Most Affordable Private Jets You Can Buy

Updated: 26 October 2026
Prices: Manufacturer list prices where a maker publishes one, otherwise market asking prices from aviation brokers and price trackers. Every price names its year and source. Confirm with a broker before you decide.
Coverage: 10 jets, from about US$2 million used to about US$14 million new

Owning a private jet used to mean luxury and a very large budget. A few light jets now sell for far less than a large-cabin jet. As most owners will tell you, though, buying the jet is the cheapest part of owning one.

The least expensive new jet in 2026 is a single-engine Cirrus Vision Jet at a base price of around US$3.6 million. Older very light jets (VLJs) such as the Eclipse 550 and Citation Mustang trade at roughly US$2 million to US$3 million on the used market.

This guide covers three groups. The first is entry jets such as the Cirrus Vision Jet and the HondaJet. The second is light jets from Cessna, Pilatus and Embraer. The third is older jets that give a lot of range for the money, such as the Falcon 50 and Citation X.

If you are weighing a purchase against charter, read the cost section below first, or look at empty leg flights as a cheaper way to try a jet. For financing, see our guide on how to finance a private jet.

Overview of the Most Affordable Private Jets

The table compares the 10 jets below. Prices are the best figure we could source: a new base or list price where one exists, and used asking or average prices otherwise. Range and speed come from the manufacturers or standard references.

Model	Price (year, source)	Range (nm)	Speed (knots)	Seats	Status
Cirrus Vision Jet G3	About $3.6M new base (2026, AeroTime)	1,275	317	Up to 7	In production
HondaJet Elite II	$6.95M list (2022, AvWeb)	1,547	422	Up to 7	In production
Eclipse 550	$2.695M at 2011 launch; used average near $2M (price tracker)	1,125	375 (max)	4-5 passengers	Production resumed 2023
Cessna Citation Mustang	$3.35M new in 2015; used around $2M (price tracker)	1,167	340	4 passengers	Built 2006 to 2017
Embraer Phenom 100EV	About $4.5M new list (2022 figure); a 2009 Phenom 100 sold near $2.5M (Aviation Week, 2022)	1,178	405	4-5 passengers	Check with Embraer
Cessna Citation CJ3	Used about $5.2M (2004) to $6.8M (2015) (Aircraft Bluebook, winter 2023)	2,040	416	Up to 9	CJ3 Gen3 in testing
Pilatus PC-24	About $11M to $12M (2025 list and 2026 asking)	2,000	440	Up to 10	In production
Embraer Phenom 300E	About $14M new; used examples near $11M to $13.75M (2026 trackers and listings)	2,010	464	Up to 10	In production
Dassault Falcon 50 (used)	1980s Falcon 50 about $0.9M to $1.6M (2018); a 2006 Falcon 50EX asked $6.15M (June 2026)	3,075	488	8-9	Built 1976 to 2008
Cessna Citation X (used)	Late-1990s aircraft from about $3M (AvBuyer)	3,460	525	Up to 12	Production ended 2018

Note: New prices are list or base prices. Used prices are asking or average prices and change with year, hours, engine program and avionics. Several jets here, such as the Phenom 300E and PC-24, cost more than US$10M new, so they appear as the upper end of "affordable".

What Has Changed in the 2025 to 2026 Market

• New Cirrus Vision Jet G3: Cirrus unveiled the G3 in early February 2026 and deliveries are under way. It seats seven (six adults and one child) and the performance is largely unchanged from the G2+. Cirrus has delivered more than 700 Vision Jets since 2016.
• HondaJet Elite II: Honda announced it in October 2022 with a US$6.95M price and a 1,547 nm range. Honda said 225 HondaJets were in service at that time.
• Eclipse is back: Production of the Eclipse 550 resumed in 2023 after the company's assets were bought out of bankruptcy.
• Citation CJ3 Gen3: Textron's CJ3 Gen3 prototype made its first flight in 2026 and is in flight testing toward certification.
• Older jets are all used: The Mustang (production ended in 2017) and the Citation X (production ended in 2018) can only be bought used.

1. Cirrus Vision Jet G3

Price: Around US$3.6 million base for a new G3 (AeroTime, February 2026). Used G2 and G2+ jets from 2019 to 2025 were quoted at roughly US$2.3M to US$3.6M in May 2026 (BlackJet, a broker, so treat as an estimate).

Range: 1,275 nautical miles

Speed: Maximum cruise speed of 317 knots (Cirrus)

Overview: The Vision Jet is the cheapest new jet you can buy. It is a single-engine jet with a Williams FJ33 engine, and in 2016 it became the first single-engine personal jet certified by the FAA. The G3 adds a redesigned third-row bench so it can seat six adults and one child.

