Turboprop
Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350
- Seats
- 6–9
- Range
- ~1,800 nm
- Per hour
- $1,800–3,200
The economical choice for short trips and short runways. Card programs rarely centre on turboprops, which is one reason charter suits people who fly them.
Aircraft categories
Seats, range, cabin height and typical hourly cost for every size of private aircraft, whether you fly on a card or charter each trip.
| Category | Seats | Typical range | Cabin height | Per hour | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 6–9 | ~1,800 nm | — | $1,800–3,200 | Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350 |
| Very light jet | 4–5 | 1,400–1,550 nm | — | $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 |
Seat counts are typical maximums; the operator confirms each aircraft’s layout. Very light jets, such as the HondaJet and Citation M2, seat 4–5 for about $2,800–4,200 an hour.
Light jet
Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Learjet 75
- Seats
- 6–8
- Range
- 2,000–2,150 nm
- Per hour
- $3,500–5,500
The most common card category. Comfortable for up to about three hours; cabin height around 4.8–4.9 ft, so no standing.
Midsize jet
Citation XLS+
- Seats
- 7–9
- Range
- ~2,100 nm
- Per hour
- $4,500–7,000
More headroom, about 5.7 ft, and room for golf bags. A sensible step up for groups of six or more on two- to three-hour trips.
Super-midsize jet
Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600
- Seats
- 8–10
- Range
- 3,200–4,000 nm
- Per hour
- $6,500–9,500
Coast-to-coast range and a near stand-up cabin of about 6 ft. Many card holders who fly transcontinental choose this category.
Large cabin jet
Gulfstream G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS
- Seats
- 10–16
- Range
- 4,000–4,300 nm
- Per hour
- $8,500–13,000
Stand-up cabins of about 6 ft or more and ocean-crossing range on many models. Ultra long range jets extend that to 7,500–7,700 nm.
Card categories and charter categories
Card programs sell access by category, usually light, midsize, super-midsize and large cabin. Moving up or down for a particular trip is normally possible at a set exchange rate. With charter there is no category to buy: each trip is matched to the aircraft that fits its passengers, bags, distance and runways, from a turboprop to an ultra long range jet.
That flexibility is one of the strongest arguments for charter when your trips vary. If they don’t, and you fly the same category most of the time, a card’s fixed rate for that category may be worth having.
Match the aircraft to the trip.
Tell us passengers, bags and route, and we’ll quote the right size from Part 135 operators.