Aircraft charter guide
Aircraft Charter Guide: Private Jets, Turboprops and Helicopters Compared
Compare 30 charter aircraft across five categories, from light jets to ultra-long-range heavy jets, with published range, seating and typical use for each, and the basis of every range figure shown.
Last reviewed 21 October 2026. Written by Safe Fly Aviation’s charter team.
Quick answer
Which Type of Aircraft Should You Charter?
Choose by distance, group size and runway. Heavy jets cover the longest sectors and up to 19 passengers; mid-size jets suit most business groups on medium-haul trips; light jets and turboprops are the economical choice for short and regional legs; helicopters win where there is no runway.
In short
Tell us the route, dates and number of passengers, and we match the aircraft category first and then compare specific aircraft on price, availability and specification. Published range is a maximum, so range with a full cabin and real reserves is shorter.
Why charter
Why Charter a Private Aircraft?
Charter gives you an aircraft for a trip without owning one. You pay for the flights you take, on the schedule you choose, and the aircraft is matched to each trip.
Privacy and comfort
You control who is on board. Cabin layout, catering and ground services can be arranged to your requirements.
Time saved
You fly when you are ready and use private terminals, which usually means much shorter check-in and security than at an airline terminal.
More airports
Private aircraft can use many airports and airstrips that airlines do not serve, which can put you closer to your final destination.
New to charter? Read what air charter is and how it works, or go straight to our private jet charter page.
Overview
Aircraft Categories Compared
The table summarises the six aircraft listed in each category below. Ranges are the lowest and highest published maximums among those aircraft, not a guarantee for any single flight.
| Category | Published maximum range (aircraft in this guide) | Passengers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy jets | 4,000 to 7,700 nm | Up to 19 | Long-haul and intercontinental trips, groups of 10 or more |
| Mid-size jets | 3,069 to 4,000 nm | Up to 10 | Medium-haul business travel, groups of 6 to 10 |
| Light jets | 1,150 to 2,080 nm | Up to 9 | Short and regional hops, groups of up to 6 to 8 |
| Turboprops | 903 to 1,806 nm | Up to 14 | Regional and remote routes, short runways, lower cost per seat |
| Helicopters | 340 to 450 nm | Up to 10 | Short point-to-point trips, access without a runway |
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Range figures come from manufacturers or the named sources and use different test conditions, such as reserves, speed and passenger load. The basis is shown for each aircraft below. Passenger counts are the maximum seat layouts quoted by the sources; the real count depends on the cabin layout of the specific aircraft. Several aircraft here, including the Hawker 400XP, Citation Mustang, Citation X+ and Gulfstream G550, are out of production but remain on the charter market.
Choosing
How to Choose by Mission
These are rules of thumb, not fixed limits. Weather, payload, airports and operator availability change the answer, so we confirm the aircraft against your route before quoting.
| If your trip is… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Intercontinental, or a group of 10 or more | Heavy or large-cabin jet |
| Medium-haul with 6 to 10 passengers | Mid-size or super-midsize jet |
| Short or regional, 2 to 8 passengers | Light jet |
| Short runway, remote airfield or mixed passenger and cargo load | Turboprop |
| Point to point with no runway, a few hundred nautical miles | Helicopter |
For what a charter costs, see our private jet charter cost guide for India and the global charter cost index. For freight rather than passengers, see cargo charter aircraft.
Category 1 of 5
Heavy and Large-Cabin Jets
Heavy and large-cabin jets are built for long sectors and bigger groups: standing-height cabins, separate living areas, crew rest on the longest routes. They suit corporate delegations and international trips where a stop for fuel would waste time.
Best for: Long-haul and intercontinental trips, groups of 10 or more.
| Aircraft | Maximum range and basis | Passengers | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bombardier Global 7500 | 7,700 nm Theoretical range, NBAA IFR reserves, M0.85, 8 passengers, 4 crew (Bombardier) | Up to 19 | Four living spaces; the longest range in this guide |
| Gulfstream G650ER | 7,500 nm At M0.85 (the standard G650 flies 7,000 nm); other conditions not stated | Up to 19 | Intercontinental executive travel |
| Gulfstream G550 | 6,750 nm At 533 knots; other conditions not stated (GlobalAir) | Up to 19 | International business travel |
| Dassault Falcon 8X | 6,450 nm 8 passengers, NBAA IFR reserves (Dassault) | 12 to 16 | Business travel and intercontinental sectors |
| Embraer Lineage 1000E | 4,600 nm Maximum range; conditions not stated (GlobalAir) | Up to 19 | Larger groups; five cabin zones |
| Bombardier Challenger 650 | 4,000 nm Theoretical range, NBAA IFR reserves, long-range cruise, 6 passengers, 2 crew (Bombardier) | Up to 12 | Corporate and leisure travel on mid-range sectors |
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Heavy jets need longer runways than smaller aircraft, which rules out some airports. For group and VIP-airliner options see our heavy and large aircraft charter page, and for another Bombardier Global option our Global 6500 guide.
Category 2 of 5
Mid-Size and Super-Midsize Jets
Mid-size and super-midsize jets balance cabin, range and cost. They carry most business groups and can fly coast to coast in the US or from Europe to the Middle East without a fuel stop.
Best for: Medium-haul business travel, groups of 6 to 10.
| Aircraft | Maximum range and basis | Passengers | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dassault Falcon 2000LXS | 4,000 nm 8 passengers, NBAA IFR reserves (Dassault) | 8 to 10 | International business travel |
| Gulfstream G280 | 3,600 nm Maximum range; conditions not stated (GlobalAir) | Up to 10 | Business travel and medium-haul sectors |
| Cessna Citation X+ | 3,380 nm Maximum range; conditions not stated (GlobalAir) | Typically 8 | High-speed travel on medium-haul sectors |
| Embraer Praetor 500 | 3,340 nm LRC, NBAA IFR reserves, 4 passengers (Embraer) | Up to 9 as marketed | Business and leisure travel; the later version of the Legacy 500 |
| Hawker 4000 | Nearly 3,200 nm Conditions not stated (Flying) | Typically 8 | Corporate and regional travel |
| Cessna Citation Sovereign+ | 3,069 nm NBAA IFR reserves, 4 passengers (Jetcraft) | Typically 9 | Medium-haul sectors |
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A super-midsize aircraft that is not in the table is the Challenger 350; see our Challenger 350 charter guide. Mid-size and super-midsize cabins vary a lot by type, so ask us for the exact aircraft before you decide.
Category 3 of 5
Light Jets
Light jets are the workhorses of short and regional charter: fast, economical and able to use smaller airports close to the destination. They suit small groups on trips of up to about two hours.
Best for: Short and regional hops, groups of up to 6 to 8.
| Aircraft | Maximum range and basis | Passengers | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learjet 75 Liberty | 2,080 nm Theoretical range, NBAA IFR reserves, long-range cruise, 4 passengers, 2 crew (Bombardier) | 6 standard; up to 9 | Business travel and short-haul sectors |
| Cessna Citation CJ3+ | 2,040 nm NBAA IFR range (Textron, via Aviation International News) | Up to 9 | Short-haul business trips |
| Embraer Phenom 300E | 2,010 nm 5 occupants, long-range cruise, NBAA IFR reserves with a 100 nm alternate (Embraer) | 6 standard; up to 9 to 10 | Business and leisure travel; fastest cruise in its class |
| Pilatus PC-24 | 2,000 nm With 6 passengers, aircraft delivered from 2024 (Pilatus) | Depends on layout | Regional travel and short or unpaved runways; single-pilot certified |
| Hawker 400XP | 1,180 nm Long-range cruise, all seats occupied, NBAA IFR reserves with a 200 nm alternate (Business Jet Traveler) | Typically 8 | Short-haul flights |
| Cessna Citation Mustang | About 1,150 nm Approximate figure quoted by Textron; less with a full cabin | Up to 4 | Short-distance trips for small groups |
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Light jets can use smaller airports, but cabin and baggage space are limited, and the seat counts here are the upper limit. Standard layouts are often smaller: the Phenom 300E and Learjet 75, for example, are both offered with six seats as standard. See our guides to the Phenom 300 and Citation Mustang.
Category 4 of 5
Turboprops
Turboprops burn less fuel than jets and can use shorter runways and smaller airfields, which makes them a good choice for regional routes, remote destinations and mixed passenger and cargo loads.
