Aircraft
Seats, range and cabin height decide which aircraft suits a trip. Here is how the categories compare, with estimated US charter rates.
Shorter trips
Propeller-driven and economical on shorter hops. Turboprops can use short runways that many jets can’t, which makes them useful for islands, ranches and small regional airports. Cabins are compact but comfortable for small groups.
Typical models: Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350
Regional trips
The workhorse for regional trips with a few passengers. Light jets are quick, efficient and welcome at many smaller airports. You sit rather than stand in the cabin, which is about 4.8–4.9 ft high. Very light jets, such as the HondaJet or Citation M2, seat four or five for shorter hops.
Typical models: Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Learjet 75
Room to move
More headroom, at about 5.7 ft, and space to move around the cabin, usually with an enclosed lavatory. A good balance of comfort and cost for groups of six or more travelling across a region.
Typical model: Citation XLS+
Coast to coast
A stand-up cabin of about 6 ft and the range to cross the United States nonstop. The usual choice for transcontinental trips and longer ski or island flights where a fuel stop would cost time.
Typical models: Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600
Longer flights
Separate seating areas, a full galley and room to rest on longer flights, with cabin height of 6.2 ft or more. Many large-cabin jets can cross the Atlantic, depending on the route, winds and passenger load.
Typical models: Gulfstream G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS
Intercontinental
Built for intercontinental trips without a fuel stop, such as New York to Dubai, with cabins that can include a bedroom. Empty legs on these aircraft come up less often, and are worth an alert if your dates can flex.
Typical models: Gulfstream G650ER, Global 7500
At a glance
Approximate US market figures. Hourly rates are estimates before federal excise tax and fees; empty legs are priced per flight and usually come in well below these.
| Category | Seats | Typical range | Cabin height | Est. hourly | Typical models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 6–9 | ~1,800 nm | Varies | $1,800–3,200 | 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 | 7–9 | ~2,100 nm | ~5.7 ft | $4,500–7,000 | Citation XLS+ |
| Super-midsize | 8–10 | 3,200–4,000 nm | ~6.0 ft | $6,500–9,500 | Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600 |
| Large cabin | 10–16 | 4,000–4,300 nm | 6.2 ft+ | $8,500–13,000 | G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS |
| Ultra long range | 13–19 | 7,500–7,700 nm | 6.2 ft+ | $12,000–20,000+ | G650ER, Global 7500 |
Choosing
Your advisor will check all three before sending options. Knowing them helps you judge an empty leg quickly when one comes up.
Count passengers honestly and think about luggage. Skis, golf bags and large cases fill a light jet long before its seats do.
Published range assumes good conditions. Winter headwinds and a full cabin reduce it, and a fuel stop adds time to the trip.
Runway length, elevation and local rules matter. Aspen is a high-elevation mountain airport, and Cannes and Saint-Tropez restrict aircraft size and hours.
Describe the trip and your advisor will suggest the right size of aircraft, with an all-in price. If an empty leg fits your dates, you will see that option too.