passenger capacity of 10 and a range of 3,722 km. The equipped price of this light business jet is about $9.45 million, while its cost per hour to operate is $1,837.57.
Capacity and Features of the Embraer Phenom 300
Normal Cruise speed: 452 knots ( 837 km/hr)(521 mph)Maximum Takeoff weight: 8,414.59 kg (18,551 lb)Maximum landing weight: 7650 kg/ 16865 lbService Ceiling: 13,716 m/ 45,000 ftEngines; Power: 2 ; 31.13 kN/ 7,000 lb of thrust (combined)Engine model: Pratt andamp; Whitney Canada PW535E turbofanIts engines are fitted with dual full authority digital engine control. The Phenom 300 series is in operation in 36 countries and has accumulated nearly 1 million flights, with a flight time of 8,000,000 hours. It has been the world's best-selling light jet for 12 consecutive years.
2. Cessna Citation Jet ($5.25 - $8 million)
The cost of a Cessna Citation Jet, depending on the model, is about $5.25 to $8 million. This aircraft, which has a passenger capacity of 7-10 passengers, was introduced in 2013, and its variants include the CJ, CJ1, CJ2, CJ3 and CJ4.
Capacity and Features of Cessna Citation Jet
Normal Cruise speed: 404 knots(465 mph) to 451 knots( 519 mph)Maximum Payload: 640 kg/ 1,410 lb- 1,007 kg/ 2,220 lbService Ceiling: 41,000 ft/12,496 m - 45,000/ 13,715mEngines; Power: 2; 8.74 kN/ 1,965 lb - 16.11 kN/ 3,621 lbEngine model: Williams FJ44 familyThe aircraft of the Cessna CitationJet family are also amongst the ones designed earlier than most aicraft on this list of the most affordable personal jets- with the first aircraft of this series delivered in 1993. In a history spanning more than 3 decades, more than 2000 of these aircraft have been delivered to date.
1. Cirrus Vision Jet (approximately $2 million)The Cirrus Vision Jet was introduced in 2016 and has a passenger capacity of six. Its cost of just a tad shy of $2 million makes it the most affordable jet in 2024. It requires a mere 380 meters (1245 ft) of landing distance, making it feasible to land in short-take-off and landing (STOL) airports. Variants of this aircraft include the G2+ and G2 Vision Jet.
Capacity and Features
Normal Cruise speed: 305 knots ( 565 km/hr) (351 mph)Maximum Takeoff weight: 2721 kg/6000 LbService Ceiling: 31,000 ft (9,400 m)Engines; Power: 1 ; 8.5 kN/ 1,900 lbEngine model: Williams FJ33-4A-19 turbofanIn 2017, the "greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America," as announced by the National Aeronautic Association, went to this aircraft, which is equipped with an autoland system and a whole-airframe ballistic parachute system. The entirety of the Cirrus Vision Jet is made of composite materials.