The Eclipse 550, delivered from 2013, is the final and most refined Eclipse, adding synthetic-vision avionics, anti-skid brakes and autothrottle to the efficient twin-jet formula. It remains one of the lowest-cost twinjets to operate anywhere.
As a light jet the Eclipse 550 reaches thousands of smaller, more convenient airfields, landing far closer to where you are actually going than the big hubs and cutting the drive at the far end. Balanced field length and strong brakes let it use runways the airlines cannot sell a ticket into. On a point-to-point charter the type can turn a two-hour transfer into a fifteen-minute one.
The Eclipse 550 cruises around 375 knots near Mach 0.65, and on a busy light jet charter that pace routinely saves an hour or more against slower types, time returned at both ends of the day. High cruise also lets the crew climb above weather and airline traffic for a smoother ride. Speed is the one luxury nobody can refund once a day is spent, and the aircraft protects it.
Economy is part of the Eclipse 550 appeal: it delivers its class of cabin and range without the thirst of larger jets, which is why it prices so competitively for light jet charter. Sensible maintenance costs keep the hourly rate honest, and flexible dates unlock better still. Clients are often surprised how much aircraft the aircraft buys for the money.
Here is the detail crews love: The 550 is the final, most refined Eclipse, adding synthetic vision, anti-skid brakes and autothrottle to one of the lowest-cost twinjets ever to operate. Details like that are why the type has such a loyal following.
Step aboard and the Eclipse 550 answers the question every charter client really asks, which is whether the cabin works: up to 5 guests, 16 cubic feet of luggage and seating you can reconfigure for a board meeting, a family or a couple who want the aircraft to themselves. The interior measuring 4 ft 7 in wide by 12 ft 4 in long stays quiet at altitude because the pressurisation holds a low cabin altitude, so the type leaves you fresher than a comparable airline leg. That is the difference private jet charter is really bought for.
The Eclipse 550 was built to work hard, its 2x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F-A (900 lbf each) and redundant systems giving the dispatch reliability that keeps a charter day on the rails. Mature types carry a known maintenance rhythm, which means fewer last-minute swaps and cleaner scheduling. That predictability is worth as much to a client as any cabin feature on the type.
Disadvantages of the Eclipse 550 as a charter aircraft, and how we weigh them:
The Eclipse 550 is honest about distance: near 1125 nautical miles it is superb across its home region, but the longest intercontinental legs call for a bigger tank, and on those we will match you to a larger jet rather than sell you a fuel stop.
Push it to the edge of its range with a full cabin and, like any aircraft, the Eclipse 550 trims its numbers, so we plan payload and fuel honestly rather than to the brochure.
As alternatives to the Eclipse 550, it is worth weighing the Eclipse 500 and the Total Eclipse, both able aircraft in the same bracket. Broadly the Eclipse 500 tends to charter for a little less, while the Eclipse 550 brings the wider cabin, so the right pick comes down to your exact route, party and budget, which our advisors are glad to lay out side by side.
All told the Eclipse 550 remains one of the smarter ways to fly short-haul and regional charter, and Fly with Andreea handles catering, transfers, pets and every detail around you, quoting one firm price and replying within the half hour.
Tell me your route, dates and party size and I will send a firm, all-in price on the Eclipse 550. No commitment, no obligation.