Turboprop
$1,800–3,200 per hour, estimated
Short regional hops, island and mountain strips, and the lowest hourly cost. Slower than a jet, so best under about two hours.
6–9 seats · ~1,800 nm
Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350
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Private jet categories and what an hour of each costs
The hourly rate is the biggest line on a charter price, and it follows the size of the aircraft. Here is what each category seats, how far it flies and what it typically costs per hour in the US market.
Very light jet
$2,800–4,200 per hour, estimated
Two to four people on trips of up to about two hours. Compact cabin and limited luggage, priced accordingly.
4–5 seats · 1,400–1,550 nm
HondaJet, Citation M2
Light jet
$3,500–5,500 per hour, estimated
The workhorse for trips of one to three hours: New York to Florida, Los Angeles to Las Vegas, London to Nice.
6–8 seats · 2,000–2,150 nm
Cabin height about 4.8–4.9 ft
Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Learjet 75
Midsize jet
$4,500–7,000 per hour, estimated
A cabin of about 5.7 ft, so most adults only stoop slightly, with room for more bags. Comfortable for three to four hours.
7–9 seats · ~2,100 nm
Cabin height about 5.7 ft
Citation XLS+
Super-midsize jet
$6,500–9,500 per hour, estimated
Coast to coast nonstop, a flat floor and a stand-up cabin. Often the best value for long domestic trips.
8–10 seats · 3,200–4,000 nm
Cabin height about 6.0 ft
Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600
Large-cabin jet
$8,500–13,000 per hour, estimated
Transatlantic range, a separate rear area and a flight attendant on most aircraft. For long days and big groups.
10–16 seats · 4,000–4,300 nm
Cabin height 6.2 ft or more
Gulfstream G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS
Ultra-long-range jet
$12,000–20,000+ per hour, estimated
Nonstop between continents, for example New York to Dubai, with crew rest areas and multiple cabin zones.
13–19 seats · 7,500–7,700 nm
Cabin height 6.2 ft or more
Gulfstream G650ER, Global 7500
Side by side
The spec table
Estimated US hourly ranges before federal excise tax and fees. Range is the typical maximum with reserves; real-world range shrinks with full seats, luggage and headwinds.
| Category | Seats | Typical range | Cabin height | Hourly, estimated | Typical aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 6–9 | ~1,800 nm | Compact, seated | $1,800–3,200 | Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350 |
| Very light jet | 4–5 | 1,400–1,550 nm | Compact, seated | $2,800–4,200 | HondaJet, Citation M2 |
| Light jet | 6–8 | 2,000–2,150 nm | about 4.8–4.9 ft | $3,500–5,500 | Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Learjet 75 |
| Midsize jet | 7–9 | ~2,100 nm | about 5.7 ft | $4,500–7,000 | Citation XLS+ |
| Super-midsize jet | 8–10 | 3,200–4,000 nm | about 6.0 ft | $6,500–9,500 | Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600 |
| Large-cabin jet | 10–16 | 4,000–4,300 nm | 6.2 ft or more | $8,500–13,000 | Gulfstream G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS |
| Ultra-long-range jet | 13–19 | 7,500–7,700 nm | 6.2 ft or more | $12,000–20,000+ | Gulfstream G650ER, Global 7500 |
Choosing well
Pick by trip, not by prestige
Start with the longest leg. If the flight is under two hours, a turboprop or light jet usually does the job at the lowest hourly rate. Between three and five hours, a midsize or super-midsize jet buys a stand-up cabin and enough range to fly nonstop. Beyond that, you are into large-cabin territory.
Count bags as well as people. Seat counts are the maximum. Skis, golf clubs and large suitcases fill a light jet’s hold quickly, and weight limits can cut how far it flies with every seat taken.
Check the airports. High-elevation and short-runway airports, Aspen for example, limit which aircraft can operate and how much they can carry on a hot or icy day. Some airports restrict aircraft size or operating hours.
Then compare total price, not hourly rate. A faster jet with a higher rate can cost about the same over a long leg, and a nearby aircraft with little positioning can beat a cheaper one based far away. Our quotes show each line so the comparison is fair.
Not sure which category fits?
Send the trip and we will quote the sizes that make sense, side by side.