Conventional wisdom in recent months has pointed to large-cabin, ultra-long-range aircraft as the only segment of business aviation showing any significant strength in the marketplace. That may be changing, however, not because demand for high-end models necessarily is weakening, but because light jets are gaining momentum, according to J.P. Morgan Investment Research’s latest business jet monthly report.

The Embraer Phenom 300 and its smaller sibling, the Phenom 100, were designed primarily to serve owner-pilots, charter services and small corporate flight departments. Photo by Jessica Ambats
The U.S. accounts for about 60% of the global business jet fleet, and after more than five difficult years demand is improving. J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Nadol III expects demand for light jets, in particular, to benefit since North America accounts for two-thirds of deliveries in this segment.