Charter flights include everything from small turboprops taking a scenic flight along the coast to heavy jets carrying a dozen executives to destinations across the world. And while there are specific aircraft that are especially popular for charter travel, it’s the aircraft’s category (or class) that primarily determines its cost to fly.
Single-Engine Turboprops
| Seats | 5 to 14 |
| Max distance | 1,000 to 1,800 nm |
| Speed | 300 to 400 knots |
| Cost to fly | $1,000 to $3,000 per flight hour |
This type of aircraft gets its name from its distinct engine, which is a smaller jet engine that drives the propeller. A smaller class of plane, these lightweight aircraft require less fuel than most, so they’re cheaper to fly and are better for the environment.
They often have a shorter minimum flight time required (90 minutes as opposed to the usual two hours), which can lower your costs. However, they also tend to be slower and have a shorter range than larger jets. This makes them well suited for short to mid-range flights with fewer passengers.
Another advantage of turboprops is their maneuverability. They require less runway space for takeoff and landing, and some models can even land on grass airfields. As such, they’re ideal for regional commuters and passengers whose destinations are remote areas without a large runway. They’re also useful for island hopping.
If you have few passengers and a relatively short distance to fly, a turboprop may be your best option for a charter flight airplane. Many of these planes, while small, offer the same comfortable seating and workspaces that larger jets do.
Here are some of the more popular turboprop models available for charter.
Pilatus PC 12 NGX
This economical turboprop has a maximum cruising speed of 290 knots (333 mph) and a range of about 1,800 nautical miles, which is approximately the distance from Los Angeles to Honolulu. It seats up to 10 passengers and features leather seats, worktables, and entertainment systems. This turboprop suits the needs of corporate travelers, adventurers, and MedEvac operators alike.
Daher TBM 930
The interior of the TBM 930 is flexible enough to accommodate multiple configurations of seating arrangements, 500 lbs. of cargo and up to five passengers. At a maximum cruising speed of 330 knots, it’s one of the faster single-engine turboprops on the market. It has a maximum range of 1,730 nautical miles.
Cessna Grand Caravan EX
This turboprop has a focus on maximum cargo capacity and an ability to handle rough runways. It requires less than 1,400 feet to take off and can haul up to 1,410 lbs. of luggage.
While it’s well suited for moving lots of cargo, it’s slower and has a smaller range than other turboprops. Its maximum range is 912 nautical miles (think Chicago to New York) and its maximum cruising speed is 185 knots.
Even though it’s considered the workhorse of this aircraft class, its interior is luxurious enough for corporate travel. It can be configured to seat up to 14 passengers comfortably in ergonomic seats and with enhanced sight lines to cabin windows.
Twin-Engine Turboprops
| Seats | 7 to 9 |
| Max distance | 1,400 to 1,800 nm |
| Speed | 300 to 400 knots |
| Cost to fly | $1,050 to $4,500 per hour |
Twin-engine aircraft can climb faster, carry more cargo, and handle unexpected weather challenges better than single-engine aircraft. However, they’re more expensive to operate, as they have lower fuel efficiency than single-engine turboprops.
What twin-engine turboprops lack in fuel efficiency, they make up for in safety. The additional engine provides a Plan B in case one engine fails as the plane traverses hazardous terrain. When it comes to features and performance, there’s a lot of crossover between the offerings and specifications of twin-engine and single-engine turboprops.
A twin-engine turboprop is a good choice for short to mid-range flights that may be over mountains or water and thus require a higher safety rating than a single-engine craft can provide.
Beechcraft King Air 360
Comfort is the premier feature of the King Air 360, with dark wood veneer and premium seats that come in multiple color choices. It also features pull-out worktables, standard and USB charging ports, CoolView windows for cooler cabin temperatures, and lower cabin altitude for greater passenger comfort.
It seats up to nine passengers, has a cruising speed of 312 knots and a maximum range of about 1,800 nautical miles.
