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Aircraft

Private Jet Categories and Hourly Cost Ranges

Compare aircraft categories by passengers, speed, range, and planning hourly cost.

Turboprop

$1,600 to $3,200 / hour

Efficient short-hop aircraft that can use shorter runways and smaller regional fields.

Typical seats
4 to 8
Cruise speed
280 kt
Planning range
1,000 nm
Long leg flight time
2h 32m

Example models

Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350, TBM 940

Planning notes

  • Often the lowest hourly cost option for short regional trips.
  • Slower cruise means longer flights compared with jets on the same route.
  • Single-pilot turboprops can reduce crew cost on some trips.
Read the turboprop guide

Very Light Jet

$2,400 to $3,800 / hour

Entry level jets for short trips with jet speed and a compact cabin.

Typical seats
4 to 5
Cruise speed
340 kt
Planning range
1,100 nm
Long leg flight time
2h 20m

Example models

Cessna Citation M2, Embraer Phenom 100, HondaJet

Planning notes

  • Good fit for one to three passengers on trips under about two hours.
  • Limited baggage and cabin space compared with light jets.
  • Cabins are not full stand-up height in most models.
Read the very light jet guide

Light Jet

$2,900 to $4,600 / hour

A common choice for regional trips with room for a small group and luggage.

Typical seats
5 to 7
Cruise speed
420 kt
Planning range
1,800 nm
Long leg flight time
2h 58m

Example models

Citation CJ3, Phenom 300, Learjet 75

Planning notes

  • Balances cost and capability for trips up to roughly three hours.
  • Can reach most short and medium domestic routes non-stop.
  • Cabin comfort improves over very light jets on longer legs.
Read the light jet guide

Midsize Jet

$3,900 to $6,200 / hour

Stand-up cabins and longer range that suit coast to region trips.

Typical seats
6 to 8
Cruise speed
440 kt
Planning range
2,800 nm
Long leg flight time
4h 13m

Example models

Citation XLS+, Learjet 60, Hawker 800XP

Planning notes

  • Stand-up cabin height in most models improves comfort on longer legs.
  • Reaches many transcontinental routes with one stop or non-stop in light winds.
  • More baggage capacity for group travel.
Read the midsize jet guide

Super Midsize Jet

$5,200 to $8,000 / hour

Faster cruise and transcontinental range with a wide, comfortable cabin.

Typical seats
7 to 9
Cruise speed
480 kt
Planning range
3,400 nm
Long leg flight time
4h 39m

Example models

Citation Longitude, Challenger 350, Gulfstream G280

Planning notes

  • Common choice for non-stop coast to coast trips in the United States.
  • Higher cruise speed shortens long domestic legs.
  • Cabin space and baggage support full group trips.
Read the super midsize jet guide

Heavy Jet

$7,000 to $11,000 / hour

Large cabins for longer trips, including many transatlantic routes.

Typical seats
8 to 14
Cruise speed
490 kt
Planning range
4,500 nm
Long leg flight time
5h 55m

Example models

Gulfstream G450, Falcon 900, Challenger 605

Planning notes

  • Separate cabin zones and full galley support long flights.
  • Reaches many intercontinental routes non-stop.
  • Higher fixed and hourly costs than midsize categories.
Read the heavy jet guide

Ultra Long Range Jet

$9,000 to $16,000 / hour

Long sectors between continents with the largest private cabins.

Typical seats
10 to 16
Cruise speed
510 kt
Planning range
7,000 nm
Long leg flight time
8h 38m

Example models

Gulfstream G650, Bombardier Global 7500, Falcon 8X

Planning notes

  • Designed for non-stop intercontinental flights.
  • Cabins support sleeping configurations and dedicated zones.
  • Highest hourly planning cost among standard categories.
Read the ultra long range jet guide

VIP Airliner

$14,000 to $30,000 / hour

Converted airliners for large groups, delegations, or sports teams.

Typical seats
16 to 50
Cruise speed
470 kt
Planning range
6,000 nm
Long leg flight time
8h 4m

Example models

ACJ319, BBJ 737, Embraer Lineage 1000

Planning notes

  • Used for large groups where a standard business jet cabin is too small.
  • Operating costs are high and availability is limited.
  • Often chartered for specific group or corporate movements.

Models

Popular aircraft models

Beechcraft King AirThe King Air family is a long running line of twin engine turboprops valued for ruggedness, short field ability, and dependable regional economics.Pilatus PC-12The Pilatus PC-12 is a single engine turboprop prized for its versatility, short field ability, and efficient operating cost on regional trips.Embraer Phenom 100The Phenom 100 is a very light jet that brings jet speed to short trips for a small group, with a cabin designed for comfort in its class.Embraer Phenom 300The Phenom 300 is one of the most popular light jets, known for speed, range, and a comfortable cabin for its class.Cessna Citation CJ3The Citation CJ3 is a dependable light jet for regional travel, with efficient operating cost and a comfortable cabin for a small group.Cessna Citation XLSThe Citation XLS is one of the most popular midsize jets, valued for a stand-up cabin, reliability, and a good balance of cost and capability.Learjet 60The Learjet 60 is a midsize jet known for strong climb performance and speed, suited to medium range business trips.Hawker 800XPThe Hawker 800XP is a midsize jet with a notably wide cabin, popular for comfortable medium range business and leisure travel.Bombardier Challenger 350The Challenger 350 is a leading super midsize jet, popular for non-stop transcontinental trips with a wide, comfortable cabin.Bombardier Challenger 605The Challenger 605 is a heavy jet with one of the widest cabins in its class, suited to longer trips and larger groups in comfort.Gulfstream GIVThe Gulfstream GIV is a long serving heavy jet with a large cabin and strong range, widely used for long domestic and transatlantic trips.Gulfstream G650The Gulfstream G650 is a flagship ultra long range jet built for non-stop intercontinental flights with a large, quiet cabin.Bombardier Global 6000The Global 6000 is an ultra long range jet with a large three zone cabin, built for non-stop intercontinental travel in comfort.

Common questions

What do the hourly ranges represent?

They are broad planning ranges for occupied hourly cost by category. Actual rates depend on the specific aircraft, operator, region, fuel price, and demand, so treat them as a guide rather than a quote.

How do I pick a category?

Match the category to your group size, distance, and the airports involved. Shorter trips with a few passengers suit smaller categories. Longer trips or larger groups need midsize or larger aircraft.

Are the example models endorsements?

No. The example models simply help you place each category. They are not recommendations and do not reflect availability.

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