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Day-trip planner
Plan the day, see the estimate
Set the flight times and how long you need on the ground. The planner builds the day, estimates the cost including the wait, and flags when crew duty limits point to an overnight.
How the planner works
Flight time out and back is multiplied by the typical hourly range for the aircraft. A daily minimum is applied, since many operators bill at least one to two hours a day. Waiting time is shown separately: on most same-day trips it is not billed by the hour, but the destination airport charges parking and handling, which your all-in quote includes.
Crew duty, in plain terms
The crew's day starts when they report, about an hour before departure, and ends after the return landing. Time spent waiting for you counts. Most operators plan around a 14-hour duty day for a two-pilot crew under the rest rules in 14 CFR 135.267. When your day runs past that, the options are a second crew, an overnight, or a shorter stay.
| Aircraft | Hourly range | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | $1,800–3,200 | 6–9 |
| Very light jet | $2,800–4,200 | 4–5 |
| Light jet | $3,500–5,500 | 6–8 |
| Midsize jet | $4,500–7,000 | 7–9 |
| Super-midsize jet | $6,500–9,500 | 8–10 |
| Large-cabin jet | $8,500–13,000 | 10–16 |
Typical US charter figures before taxes and fees. Specific aircraft, peak dates and trips abroad can differ.