The turboprop is private aviation's best-kept secret. On stages under 500 miles, a Pilatus PC-12 arrives within minutes of a light jet — for 30–40% less money. The propellers fool people into expecting a lesser experience; the cabin, often finished to the same standard as a jet, corrects them.
Turboprops also open airports jets can't use: shorter runways, grass strips, high-altitude fields. That's why they dominate routes into ski country, island hops and ranch strips across the American West.
What a turboprop costs on real routes
Current market estimates for routes this category serves well — one way, including fuel and standard fees:
| Route | Distance | Flight time | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 Los Angeles → 🇺🇸 Las Vegas | 229 mi | 1h 14m | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| 🇨🇦 Toronto → 🇺🇸 New York | 345 mi | 1h 37m | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| 🇦🇺 Sydney → 🇦🇺 Melbourne | 438 mi | 1h 55m | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| 🇺🇸 Los Angeles → 🇲🇽 Cabo San Lucas | 930 mi | 3h 30m | $7,000 – $12,200 |
When the turboprop is the right call
Choose a turboprop when the trip is under roughly two hours, the party is six or fewer, and budget matters more than raw speed. LA to Vegas, Miami to the Bahamas, Denver to Aspen — on these stages the time penalty against a jet is 15–25 minutes, and the savings run into thousands. Skip it for transcontinental trips or weather-critical schedules where jet cruise altitudes matter.
Inside the cabin
Expect 6–8 executive seats, a lavatory on the PC-12 and King Air 350, and cabin cross-sections comparable to a light jet. No stand-up aisle — you board bent, sit comfortably, and deplane 90 seconds after touchdown at an FBO a jet couldn't reach.
The aircraft you'll actually be quoted
| Aircraft | Hourly rate | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pilatus PC-12 NGX | $1,900–2,900/h | Single-engine workhorse, huge cargo door, 6–8 seats |
| Beechcraft King Air 350i | $2,400–3,500/h | Twin-engine, pressurized comfort, 8–9 seats |
| Daher TBM 960 | $1,800–2,600/h | Fastest single-engine turboprop, 4–5 seats |
| Cessna Grand Caravan EX | $1,700–2,400/h | Island-hop specialist, 9+ seats, unpaved strips |
Estimate your route on a turboprop
Instant market ranges for any pair of 75+ airports — then live Villiers pricing and confirmed quotes by email if you want them.
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Estimates reflect current US market ranges including fuel and standard fees. No email or phone required to see them — that's the point.
Turboprop charter FAQ
How much does it cost to charter a turboprop?
Between $2,000 and $3,500 per flight hour. A 90-minute hop like Los Angeles to Las Vegas runs roughly $4,500–7,000 all-in — the least expensive way to fly private on short stages.
Are turboprops safe compared to jets?
Yes. The Pilatus PC-12 and King Air family have decades of service and safety records comparable to light jets. They fly lower and slightly slower, but under the same Part 135 charter oversight, maintenance standards and two-pilot options as any jet charter.
How far can a turboprop fly?
Realistic charter stages run up to about 1,000–1,200 miles, but the sweet spot is under 500 miles — beyond that, a light jet closes the price gap through speed and becomes the better buy.