Piaggio Avanti P180
The Avanti P180 caters to luxury travelers (including the Ferrari F1 racing team), boasting the roomiest cabin in its category. Aimed at a premier customer experience, the plane can maintain sea-level pressure up to an altitude of 24,000 ft. It can seat up to nine passengers.
With a maximum speed of 402 knots, it’s the fastest turboprop ever built. Its maximum range is 1470 nautical miles (approximately a flight from Seattle to Dallas).
Very Light Jets
| Seats | 1 to 6 |
| Max distance | 1,100 to 1,600 nautical miles |
| Speed | 324 to 422 knots |
| Cost to fly | $2,000 to $3,300 per hour |
If speed is a priority for your mid-range trip with six passengers or less, a very light jet will meet your needs nicely. These aircraft are sized-down versions of their original models, using modified jet engines (usually two) to propel the craft.
The jet engines make these planes notably faster than turboprops. The average maximum cruising speed for this class is around 400 knots, which only the fastest turboprop can match. By taking a very light jet, you can get to your destination 12% to 14% faster than if you took a turboprop.
Very light jets are best for quick, short-range travel with just a few passengers. If that describes your trip, here are a few very light jets you could take.
Cirrus Vision Jet
Unlike most other jets in its class, this very light jet has just one engine. For extra safety, the company has created the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), which deploys in the event of spin or inversion. This feature earned this airplane model two Robert J. Collier trophies for achievement in aviation.
Depending on the configuration, the Cirrus Vision can accommodate five adults and two children, or four people with additional baggage space. The latest model comes with in-flight WiFi, Bluetooth, Cirrus Global Connect for text and phone calls, and Sirius XM satellite weather and radio. Its cruise speed is 311 knots and its range is 1,275 nautical miles.
Embraer Phenom 100
The Phenom 100 blends efficiency, comfort, and performance exceptionally well, making it one of the most popular very light jets on the market. It can seat four passengers comfortably, and a fifth seat can replace the refreshment center in some models. The Phenom 100 has a 915 nautical-mile range, which will get you from New York to Miami or from London to Paris nonstop. It has a maximum cruising speed of about 390 knots.
HondaJet Elite II
The Elite II is one of the speediest jets in its class, clocking a maximum cruising speed of 422 knots, allowing up to six passengers to get to their destination quickly. The Elite II’s maximum range is 1,437 nautical miles.
Honda prioritizes the in-cabin experience with a speakerless audio system as well as acoustic treatments to reduce outside noise. The executive club seating arrangements with work tables allows for business collaboration and productivity during flight.
Light Jets
| Seats | 5 to 8 |
| Max distance | 810 to 2,052 nautical miles |
| Speed | 324 to 377 knots |
| Cost to fly | $2,600 to $3,500 per hour |
Light jets offer extended ranges and expanded seatings, as well as an enhanced profile of amenities, making them ideal for longer, more comfortable journeys.
Light jets may travel slightly slower than very light jets, but they can take additional passengers, with some models seating as many as eight people (not including the crew). They also tend to have longer max flight distances.
This class of plane often has additional amenities, such as a private lavatory, refined interior furnishings, in-flight entertainment options, onboard WiFi, and even in-flight dining.
Cessna Citation CJ3
The Cessna Citation is an extremely popular line of aircraft, comprising a third of the world’s business jets across multiple models.
This light jet normally seats six passengers, but one configuration allows for an additional seventh seat. Other models come with a vanity or extended refreshment center. Skylights above add to the bright feel of the cabin. With a maximum range of 2,040 nautical miles and a maximum cruising speed of 416 knots, the Citation CJ3 is a strategic combination of performance and comfort.
Hawker 400XP
The Hawker 400XP is one of the fastest light jets there is, clocking a maximum cruising speed of 461 knots. Its 1,400-nautical-mile range will deliver up to eight passengers wherever they need to go. The cabin is spacious and is divided into two separate zones.
