Midsize Jets for Sale

Browse Pre-Owned Midsize Jets — Stand-Up Cabins, Transcontinental Range, Serious Capability

Midsize jets occupy the most commercially active segment of the pre-owned business jet market. They offer a genuine step change in capability over light jets: stand-up or near-stand-up cabins, range sufficient for transcontinental and trans-European routing, meaningful baggage capacity, and the ability to operate comfortably on longer sectors where passenger comfort becomes a material factor. At Aviator Aircraft Sales, the midsize aircraft we handle — the Cessna Citation XLS/XLS+, Embraer Legacy 500, and Pilatus PC-24 — represent three distinct approaches to the same mission, each with characteristics that suit different operators and ownership profiles.

What Defines a Midsize Jet

There is no single regulatory definition of a midsize jet, but the segment is broadly understood to cover aircraft with a maximum take-off weight between 20,000 lb and 40,000 lb, a pressurised cabin that accommodates six to ten passengers with a proper stand-up or near-stand-up headroom profile, and a range between 2,000 and 3,200 nautical miles. They are certificated under FAR Part 25 transport category, require a type-rated crew of two in most jurisdictions, and offer a substantially more refined passenger experience than the light jet segment.

Where a light jet is optimised for short missions flown efficiently, a midsize jet is a more versatile platform. It can do the short sector with comparable efficiency, but it can also stretch to a four- or five-hour flight with six passengers and their luggage without the range anxiety that constrains smaller aircraft. The cabin profile — typically 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft headroom, depending on aircraft — allows passengers to move around during flight, which matters on anything over two hours.

Operating costs for midsize jets reflect the additional capability. Variable costs typically fall between $2,500 and $3,800 per flight hour, and total annual costs for a 400-hour corporate flight department would generally run from $1.2M to $2.2M depending on aircraft age, base location, and utilisation pattern. These figures should be verified against current fuel pricing and the specific aircraft’s maintenance programme status during the acquisition process.

Typical Use Cases

• Transcontinental US routing (coast-to-coast with one stop in some configurations)
• European cross-country and intra-European business travel
• Corporate shuttle operations between regional hubs
• Groups of six to ten passengers requiring a proper cabin environment
• Longer sectors where stand-up cabin and full galley service are required
• Charter operators requiring a cabin product that competes with airliner business class

Key Specifications Range — Midsize Jets

Midsize Jets Listed by Aviator Aircraft Sales

Cessna Citation XLS and XLS+

The Citation XLS and its updated XLS+ variant have been consistently among the most popular midsize jets in the pre-owned market, and for straightforward reasons. The aircraft is well understood, has a large support network, and offers a cabin that is comfortable for six passengers on sectors up to approximately 2,100 nautical miles. It is powered by two Pratt and Whitney Canada PW545C engines (XLS+) producing 4,119 lb thrust each, and operates from relatively short runways for its category — a characteristic that extends its usability to smaller airports. The flat-floor cabin is 17 ft 1 in long, 4 ft 10 in wide, and 5 ft 8 in tall; the stand-up headroom distinguishes it clearly from the light jet segment. The XLS+ variant introduced improved aerodynamics, updated avionics, and the Venue cabin management system. Pre-owned XLS and XLS+ aircraft are widely available across a range of vintages and price points, and the platform’s familiarity to maintenance providers globally makes it a low-risk acquisition from an operational standpoint. Full technical analysis is available in our Cessna Citation XLS/XLS+ aircraft review.

Embraer Legacy 500

The Legacy 500, which entered service in 2014, brought a genuinely different proposition to the midsize segment. It is the only aircraft in its class with a flat floor running the full length of the cabin — a feature that is common in the large cabin segment but was unprecedented at this weight class. The cabin itself measures 24 ft 4 in in length with 6 ft headroom, accommodating up to ten passengers in a three-zone layout. Range is 3,125 nautical miles — positioning it at the top of the midsize category and overlapping with the lower end of super-midsize. Engines are two Honeywell HTF7500E turbofans rated at 6,540 lb thrust each. The fly-by-wire flight control system, combined with Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics, gives the Legacy 500 a technological profile that was ahead of the midsize segment at its introduction. For buyers who want maximum cabin quality and range in a pre-owned midsize aircraft, the Legacy 500 is the benchmark. Read our Embraer Legacy 500 aircraft review for a detailed assessment.

