Quick answer
Super midsize jet charter cost runs at roughly £4,400–£6,200 per flight hour on our indicative benchmark, before fees, taxes and repositioning. Newer aircraft and peak dates can push it higher. The class includes the Challenger 350, Citation Longitude and Praetor 600, seats eight to ten in a stand-up cabin, and suits flights of three hours or more. Super-midsize empty legs typically run 45–55% below full charter.
Key takeaways
- The super midsize hourly rate is roughly £4,400–£6,200, with newer aircraft and peak weeks pushing quotes higher.
- The class has a full stand-up cabin, eight to ten seats and roughly 3,200–4,000 nm of published range.
- Challenger 350 and Citation Longitude charter costs both sit in the class band, with the newer Longitude usually in the upper half.
- Repositioning, season, fees and taxes explain most of the gap between two quotes for the same trip.
- For short hops with small groups, a light or midsize jet is better value. Super-midsize earns its price on long or full trips.
Super midsize jet charter cost sits in the middle of the market. It is well above the light and midsize jets that fly most short European hops, and well below the heavy and long-range aircraft that cross oceans. This guide sets out what a super-midsize costs per hour, what drives the final quote, which aircraft you are likely to fly, and when the class is worth paying for.
What is the super midsize hourly rate?
On this site's indicative benchmarks, the super midsize hourly rate is roughly £4,400–£6,200 per flight hour for full on-demand charter. Newer aircraft, peak weeks and tight availability can push individual quotes higher; in peak weeks, expect 15–30% above the benchmark. Quieter dates and an aircraft already positioned near you can bring them in at the lower end.
The hourly rate is a benchmark for checking quotes, not a price. It covers the aircraft and crew. Fuel surcharges, landing and handling fees, repositioning and taxes are often added on top, as the private jet charter cost guide explains.
For context, here is where super-midsize sits among the classes:
| Class | Typical aircraft | Seats | Charter / hr (indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | Pilatus PC-12 · King Air 350 | 6–9 | £1,400–£2,200 |
| Light jet | Citation CJ3 · Phenom 300 | 5–7 | £2,000–£3,200 |
| Midsize | Citation XLS+ · Hawker 900XP | 7–8 | £3,000–£4,400 |
| Super-midsize | Challenger 350 · Citation Longitude · Praetor 600 | 8–10 | £4,400–£6,200 |
| Heavy | Falcon 900 · Gulfstream G450 | 10–14 | £6,200–£9,000 |
| Ultra-long-range | Gulfstream G650 · Global 7500 | 12–16 | £9,000–£14,000 |
Indicative full-charter benchmarks in GBP, for sanity-checking quotes. Operators, aircraft age, route and season move the number within each band; the live figure is confirmed on enquiry.
The neighbouring classes have their own guides: light jet charter cost, midsize jet charter cost and heavy jet charter cost.
What makes a jet super-midsize?
A super-midsize jet is a business jet with a full stand-up, flat-floor cabin, eight to ten seats in typical charter layouts, and a published maximum range of roughly 3,200–4,000 nautical miles. It is the smallest class that combines a genuinely comfortable cabin with real range. For many people it is the point where the aircraft stops feeling small.
Compared with a midsize, you get more cabin width and height, more baggage space and enough range to reach North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean or, in favourable conditions, across the Atlantic. Compared with a heavy jet, you give up some cabin length, a separate rest area and the ability to fly the longest routes nonstop in any conditions. For most European and transcontinental trips, it is the sensible top end.
The aircraft: Challenger, Longitude, Praetor and G280
The super-midsize charter fleet is dominated by a handful of types. Published figures:
| Aircraft | Maximum passengers | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bombardier Challenger 350 | 10 | 3,200 nm | The most common super-midsize on the charter market; succeeded in production by the 3500 |
| Bombardier Challenger 3500 | 10 | 3,400 nm | Updated successor with a lower cabin altitude |
| Cessna Citation Longitude | 12 | 3,500 nm | 6 ft cabin height; 112 cu ft of baggage space |
| Embraer Praetor 600 / 600E | Typically 8–10 in charter layouts | 4,018 nm (600E) | Embraer describes it as the farthest-flying super-midsize |
| Gulfstream G280 | 10 | 3,600 nm | Gulfstream's super-midsize, built for long sectors |
Sources: Challenger 350 vs 3500, Challenger 3500, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600E, Gulfstream G280. Ranges are maximums under the manufacturer's stated conditions, and practical range with full seats and bags is shorter.
