For private flyers, the sky is the limit – quite literally. And when it comes to chartering or buying a private jet, elite travelers know the importance of flexibility and performance. While some might need spacious aircraft such as Boeing Business Jets or Airbus Corporate Jets to attend team meetings across the globe, others might require more flexible, efficient planes.
Whether it is for a luxury weekend getaway or a business day trip, light jets, very-light jets (VLJs) and mid-sized jets offer a combination of comfort, speed and flexibility. Short flights are about more than just the distance or time spent in the air; they also often require less time commuting to and from the airport. That’s why jets need to be able to take off and land on shorter, harder-to-reach runways so that they can access more airports and destinations.
At the same time, short flights shouldn’t sacrifice comfort or safety. That’s why Elite Traveler put together a list of the best private jets for short trips, offering reliable, convenient and luxurious travel, even for quick hops.
[See also: The Most Iconic Jets of the Past and Future]
What are the best private jets for short-range flights?
Embraer Phenom 300E
There are many reasons why the Embraer Phenom 300E is one of the best-selling jets of the past 10 years. First, it can reach speeds up to Mach 0.80, making it the fastest single-engine plane on the market. The Phenom 300E is also equipped with cutting-edge safety technology such as the runway overrun awareness and alerting system or the synthetic vision system to help pilots see through any type of weather environment.
Embraer’s top light jet is also known for its comfortable and convenient features. It can seat up to 10 passengers while offering abundant leg space and the best cabin altitude in its class. Plus, owners can customize the plane’s interiors to best suit their tastes and needs, from relaxing white tones to elegant blue and grey palettes.
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[See also: Inside the Award-winning Embraer Phenom 300E Bossa Nova]
Cirrus Vision SF50
It is no news that Cirrus aircraft have state-of-the-art safety features. The Vision Jet is no exception to the rule, ensuring peace of mind for flyers. Whether it is for the flagship parachute system or the advanced safe return autoland system, the Cirrus Vision SF50 surely is a pilot’s best friend.
If you are going away for the weekend, unwinding can start as soon as you step on the plane. The very light jet has the biggest cabin in its class, ready-to-use entertainment displays and plenty of additional premium features to make family travel relaxing and enjoyable. Of course, executive group seats can also be customized to facilitate meetings and create a more formal setting.
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Last but not least, the Vision Jet has a particularly low cost for its category, with an operating cost of $1,000-1,999 per hour.
Beechcraft King Air 360
The Beechcraft King Air 360 is one of the best private jets for short flights. Its cutting-edge capabilities allow it to access remote airports and land on shorter runways, significantly reducing travel time by skipping long commutes.
But the King Air 360 doesn’t just get you there faster – it also makes the journey feel shorter. Designed with comfort in mind, it offers the spaciousness of an SUV rather than the usual feel of a turboprop. The lower cabin pressure also allows flyers to rest in flight and make sure travel fatigue doesn’t ruin their escapade. And of course, the interior color palette is fully customizable.
Cessna Citation M2 Gen2
If there’s one thing that stands out about the Cessna Citation series, it’s the perfect blend of comfort and cutting-edge technology. Every model in the lineup is designed to be both convenient and highly efficient. So of course, the Citation M2 Gen2 – one of the latest upgrades in Cessna’s light business jet signature series – further elevates the experience with enhanced cabin amenities for greater comfort and productivity, while also featuring autothrottles and Garmin G3000 avionics, making it extremely user-friendly.
The M2 Gen2 is also more spacious than its predecessor, with additional storage space in-cabin, enabling smoother family travel and more stress-free journeys.
Piaggio P180 Avanti EVO
Blending Italian elegance with avant-garde know-how, the P180 Avanti EVO is proof technological advancement does not have to come at the expense of style. The aircraft is so reliable and efficient that it is used by several government air forces around the world, who value its remarkable speed and dependable functionality.
But the private jet is also famous for its looks. Its unique fuselage and refined interior design offer luxurious seating for up to nine passengers, transforming any short journey into a lavish experience in the skies.
Pilatus PC-24
With Swiss engineering comes Swiss craftsmanship and innovation. The Pilatus PC-24 embodies those values of precision and ambition with its unrivaled access to virtually any airport or landing strip in the world. Whether it’s grass, gravel, dirt or even snow, the PC-24 can take off from runways as short as 3,090 ft, making a getaway to a remote lakehouse effortlessly convenient.
Not only that, but the customizable cabin – which is as versatile as the aircraft itself – can seat up to 10 passengers, with configurations tailored for both executive travel and more relaxed groups.
HondaJet Elite II
The first deliveries of the cutting-edge HondaJet Elite II are expected in 2025. The much anticipated light jet is set to be among the fastest in its class, with a speed of 485 mph and a takeoff distance of only 3,699 ft, allowing it to reach almost any airport in the world – and very quickly too.
However short a flight might be, the Elite II jet takes comfort seriously. The interiors are designed with a holistic approach to passenger wellbeing, meaning every single detail is curated for a better journey. The aircraft boasts a speakerless system to provide a more immersive audio experience, all while having advanced noise reduction technology, providing true moments of tranquility between two destinations.
