Bijou private jets — compact without compromise
Eighteen minutes. That's the average time it takes between arriving at a private air terminal and taking off in a business jet.
Let's reframe that: by the time it takes to decant your personal effects into a plastic tray and shuffle along the security queue in your socks (as you watch your Manolo Blahniks being conveyor-belted into x-ray purgatory) you could already be ceremoniously swirling a glass of Opus One in the serene seclusion of your very own winged chariot at 31,000 feet.
While the larger, snazzier VIP jets are the preserve of royalty and billionaire tech moguls, there are more humble options in the £2.5 million to £15 million bracket, aka 'small-light-jets'. Sure, planes in this class don't have room for a Jacuzzi — or a gym — but sometimes less is more. These 6 to 12-seater jets are nimble enough to nip into private airstrips and smaller regional airports (something their supersized siblings can't always do) — avoiding the major hubs and getting you more directly to your destination.
• Read more luxury reviews, advice and insights from our experts
And that's really the raison d'être of private aviation — enabling you to maximise your precious time, while travelling in style.
It's also a luxury underpinned by compelling business savvy: analysis carried out by the European Business Aviation Association (this is the bit you show your accountant) found that by skipping the undignified chaos of commercial flights, private jet travellers gain an average of 127 minutes per trip. Moreover, in Europe, private aviation connects over 100,000 airport pairs, versus 30,000 for scheduled carriers — therefore bizjet users don't have to worry about long ground transfers. This, in turn, means time and expense can be trimmed as overnight stays become an option, not an inevitability.
The bottom line is, it's less about showing off and more about showing up — on time, unflustered, and possibly already two contracts ahead of the competition. Plus, when it's not exactly a business trip, with a compact bizjet you can touch down in Gstaad without stressing over whether your skis have been mangled by the baggage handlers. If you need a shortlist of the most talked about jets in this league, here's one I prepared earlier.
If Indiana Jones ever became a corporate exec, he'd probably fly the Swiss-designed Pilatus PC-24 — a business jet so versatile it should come with hiking boots and a tuxedo. Its party trick is that it can take off and land on all types of surfaces, not just paved runways, thanks to its uniquely engineered wing, robust undercarriage and 'flaps'. These are hinged panels on the wings that can be extended to generate extra lift for shorter takeoffs. They can also be positioned to deliberately create extra drag, to slow the plane down for landing — just what you need when touching down on shorter runways, such as Nantucket Memorial Airport's 4,500ft-long 'Runway 15/33'.
Grass, gravel, sand? No problem. You could say the PC-24 is the Land Rover Defender of private jets, capable of navigating rocky terrain while you sit in penthouse suite comfort. (Pilatus says the PC-24 can land on a 2,410ft paved runway, and needs just 3,090ft for takeoff. It is also, says the manufacturer, 'the only business jet able to land at Goodwood's grass airstrip'.)
The PC-24 seats up to ten passengers and is fitted with cabin windows large enough to actually see the Matterhorn without craning your neck. The cabin can be configured in a multitude of layouts and there's even a special 'medevac' (medical evacuation) version operated by the Royal Flying Doctor Service that can carry three stretchered patients and two full medical teams.
Powered by two Williams FJ44 engines, the PC-24 cruises at 440 knots (a bit over 505mph) and has a range of 2,040 nautical miles — enough to get you from Geneva to the Greek islands with plenty of time to spare. The cockpit is equipped with advanced touchscreen avionics and 'synthetic vision'. This is a type of augmented reality tech for pilots, but instead of Pokémon, it shows pilots the mountains, runways and obstacles — a nifty trick facilitated by GPS, terrain databases and onboard sensors. It's invaluable when flying through thick fog, darkness or heavy rain.
Regardless of whether you're taking off from the tumbleweed-strewn outback or heading to a remote mountain retreat in the Alps, the PC-24's off-piste capabilities guarantee you'll make a stylish entrance.
Price guide: approximately £10.4 million to £11.2 million depending on options*
Think Honda and you might picture a zippy Civic or a screaming Formula 1 engine. Now imagine that same clever engineering and quiet confidence at high altitude. Enter the HondaJet Elite II — sleek, speedy and capable of flying at 'Flight Level 430', which means 43,000ft (approximately 13,100m above sea level). That puts it well above commercial airline traffic and most weather systems, so passengers can enjoy a smoother, faster and more efficient ride. The HondaJet is also one of the fastest (at 420 knots — roughly 483mph) and furthest flyers in its class (with a range of 1,547 nautical miles).