Best for: Regional and remote routes, short runways, lower cost per seat.
| Aircraft | Maximum range and basis | Passengers | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beechcraft King Air 350i | 1,806 nm Maximum range (1,739 nm with 8 passengers) (GlobalAir) | Typically 8 | Regional travel and remote locations |
| Pilatus PC-12 NGX | 1,803 nm With IFR reserves (Luna Jets); GlobalAir lists the same maximum | Up to 10 | Business and leisure travel; one engine, single pilot |
| Daher TBM 960 | 1,730 nm Maximum fuel, 252 KTAS, one pilot, 45-minute reserve (Daher) | 6 seats incl. pilot | Fast short to medium sectors for small groups |
| Piper M600/SLS | 1,658 nm Conditions not stated (Piper spec sheet) | 6 seats | Short-haul flights for small groups |
| Cessna Grand Caravan EX | 912 nm Maximum range; conditions not stated (Textron) | 10 to 14 occupants | Remote destinations, bigger groups, mixed loads |
| Beechcraft King Air C90GTx | 903 nm Long-range cruise, all seats occupied, NBAA IFR reserves with a 200 nm alternate (Business Jet Traveler) | Typically 5 | Regional travel |
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Turboprops fly slower than jets, so on longer sectors the time a jet saves can outweigh its higher hourly cost. They are strongest on short and regional legs, remote strips and mixed loads.
Category 5 of 5
Helicopters
Helicopters give point-to-point access that no fixed-wing aircraft can match: city to heliport, offshore platforms, hospitals and sites with no airfield. Range is far shorter than a jet, so they suit trips of a few hundred nautical miles.
Best for: Short point-to-point trips, access without a runway.
| Aircraft | Maximum range and basis | Passengers | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo AW109 GrandNew | 450 nm With auxiliary fuel tanks, no reserve (368 nm with a single tank) (Leonardo) | Up to 6 | Executive travel and medical evacuation |
| Sikorsky S-76D | 398 nm Long-range cruise at 4,000 ft, 30-minute reserve (472 nm with no reserve) (Sikorsky) | 5 to 8 | VIP travel and offshore operations |
| Bell 407GXi | 393 nm Standard fuel, no reserve, long-range cruise at 4,000 ft; 365 nm at maximum weight (Bell) | 7 seats incl. pilot | Corporate travel, tourism and medical evacuation |
| Airbus H145 | 351 nm Standard fuel tanks at sea level; reserve not stated (Airbus) | Up to 10 | Executive travel and emergency services |
| Robinson R44 Raven II | About 350 nm No reserve (Robinson) | 4 seats incl. pilot | Short-distance travel and tourism |
| Airbus H125 | 340 nm At fast cruise speed; other conditions not stated (Airbus) | Up to 6 with one pilot | Mountain, high-altitude and utility work |
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Range falls with a full load and with reserve fuel, and weather limits can matter more than for a jet. See our helicopter charter service and the Airbus H125 guide.
Safe Fly Aviation
Why Charter Through Safe Fly Aviation
Safe Fly Aviation is an aircraft charter broker and technical adviser. We do not own a fleet or employ pilots, so we compare aircraft and operators on price, availability and specification instead of steering you to one aircraft.
- 15+years in aviation services since 2010
- 60+countries served
- 500+airports covered
- 60 mintypical time to a written quote
- Independent comparison. We arrange flights on aircraft run by licensed operators and show you the options side by side.
- Matched to the mission. We start from your route, dates and passengers, then choose the category and the aircraft.
- One point of contact. Clients across India, the Middle East and Europe use us for charter planning, from the first quote to the flight.
Planning to buy rather than charter? See our guide to private jets for sale in 2026.
Related charter guides
Questions
Aircraft Charter: Frequently Asked Questions
What types of private aircraft can you charter?
You can charter five broad categories: heavy and large-cabin jets for long-haul trips, mid-size and super-midsize jets for medium-haul business travel, light jets for short and regional hops, turboprops for regional routes and short runways, and helicopters for short point-to-point trips. Which one fits depends on how many people you carry, how far you fly and which airports you need.
How far can a private jet fly without stopping?
It depends on the category. Among the aircraft in this guide, published maximum ranges run from about 4,000 to 7,700 nautical miles for heavy jets, 3,069 to 4,000 for mid-size jets, 1,150 to 2,080 for light jets, 903 to 1,806 for turboprops and 340 to 450 for helicopters. These are maximums under each source's stated conditions, so range with a full cabin and real-world reserves is lower. Always confirm range for your route and passenger load.