Pilatus PC-24

The Pilatus PC-24 represents an unusual and commercially interesting aircraft within the midsize category. It is the only business jet in its class designed from the outset for unpaved runway operations — a capability inherited from the PC-12 turboprop programme — while offering a pressurised jet cabin with stand-up headroom and a range of approximately 2,000 nautical miles. The aircraft is powered by two Williams FJ44-4A-QPM engines, carries eight to ten passengers, and features a flat cabin floor with a cargo door option that makes it adaptable to medevac, freight, and utility roles alongside standard passenger operations. Avionics are Honeywell Primus Apex. For operators who need to access strips that would be inaccessible to conventional jets — without giving up the performance and cabin quality of a midsize aircraft — the PC-24 has no direct equivalent on the market. Our Pilatus PC-24 buyers guide covers the aircraft in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions — Midsize Jets

What is the practical difference between a light jet and a midsize jet for passengers?

The most immediate differences are cabin height and width. Light jets typically offer 4 ft 2 in to 5 ft 4 in headroom; midsize jets generally provide 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft, which allows most adults to stand and move through the cabin without stooping. Midsize jets also offer more seat pitch, wider aisles, a more substantial galley arrangement, and in many cases a fully enclosed aft lavatory. On a two-hour sector, the difference is noticeable but not transformative. On a four-hour sector, it is significant. The baggage capacity of a midsize jet is also meaningfully larger, which matters for groups travelling with golf equipment, luggage for longer trips, or operational cargo.

Do midsize jets require two pilots?

Yes. All three aircraft listed in this category — the Citation XLS/XLS+, Legacy 500, and PC-24 — require a type-rated, two-pilot crew for commercial operation in most jurisdictions, including under EASA and FAA regulations. The PC-24 has a single-pilot FAA type certificate available, but most operators, particularly those operating commercially or under AOC, fly it with two crew. Crew costs are a meaningful component of total operating cost and should be factored into any acquisition budget alongside aircraft direct operating costs.

Can a midsize jet fly non-stop from the UK to the eastern United States?

In most cases, no — not with a full passenger load. A midsize jet with six to eight passengers and full fuel would typically need a technical stop at Reykjavik, Shannon, or a similar transatlantic waypoint for eastbound return sectors. The Legacy 500, at the top of the midsize range at 3,125nm, comes closest to transatlantic capability but would require favourable winds and a reduced payload to attempt a direct London–New York sector. Buyers with genuine transatlantic requirements without stops should consider the large cabin segment. For all European routing and US domestic missions, midsize jets are entirely appropriate.

How does the Pilatus PC-24 differ from a conventional midsize jet?

The PC-24’s defining characteristic is its short and unpaved runway capability. It is certificated to operate from fields as short as 2,690 ft (820 m) on unpaved surfaces, which no other midsize jet comes close to matching. This opens up a substantially wider network of airstrips — particularly relevant in Africa, the Middle East, remote parts of North America, and mountain airfields in Europe — that conventional jets cannot access. Beyond that, the PC-24’s cargo door allows flexible cabin reconfiguration for freight or medical evacuation roles. The trade-off compared to the Legacy 500 is cabin volume and range, but for operators with specific access requirements, there is no equivalent aircraft in the jet segment.

What maintenance programme should a midsize jet be enrolled on?

For the Citation XLS/XLS+, Textron Aviation’s Citation Assured program and JSSI (Jet Support Services International) are the most common programmes. Embraer’s JSSI and Pro-Fix programmes cover the Legacy 500. Pilatus offers the Customer Care programme for the PC-24. Engine power-by-the-hour programmes — PW Canada’s Eagle Service Plan, Honeywell’s MSP — should ideally be enrolled at or before purchase. Aircraft without active maintenance programme enrolment are not automatically a poor purchase, but they carry more risk in terms of unscheduled maintenance liability and can be more difficult to finance or insure. Pre-purchase inspection results should be evaluated in context of maintenance programme status and time since last major inspection events.

Speak to a Midsize Jet Specialist

Aviator Aircraft Sales advises buyers and sellers across the full midsize jet market. We work independently — not aligned with any single manufacturer or maintenance provider — which means our guidance is based solely on what is right for your mission and budget. If you are evaluating midsize jet options, reviewing specific aircraft for acquisition, or assessing the suitability of the category against your flight profile, we can help. Browse our current aircraft listings, review our broker services, or contact us to start the conversation.