What sets the HondaJet apart from other business jets, visually, is that the engines are mounted on top of the wing. This crafty setup unlocks a hat-trick of benefits. First, it frees up precious fuselage real estate. Without engine support structures eating into the cabin, there's up to 20 per cent more space (compared with similarly sized jets) for passengers and bags. Second, with the engines perched out of earshot, the cabin is whisper-quiet. Third, OTWEM (Over the Wing Engine Mount) improves aerodynamics. By strategically blending the airflow over the wing and engines, HondaJet reduces drag at high speeds, allowing it to cruise faster, higher and more efficiently than its rivals.
The latest incarnation of the plane (due out in 2026 following flight testing and certification at HondaJet's headquarters in North Carolina) is the HondaJet Echelon. With seating for up to 11 people, a high-speed cruise near 450 knots (520-ish mph), and a 2,625 nautical mile range, the Echelon will become the first jet in its category capable of single-pilot transcontinental flight across the United States (single-pilot means lower operational costs for coast-to-coast private jet travel). All of this is part of a strategy whereby Honda aims to develop a full mobility ecosystem, which includes vehicles on the land, sea and air.
Price guide: The HondaJet Elite II costs in the neighbourhood of £5.5 million to £5.8 million, depending on options*. No official price has been released yet for the forthcoming HondaJet Echelon, but industry estimates are in the ballpark of £8 million to £9.5 million*.
If the Embraer Phenom 300E were a car, it would probably be a Porsche — curvaceous, understated and blisteringly fast, with a top speed of 464 knots (roughly 533mph). With a range of 2,010 nautical miles, this aircraft (which is designed, manufactured and assembled at sites across Brazil and Florida) is made for execs who crave getting to their destination in record time.
Inside, Embraer offers a 'bossa nova' interior. Think luxury SUV meets minimalist lounge, with a Latin touch. The cabin comes with six seats arranged in a configuration that maximises both comfort and space. The hand-stitched leather seats can adjust, swivel and recline. And since we all know business never stops, the Phenom 300E is packed with connectivity features. USB ports, a state-of-the-art entertainment system and adjustable lighting make it a flying office — or a mood-lit lounge.
The cockpit is where the magic happens, with its Garmin G3000 avionics suite. Touchscreens, synthetic vision and 'autothrottle' make flying a breeze. (Autothrottle is the private jet's answer to cruise control — only with more altitude and less road rage. It's like having a silent co-pilot constantly tweaking the engine power automatically, keeping the jet smooth and efficient.)
In short, the Phenom 300E is for those who believe in getting the job done — and doing it fast. You'll arrive at your next meeting feeling as if you've just raced there — and with more than enough time for a quick power nap before you head into the boardroom.
Price guide: About £8.7 million to £9.3 million depending on options*
If the superhero Tony Stark designed a business jet, it might look something like the Cirrus Vision Jet G2+, an aerodynamic, Jetsons cartoon-esque aircraft that defies convention. It's the only certified single-engine personal business jet in production — and single-engine potentially means less fuel-burn and less engine maintenance.
Having one engine might raise an eyebrow — until you realise the Vision Jet comes with the 'Cirrus Airframe Parachute System'. In a worst-case scenario, the pilot can pull a handle, an enormous parachute deploys and the entire aircraft descends gently to the ground. (Makes you wonder why more aircraft don't have this handy feature.)
Then there's a second layer of safety that is absolutely mind-boggling. In the unlikely event that the pilot becomes incapacitated, the Vision Jet's 'Safe Return Emergency Autoland System' enables a passenger to land the aircraft with the press of a single button. Once activated, the jet transforms into an autonomous vehicle, reconfiguring the complex cockpit displays into passenger-friendly screens. The system then calculates a safe route by factoring in terrain, weather, fuel levels and wind conditions. It selects the most suitable airport and runway, while also notifying emergency services. Throughout the descent, the system manages speed, gear, flaps and throttle using the Vision Jet's autothrottle and radar altimeter (height indicator) to ensure a precise, stabilised approach. It lands and brakes the aircraft to a complete stop — leaving passengers safely on the ground, ready to disembark.
