Turboprop Charter

Turboprops are the most cost-effective way to charter a private aircraft. At $2,000–$3,500 per flight hour — roughly 30–40% below light jet rates — they make private aviation viable for trips where a jet simply doesn’t pencil out.

They’re also widely misunderstood. Many first-time charter clients assume “propeller” means old, slow, or less safe. In reality, a modern King Air 350 or Pilatus PC-12 is a sophisticated turbine aircraft that outperforms jets on short routes and can reach airports jets cannot.

What Is a Turboprop?

A turboprop uses a turbine engine — the same core technology as a jet engine — to drive a propeller instead of producing direct thrust. That combination is dramatically more fuel-efficient at lower altitudes and slower speeds than a pure jet.

• Cruise speed: 280–330 mph
• Cruise altitude: 25,000–31,000 feet
• Range: 1,000–1,800 nautical miles
• Passengers: 6–9
• Runway requirement: As short as 2,500–3,500 feet — far less than most jets
• Hourly rate: $2,000–$3,500

The honest tradeoffs: turboprops are slower, cruise lower (so you feel more weather), and are noisier in the cabin than a jet. On a 45-minute flight, none of that matters much. On a three-hour flight, it does.

Turboprop Charter Cost

Flight Duration	Example Route	Turboprop	Light Jet (for comparison)
45 min	Dallas → Austin	$1,800–$2,800	$3,000–$4,500
1 hour	Los Angeles → Las Vegas	$2,000–$3,500	$3,500–$5,500
1.5 hours	New York → Nantucket	$3,000–$5,000	$5,000–$8,000
2 hours	Chicago → Minneapolis	$4,000–$7,000	$7,000–$11,000
2.5 hours	Miami → Atlanta	$5,000–$8,500	$8,500–$13,000

The savings are meaningful and consistent — typically $1,500–$4,000 per flight versus a light jet on the same route. For a family flying to a vacation home most weekends, that difference compounds quickly. Compare all categories in our private jet charter cost guide.

The Best Turboprops for Charter

Beechcraft King Air 350 / 350i

The most-chartered turboprop in the world. Twin-engine, seats 8–9, roughly 1,800 nm of range, and a genuinely comfortable cabin with a private lavatory and excellent baggage capacity. The King Air 350 is the default recommendation for most turboprop charters — it does everything well and operators are plentiful in nearly every market.

Pilatus PC-12 / PC-12 NGX

A single-engine turboprop with a cult following, and deservedly so. The PC-12 pairs a large cabin (6–8 passengers) with a wide cargo door that swallows skis, golf bags, and bulky gear no light jet would accept. Outstanding short and rough-field performance opens up small mountain and island airports. Range around 1,800 nm.

Daher TBM 940 / 960

The speed leader. This single-engine turboprop cruises at 330+ mph — approaching light jet territory — and is very efficient. The cabin is smaller, seating 4–6, so it suits small groups prioritizing speed and cost over space.

Beechcraft King Air 250

A slightly smaller, less expensive King Air seating 6–8 with about 1,500 nm range. Strong value for regional flights where you want twin-engine reliability at the bottom of the price range.

Cessna Grand Caravan EX

The utility choice. Seats up to 9, handles unpaved and very short runways, and is common for island-hopping and remote-destination flying. Slower at around 200 mph, so best for short legs where runway access is the deciding factor.

When a Turboprop Beats a Jet

Choose a turboprop when:

• Your flight is under 500 miles or 90 minutes — the speed penalty is small, the savings are large
• Your destination has a short or unpaved runway that jets can’t use
• You’re flying to mountain or island airports where field performance matters
• You want the lowest possible cost to fly private
• You’re carrying bulky gear — the PC-12’s cargo door outclasses most light jets
• You fly the same short route frequently and want sustainable economics

Choose a light jet instead when:

• Your flight exceeds two hours — speed and altitude start mattering
• You want to fly above weather for a smoother ride
• Cabin quietness and refinement are priorities
• You need to arrive as fast as possible

A concrete example: Dallas to Austin is about 190 miles. A turboprop flies it in 45 minutes; a light jet in 35. Ten minutes of difference, for $1,200–$1,700 less. The turboprop is clearly the right call. Dallas to Los Angeles is 1,240 miles — 4 hours by turboprop versus 2.75 by light jet. Now the jet earns its premium.

The Runway Advantage

This is the turboprop capability that most surprises people. Many desirable destinations have runways too short for jets:

• Mountain resort airports — short runways at altitude, where jet performance degrades sharply
• Island airports — Caribbean and coastal fields with limited runway
• Small-town and rural airports — thousands of U.S. fields that jets simply cannot use
• Unpaved strips — ranch, lodge, and remote-property runways

A PC-12 operates from roughly 2,500 feet of runway. Most light jets need 3,500–4,500. That difference can mean landing 10 minutes from your destination instead of driving two hours from the nearest jet-capable airport.

Are Turboprops Safe?

Yes — and the concern usually stems from a misunderstanding of the technology.

• Turbine engines. A turboprop uses the same turbine core as a jet engine, simply geared to a propeller. These are not piston engines.
• Identical regulation. Charter turboprops operate under FAA Part 135, the same framework as charter jets, with the same crew training, maintenance, and inspection requirements.
• Excellent records. The King Air series and PC-12 have millions of flight hours and safety records comparable to light jets.
• Single-engine reality. The PC-12 and TBM are single-engine, which concerns some travelers. Modern turbine engines are extraordinarily reliable, and these aircraft are certified for commercial passenger operations. If it still gives you pause, request a twin like the King Air 350 — a perfectly reasonable preference.

VOMOS charters turboprops only through FAA-certified operators holding ARGUS or Wyvern safety ratings — the same standard we apply to every jet we book.

Booking a Turboprop Charter with VOMOS

Turboprops are where honest brokerage matters most, because the right answer often is the cheaper aircraft. We’ll tell you when a turboprop serves you as well as a jet for thousands less — and equally, when it doesn’t.

• Aircraft matched to your route length, group size, and runway requirements
• Transparent all-in pricing with no hidden repositioning surprises
• Straight guidance on the turboprop-versus-jet tradeoff for your specific trip
• Verified operator safety credentials on every option
• Twin-engine aircraft on request if that’s your preference

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to charter a turboprop?

$2,000–$3,500 per flight hour — about 30–40% less than a light jet. A 1-hour flight runs $2,000–$3,500; a 2-hour flight $4,000–$7,000.

Are turboprops safe for private charter?

Yes. Modern turboprops use turbine engines and operate under the same FAA Part 135 rules as charter jets, with comparable safety records.

How fast do turboprops fly compared to jets?

280–330 mph versus 450–530 mph for light jets. On a 200-mile trip that’s only 10–15 minutes’ difference; on a 900-mile trip it exceeds an hour.

What is the best turboprop for charter?

The King Air 350 is the most widely chartered and most versatile. The Pilatus PC-12 excels at cargo and short fields; the TBM 940 is fastest for smaller groups.

When should I choose a turboprop instead of a jet?

For flights under 500 miles or 90 minutes, for short or unpaved runways, or when cost efficiency outweighs speed. Beyond two hours, a light jet usually wins.

Ready to fly? Get an instant turboprop charter quote from VOMOS.