Midsize Jets
| Seats | 7 to 9 |
| Max distance | 2,000 to 3,000 nautical miles |
| Speed | 430 to 480 knots |
| Cost to fly | $5,000 to $8,000 |
Midsize jets are the ideal aircraft for faster trips at longer distances.
The major enhancement of midsize jets over light ones is range. Some of these jets can make nonstop coast-to-coast flights. Many of them also have higher storage capacity for luggage and one or two more seats than the light jet class.
These jets also command higher speeds than light jets (by almost 100 knots in some cases).
Gulfstream G280
This midsize jet can fly nonstop for 3,600 nautical miles — from New York to Dubai, for example — at a speed of 533 knots (or Mach 0.8). Its superb performance allows pilots to navigate steep approaches, high-altitude airports, short runways, and poor visibility conditions. All configurations have full galleys and luxurious furnishings. It seats up to 10 passengers and sleeps up to 5.
Learjet 60
This midlevel model has a range of 2,186 nm and a cruising speed of 440 knots. It seats up to 8 people and boasts features like onboard WiFi, swivel chairs, and a refreshment center.
Hawker 800XP
With a maximum cruise speed of 448 knots and a range of 2,572 nm, this midsize jet offers speed, range, and comfort. It seats up to 8 passengers in a configuration that includes a bench, which can double as a place to sleep on long flights. It also features a refreshment station with a microwave and beverage storage.
Super Midsize Jets
| Seats | 8 to 12 |
| Max distance | 3,000 to 4,000 nm |
| Speed | 445 to 525 knots |
| Cost to fly | $3,800 to $7,200 per hour |
For long-range private travel, super-midsize jets are often the most sensible choice. They’re more economical than heavy jets but can make transcontinental flights (such as Miami to London) carrying up to 12 passengers without stopping. Most can travel up to 80% of the speed of sound.
Super midsize jets are likely to have a full suite of amenities for the comfort of passengers: a wardrobe for clothing, a private lavatory (often big enough to double as a dressing room), a refreshment center, and inflight entertainment systems. Here are a few examples of aircraft in this category.
Citation Longitude
Launched in 2012, the Cessna Citation Longitude is known for its long range (3,500 nm) and speed (476 knots). The performance dovetails with passenger comforts, which include entertainment options you can control from your mobile phone. This super midsize jet seats up to 12 people, but eight is optimal so passengers have plenty of room in the cabin.
Bombardier Challenger 350
Red-eye flights aren’t a problem on this aircraft, as it boasts two single and one queen bed so passengers can get a full night’s sleep before landing. The Bombardier Challenger 350 has the quietest cabin in its category and can take up to nine passengers as far as Chicago to Rome nonstop (3,200 nm). Its max cruising speed is 458 knots.
Heavy Jets
| Seats | 10 to 19 passengers |
| Max distance | 3,000 to 5,200 nm |
| Speed | 480 to 590 knots |
| Cost to fly | $10,000 to $14,000 per hour |
Heavy jets are expensive to fly, but when you need to take many passengers over great distances, few other aircraft are up to the challenge.
This class may be the most expensive aircraft to charter, but it also represents the ultimate in comfort, amenities, range, and passenger capacity. Plus, cabin heights tend to be taller in this class — a boon for passengers who are 6 feet and over.
With ranges up to 5,200 nautical miles, these jets can fly whole corporate or sports teams from Los Angeles to Sydney.
Gulfstream G450
This jet specializes in getting the maximum number of people the maximum non-stop distance. It can travel up to 4,350 nm. It also has one of the top speeds at Mach 0.88 or 587 knots. It seats up to 19 passengers in multiple cabin zones. It also has a full lavatory with a shower.
Dassault Falcon 7X
The Falcon 7X has one of the highest ranges in its class at nearly 6,000 nm. It can get up to 19 passengers just shy of 6,000 nm before it has to refuel — great for transoceanic flights without the bother of going through security.
It has three engines and despite its size, the Falcon 7X can navigate shorter runways in small airports with ease.
Let AvSky Find the Perfect Aircraft For Your Trip
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