Which Private Jets Hold Their Value Best?

Owning a private jet is not something anyone can afford. It’s a privilege reserved only for the ultra-high-net-worth individuals and large businesses. 

While the cost of buying a private jet runs into the millions of dollars, that’s only the initial purchase. A plane comes with fixed annual operating expenses, such as the crew, hangar space, insurance, and repairs.

Given that private jets are depreciating assets (they lose around 35% of their original value over the first five years), buyers pay close attention to a model’s resale value.

Below, private aviation company BlackJet looks at which private jets hold their value best.

High Production Volumes Drive Depreciation Resistance 

The best-value aircraft is not the cheapest to purchase or operate, but the one that minimizes depreciation and schedule disruption while matching 80% or more of an owner's specific mission profile.

A light jet, even though more affordable, is not a good fit for flyers who need to do frequent transatlantic trips. Similarly, a heavy jet doesn’t make economic sense for 200-mile regional trips.

To minimize depreciation, buyers look for proven models from established manufacturers (Gulfstream, Bombardier, or Dassault). An aircraft with a healthy, multi-year manufacturer backlog signals strong, sustained market demand. This keeps pre-owned values higher.

High production volumes are always a good sign. If the aircraft is in demand globally, there will be more interested buyers when it’s time to sell. Low-volume niche models suffer much steeper depreciation curves due to low market liquidity.

Standardized cabin layouts with the latest avionics, noise suppression, and environment technology are also important factors. Both the technology and environmental standards are moving fast. Purchase a model equipped to travel internationally without any issues.   

Value Leaders Across Four Jet Categories 

The absolute best value private jet might be one that doesn’t require ownership. Private aviation companies offer jet card programs and on-demand charter flights, helping travelers enjoy the comfort of private jets without the costs or logistical burdens of full ownership.

But if ownership is a must, then here are some of the most sought-after aircraft models, based on their size:

Embraer Phenom 300E (Light)

• Price new: $10.5M-$11.5M
• Price pre-owned: $6.0M-$9.5M
• Passengers / Range: 6-8 pax | 2,010 nm

The Phenom 300 has been the world's best-selling light jet for over a decade. It delivers single-pilot capability, high cruise speeds (464 knots), best-in-class cabin pressurization, and low fuel burn. 

Its massive global fleet footprint creates secondary-market liquidity, giving it one of the lowest depreciation curves of any aircraft category.

Embraer Praetor 600 (Super-Midsize)

• Price new: $21M-$23M
• Price pre-owned: $16M-$19M
• Passengers / Range: 8-10 pax | 4,018 nm

It offers true non-stop transatlantic range (e.g., London to New York or Dubai) at a price point $5M to $8M lower than competing super-midsize models. The Praetor 600 is equipped with active turbulence reduction technology, which provides a quiet cabin environment.

Bombardier Challenger 3500 (Heavy / Large-Cabin)

• Price new: $27M-$29M
• Price pre-owned: $20M-$25M
• Passengers / Range: 9-10 pax | 3,400 nm

Building on the reliable Challenger 350 baseline, the 3500 offers the widest cabin in its class, auto-throttles, and lower cabin altitude pressure. It dominates corporate flight departments because its dispatch reliability exceeds 99.8%, yielding high operational productivity per dollar spent.

Gulfstream G650ER (Ultra-Long-Range)

• Price new: $70M-$75M
• Price pre-owned: $32M-$50M
• Passengers / Range: 13-19 pax | 7,500 nm

While newer models (G700, Global 7500) carry higher price tags, late-model pre-owned G650ERs represent a value sweet spot in the ultra-long-range class. The airframe offers high speeds (Mach 0.90 and higher), extreme range, high residual value retention, and global infrastructure support.