Turboprop vs Light Jet for Charter: Which Should You Book?

You need to fly a short trip, and you want a private plane. A broker offers a turboprop at one price and a light jet at another. Which one is right? It depends on how far you fly, where you land, and how many people come with you.

The short answer

For short trips under about two hours, a turboprop is often the better value. For longer trips, or when speed and height matter, a light jet is usually the better pick.

What is a turboprop?

A turboprop has a jet engine that turns a propeller. It burns less fuel than a jet at low altitude. The Pilatus PC-12 is a popular example. See the Pilatus PC-12 page for details.

What is a light jet?

A light jet has two jet engines and flies faster and higher. The Embraer Phenom 300 and the Cessna Citation CJ4 are well known examples. Both can fly up to 45,000 feet, according to the makers.

Turboprop vs light jet: key points

Point	Turboprop	Light jet
Best trip length	Short, under about 2 hours	Short to medium
Speed	Slower	Faster
Cruise height	Lower, for example 30,000 feet for the PC-12	Higher, up to 45,000 feet
Airports	Can use shorter and rougher runways	Needs longer paved runways
Hourly cost	Often lower	Often higher
Cabin	Often roomy, with a large door for bags	Smaller cabin on some models, quieter at height

Runways and airports

This is where turboprops win. Many small airports have short runways. A turboprop can land at places a jet cannot. That can put you closer to your final stop and save a long car ride. Pilatus says the PC-12 can use short and unpaved strips. Always ask the operator to confirm that your airport is approved for the aircraft.

Some jets can also use short fields. The Pilatus PC-24 is a jet made for this job. See the Pilatus PC-24 page.

Weather and comfort

Jets fly higher, so they often fly above weather that a turboprop must go through. That can mean a smoother ride. A turboprop can be louder in the cabin, though modern ones are much better than old ones.

Cost

Hourly rates for turboprops are often lower. But a faster jet may cover the trip in less time. On a short trip the gap in flight time can be small, so the turboprop saves money. On a longer trip, the jet can close the gap. Ask for quotes on both. Our guide on affordable ways to charter has more ideas, and empty legs can cut the price of either type.

Which one for you?

• One to six people, a short trip, a small airport: ask about a turboprop.
• A trip over two to three hours, or you need to arrive fast: ask about a light jet.
• Lots of bags or gear: check the cabin and baggage door of each type.
• Rough weather season: a jet may give a smoother ride.

Find the right operator

Browse turboprop and jet operators in our directory: Charter.

Sources: Pilatus Aircraft (PC-12, PC-24 product pages); Embraer (Phenom 300); Textron Aviation (Citation CJ4).