Data as of Tuesday, 26 May 2026
A Side-by-Side Comparison of the In-Service Light-Jet Fleet
The Light Jet class covers regional and short-transcontinental capability. Each aircraft below flies 1,500 nautical miles or more at long-range cruise.
Three in-service platforms make up the comparison set: Embraer's Phenom 300E, Cessna's Citation CJ4 Gen 2, and Pilatus's PC-24. The HondaJet Elite II and Citation M2 Gen2 are classified as Very Light Jets and fall outside this set. The comparison covers performance, cabin, and field-length capability on a like-for-like basis. Acquisition cost is excluded by design.
The Phenom 300E is the enhanced version of the Phenom 300, in production since 2018 and the most-delivered light jet of the last decade. Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E engines and equipped with the Garmin G3000 Prodigy Touch flight deck. Long-range cruise speed 383 knots, maximum cruise 464 knots, and 1,811 nautical miles with four passengers.
Phenom 300 shown; the E is the current production variant.
| Production | 2018 – Present |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 383 kts |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 464 kts |
| Range, Seats-Full | 1,811 nm |
| Ferry Range | 2,077 nm |
| Rate of Climb | 3,851 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 29,146 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 3,643 ft |
| Cabin Dimensions (L × W × H) | 17.17 × 5.08 × 4.92 ft |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 85 cu ft (19 internal, 66 external) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 18,387 lb |
| Basic Operating Weight | 11,783 lb |
| Usable Fuel | 5,353 lb |
| Variable Cost Per Hour | $2,576 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $565,761 |
The CJ4 Gen 2 is the current production variant of the CitationJet 4, introduced in 2021 as an interior and systems refresh of the 2010 CJ4 baseline. Powered by twin Williams FJ44-4A engines and equipped with the Garmin G3000 flight deck. Long-range cruise speed 380 knots, maximum cruise 450 knots, and 1,667 nautical miles seats-full. Eight passengers in a single-zone configuration.
| Production | 2021 – Present |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 380 kts |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 450 kts |
| Range, Seats-Full | 1,667 nm |
| Ferry Range | 1,991 nm |
| Rate of Climb | 3,854 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 28,200 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 3,350 ft |
| Cabin Dimensions (L × W × H) | 17.3 × 4.83 × 4.75 ft |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 76 cu ft (6 internal, 70 external) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 17,110 lb |
| Basic Operating Weight | 10,350 lb |
| Usable Fuel | 5,828 lb |
| Variable Cost Per Hour | $2,396 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $569,661 |
The PC-24 is the Swiss-built twinjet that defines a separate sub-category by virtue of its short-field and unimproved-runway capability. In service since 2018, powered by twin Williams FJ44-4A engines and equipped with the Honeywell Advanced Cockpit Environment. The cabin is the longest, widest, and tallest of the comparison set. A large aft cargo door allows roll-on freight or modular medical fit. Range 1,525 nautical miles seats-full.
| Production | 2015 – Present |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 375 kts |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 440 kts |
| Range, Seats-Full | 1,525 nm |
| Ferry Range | 1,950 nm |
| Rate of Climb | 3,960 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 30,000 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 2,930 ft |
| Cabin Dimensions (L × W × H) | 23.0 × 5.7 × 5.1 ft |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 90 cu ft (external) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 18,300 lb |
| Basic Operating Weight | 11,720 lb |
| Usable Fuel | 5,964 lb |
| Variable Cost Per Hour | $2,243 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $562,396 |
Key metrics across the in-service light-jet class. Hover a column to highlight; best values in each row are accented. Acquisition cost excluded by design.
| Phenom 300E | Citation CJ4 Gen 2 | Pilatus PC-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | |||
| Range, Seats-Full | 1,811 nm | 1,667 nm | 1,525 nm |
| Ferry Range | 2,077 nm | 1,991 nm | 1,950 nm |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 464 kts | 450 kts | 440 kts |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 383 kts | 380 kts | 375 kts |
| Maximum Altitude | 45,000 ft | 45,000 ft | 45,000 ft |
| Rate of Climb | 3,851 ft/min | 3,854 ft/min | 3,960 ft/min |
| Engine-Out Ceiling | 29,146 ft | 28,200 ft | 30,000 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 3,643 ft | 3,350 ft | 2,930 ft |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 18,387 lb | 17,110 lb | 18,300 lb |
| Cabin | |||
| Cabin Length | 17.17 ft | 17.3 ft | 23.0 ft |
| Cabin Width | 5.08 ft | 4.83 ft | 5.7 ft |
| Cabin Height | 4.92 ft | 4.75 ft | 5.1 ft |
| Passenger Capacity | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Baggage Volume (Total) | 85 cu ft | 76 cu ft | 90 cu ft |
| Operating Economics | |||
| Variable Cost / Hour | $2,576 | $2,396 | $2,243 |
| Fuel / Hour | $915 | $1,045 | $955 |
| Maintenance / Hour | $739 | $565 | $501 |
| Engine Reserves / Hour | $714 | $580 | $580 |
| Annual Fixed Cost | $565,761 | $569,661 | $562,396 |
Assumes 250 flight hours per year, $5.00 per US gallon Jet A, $105 per hour maintenance labour, 600 nm average trip.
Both aircraft are classified as Very Light Jets and fall below the 1,500 nm long-range threshold used for this comparison set. The HondaJet Elite II is 1,103 nm seats-full; the Citation M2 Gen2 is in the same band. Both are tracked separately and can be added on request.
Hourly variable and annual fixed costs are modelled at 250 flight hours per year, $5.00 per US gallon Jet A, $105 per hour maintenance labour, and a 600 nm average trip. Crew, hangar, insurance, and training are included in the fixed line. Acquisition cost is excluded.
Freestream Aircraft operates as an independent advisory firm, representing principals in the acquisition, sale, and management of business aircraft worldwide. With deep platform knowledge across the light-jet class, Freestream provides: