Turboprop
Efficient on trips under two hours and comfortable on short runways. When the destination is a small field or an island, a turboprop is often the aircraft that fits best, and plenty are based at regional airports.
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Choosing an aircraft when time is short
At short notice the question shifts from "which jet would I like?" to "which suitable jet is closest?". This guide shows what each category offers and how readily it turns up late.
| Category | Seats | Range | Cabin height | Est. hourly | Late availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop PC-12, King Air 350 | 6–9 | ~1,800 nm | — | $1,800–3,200 | Good on regional routes |
| Very light jet HondaJet, Citation M2 | 4–5 | 1,400–1,550 nm | — | $2,800–4,200 | Good for small groups |
| Light jet Phenom 300E, CJ4, Learjet 75 | 6–8 | 2,000–2,150 nm | ~4.8–4.9 ft | $3,500–5,500 | Widest choice |
| Midsize Citation XLS+ | 7–9 | ~2,100 nm | ~5.7 ft | $4,500–7,000 | Good in busy regions |
| Super-midsize Challenger 350, Longitude, Praetor 600 | 8–10 | 3,200–4,000 nm | ~6.0 ft | $6,500–9,500 | Fewer, plan for repositioning |
| Large cabin G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS | 10–16 | 4,000–4,300 nm | 6.2 ft+ | $8,500–13,000 | Limited, ask early |
| Ultra long range G650ER, Global 7500 | 13–19 | 7,500–7,700 nm | 6.2 ft+ | $12,000–20,000+ | Rare at short notice |
"Late availability" is a general pattern, not a promise for any given night. Hourly rates exclude the 7.5% federal excise tax and trip fees.
By category
What each size is good for tonight
Light jet
The workhorse of short-notice charter. There are more light jets available for hire than any other category, so one is often parked within reach. Expect a seated cabin about 4.8 to 4.9 feet tall and room for soft bags.
Midsize
A taller cabin of about 5.7 feet and a proper lavatory, with range for New York to Florida nonstop. In busy regions there are usually a few within an hour's positioning.
Super-midsize
Six feet of headroom and 3,200 to 4,000 nautical miles of range, enough to cross the country. Fewer are available on any given night, so allow for one flying in from another base.
Large cabin
Separate zones, beds and a galley for overnight flights and ocean crossings. The smallest pool at short notice, which is why an early request makes the most difference here.
Price
What moves the price on a late booking
Our quotes are all-in, so each of these appears as a line, not a surprise.
- Repositioning
- If the closest suitable aircraft is an hour away, that hour is usually part of your price. It is the biggest variable at short notice.
- Federal excise tax and segment fees
- 7.5% on domestic US charter, plus a per-passenger segment fee of about $5 per leg.
- Daily minimums
- Operators often bill one to two flight hours per day when an aircraft waits with you for a return.
- Crew overnights
- Hotels and meals for the crew if your trip keeps them away overnight.
- Handling and airport fees
- Landing, parking and FBO handling, which at some fields can include after-hours charges.
- Extras
- Winter de-icing, catering, Wi-Fi and international fees, when they apply.
Tell us the group and the clock
We will match the category to your timing rather than the other way round.
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