Every Cirrus has the CAPS whole-aircraft parachute, and Cirrus says it has returned more than 290 people home safely. The Vision Jet also offers Safe Return, an emergency autoland that flies to a nearby airport at the push of one button.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR5jglk56RQ

Key Features:

• Single engine: Fewer engine costs than a twin, and certified for one pilot
• Safety systems: CAPS parachute, Safe Return emergency autoland and autothrottle
• Owner-pilot friendly: Cirrus built the jet for pilots stepping up from high-performance piston aircraft
• Seven seats: Six adults and one child in the G3 layout

Best For: Owner-pilots moving up from a piston single such as a Cirrus SR22, and small businesses that need 2 to 4 seats for regional trips.

2. HondaJet Elite II

Price: US$6.95 million list when announced in October 2022 (AvWeb). Broker sites in 2026 quote about US$6M to US$7M for new aircraft.

Range: 1,547 nautical miles

Speed: Cruise speed of 422 knots at FL300, with a maximum altitude of FL430

Overview: The HondaJet (HA-420) is a small business jet built by Honda Aircraft Company in North Carolina. Its engines sit on pylons above the wing, a design that frees space in the cabin. The Elite II is the latest version, announced in 2022, with the 1,547 nm range above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHgccZvtu_A

Key Features:

• Over-the-wing engine mounts: More cabin space and less drag
• Fast for its class: A 422-knot cruise
• Cabin: Up to 7 seats, usually 5 or 6 passengers in a normal layout

3. Eclipse 550

Price: The 2011 launch price was US$2.695 million. A price tracker puts the average used price near US$2 million. We could not find a current new price.

Range: 1,125 nautical miles

Speed: Maximum speed of 375 knots

Overview: The Eclipse 550 is a twin-engine very light jet with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F engines. It seats 4 to 5 passengers and is certified for one pilot. Production restarted in 2023 under new owners.

Best For: Owners who want twin engines at VLJ cost, and short regional trips of up to about 1,000 nautical miles.

4. Cessna Citation Mustang

Price: It cost US$3.35 million new in 2015. A price tracker puts the average used price near US$2 million.

Range: 1,167 nautical miles

Speed: Cruise speed of 340 knots

Overview: Cessna built 479 Mustangs from 2006 to 2017. It seats four passengers in the aft cabin and can be flown by one pilot. All Mustangs on the market are used.

5. Embraer Phenom 100

Price: Roughly US$4.5 million new for the Phenom 100EV (2022 list figure). A good 2009 Phenom 100 sold near US$2.5 million in 2022 (Aviation Week).

Range: 1,178 nautical miles

Speed: Cruise speed of 405 knots

Overview: The Phenom 100 is Embraer's smallest business jet. It seats four or five passengers in standard layouts, and one pilot can fly it.

6. Cessna Citation CJ3

Price: Used CJ3s were about US$5.2 million (2004 model) to US$6.8 million (2015 model) in Aircraft Bluebook data for winter 2023. The CJ3+ listed at US$8.05 million when launched.

Range: 2,040 nautical miles

Speed: Cruise speed of 416 knots

Overview: The Citation CJ3 is a light jet that carries up to nine passengers and can be flown by one pilot. It suits short and medium trips.

Key Features:

• Cabin: Up to nine passengers, depending on layout
• Avionics: The CJ3+ has a Garmin G3000 flight deck
• Choice: A deep used market, since Cessna delivered more than 600 CJ3 series jets by 2021

7. Pilatus PC-24

Price: About US$11 million to US$12 million. A 2025 factory price listing shows US$11.9M, and 2021 aircraft were advertised near US$11M in 2026.

Range: 2,000 nautical miles (Pilatus, with six passengers)

Speed: Cruise speed of 440 knots

Overview: The Pilatus PC-24 is a Swiss twin jet that carries up to ten passengers and is certified for one pilot. It was designed to use short runways, including gravel, grass and snow, so it can reach small airstrips.

Key Features:

• Rough-field ability: Built to operate from unpaved strips
• Big cabin for a light jet: Large cargo door and flexible layouts
• Single-pilot certified

8. Embraer Phenom 300E

Price: About US$14 million new (one secondary source, not a Embraer price list). Used 300Es average near US$11 million to US$12 million on price trackers, and a 2018 example was listed at US$13.75 million.

Range: 2,010 nautical miles

Speed: Cruise speed of 464 knots

Overview: The Phenom 300 is a light jet from Brazil that one pilot can fly. It was the most delivered business jet in the world in 2013, and it is a common sight on charter and empty leg lists. It is the most expensive jet on this list, so older Phenom 300s are the better value.

9. Dassault Falcon 50

Price: In 2018, 1980s Falcon 50s sold for about US$0.9 million to US$1.6 million and 1998 to 2003 Falcon 50EXs for about US$2.95 million to US$3.95 million. A 2006 Falcon 50EX was offered at US$6.15 million in June 2026. Used prices have moved since 2018.

Range: 3,075 nautical miles

Speed: Cruise speed of 488 knots (Mach 0.85)

Overview: The Falcon 50 is a three-engine jet built from 1976 to 2008. It seats 8 to 9 passengers and offers long range for the money, but it is old. Fuel, maintenance and engine programs cost more than on newer jets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om51iUHmn0c

Key Features:

• Three engines: One of few business jets with a tri-jet layout
• Long range: Suitable for transcontinental flights

10. Cessna Citation X

Price: Higher-time late-1990s aircraft started around US$3 million in an AvBuyer review. Newer Citation X+ jets were asking near US$19 million.

