When we were young, we probably dreamed of traveling the world in a private jet. For most of us, it’s unachievable. However, what are the cheapest private jets? Today we will find out!
I’m not here to say whether you should or shouldn’t own a private jet. That is a different conversation entirely. The price of the private jet itself is only a glimpse of the total cost of owning a private jet.
However, if you have the income to do so, these might just be the cheapest private jets that you can own!
15. Learjet 75 – $13.8 million
The Learjet 75 is the most “expensive” of all of these private jets. Despite this, the Learjet 75 is still one of the cheapest private jets on the market! The Learjet 75 is a lengthened and slightly re-engineered version of the Learjet 45.
Learjet are famous for being the founders of the business jet/private jet market. Their business model has been to develop low cost, high-quality business jets.
Following this business model, Learjet developed the Learjet 75. Learjet designed the Learjet 75 to carry eight or nine passengers plus two passengers.
The Learjet 75 can fly at a speed of 465 kn (535 mph; 861 km/h) at a range of 2,040 nmi (2,350 mi; 3,780 km). The result has been that the Learjet 75 has a price tag of $13.8 million, however, used Learjet 75s can be bought for a much lower price.
14. Cessna Citation XLS+ – $12.8 million
The Citation XLS+ is one of the more expensive private jets on this list. However, for a private jet of its size and specifications, the Citation XLS+ is one of the cheapest private jets out there.
The XLS+ is designed to be a competitor to some of the most expensive private jets– such as the Bombardier, Dassaults and Gulfstreams. Despite this, the XLS+ remains one of the cheapest private jets on the market.
Cessna designed the Citation XLS+ to be attractive to medium to large enterprises or medium sized enterprises with many C-Suite executives or high-value clients they want to impress.
As such, the XLS+ is designed to carry nine passengers plus two pilots. The XLS+ was also designed to fly at 441 kn (507 mph; 816 km/h) with a range of 1,858 nm (3,441 km; 2,138 mi).
All of this has resulted in the XLS+’s price tag being $12.8 million, something that is quite low for its age, size and specifications.
13. Learjet 70 – $11.8 million
Learjet didn’t just develop the Learjet 75 to help them conquer the private jet market. Learjet also developed the Learjet 70- a shortened version of the Learjet 75, but a re-engineered (and lengthened) Learjet 40.
The Learjet 70 was designed similarly to the Learjet 75. Not only were they developed in tandem, but they were also developed to be one of the cheapest private jets.
Learjet also designed the Learjet 70 to appeal to smaller scale small to medium enterprises, where the Learjet 75 is designed to appeal to small to medium enterprises.
The Learjet 70 is supposed to be the cheaper alternative to the Learjet 75, rather than losing business to Cessna, Learjet wanted to make a jet that would appeal to them.
The Learjet 70 flies at a speed of 424 kn (488 mph; 785 km/h) with a range of 1,873 nmi (2,155 mi; 3,469 km). The result has been that the Learjet 70 has a price range of $11.8 million, however, there are several used Learjet 70’s for sale for much cheaper.
12. Pilatus PC-24 – $10.7 million
Pilatus is known a Swiss private jet manufacturer, specializing in turboprop aircraft. Following on from the success of the PC-12 turboprop, Pilatus decided to develop their first jet aircraft.
The Pilatus PC-24 is tailored to be the Swiss Watch of private jets– combining luxury Swiss engineering and jet engine technology. All of this is done to make the PC-24 appeal to medium-sized enterprises.
To do this, Pilatus designed the PC-24 to accommodate eight passengers and one or two passengers. Pilatus also designed the PC-24 to travel at 440 kn (506 mph; 815 km/h) at a range of 1,800 nmi (2,072 mi; 3,334 km).
Despite the PC-24’s luxury “Swiss watch”-style design and appearance, the PC-24 is one of the cheapest private jets on the market. Despite this, it is possible to get a used PC-24 at a much greater discount.
11. Embraer Phenom 300 – $9.45 million
Embraer were looking to compete with the private jets, mainly of Learjet, Cessna and Beechcraft. The result has been the Phenom 300, a private jet marketed towards small to medium enterprises and medium enterprises.
To do this, Embraer designed the Phenom 300 to accommodate six passengers plus one to two pilots. Embraer also designed the Phenom 300 to fly at 383 kn (441 mph; 709 km/h) at a range of 2,010 nmi (2,313 mi; 3,723 km).
The Phenom 300 builds on and surpasses the success of the Phenom 100, the Phenom 300’s younger brother. In just 11 years, the Phemon 300 has been built over 500 times as of the time of writing with more to come in the future.