Beyond these remarkable safety features the G2+ cabin can accommodate seven people (including the pilot), and passengers can enjoy an almost 360-degree view thanks to the open-plan layout (there's no partition between the cockpit and passenger cabin). Plus the plane is fitted with enormous panoramic windows.
Performance-wise, the Vision Jet G2+ has impressive specs. It can take off with 2,036ft, climb at 1,609ft per second, cruise at 311 knots (about 358mph — not bad for one engine) and reach a maximum altitude of 31,000ft. Its range is 1,275 nautical miles.
Need even more tech? Cirrus planes come with an iPhone app, Cirrus IQ, which enables you to prepare for your flight before you get to the airport with the ability to check your fuel and oxygen quantity remotely. The app also collates data for troubleshooting and maintenance schedules — it's a kind of futuristic log book.
In short, the Cirrus Vision Jet G2+ is for those who want to feel as if they're flying into the future, but with all the amenities of a luxury SUV. It's quick, clever and, yes, probably safer than your average ride to the office.
Price guide: About £2.5 million to £2.8 million depending on options*
Unveiled by Textron Aviation ahead of the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE), the Cessna Citation Ascend is aimed at executives who value time, space and a well-placed USB port. With deliveries scheduled for later this year, this mid-size jet is positioning itself as the sensible suit in a room full of flashy dinner jackets.
Inside, the Ascend offers a flat-floor cabin with seating for up to nine people who presumably all have devices — because there are 19 USB ports and three power outlets scattered thoughtfully throughout. Think of it as a boardroom at 33,000ft, except the coffee is probably better and nobody can escape to another meeting.
Performance-wise, it flies at about 441 knots (about 508mph) and has a range of 2,100 nautical miles — enough to get from La Môle-Saint-Tropez to Prague without breaking a sweat (or stopping to refuel). Two Pratt & Whitney PW545D engines deliver an efficient ride, and the autothrottle makes flying silky smooth for pilots and passengers alike.
The Ascend features Garmin's latest G5000 avionics with synthetic vision, obstacle detection and even a 3D view of the airport while taxiing. It's possibly more aware of its surroundings than most humans before their first coffee.
Fractional ownership giant NetJets signed a deal in 2023 with Textron Aviation that includes options to buy up to 1,500 jets across the Citation range — and the Ascend is a big part of that plan.
Price guide: The Cessna Citation Ascend will set you back about £13.2 million* — a small price to pay for not having to queue at security in your socks.
*NB: Prices for all aircraft are approximate and can fluctuate based on factors such as customisation options, cabin configurations, cockpit technology choices, exchange rates and market demand. Similarly, specifications and performance vary depending on options chosen, which can affect the aircraft weight and speed. For accurate and up-to-date pricing, contact the manufacturers or authorised dealers directly.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
People left surprised after cruise ship worker shares payslip
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship worker has revealed how much he takes home as a casino host on board the brand's liners. Brit Chris Wong has worked at sea for the company since 2013, regularly posting content online about his life on the ocean waves. This week he announced his current contract will be his last, as he sails into new waters in 'the next phase of my life'. However, A recent YouTube post saw the entertainment employee sharing the sums of his most recent pay slip. With 114,000 followers on YouTube, he describes himself as probably the most followed casino host on land or sea - and explained that previous insights into his salary had been amongst his most popular content ever. Around 2 minutes 40 seconds into the 17-minute-long clip, Wong bravely goes where many employees might not - he shares his payslip on screen for all to see. The white and blue financial document clearly carries Royal Caribbean's branding, although Wong has covered up confidential details such as his employee number and address. The one piece of information most people want to see though hasn't been scratched out; how much he brings home for a month's work. Receiving two pay slips, one for salaried pay, the other for additions such as tips, Wong revealed he earned $4,340.30 (£3,222.93) in a month this year Wong explains in the clip, entitled 'How Much Money I Currently Earn Working On A Cruise Ship in 2025': 'The only thing I haven't scribbled out is the bottom, which is my net pay and this is exactly how much money I was paid for that two week period.' Showing two two-week pay slips, the first sum is $2,890.21 (£2,145.52), while the second, based solely on additional earnings such as tips and commission, is $1,450.09 (£1076.50). The grand total for his work in January this year comes to $4,340.30 (£3,222.93). He explains that he's on 'fantastic money', saying: 'For me to earn something like that in the UK, it's actually quite difficult at this point in time, with the way inflation is and everything'. He adds that earning that sum without having to pay for rent, with only minimal bills for his phone and internet use, and no large outgoings such as a house or a car, means he's very happy with his salary. Those tuning into the video admitted they were impressed by Wong's earnings and his job, saying: 'Congrats! So happy to see you doing well!!!! Don't listen to the naysayers, make as much $ as you can and save, save, save!' Another added: 'As long as you like/love what you do and feel your compensation is fair, stick with it as long as that remains true.' This week, Chris revealed that he was handing over the casino host baton to a colleague after deciding to leave Royal Caribbean. 