The Top 5 Light Private Jets With The Longest Range

Summary

Embrarer’s Phenom 300 has a range of 2,027 NM, features composite materials, and can carry seven passengers.
The SJ30-2 offers a 2,312 NM range and maintains low cabin altitude at high altitudes.
Bombardier’s Learjet 36A tops our list with a 2,550 NM range, comfortably seating 4-6 passengers.

Light private jets are designed for short-to-medium-range flights carrying 4-8 passengers. They commonly use composite materials as a way to minimize aircraft weight, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag and increasing fuel efficiency.Simple Flying compiled a list of the top five light-category business jets that offer the longest operational range in their class. The data is based on information from PrivateJetCardComparisons.com.

5 Embraer Phenom 300

Operational range with four passengers: 2,027 NM

Passenger seating: 7
Full-payload range: 1,811 NM
Maximum takeoff weight: 18,550 lb (8,400 kg)
Cruise speed: 464 knots (855 km/h)
Power Plant: 2x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E1
Power per engine: 3,480 lbf (15.5 kN)

The Embraer Phenom 300 is a light business jet designed and developed by the Brazilian manufacturer. It was designed to fulfill the demand for a larger jet following the success of the Phenom 100, a very light jet. The single-pilot aircraft performed its first flight in 2008 and entered service a year later.

An Embraer Phenom 300 flying above the clouds.

Photo: Embraer

This aircraft made the bottom of our list with an operational range of 2,027 NM (2,330 miles, 3,730 km) with four passengers. The twin-engine cantilever monoplane is designed with low-positioned swept wings and an 18% composite fuselage. The aircraft can accommodate up to nine passengers. As of 2023, Embraer has delivered over 700 examples of the Phenom 300 jets.

An Embraer Phenom 300EX flying in the sky.

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Two variants of the Phenom are still in production.

4 SyberJet SJ30-2

Operational range with four passengers: 2,312 NM

Passenger seating: 5
Full-payload range: 1,748 NM
Maximum takeoff weight: 13,950 lb (6,328 kg)
Cruise speed: 485 knots (900 km/h)
Power Plant: 2x Williams FJ44-2A turbofan engines
Power per engine: 2,300 lbf (10 kN)

The SyberJet SJ30 is a light business jet designed and developed by SyberJet Aircraft, a US-based company. The 1986 design was initially backed by the famous business aviation player Gulfstream Aerospace but was later taken over by the Jaffe Group in 1989. The twin-engine aircraft performed its first flight in 1996 and was introduced in 2006 following multiple delays.

Photo: SyberJet Aircraft

The SJ30-2 is fourth on our list, with an operational range of 2,312 NM (2,660 miles, 4,250 km) with four passengers. Perhaps the most unique feature of the aircraft is that it maintains a sea-level cabin altitude of up to 41,000 ft and an approximately 1,800 ft cabin altitude at its service ceiling of 49,000 ft. The cabin altitude reduces fatigue and jet lag effects on long journeys.

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The SJ30 has a top speed of 476 knots and a range of 2,500 nautical miles.

3 Beechcraft King Air 350iER

Operational range with four passengers: 2,365 NM

Passenger seating: 8
Full-payload range: 1,635 NM
Maximum takeoff weight: 16,500 lb (7,490 kg)
Cruise speed: 303 knots (561 km/h)
Power Plant: 2x Pratt & Whitney PT6A
Power per engine: 1050 shp (783 kW)

Number three on our list of long-range light business jets is the Beechcraft King Air 350iER, which has an operational range of 2,365 NM (2,720 miles, 4,350 km). Designed and developed by Beechcraft, the twin-prop aircraft is ideal for a variety of applications. The aircraft features six fuel tanks located aft of the engines, each carrying approximately 118 gallons of fuel.

A Wheels Up Aviation Beech Super King Air 350 Parked on the apron at Philadelphia International Airport.

Photo: Catharine Pierce | Shutterstock

The aircraft is used by various commercial, military, and government customers for various specialized operations. The—iER version is equipped with the Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics suite, which enables greater situational awareness, safety, and operational efficiency during flight.

Beechcraft King Air 360 Special Missions (thumbnail)

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2 Sierra Industries FJ44 Super SII S550

Operational range with four passengers: 2,455 NM

Passenger seating: 7
Full-payload range: 1,893 NM
Maximum takeoff weight: 15,100 lb (7,000 kg)
Cruise speed: 420 knots (780 km/h)
Power Plant: 2x Williams FJ44-2A turbofan engines
Power per engine: 2,300 lbf (10 kN)

The Sierra Industries FJ44 Super SII S550 is a light business jet designed and developed by Sierra Industries. The production of the aircraft began in 1978 and concluded in 1994. Williams FJ44-2A turbofan engines power the twin-engine aircraft, each generating 2,300 pound-force (10 kN) of takeoff thrust.

Inside the cabin of a Sierra Industries FJ44 Super SII S550.

Photo: Premier Jet Aviation

The FJ44 is the runner-up on our list of long-range light business jets. With a capacity for four passengers, it has an operational range of 2,455 NM (2,825 miles, 4,690 km). With its range and optimal fuel efficiency, the aircraft can fly nonstop between popular routes such as New York to Los Angeles, London to Moscow, and Dubai to Moscow.

1 Bombardier Learjet 36A

Operational range with four passengers: 2,550 NM

Passenger seating: 4
Full-payload range: 2,425 NM
Maximum takeoff weight: 18,000 lb (8,165 kg)
Cruise speed: 418 knots (774 km/h)
Power Plant: 2x Garrett TFE731 turbofan engines
Power per engine: 3,500 lbf (16 kN)

Topping our list of long-range light business jets is the Bombardier Learjet 36A, with an operational range of 2,550 NM (2,930 miles, 4,690 km). Introduced in 1976, the Learjet 36A was originally designed and developed by Gates Learjet Corporation. The 36A is a further development of the Learjet 36 with upgraded Honeywell Garett engines.

A Bombardier Learjet 36A on an airport apron.

Photo: Bombardier

According to Paramount Business Jets,

“The Learjet 36A has seating for up to six passengers and 1,200 lb more fuselage fuel than the short-range aircraft Learjet 35. The Learjet 36A has a higher maximum gross weight over its predecessors, and stands out by its reliability, capability, and value.”