6–8 seats · 1,500–2,000 nm · 420–450 kt

Light jets.

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Light jets the workhorse of European private aviation and the category with the most empty legs. Comfortable for up to three hours. They seat 6–8 and fly 1,500–2,000 nm; published 2026 guides put them at $3,500–$5,500 per block hour, so a one-hour empty leg is estimated at £674–£3,072 against £2,623–£4,122 for a standard charter. Typical types: Cessna Citation CJ3+ / CJ4, Embraer Phenom 300E, Bombardier Learjet 75.

Seats6–8
Range1,500–2,000 nm
CabinSix to eight seats, enclosed lavatory
BaggageAround 55–75 cu ft, external hold on most types
Speed420–450 kt
Hourly band (2026 guides)$3,500–$5,500 (£2,623–£4,122)
One-hour empty leg (est.)£674–£3,072
Typical aircraftCessna Citation CJ3+ / CJ4, Embraer Phenom 300E, Bombardier Learjet 75, Pilatus PC-24, Nextant 400XTi
Embraer Phenom 300 light jet landing

What is a light jet like in practice?

The workhorse of European private aviation and the category with the most empty legs. Comfortable for up to three hours.

Light jets are the most common empty leg on our board because operators reposition them constantly between London, the Riviera, the Alps and the Balearics. Most have a private lavatory and a decent external hold for luggage.

Best for: Two to three hour European sectors: London to Ibiza, Palma, Milan or Mykonos with up to seven passengers.

How much does a light jet cost to charter?

Published 2026 guides put light jets at $3,500–$5,500 per block hour <a class="cite" href="#src-paramount-2026" aria-label="Source: Paramount Business Jets, &quot;Private Jet Rental | Jet Cost &amp; Hourly Rates (2026)&quot;">(Paramount Business Jets, 2026)</a> <a class="cite" href="#src-amalfi-2026" aria-label="Source: Amalfi Jets, &quot;Private Jet Cost Per Hour 2026: Rates by Jet Type&quot;">(Amalfi Jets, 2026)</a> <a class="cite" href="#src-jetvice-2026" aria-label="Source: Jetvice, &quot;Private Jet Charter Hourly Rates 2026&quot;">(Jetvice, 2026)</a>.

A one-hour sector is therefore estimated at $3,500–$5,500 one way and $900–$4,100 as an empty leg, before taxes, positioning and airport fees. Empty legs on the board show the operator’s actual price plus our booking fee.

Light jet estimates by sector length (USD)
SectorBlock timeOne-way charter (est.)Empty leg (est.)
1 hour (about 285 nm)1h 00m$3,500–$5,500$900–$4,100
2.5 hours (about 855 nm)2h 30m$8,800–$13,800$2,200–$10,400
5 hours (about 1,805 nm)5h 00mBeyond rangeBeyond range

Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.

Which routes can a light jet fly non-stop?

10 of the routes on this site are within non-stop range, from Zurich to Milan at 118 nm.

  • Zurich to Milan: 118 nm, about 0h 34m, empty leg estimated at $900–$4,100
  • Milan to Zurich: 118 nm, about 0h 34m, empty leg estimated at $900–$4,100
  • Geneva to Zurich: 121 nm, about 0h 34m, empty leg estimated at $900–$4,100
  • Zurich to Geneva: 121 nm, about 0h 34m, empty leg estimated at $900–$4,100
  • Nice to Milan: 134 nm, about 0h 36m, empty leg estimated at $900–$4,100
  • Milan to Nice: 134 nm, about 0h 36m, empty leg estimated at $900–$4,100
  • Geneva to Milan: 135 nm, about 0h 36m, empty leg estimated at $900–$4,100
  • Milan to Geneva: 135 nm, about 0h 36m, empty leg estimated at $900–$4,100
  • Nice to Geneva: 157 nm, about 0h 40m, empty leg estimated at $900–$4,100
  • Geneva to Nice: 157 nm, about 0h 40m, empty leg estimated at $900–$4,100

Model estimate, not a quote. See how we calculate prices.

How does a light jet compare with the other categories?

It sits between the very light jet and the midsize jet.

CategorySeatsRangeHourly band (USD)
Turboprop6–91,000–1,800 nm$2,000–$3,100
Very light jet4–5Up to 1,100 nm$2,700–$3,500
Light jet6–81,500–2,000 nm$3,500–$5,500
Midsize jet7–92,000–2,800 nm$5,000–$8,000
Super-midsize jet8–103,200–3,900 nm$7,500–$11,000
Heavy jet10–144,000–5,000 nm$9,000–$15,000
Ultra-long-range jet12–196,000–7,700 nm$14,000–$22,000

Light jet empty legs on the board

9 light jet empty legs are on the board today.

Listings come from the operators and change daily. Prices are the total for the whole aircraft in GBP, including our booking fee, and are confirmed with the operator before you pay. A flight is booked only once the operator has accepted it. How it works.

Questions about light jets

What is the difference between a light jet and a very light jet?

Light jets carry more people further, with more luggage and an enclosed lavatory. A Phenom 300 will fly London to Ibiza with six passengers; a Phenom 100 would not.

Can we take skis or golf clubs?

Usually yes. Most light jets have an external baggage hold that takes ski bags and golf clubs, though six sets on a full cabin is a squeeze. Tell us what you are bringing.

How much does a light jet empty leg cost?

Typically 3,500 to 7,000 pounds for a European sector, roughly half what the same flight costs as a full charter.

Do you pay per seat or for the whole aircraft?

Almost always the whole aircraft. An empty leg on an eight-seat jet costs the same for one passenger or eight, which is why empty legs work best for groups. A few operators and apps sell single seats on selected flights; where that applies, the listing says so.

Sources

  1. Paramount Business Jets, "Private Jet Rental | Jet Cost & Hourly Rates (2026)", 2026-08 (accessed 2026-09-20)
  2. Amalfi Jets, "Private Jet Cost Per Hour 2026: Rates by Jet Type", 2026-06-15 (accessed 2026-09-20)
  3. Jetvice, "Private Jet Charter Hourly Rates 2026", 2026-09-01 (accessed 2026-09-20)
  4. Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 (accessed 2026-09-20)
  5. Wikipedia: Business jet (accessed 2026-09-20)

Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.

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A light jet for your trip.

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