'On a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum, he posted: 'I have officially announced and decided that this will be my last ever contract as a crew member for Royal Caribbean. After a long career with this company, it is now time to move on to the next phase of my life. I am excited and nervous for what is to come.' Last month, another cruise crew member lifted the lid on what it's like to work as a member of guest services - and who the happiest employees are on a ship. Posting on Reddit, the employee revealed that their biggest pet peeve is when holidaymakers 'demand' to speak to the manager'. 'Most of these people I would be happy not to have to deal with, however what they fail to realise is that I might get in trouble if I immediately call a supervisor without trying to resolve the issue by myself first,' they explained. 'If seeing the manager is warranted, I promise you won't have to say it.' And luckily it's really pretty easy to keep cruise crew happy, according to the staff member. They said: 'Be nice. That's literally it. We deal with all sorts of entitled complainers. 'Now some, if not most, complaints are perfectly valid but if you're not an a**hole about it, we'll do everything we can. And we will appreciate you being nice to us.' But if you are looking to hit the high seas as a crew member, there's one job that's the most desirable position onboard, according to the cruise worker. They revealed that entertainers are 'by far' the happiest members of staff onboard the ship. The crew member said: 'They have the most time off and are very well paid.'
Auto Express
20 minutes ago
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Spacious and sophisticated Kia Niro EV for less than £240 per month
Comfortable family SUV Three-year lease deal Only £237 per month The Kia Niro EV might not be the newest electric SUV on the block, but it's very good, offering sophisticated looks, a classy interior, comfortable ride and lots of space. Plus, it can be yours for only £237 per month, thanks to this deal we found through the Auto Express Find A Car service. Advertisement - Article continues below That price is being offered by First Vehicle Leasing, through Auto Express. It's for a three-year lease with an initial payment of £3,149, followed by monthly payments of £237. Included in the offer is an annual allowance of 5,000 miles per year, or you can extend it to 8,000 for less than £20 extra each month. Even though this is the entry-level Niro EV, it still comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual 10.25-inch displays, sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, smart cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and various driver-assistance systems. Every Niro EV features a 65kWh battery that offers up to 285 miles of range and powers a 201bhp fount-mounted electric motor, which can propel the family SUV from 0-62mph in a little under eight seconds. The Kia's 72kW maximum charging speed isn't the fastest we've seen, and as a result, it takes at least 45 minutes to recharge from 10 to 80 per cent battery capacity. Inside, the sharp displays are housed in a single curved panel, below which is the same handy, dual-purpose touch panel as in the Kia EV6. Push one button, and the panel offers either the climate controls or shortcuts for the infotainment system. You also get an impressive 475-litre boot, plus an additional 20 litres of storage space under the bonnet. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car retailers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Kia Niro EV leasing offers from leading providers on our Kia Niro deals hub page… Check out the Kia Niro EV Deal of the Day or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here … Find a car with the experts Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK The success of the GR Yaris has persuaded Toyota that there's room in its UK range for the high performance Corolla Car Deal of the Day: Blistering BMW M135 for a bargain £301 a month Car Deal of the Day: Blistering BMW M135 for a bargain £301 a month Not many hot hatchbacks are as complete as BMW's recently updated M135. It's our Deal of the Day for 19 June. Car Deal of the Day: a potent 335bhp Volkswagen ID.7 GTX for a rock bottom price Car Deal of the Day: a potent 335bhp Volkswagen ID.7 GTX for a rock bottom price GTX Plus gives some extra punch to an already excellent electric saloon. It's our Deal of the Day for 20 June.