Challenger 350 charter cost
The Challenger 350 is the type you are most likely to be offered. It is the workhorse of the class and widely flown by European and US charter operators. Its charter cost sits within the class band of roughly £4,400–£6,200 per hour. Where a particular aircraft falls depends on its age, cabin condition, the operator and where it is based. The newer Challenger 3500 looks almost identical from the outside and is priced in the same band, often at the upper end.
Citation Longitude charter cost
The Citation Longitude is a newer design with a 72-inch cabin height, room for up to 12 passengers and 3,500 nm of range. As with any class, newer aircraft tend to command a premium, so Citation Longitude charter cost generally falls in the upper half of the super-midsize band rather than at the bottom. Whether that premium is worth paying is mostly a question of cabin preference. Both aircraft will fly the same trip.
What a super-midsize trip actually costs
Multiply flight time by the hourly band for a first estimate of the aircraft cost, then allow for fees on top:
| Flight time | Aircraft cost at £4,400–£6,200/hr | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | £8,800–£12,400 | London to the Riviera or the Alps, with a group and luggage |
| 3 hours | £13,200–£18,600 | London to the Balearics, Sardinia or southern Italy |
| 4 hours | £17,600–£24,800 | London to Greece, Paris to the Aegean |
Arithmetic on the indicative hourly band only, before fuel surcharges, fees, taxes and repositioning; the live figure is confirmed on enquiry.
For a real route, this site's published figures put Paris to Mykonos (see private jet hire Mykonos) in a super-midsize at roughly £22,000–£30,000 one way as a full charter, against roughly £9,000–£16,000 when it appears as an empty leg. With eight passengers, a £12,000 empty leg is £1,500 each, for a four-hour flight in a stand-up cabin.
Super midsize jet charter cost by route from London
The hourly table above becomes more useful with real flight times. LunaJets' route planner gives these typical times for a Challenger 350 from London: about 1h30 to Geneva, 1h50 to Nice, and about 2h20 to both Olbia and Ibiza. Rounded up for taxi and routing:
| Route (Challenger 350 or similar) | Planning flight time | Flying-time cost, outbound sector | Flying out and back: the base of a one-way quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| London – Geneva | about 1h30 | £6,600–£9,300 | £13,200–£18,600 |
| London – Nice | about 2h | £8,800–£12,400 | £17,600–£24,800 |
| London – Olbia or Ibiza | about 2h30 | £11,000–£15,500 | £22,000–£31,000 |
Flying-time cost = planning flight time × the £4,400–£6,200 super-midsize hourly band. Landing, handling, fuel surcharge and taxes are added on top. Indicative only; the live figure is confirmed on enquiry.
Two cautions. The outbound column is only the flying-time part: if the operator can't sell the flight home, a one-way quote is built on the out-and-back column plus fees, which is also why super-midsize empty legs exist. A same-day or short-stay return on the same aircraft costs about the same as that one way; a return only roughly doubles if the jet goes home between legs. And on a ski weekend to Geneva, the aircraft may be in short supply, so the quote often lands above the table rather than inside it.
Worked example: super-midsize or midsize to Ibiza for eight?
Here is the decision most groups actually face. Eight friends, a week in Ibiza, proper luggage. A midsize jet such as a Citation XLS takes about 2h25 and a Challenger 350 about 2h20 on LunaJets' figures, so call both two and a half hours.
- Midsize, outbound flying: 2.5 hours × £3,000–£4,400 = £7,500–£11,000, or about £940–£1,375 each.
- Super-midsize, outbound flying: 2.5 hours × £4,400–£6,200 = £11,000–£15,500, or about £1,375–£1,940 each.
That is the flying-time part only. With a week between flights, each aircraft flies home after dropping you and comes back to collect you, so each one-way quote is built on flying out and back, roughly double these figures, before fees. On flying time alone the stand-up cabin costs roughly £435–£565 more per person, and the gap doubles with the positioning. Whether that is worth it comes down to luggage and comfort. Eight people with a week's bags can fill a midsize hold, and a full midsize cabin is snug for two and a half hours. If the bags fit and the group doesn't mind the squeeze, the midsize wins on price; if not, the super-midsize is the honest answer. Ask for both quotes, with your real bag count, before deciding.
