The Eclipse 500 (and its successor the Eclipse 550) is one of the most affordable ways to access private jet travel in Europe. Cost-effective, fast to board, and capable of operating from very short runways — it is a no-frills solution for solo travellers or duos on short legs.
A word of transparency: the Eclipse 500/550 is rarely available for charter in Europe. The fleet is small, mostly owner-operated, and only a handful of aircraft are available on the charter market at any given time. If you need one, contact us — we’ll find it. But if availability is your priority, a Citation Mustang or Phenom 100 will be easier to source.
Why charter an Eclipse 500?
✈️ Key specs at a glance
| Specification | Eclipse 500 / 550 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 3–4 passengers maximum |
| Range | ~1,800 km (~2h10 flight time) |
| Cruise speed | 685 km/h (370 kts) |
| Luggage | 0.45 m³ — very limited |
| Lavatory | ❌ No |
| Cabin height | 1.27 m — very compact |
| Service ceiling | 41,000 ft |
| Charter availability | ⚠️ Very limited in Europe |
| Ideal for | 1–2 passengers, budget-conscious, short legs |
The world’s first Very Light Jet — a genuine pioneer
The Eclipse 500 made history as the world’s first certified Very Light Jet, entering service in 2006. Designed from the ground up to make jet travel accessible and affordable, it brought twin-engine jet performance to a price point previously unimaginable. Its successor, the Eclipse 550, refined the concept with upgraded avionics and improved reliability.
Key advantages:
- Lowest charter price in the jet category — the most cost-effective twin-engine jet available
- Short runway performance — takes off in under 900 m, accessing airfields unavailable to other jets
- 41,000 ft service ceiling — above commercial traffic and most weather systems
- Fuel-efficient — remarkably low operating cost for a twin-engine jet
- Fast boarding — minimal ground time, ideal for time-sensitive short hops
On board the Eclipse 500 — Be honest with yourself
A very small cabin — and that’s the point
The Eclipse 500 is genuinely small. This is not a jet where you stretch out, spread documents across a table, or stand up mid-flight. It is a point-to-point machine built for efficiency — and if you accept that, it delivers.
- 3 passenger seats in a very tight cabin (some configurations allow a 4th)
- Cabin length: 3.05 m — shorter than a large saloon car
- Cabin width: 1.43 m
- Cabin height: 1.27 m — seated only, no standing at any point
- No lavatory — plan accordingly for any flight over 1 hour
- Luggage: 0.45 m³ — carry-on bags only, strictly one small bag per passenger
💡 MK Partnair’s take: The Eclipse is the right call for one or two people doing a quick sub-1h30 leg with minimal luggage — think Paris to Geneva for a morning meeting. It’s not a comfortable aircraft for 3 or 4 passengers. If you have 3 or more people, or any real luggage, we’ll steer you towards a Citation Mustang without hesitation.
What you need to know
- No lavatory — unsuitable for flights over 1h15 for most passengers
- Luggage is very restricted — one soft cabin bag per person, no hard suitcases
- 3 passengers maximum in practice — a 4th seat exists on some aircraft but comfort is minimal
- Very limited European charter availability — not always findable on short notice
Performance and accessible destinations
Short legs, efficiently done
The Eclipse is powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F engines, each producing 900 lbs of thrust — modest but highly efficient for its size:
- A cruise speed of 685 km/h (370 kts)
- A range of approximately 1,800 km under standard conditions
- Takeoff in under 900 m — exceptional short-field performance
Sample routes from Paris
| Destination | Flight time | Recommended airport |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva | ~55 min | Geneva-Cointrin |
| Nice | ~1h15 | Nice Côte d’Azur |
| London | ~1h05 | Farnborough, Biggin Hill |
| Brussels | ~40 min | Brussels Airport |
| Amsterdam | ~50 min | Amsterdam Schiphol |
| Barcelona | ~1h25 | El Prat or Sabadell |
💡 MK Partnair tip: The Eclipse is at its best on very short legs — under 1 hour, 1 or 2 passengers, minimal luggage. For anything longer or with more people, the price difference versus a Citation Mustang rarely justifies the comfort trade-off.
How much does it cost to charter an Eclipse 500?
Indicative pricing
The Eclipse is the most affordable jet charter option available — when you can find one. Here are indicative ranges:
| Route | Indicative price (one-way) |
|---|---|
| Paris → Geneva | €4,500 – €6,500 |
| Paris → Nice | €6,000 – €8,000 |
| Paris → London | €5,500 – €7,500 |
| Paris → Barcelona | €7,500 – €10,000 |
*Net prices, including airport taxes and crew. Subject to availability — Eclipse availability in Europe is limited.*
Eclipse 500 vs Citation Mustang — Which one to choose?
Both are entry-level VLJs — but they are very different aircraft in practice:
| Criteria | Eclipse 500 | Citation Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3 pax (4 tight) | 4 pax |
| Lavatory | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Cabin height | 1.27 m | 1.37 m |
| Luggage | 0.45 m³ ⚠️ | 1.3 m³ |
| Range | ~1,800 km | ~2,100 km |
| Charter price | € | €€ |
| European availability | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Our recommendation:
- Choose the Eclipse if you are 1–2 passengers, travelling very light, on a sub-1h30 leg, and budget is the deciding factor
- Choose the Mustang for anything else — more cabin, more luggage, 4 passengers, or longer legs
Frequently asked questions — Eclipse 500 charter
How many passengers can an Eclipse 500 carry?
The Eclipse 500 seats 3 passengers comfortably. Some configurations allow a 4th seat, but the cabin is genuinely very small — 4 adults will be cramped. The aircraft is best suited to 1 or 2 passengers.
Does the Eclipse 500 have a lavatory?
No — the Eclipse 500 has no onboard lavatory. For flights over 1h15, this is a real limitation. If you need a lavatory, consider the Phenom 100 or HondaJet.
Is the Eclipse 500 available for charter in Europe?
Rarely. The Eclipse fleet in Europe is small and predominantly owner-operated. A limited number of aircraft are occasionally available for charter, but availability is not guaranteed. Contact us and we’ll check — but plan for a potential alternative.
How much does an Eclipse 500 charter cost?
A Paris–Geneva flight costs between €4,500 and €6,500 one-way — the lowest price point in the jet charter market. Request a quote →
What is the difference between the Eclipse 500 and Eclipse 550?
The Eclipse 550 is the improved version produced from 2013 to 2017, featuring upgraded Avio NG avionics, anti-skid braking, and improved reliability. The cabin and dimensions are identical. For a charter client, the experience is essentially the same aircraft.
Book your Eclipse 500 with MK Partnair
Since 2012, MK Partnair has been helping clients charter private jets across France and Europe. Our approach:
- ✅ Free quote within 2 hours
- ✅ Net prices, no surprises
- ✅ Access to a worldwide fleet
- ✅ Dedicated advisor 24/7
Whether you find an Eclipse 500 or we redirect you to a better-suited aircraft for your route, we’ll always give you the honest recommendation.