Daily Mail
20 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Shop owner forced to resort to using horse and cart for deliveries after council set up controversial bus gates
A shop owner has been forced to use a horse and cart for his deliveries due to council-enforced bus gate restrictions. John Ball, owner of Cut Price Carpets in Cambridge, has been using his two-year-old horse Sybil to transport his carpets to customers over the popular Mill Road Bridge. A controversial Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) - approved last October - was introduced on the bridge in March, banning nearly all motor vehicles from using the bridge and leading to the installment of a bus gate. Any owner of an unregistered vehicle found to be crossing the bridge is slapped with a £70 fine, enforced by ANPR cameras, with more than 4,600 fines issued in its first seven weeks. Mr Ball described the new restriction of the city-centre bridge, which has divided locals and caused furious debate, as 'devastating' for his business. Cambridgeshire County Council insists the restriction had been introduced to provide a 'more enjoyable, safer place to visit'. The shopkeeper, who discovered the loophole of using the horse and cart to transport deliveries to the other side of the bridge, remarked: 'they can't fine me'. He added: 'I've been here for 29 years for a reason, because we're good at what we do and we're reasonable - we look after people. 'We've been in the same shop, serving the local community. I'd just love for them to open the bridge back up because it's destroying us little independent businesses.' Mr Ball also revealed that the new restriction on what he described as a 'main arterial road' was having detrimental impacts on other small independent businesses. Adding that the now 'dying road' had simply become a 'rat run' for taxis, who are still permitted to cross the bridge, he said: 'It's just snowballing. The taxis are using it as a cut-through and they're flying up and down there. 'Mill Road is a main arterial road. It's the main high street of Cambridge. But it's just a dying road. 'It's just getting filled up with nothing but takeaways and food-orientated shops. Little independent businesses are very few and far between.' The controversial TRO was approved last year by county councillors, closing the bridge to traffic except buses, pedestrians, cyclists, emergency services, taxis and Blue Badge holders' registered vehicles. It was imposed following consultations that found majority support for the changes, which are designed to improve the road for pedestrians and cyclists, assist the reliability of public transport and aid air quality. Some living nearby believed it will transform the bustling area, which is packed with shops, pubs and restaurants and make it more pleasant to visit, as well as cutting pollution from engines. But opponents argued it increases pollution by creating more congestion in nearby streets, while business owners have warned of catastrophic consequences from collapsing footfall. Protesters also claim a public consultation – in which 52.9 per cent of people supported the Traffic Regulation Order – was not carried out properly. Anyone found to be driving illegally through the bus gate is at risk of being issued a Penalty Charge Notice of £70, discounted to £35 if paid within 21 days. Since the introduction of the restriction, more than 100 fines per day have been issued by the council, a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service uncovered earlier this month. Last week, Mr Ball joined the Friends of the Mill Road Bridge 2 campaign group who took their case to the High Court, challenging the council's traffic restriction order which started in March. Their challenge of the TRO rested upon four grounds, including that the council had failed to 'provide legally adequate reasons'. However, the council's lawyers argued the TRO had gone through a proper democratic process and therefore the bus gate was something for council members, not the High Court, to determine. Cambridgeshire County Council spent around £300,000 on a first attempt to impose the bus gate, including £72,000 on a legal challenge that it lost in court. It then immediately relaunched the plan, which was passed by councillors in October last year – prompting the judicial review from Ms Rose on ground including a failure to take into account a petition conducted by Mill Road Traders' Association. But the council went ahead and installed the infrastructure for the bus gate without waiting for the outcome, with building costs coming to another £200,000. Around 60 protesters spent several nights there in November, trying to disrupt work from taking place. In March, vandals damaged the ANPR cameras with paint. Alex Beckett, chairman of the highways and transport committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, previously defended the restriction, stating: Mill Road is the centre of a community. We want it to be a more enjoyable, safer place to visit and to encourage more people to come into the area. 'Reducing motorised through traffic and installing the bus gate will help achieve this. 'What's important is that we now move forward with developing plans for public realm improvements supporting local businesses and allowing Mill Road to thrive.' The outcome of the High Court case is not expected for some weeks.