Perhaps due to its specs, or perhaps due to its low pricing, the Phenom 300 is one of the cheapest private jets at $9.45 million. However, it is possible to pick up a used Phenom 300 for much less than $9.45 million.
10. Piaggio Avanti – $7.395 million
The Piaggio Avanti shares many things in common with the Beechcraft Starship. It primarily shares a similar, yet very weird design but it also shares the Starship’s low price tag.
Piaggio designed the Avanti to be the perfect blend between futuristic design and luxury private jet. The Avanti can carry between seven and nine people plus the pilot.
Piaggio also wanted the Avanti to be appealing to medium-to-large corporations and Fortune 500 companies. However, it is also a favorite of medium sized corporations.
To do this, they gave the Avanti considerable speed, clocking in with a cruise speed of 318 kn (366 mph; 589 km/h). The Avanti was also designed to have a decent range for the size of the jet. As such, the Avanti has a range of 1,510 nmi (1,740 mi; 2,800 km).
All of this has resulted in the Avanti’s price tag being $7.395 million brand new. However, it is possible to buy a used Avanti at a much lower price.
9. Beechcraft Premier I – $7.2 million
Beechcraft is very similar to Cessna. Just as with Cessna, Beechcraft made their Premier Is in their Wichita, Kansas plant. Beechcraft developed the Premier I to be the best light business jet possible.
Beechcraft wanted to design a jet that went beyond their King Air and Super King Air lines of aircraft as well as the failing Starship. As such, they designed a light business jet that would be appealing to small to medium and medium enterprises.
To do this, Beechcraft designed the Premier I to accommodate six to seven passengers plus one pilot. The Premier I has the ability to fly at 454 kn (841 km/h; 523 mph) at a range of 830 nmi (1,530 km; 950 mi).
All of this factors in to the Premier I’s low price of $7.2 million, making it one of the cheapest private jets out there. It is also possible that to get a used Premier I for a reduced price.
8. Cessna Citation CJ3 – $7 million
The Premeir I’s largest competitor is also one of the cheapest private jets available. The Citation CJ3 is one of the latest installation of the CitationJet family.
Cessna is known for making some of the best business jets on the planet. However, they were ageing, as such, Cessna reinvented and re-engineered their existing line of citation jets.
Just as with the Premier I, the CJ3 is designed to be appealing to small to medium enterprises as well as medium enterprises. To do this, Cessna designed the CJ3 to accommodate nine passengers and one pilot.
The CitationJet CJ3 flies at 416 kn (478 mph; 770 km/h) at a range of 2,040 nmi (2348 mi; 3,778 km).
All of this has resulted in the CJ3’s low price of only $7 million, making it one of the cheapest private jets on the planet! However, it is possible to purchase a used CJ3 for much less than $7 million.
7. Embraer Phenom 100 – $4.95 million
The younger brother of the Phenom 300, the Phenom 100 is even cheaper than the already cheap Phenom 300. In fact, it is one of the cheapest private jets you can get!
Embraer designed the Phenom 100 to be attractive to smaller-scale small to medium enterprises. To do this, the Phenom 100 is designed to accommodate five to seven passengers plus one to two pilots.
The Phenom 100 is also designed to be attractive in its technical specifications. The Phenom 100 is able to cruise at 400 kn (470 mph; 750 km/h) with a range of 1,178 nmi (1,356 mi; 2,182 km).
And these specifications have seemed to prove quite attractive – the Phenom 100 has been built 369 times in only twelve years as of the time of writing, with more to built in the future.
This number is also partly down to the price – $4.95 million for a new Phenom 100. As with many of these other private jets, it is possible to purchase a used Phenom 100 at a much lower price!
6. HondaJet HA-420 – $3.7 million
The HondaJet is perhaps the most famous cheap private jet. For me in particular, when I think of the cheapest private jets in the world, the HondaJet is what first comes to my mind.
Car manufacturer Honda decided that they also wanted to get into the luxury aviation market. The result was their HondaJet, the first successful business jet developed in Japan.
Honda designed the HondaJet to appeal to small to medium enterprises who were looking to transport a few C-Suite executives or some high value clients.
As such, Honda designed the HondaJet to carry four passengers plus two passengers. The HondaJet travels at 422 kn (782 km/h; 486 mph) at a range of 1,437 nmi (2,661 km; 1,653 mi).
And the HondaJet has been relatively successful in its short space of time, with 150 HondaJets being delivered in only five years.
All of this has resulted in the HondaJet being one oft he most famous private jets on the planet, with a price tag of only $3.7 million! There are also several HondaJets for sale second hand at a vastly reduced price.
