Private jet cost by aircraft
A private jet cost by aircraft guide starts with the hourly rate. Light jets run $3,800 to $5,800 per hour, and heavy jets top out at $14,500. This page breaks down classes, named models and real routes.
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Charter pricing is quoted per flight hour, and the aircraft you pick sets the floor. A turboprop burns less fuel and flies slower; a heavy jet carries 12 passengers and crosses the country nonstop. Between those ends, the rate you see depends on cabin size, range and how many passengers you need to move. The classes below show the hourly band for each type, drawn from current market data.
Across the US, the private jet cost by aircraft ranges from about $2,200 to $14,500 per hour depending on class, plus landing and crew fees. Route length matters too: a Los Angeles-to-Las Vegas hop in a light jet often prices between $4,000 and $6,000, while New York to Los Angeles runs $23,500 to $36,000. Every figure on this page is an estimate for comparison, not a quote.
Turboprop
Turboprops are the lowest-cost way to fly privately on short and mid-range legs. Hourly rates run $2,200 to $3,500, with cruise speeds near 300 knots and typical range around 1,500 nautical miles. A turboprop at $2,200 to $3,500 an hour can beat a light jet on 300-mile trips. They are practical into smaller airports with shorter runways. Seating is 6 to 8 passengers, and baggage space is tighter than on jets.
Pilatus PC-12 NGX
- 6 seats
- 290 kt cruise
- 1,800 nm range
The Pilatus PC-12 NGX seats 6 at roughly 290 knots, with a 4 ft 10 in cabin. The PC-12 NGX carries 6 passengers up to 1,800 nautical miles. It is known for short-field access and low operating cost within the turboprop class. Baggage is 40 cubic feet, so pack light. Expect rates at the lower end of the $2,200 to $3,500 per hour band.
Daher TBM 960
- 6 seats
- 330 kt cruise
- 1,730 nm range
Light jet
Light jets cover 4 to 7 passengers at $3,800 to $5,800 per hour, cruising near 430 knots. Light jet rates of $3,800 to $5,800 an hour fit many short US routes. Typical range is 1,400 nautical miles, enough for New York to Miami or Chicago to New York. Runway needs are modest, so they use most regional airports. They are the most common entry point for first-time charter buyers.
HondaJet Elite II
- 5 seats
- 422 kt cruise
- 1,550 nm range
The HondaJet Elite II seats 5 at 422 knots with a 4 ft 10 in cabin. The HondaJet Elite II covers 1,550 nautical miles at 422 knots. It is one of the smaller light jets, with 66 cubic feet of baggage. It suits short regional trips for a small group. Rates sit in the light-jet range of $3,800 to $5,800 per hour.
Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2
- 7 seats
- 451 kt cruise
- 2,165 nm range
The Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2 seats 7 at 451 knots with a 4 ft 9 in cabin. The CJ4 Gen2 flies 2,165 nautical miles, more than many light jets. Baggage space is 71 cubic feet. It handles longer light-jet routes such as New York to Miami without a fuel stop. Hourly pricing stays in the $3,800 to $5,800 light-jet band.
Midsize jet
Midsize jets carry 7 to 9 passengers at $5,200 to $7,800 per hour, with a stand-up cabin and more baggage. A midsize jet at $5,200 to $7,800 an hour adds cabin height and range. Typical range is 2,100 nautical miles, which covers most domestic nonstops. They are the middle ground for families and small teams who want space without heavy-jet pricing. Cruise speed is comparable to light jets.
Cessna Citation XLS+
- 8 seats
- 441 kt cruise
- 2,100 nm range
The Cessna Citation XLS+ seats 8 at 441 knots with a 5 ft 8 in cabin. The Citation XLS+ provides 2,100 nautical miles of range and 90 cubic feet of baggage. That baggage volume is generous for a midsize jet. It suits families and small teams on 2- to 4-hour legs. Expect midsize rates of $5,200 to $7,800 per hour.
Cessna Citation Latitude
- 9 seats
- 446 kt cruise
- 2,700 nm range
Super-midsize jet
Super-midsize jets span 8 to 10 passengers at $7,200 to $10,000 per hour. Super-midsize rates of $7,200 to $10,000 an hour buy 3,200 nautical miles of range. That covers coast-to-coast US flights and some transatlantic legs. Cabins are taller and longer than midsize, with more baggage capacity. They are a common pick for New York to Los Angeles nonstops when a heavy jet is more than you need.
Cessna Citation X+
- 9 seats
- 527 kt cruise
- 3,460 nm range
The Cessna Citation X+ seats 9 at 527 knots, the fastest aircraft on this page. The Citation X+ cruises at 527 knots with 3,460 nautical miles of range. Cabin height is 5 ft 8 in and baggage is 82 cubic feet. Speed matters on long domestic legs, where it can trim block time. Pricing is in the super-midsize range of $7,200 to $10,000 per hour.