What super-midsize costs per person
Because the class seats eight to ten, the whole-aircraft figure looks far less daunting once it is divided by a full cabin. The table splits the aircraft cost from the hourly band across eight and ten passengers.
| Flight time | Aircraft cost | Per person, 8 aboard | Per person, 10 aboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | £8,800–£12,400 | £1,100–£1,550 | £880–£1,240 |
| 3 hours | £13,200–£18,600 | £1,650–£2,325 | £1,320–£1,860 |
| 4 hours | £17,600–£24,800 | £2,200–£3,100 | £1,760–£2,480 |
Flying-time cost of one sector only, before positioning (the aircraft's flight home), fees and taxes. Indicative; the live figure is confirmed on enquiry.
Two caveats keep this honest. Ten seats is the maximum on several types, and not every charter layout offers ten comfortable places, so confirm the actual seat plan for a group that large. And per-person maths only works if everyone flies: two empty seats in an eight-seat cabin raise everyone else's share by a third. For a group that genuinely fills the cabin, though, the per-head figure is often the number that settles the decision.
What pushes a super-midsize quote up or down
Two quotes for the same class and route can differ by thousands. The usual reasons are:
- Repositioning. If the nearest available aircraft has to fly in first, that cost is built into your quote. Industry guidance on charter pricing identifies repositioning as one of the largest and least predictable parts of any quote.
- Aircraft age and type. A late-model Longitude or Challenger 3500 usually prices above an older Challenger 350.
- Season and events. Peak weeks, such as Christmas, Easter, August and major events, routinely push quotes 15–30% above the benchmark. Off-peak dates usually price at or below the benchmark. Our guide to the cheapest time to charter a private jet maps those periods by region.
- One-way vs return. A one-way quote may include the cost of flying the aircraft home empty, so compare like with like.
- Fees and taxes. Landing and handling charges vary widely by airport. UK departures can attract Air Passenger Duty, depending on the aircraft’s weight and seating, and VAT on some legs. Our guide to private jet air passenger duty explains when it applies.
- Overnight and waiting time. If the crew stays with the aircraft between your legs, their accommodation and the aircraft's time are charged.
Always ask for an itemised, all-in figure. Hidden fees on private jet quotes lists the lines to check.
Pricing a super-midsize? Check what's live on your route — whole aircraft, including any empty legs.
Check a price →When super-midsize is worth it, and when it isn't
Super-midsize earns its price on trips that are long, full or both:
- Flights of three hours or more, where a stand-up cabin makes a real difference to how you arrive.
- Groups of eight or more, or smaller groups with a lot of luggage, such as a ski trip with equipment or a long summer stay.
- Routes at the edge of midsize range, where the smaller aircraft would need a fuel stop with your load.
- Longer transcontinental trips, such as US coast to coast. For London to New York, most operators quote heavy or long-range aircraft. The westbound crossing into the prevailing headwinds is where range matters most. See transatlantic private jet cost.
It is usually not worth it for four people going to Paris, or six people going to Nice with soft bags. A light jet or midsize will do the job for much less, and the choice between those two comes down mostly to head count and luggage. Paying for super-midsize on a one-hour hop mostly buys a bigger cabin for a short time.
Super-midsize vs heavy jet: the next price step
The class above super-midsize is the heavy jet, such as a Falcon 900 or Gulfstream G450, at roughly £6,200–£9,000 per hour on the same benchmarks. The jump is steep. On a three-hour trip, the aircraft cost alone moves from about £13,200–£18,600 in a super-midsize to about £18,600–£27,000 in a heavy jet, before any fees.
For that, a heavy jet gives you a longer cabin, often split into separate zones, more seats, more baggage space and the range for longer routes with fewer compromises. Those things matter on an overnight transatlantic flight with ten people. On a three-hour European trip with eight, they rarely justify a premium of several thousand pounds. Unless you need the seats or the range, super-midsize is usually the better-value top end.
It is not always that simple. In some markets and weeks, a heavy jet positioned nearby can quote close to a super-midsize that has to fly in from elsewhere. That is one more reason to compare full quotes, not hourly rates.
