A new class of personal aircraft, VLJ's (Very Light Jets), are scheduled to go into service during 2006 and are being touted as a revolutionary development for the air industry. These new aircraft, made available for $1.5 million USD (33%-50% of the price of similar planes on the market today) due to better manufacturing and engine advances, "are promising a new breed of aircraft for a new category of travel: jet-speed transportation between as many as 5,500 U.S. airports". Weighing about what a minivan does, runway strips 2/3 the size of the one's required by conventional small private jets (3,000 feet vs. 5,000 feet) are being lauded as the catalyst for opening up new transportation centers for air taxi service where the length of runway strips are currently a hindrance, like urban areas. Ticket prices are expected to rival first-class service, at around $1,500 to $3,000, but avoiding the congestion of major air hubs. VLJ's can fly at speeds of 400 mph, twice the speed of propeller-driven private planes.

"This is the absolute future, and everybody in the aviation business knows it."

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Bill Gates has contributed $320 million USD to finance one VLJ startup, Eclipse.