Range: 3,460 nautical miles (X+)

Speed: Cruise around 525 knots, with a top speed of Mach 0.935

Overview: The Citation X is the fastest Citation. It seats up to 12 passengers and needs two pilots. Cessna stopped building it in 2018, so every one is used.

Honorable Mentions

• Embraer Legacy 650: A large-cabin jet with about 3,900 nm of range. It was built from 2012 to 2019, and one broker put used prices at US$9M to US$14M in 2025. It is not a budget jet, but it gives a large cabin for less than a new midsize.
• Beechcraft Premier IA: No longer built. One price tracker lists the average used price near US$2.3M. Check the figure with a broker.
• Pilatus PC-12 NGX: A single-engine turboprop, not a jet, with a range of 1,845 nm. Many owners compare it with the jets above.

What Does It Cost to Operate?

Hourly cost estimates vary widely, because sources count different things. A direct cost figure covers fuel and maintenance only. An all-in figure adds insurance, hangar, crew, training and reserves. For a general overview, see our guide to the cost per hour of a private jet.

Item	Cirrus Vision Jet	HondaJet Elite II
All-in hourly cost (GlobalAir and AviaCost)	About $2,028	About $2,542
Annual budget in the same comparison	About $781,000	About $979,000
Direct cost only (other sources)	About $700 to $1,200 per hour	Higher; sources disagree

These are modeled estimates, not quotes. The annual figures depend on the hours flown, which GlobalAir sets in its own comparison. Ask a broker or management company for a budget built on your own hours.

Whatever the jet, a yearly budget includes depreciation, insurance, hangar space, database subscriptions, crew or pilot costs, training, fuel and maintenance, and engine reserves. Fuel and maintenance rise with every hour you fly. The fixed costs stay the same whether you fly or not.

Ownership versus charter: Ownership tends to make sense only at higher flying hours, and a jet card or charter often wins for light use. Our guide to the real cost of owning a private jet explains how to compare them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest private jet you can buy in 2026?

The cheapest new jet is the Cirrus Vision Jet G3, at a base price of around US$3.6 million. On the used market, the Eclipse 550 and Citation Mustang trade near US$2 million on price trackers, and older Falcon 50s have sold for less than US$2 million.

How much does it cost to operate a private jet per hour?

It depends on the jet and on what you count. Direct costs (fuel and maintenance) for a Vision Jet are often modeled at US$700 to US$1,200 per hour. All-in estimates are much higher: GlobalAir and AviaCost put the Vision Jet at about US$2,028 and the HondaJet Elite II at about US$2,542. Larger jets cost more.

Is owning a private jet worth it?

For most people who fly little, charter or a jet card costs less. Ownership makes more sense with frequent flying, a business reason to fly and the ability to manage a jet. The upsides are control of your schedule, direct routes and privacy. Tax rules can favor business buyers, so ask an adviser. See our note on the tax benefits of aircraft ownership.

What is the best affordable private jet for beginners?

The Cirrus Vision Jet is the usual choice for pilots stepping up from pistons. It has one engine, one pilot is enough, the CAPS parachute is standard and Safe Return emergency autoland is available. For a twin, look at the HondaJet if the budget allows, or an Eclipse 550 or Citation Mustang on the used market.

Can you buy a private jet with financing?

Yes. Specialist aircraft lenders finance jets, usually with a down payment and a long term. Rates, terms and credit rules change often, so collect several quotes. Business buyers sometimes use leases. Our guide on how to finance a private jet covers the options, and you can find lenders in the aircraft financing directory.

What are the ongoing costs of private jet ownership?

Fixed costs include insurance, hangar, database subscriptions, registration and crew or pilot costs. Variable costs include fuel, maintenance and engine reserves. Depreciation is often the largest single cost on a newer jet. Management companies can run the jet for a fee.

How long do private jets last?

Business jets can fly for 30 years or more with good maintenance. Learjet 35s from the 1970s and 1980s are still flying. Pressurization cycles and maintenance quality matter more than age alone, and avionics upgrades extend a jet's useful life.

Conclusion

Buying a private jet is a major commitment, but the entry price has fallen into reach for some owner-pilots and small businesses. Pick the jet for the trips you really fly, check a current price with a broker, and budget for the running costs. A used jet from a respected maker often gives the best value for money.

Sources: Cirrus Aircraft; AeroTime and AIN (Vision Jet G3, February 2026); AvWeb (HondaJet Elite II, October 2022); Pilatus Aircraft; Embraer; Textron Aviation; Aviation Week (Phenom 100, 2022); AvBuyer (Citation X); Aircraft Bluebook (CJ3, winter 2023); GlobalAir and AviaCost (operating cost comparison); Wikipedia (Eclipse 550, Citation Mustang, Falcon 50); BlackJet and Jet Advisors (broker price ranges).