From turboprops to ultra long range jets: what each size of aircraft carries, how far it flies and what it typically costs per hour. Choosing the right size is the biggest saving in charter.
Spec table
Approximate US market figures. Hourly ranges are estimates before the 7.5% federal excise tax, segment fees, repositioning and other costs; your quote is always all-in.
| Category | Seats | Typical range | Cabin height | Est. hourly | Typical aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 6–9 | ~1,800 nm | ~4.8 ft | $1,800–3,200 | Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350 |
| Very light jet | 4–5 | 1,400–1,550 nm | ~4.8 ft | $2,800–4,200 | HondaJet, Citation M2 |
| Light jet | 6–8 | 2,000–2,150 nm | 4.8–4.9 ft | $3,500–5,500 | Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Learjet 75 |
| Midsize jet | 7–9 | ~2,100 nm | ~5.7 ft | $4,500–7,000 | Citation XLS+ |
| Super-midsize jet | 8–10 | 3,200–4,000 nm | ~6.0 ft | $6,500–9,500 | Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600 |
| Large cabin jet | 10–16 | 4,000–4,300 nm | 6.0–6.2 ft | $8,500–13,000 | Gulfstream G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS |
| Ultra long range | 13–19 | 7,500–7,700 nm | 6.2 ft+ | $12,000–20,000+ | Gulfstream G650ER, Global 7500 |
Category guide
Turboprops cruise slower than jets but cost less per hour and use short runways, such as island strips in the Bahamas or New England. On a 45-minute hop the time difference against a light jet is roughly ten minutes, so the saving is close to pure.
Typical aircraft: Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350.
The most requested charter category: two to six passengers on trips up to about three hours, such as Teterboro to Palm Beach. Very light jets like the HondaJet and Citation M2 cost a little less again for up to four travellers on shorter legs.
Typical aircraft: Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Learjet 75.
A taller cabin of about 5.7 ft and more room for bags than a light jet, with a similar range of about 2,100 nm. Worth it for seven or more passengers, or when the luggage includes golf clubs or skis.
Typical aircraft: Citation XLS+.
A stand-up cabin of about 6 ft, a flat floor and 3,200–4,000 nm of range: coast to coast nonstop. For long domestic trips it is often the sweet spot between comfort and cost.
Typical aircraft: Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600.
Transatlantic range of 4,000–4,300 nm, separate seating areas and room for a cabin attendant. Choose it for long flights with larger groups, not for a two-hour hop.
Typical aircraft: Gulfstream G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS.
Ranges of 7,500–7,700 nm make New York to Dubai or Tokyo possible nonstop. Rarely the economical choice unless the distance demands it, when it can save a stop and a long day.
Typical aircraft: Gulfstream G650ER, Global 7500.
Choosing well
Published seat counts assume light bags. Five people with skis may need a midsize cabin even though a light jet has six seats.
Headwinds, full seats and winter weather all cut range. If the route sits near a limit, compare a fuel stop with the next size up.
Short or high-elevation airports limit what can land. Turboprops and light jets reach places larger jets cannot.
A cheaper hourly rate can lose once repositioning and fees are added. We quote every option all-in for that reason.