Private aircraft, by category

Five categories cover almost every trip. Here is what each one carries, how far it flies and what it typically costs per hour, so you can read a quote with confidence.

Glass cockpit instrument panel of a business aircraft

Turboprop

For example: Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350

Seats: 6–9
Range: ~1,800 nm
Cabin height: Varies
Per hour (est.): $1,800–3,200

Efficient on short trips and at home on runways too short for many jets. A PC-12 or King Air 350 carries six to nine passengers at the lowest hourly cost of any category, which makes it a smart pick for hops of up to about 90 minutes.

A white business jet climbing against a pale sky

Light jet

For example: Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Learjet 75

Seats: 6–8
Range: 2,000–2,150 nm
Cabin height: ~4.8–4.9 ft
Per hour (est.): $3,500–5,500

The usual choice for one to three hours with up to six or seven passengers. Cabins are about 4.8 to 4.9 feet high, so you sit rather than stand, and there is room for a soft bag or two each.

A business jet with burgundy trim in flight

Midsize jet

For example: Citation XLS+

Seats: 7–9
Range: ~2,100 nm
Cabin height: ~5.7 ft
Per hour (est.): $4,500–7,000

More headroom (about 5.7 feet), more legroom and more space for bags, with the range for most domestic trips of up to about four hours. A comfortable step up for longer flights or bigger luggage.

Nose of a white business jet with a red stripe on a sunny ramp

Super-midsize jet

For example: Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600

Seats: 8–10
Range: 3,200–4,000 nm
Cabin height: ~6.0 ft
Per hour (est.): $6,500–9,500

A cabin about 6 feet high, room for eight to ten and enough range for nonstop coast-to-coast flights. The category most people want for transcontinental trips.

Large cabin jet

For example: Gulfstream G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS

Seats: 10–16
Range: 4,000–4,300 nm
Cabin height: 6.0–6.2 ft
Per hour (est.): $8,500–13,000

Separate seating areas, a cabin of six feet or more and the range to cross the Atlantic. For long trips, larger groups, or when you want room to work, dine and sleep.

Spec table

Every category at a glance.

Very light jets and ultra long range jets are included for completeness. Figures are typical and vary by model and load.

Typical figures by category (estimates for US charter before tax and fees)
Category	Seats	Typical range	Cabin height	Hourly estimate	Examples
Turboprop	6–9	~1,800 nm	Varies	$1,800–3,200	Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350
Very light jet	4–5	1,400–1,550 nm	Varies	$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 jet	13–19	7,500–7,700 nm	6.2 ft+	$12,000–20,000+	Gulfstream G650ER, Global 7500

Reading a price

What changes the price

The hourly figure is only the starting point. An all-in quote also reflects:

Positioning. If the aircraft is based elsewhere, the flights to reach you, and on a one-way trip often the flight home, are part of the price.
Daily minimums. Many operators bill one to two hours a day, even on a day with a short flight or no flight at all.
Crew overnights. On a trip with a stay, the crew’s hotel and expenses are added.
Taxes and fees. The 7.5% federal excise tax on domestic flights, the per-passenger segment fee, and landing and handling fees.
Season and demand. Holiday weeks and big events tighten supply, and prices follow.
Extras. Catering, Wi-Fi, winter de-icing and, abroad, international fees.

And for seat flights?

Seat flights are flown by whatever aircraft the carrier schedules, from turboprops to larger regional jets with a premium cabin. The price is per person and set by the carrier. We tell you the aircraft type and the operator for every seat option we send.

How jet seats work

Not sure which aircraft? Tell us the trip, headcount and luggage. Your advisor will recommend a category and quote real aircraft for it.

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