Which aircraft is best for my group size?
As a guide, a light jet suits up to about 6 to 8 passengers, a mid-size or super-midsize jet up to about 8 to 10, and a heavy or large-cabin jet up to 19. Turboprops range from 5 or 6 seats up to 14 occupants on the Grand Caravan EX, and helicopters carry from 3 to 10 passengers. Seating varies by cabin layout, so we confirm the exact count for the specific aircraft.
What is the difference between light, mid-size and heavy jets?
The main differences are cabin size, range and the sectors they suit. Among the aircraft in this guide, light jets fly about 1,150 to 2,080 nautical miles and carry up to 9 passengers, mid-size jets fly about 3,069 to 4,000 and carry up to 10, and heavy jets fly about 4,000 to 7,700 and carry up to 19. Larger cabins also add standing height, separate zones and more baggage space.
When is a turboprop a better choice than a jet?
A turboprop is often better for short to medium sectors, smaller airfields and shorter runways, and it usually costs less to operate per hour. The turboprops in this guide fly about 903 to 1,806 nautical miles. For long sectors or high cruise speed, a jet is the better tool.
When should I charter a helicopter instead of a plane?
Choose a helicopter when you need to go point to point without a runway, for example city to heliport, to an offshore platform, a hospital or a remote site, and the distance is a few hundred nautical miles or less. The helicopters in this guide have published maximum ranges of about 340 to 450 nautical miles under their stated conditions.
Does Safe Fly Aviation own the aircraft it charters?
No. Safe Fly Aviation is an aircraft charter broker and technical adviser. It does not operate its own fleet or hold an air operator certificate. We arrange flights on aircraft run by licensed operators, and compare options so that you can choose on price, availability and specification.
How do I get a charter quote?
Send us your route, dates and number of passengers using the form on this page, or email info@safefly.aero. We reply with available aircraft and a written quote, usually within 60 minutes. For a cost reference before you ask, see our guides to private jet charter costs in India and the global charter cost index.
Charter quote
Ready to Charter an Aircraft?
Tell us your route, dates and number of passengers. We reply with available aircraft and a written quote, usually within 60 minutes.
Sources and References
Range, seating and production figures come from the pages below. Where sources disagree, we show the figure and the stated conditions. Always confirm range and capacity for the specific aircraft and route.
- Bombardier, Global 7500 factsheet
- Business Jet Traveler, Gulfstream G650ER
- GlobalAir, Gulfstream G550 specifications
- AVweb, Gulfstream delivers final G550 (July 2021)
- Dassault Falcon, Falcon 8X
- GlobalAir, Embraer Lineage 1000E specifications
- Bombardier, Challenger 650 factsheet
- Dassault Falcon, Falcon 2000LXS
- GlobalAir, Gulfstream G280 specifications
- GlobalAir, Cessna Citation X+ specifications
- Embraer, Praetor 500E
- Flying Magazine, Hawker 4000
- Jetcraft, Cessna Citation Sovereign and Sovereign+
- Bombardier, Learjet 75 Liberty factsheet
- Aviation International News, Textron delivers 600th CJ3-series jet (CJ3+ range)
- Embraer, Phenom 300E brochure (2025)
- Pilatus, the new PC-24 press release (via AviationPros)
- Business Jet Traveler, Hawker 400XP
- GlobalAir, Hawker 400XP specifications (production ended 2009)
- GlobalAir, Cessna Citation Mustang specifications (production ended 2017; lists a 1,200 nm maximum)
- Luna Jets, Pilatus PC-12 NGX
- GlobalAir, Beechcraft King Air 350i specifications
- Daher, TBM 960 performance data
- Piper Aircraft, M600/SLS spec sheet (2023)
- Textron Aviation, Cessna Grand Caravan EX
- Business Jet Traveler, Beechcraft King Air C90GTx
- Leonardo Helicopters, AW109 GrandNew
- Sikorsky, S-76D VIP brochure
- Bell, 407GXi product specifications
- Airbus, H145 technical information
- Robinson Helicopter, R44 Raven II
- Airbus, H125 technical information
This guide is general information, not an offer or a guarantee of aircraft availability. Safe Fly Aviation is an aircraft charter broker and technical adviser. It does not operate a fleet or hold an air operator certificate; flights are operated by licensed third-party operators.
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