Bombardier Challenger 350
- 10 seats
- 470 kt cruise
- 3,200 nm range
Heavy jet
Heavy jets seat 10 to 14 passengers at $9,500 to $14,500 per hour, with 4,000 nautical miles of typical range. Heavy jets at $9,500 to $14,500 an hour suit transcontinental and international trips. They offer the largest cabins, the most baggage and the longest nonstop legs. For a group of 10 or more, the per-seat cost can compare well with smaller aircraft. Expect higher landing and handling fees at large airports.
Dassault Falcon 900LX
- 12 seats
- 459 kt cruise
- 4,750 nm range
The Dassault Falcon 900LX seats 12 at 459 knots with a 6 ft 2 in cabin. The Falcon 900LX reaches 4,750 nautical miles, the longest range here. Baggage is 127 cubic feet, the largest on this page. It suits international trips with a full passenger load. Expect heavy-jet pricing of $9,500 to $14,500 per hour.
Gulfstream G450
- 14 seats
- 476 kt cruise
- 4,350 nm range
Compare private jet cost by aircraft
Start with the mission, not the model. If your trip is under 1,400 nautical miles and carries 4 to 7 people, a light jet or turboprop usually prices lower than a midsize or heavy jet. On a Los Angeles-to-Las Vegas route, a light jet often prices from $4,000 to $6,000. A turboprop may cost less per hour but flies slower, so block time and crew duty can offset the savings.
Then check airport fit. Runway length and density altitude decide which aircraft can use a given field in summer. Centennial Airport near Denver sits at 5,885 ft elevation with a peak density altitude of 9,600 ft at 115F, which favors aircraft with more performance. When density altitude at Centennial reaches 9,600 ft, then some light jets lose payload. Ask the operator to confirm performance for your date and passenger count, and compare two classes side by side before you commit to a tail.
Questions
What is the private jet cost by aircraft for a light jet versus a heavy jet?
Light jets run $3,800 to $5,800 per hour, while heavy jets run $9,500 to $14,500 per hour. That spread reflects cabin size, range and operating cost. A light jet typically seats 4 to 7 with about 1,400 nautical miles of range. A heavy jet seats 10 to 14 with 4,000 nautical miles. If you move up two classes for a 2-hour trip, then the hourly gap alone adds thousands of dollars to the estimate, so match the aircraft to the mission.
How much does a private jet flight from New York to Miami cost by aircraft type?
A light jet on New York to Miami typically prices between $10,000 and $15,000 for the 949 nautical mile trip, about 2 hours 37 minutes. A midsize or super-midsize jet costs more per hour, so the same route prices higher. Heavy jets are usually reserved for longer legs or larger groups. These are estimates; operators quote the specific tail and date. When your group grows past 8, then a midsize or heavy jet becomes the practical floor.
Do turboprops cost less per hour than jets?
Yes. Turboprops run $2,200 to $3,500 per hour versus $3,800 to $5,800 for light jets. The catch is speed: turboprops cruise near 300 knots, so a 600-nautical-mile trip takes longer and may cost more than the hourly rate suggests. If the leg is under about 300 miles, then a turboprop such as the King Air 350i often wins on total. Compare door-to-door time, not just the hourly figure.
What fees are added to the hourly rate?
Quotes usually add landing and handling fees, crew overnight costs and segment fees. International legs add customs and border processing through CBP. Charter brokers act as agents under DOT Part 295, while the operating certificate holder, an FAA Part 135 operator, holds operational control. If you compare two estimates, then check whether both include the same fees before deciding. Ask for a line-item quote so the hourly rate is not confused with the all-in price.
Can I book a private jet from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, and what does it cost?
Yes. Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas is 808 nautical miles, about 2 hours 16 minutes in a light jet, priced at roughly $8,500 to $13,000. International legs require CBP processing on return, so build in time at the airport. If the aircraft is booked on a tight turn, then a customs delay can push the schedule. Confirm the operator's border arrangements before booking. Estimates vary with date, aircraft and passenger count.
How does passenger count change the cost by aircraft?
Passenger count determines the minimum cabin size, which sets the hourly rate. A group of 8 fits a midsize jet at $5,200 to $7,800 per hour. A group of 10 to 14 needs a heavy jet at $9,500 to $14,500 per hour. Splitting the total across more seats can lower the per-person figure. If everyone must arrive on one aircraft, then moving up a class is often the only nonstop option worth pricing.
Are empty leg flights cheaper than standard charters?
Empty legs can be priced below a standard one-way charter because the aircraft is repositioning anyway. Availability is limited and dates are fixed, so they suit flexible travelers. They are not a reliable way to plan a specific trip on a set date. For confirmed dates, compare standard quotes across classes and aircraft. All prices here are estimates and subject to operator confirmation before you commit.