5. Stratos 716X – $3.5 million
Stratos is perhaps a company you’ve never heard of. In many ways, the Stratos 716X is very similar to Cirrus Vision SF-50 (more on that later), in fact, Stratos markets itself on being the better alternative to the SF-50.
The 716X is designed to be a lengthened version of the Stratos 714, itself being one of the cheapest private jets also at $3.5 million. Stratos is currently marketing the 716X at smaller-scale small to medium enterprises.
The result has been a private jet that can accommodate six passengers plus one pilot. Stratos also designed the 716X to fly at 400 kn (640 mph; 740 km/h) at a range of 1,500 nmi (2,800 km; 1,726 mi).
All of this has resulted in the 716X’s low price tag of $3.5 million. As the jet is relatively new, and the only the first orders of he 716X are being built and delivered, it isn’t currently possible to buy a used 716X.
4. Cessna Citation X – $3 million
The final Cessna aircraft on this list and incidentally the cheapest Cessna private jet of them all. The Citation X also happens to be the most recent Cessna private jet. However, you cannot buy a Citation X brand new, only used.
As with Cessna’s other private jets, the Citation X is aimed at small to medium enterprises as well as smaller-scale medium enterprises. Especially those looking to transport C-Suite executives or high-value clients.
The result has been that Cessna designed the Citation X to carry twelve passengers plus two pilots. The Citation X actually has a great range for its price – 3,460 nmi (3,982 mi; 6,410 km) all whilst traveling at 528 kn (608 mph; 978 km/h).
All of this has resulted in the Citation X’s extremely low price of only $3 million, making it one of the cheapest private jets out there. However, this price is only an average of the used prices available at the time of writing.
3. Eclipse 500 – $2.495 million
The Eclipse is perhaps the least well known of all of these private jets. Despite this, the Eclipse is one of the cheapest private jets you can buy! The Eclipse also has a longer variant – the Eclipse 550 (which costs $2.995 million).
The Eclipse was designed with small to medium businesses in mind. That is to say, that the Eclipse was designed to accommodate a few high level executives or a few high value clients.
As such, the Eclipse can carry between four and five passengers with one or two pilots. Eclipse designed the aircraft to fly at a speed of 370 kn (425 mph; 685 km/h) at a range of 1,125 kn (1,295 mi; 2,084 km).
All of this factors in to the Eclipse 500’s low price of $2.495 million or the Eclipse 550’s low price of $2.995 million brand new. As with many of the private jets on this list, it is possible to pick up a used Eclipse 500 for much less.
2. Learjet 60 – $2 million
Although you can’t buy a new Learjet 60, there are several second hand Learjet 60s available varying in price. However, these prices are currently averaging at around $2 million for some of the “older” production models (late 1990’s, early 2000’s).
Learjet are known for making their luxury private jets. The Learjet 60 was developed from the Learjet 60, with it being a lengthened and slightly re-engineered version of the Learjet 55.
The Learjet 60 was designed to compete with the Citation line of private jets. The Learjet 60 was designed to accommodate ambitious small to medium businesses with C-Suite executives or high-value clients.
Despite its low price tag, the Learjet 60 can accommodate eight passengers and two pilots. The Learjet 60 can also fly at 421 kn (779 km/h; 484 mph) at a range of 2,410 nmi (4,463 km; 2,773 mi).
The Learjet 60’s low price tag of only $2 million is only an average of the prices as of the time of writing. Most of these are “older” Learjet 60s however, it is possible to buy a “newer” Learjet 60 for more than $2 million.
1. Cirrus Vision SF-50 – $1.96 million
I am including this one begrudgingly – I know that if I don’t, someone will ask me why I didn’t include it. With that being said, the SF-50 is not only one of the cheapest private jets currently on the market, but the cheapest!
From an engineering standpoint, the aircraft is a masterpiece. It is the first private jet to be powered be only one engine, where most others have two or even three engines!
Cirrus designed the SF-50 with price in mind. The SF-50 is designed to be the perfect blend between General Aviation aircraft and private jet. The SF-50 has the handling of a Cessna 152 or 172, but the practicality of a Learjet.
As such, the SF-50 has the ability to carry six people plus one pilot, making it a favorite of small to medium enterprises. The SF-50 cruises at 240 kn (440 km/h; 280 mph) at a range of 600 nmi (690 mi; 1,100 km).
All of this has resulted in the SF-50 having the lowest price tag of any of these jets at only $1.96 million brand new. However, in recent years, there have been several SF-50s for sale second hand at a much lower price.
If you had the money, which of these private jets would you buy? Tell me in the comments!