Aircraft guide

Private aircraft by size, range and cost.

Seven categories, from turboprops to ultra long range jets, with seats, range, cabin height and estimated hourly rates for US charter.

A business jet in flight above a layer of cloud

At a glance

The spec table.

Hourly ranges are estimates for on-demand charter in the US, before 7.5% federal excise tax and fees. Ranges and cabin heights are typical for the category; individual models vary.

Private aircraft categories compared
Category	Seats	Typical range	Cabin height	Per hour (est.)	Examples
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	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	6.0–6.2 ft	$8,500–13,000	Gulfstream G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS
Ultra long range	13–19	7,500–7,700 nm	6.2 ft and up	$12,000–20,000+	Gulfstream G650ER, Global 7500

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

The five workhorse sizes

Where most trips land.

Very light jets suit two or three people on short hops; ultra long range jets cross oceans nonstop. Between them, these five sizes carry most charter trips.

Club seating around a polished table in a compact aircraft cabin

Turboprop

Seats: 6–9
Range: ~1,800 nm
Per hour: $1,800–3,200

Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350

A light business jet in flight against a pale sky

Light jet

Seats: 6–8
Range: 2,000–2,150 nm
Per hour: $3,500–5,500

Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Learjet 75

A business jet on a rain-wet ramp under a grey sky

Midsize

Seats: 7–9
Range: ~2,100 nm
Per hour: $4,500–7,000

Citation XLS+

A business jet parked on a wet ramp at dusk

Super-midsize

Seats: 8–10
Range: 3,200–4,000 nm
Per hour: $6,500–9,500

Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600

Large cabin

Seats: 10–16
Range: 4,000–4,300 nm
Per hour: $8,500–13,000

Gulfstream G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS

Choosing a size

Four questions that pick the aircraft.

The cheapest aircraft is the smallest one that does the job without a compromise you will regret at 41,000 feet.

Hourly rate by category

Estimates for US on-demand charter, before federal excise tax and fees.

Turboprop$1,800–3,200
Very light jet$2,800–4,200
Light jet$3,500–5,500
Midsize$4,500–7,000
Super-midsize$6,500–9,500
Large cabin$8,500–13,000
Ultra long range$12,000–20,000+

Count people and bags together
A light jet that seats seven carries seven people comfortably only with soft bags. Skis, golf clubs and large suitcases can push you up a size.
Check the distance against real range
Published range assumes ideal conditions. Headwinds, a full cabin and winter reserves cut it, so a trip near the limit may need a fuel stop or a larger jet.
Mind the airports
Short runways, high elevation and local rules shape the choice. Aspen is a high-elevation mountain airport with seasonal restrictions; Teterboro's weight limit rules out the heaviest jets.
Decide how much cabin you need
Below about 5.7 feet of cabin height you stoop. For flights over three hours, many people find a stand-up midsize or super-midsize cabin worth the step up.

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