How to get an accurate super-midsize quote
Super-midsize quotes vary more than most because there are fewer aircraft in the class, so where the nearest one is based makes a big difference. To get a number you can rely on:
- Give exact numbers. State the number of passengers, a realistic bag count and any outsized items, such as skis, golf bags or pushchairs. These decide whether a super-midsize is actually needed.
- Share any flexibility. A day either side, or an alternative airport, can open up an aircraft that is already positioned and take thousands off the quote.
- Ask what aircraft you are getting. Type, age and cabin layout explain much of the gap between quotes. A late-model Longitude and an older Challenger 350 are both super-midsize, but not the same product.
- Get it itemised. Aircraft, fuel, fees, taxes, repositioning and any crew overnights, so you can compare quotes properly.
- Check the empty legs first. If a matching leg exists, it will beat any full-charter quote.
Super-midsize empty legs
Empty legs are where super-midsize becomes affordable. Because the aircraft cost more to fly empty, operators accept steep discounts to put passengers on positioning flights. For UK-originating legs, this site's published figures put super-midsize empty legs at roughly £7,000–£13,000, typically 45–55% below the equivalent full charter.
Empty legs cut the price but not your choices: you fly the aircraft's route on its date. Super-midsize legs are less common than light-jet legs on short European routes and appear more often on longer sectors, such as Mediterranean returns in autumn and Alpine runs in ski season. If your group is flexible on aircraft class, set an alert for the route rather than the class. A super-midsize leg sometimes costs less than a midsize chartered outright.
Set a route alert and we'll tell you the moment a super-midsize — or any class — lists on your corridor.
Set up a route alert →Frequently asked questions
How much does a super-midsize jet cost per hour?
Indicatively, about £4,400–£6,200 per flight hour for full on-demand charter. Newer aircraft and peak dates can push quotes towards £7,000–£7,500. Fees, taxes and repositioning are usually added, and the live figure is confirmed on enquiry.
What is the Challenger 350 charter cost?
It falls within the super-midsize band of roughly £4,400–£6,200 per hour. The exact rate depends on the aircraft's age and condition, the operator and where it is based.
What is the Citation Longitude charter cost?
It sits in the same class band, generally in the upper half, because newer aircraft tend to command a premium. The Longitude seats up to 12 and has a 72-inch cabin height.
How many people does a super-midsize jet seat?
Typically eight to ten in charter layouts. Some types, such as the Citation Longitude, are certified for up to 12, but most operators configure for comfort rather than maximum seats.
How far can a super-midsize jet fly?
Published maximum ranges run from about 3,200 nm for the Challenger 350 to 4,018 nm for the Praetor 600E. Practical range with full seats and bags is shorter, so your operator checks whether your route needs a fuel stop.
Can a super-midsize jet fly London to New York?
Some can in favourable conditions, but the westbound crossing into prevailing headwinds is where range is tightest. Most operators quote heavy or long-range aircraft for the route.
Is a super-midsize worth it over a midsize?
For flights of three hours or more, groups of eight or more, or a lot of luggage, often yes. For short hops with small groups, a midsize or light jet does the same job for much less.
How much more is a heavy jet than a super-midsize?
On this site's indicative benchmarks, a heavy jet charters for about £6,200–£9,000 per hour, against £4,400–£6,200 for a super-midsize. On a three-hour trip that is several thousand pounds more, which is usually only worth paying if you need the extra seats, baggage space or range.
How much is a super-midsize jet from London to Nice?
London to Nice takes about 1h50 in a Challenger 350. At £4,400–£6,200 per hour, the flying alone is roughly £8,800–£12,400; because the jet also flies home, a one-way quote is roughly £17,600–£24,800 before fees, and a short-stay return on the same aircraft costs about the same. The live figure is confirmed on enquiry.
Do peak weeks change super midsize jet charter cost?
Yes. Around Christmas, Easter, August and major events, quotes routinely run 15–30% above the benchmark because fewer aircraft are free. Off-peak dates usually price at or below it.
How much is a super-midsize empty leg?
For UK-originating legs, this site's published figures put them at roughly £7,000–£13,000 for the whole aircraft, typically 45–55% below full charter. The live figure is confirmed on enquiry.
