Aircraft guide
Beechcraft King Air Charter Cost and Specs
Part of the Turboprop category. Browse all aircraft models.
At a glance
Seating, speed, range, and cost
Typical passengers
About six to nine passengers depending on the variant.
Cruise speed
~280 kt
Planning range
~1000 nm
Hourly cost range
$1,600 to $3,200
Charter planning
How this type shows up on quotes
- King Air variants span the turboprop band—quotes should name 90 versus 350 series because cabin and range differ materially.
- Workhorse for TEB–ACK, BOS–MVY, and Dallas–regional hops where jet minimums outweigh jet speed on sub-ninety-minute legs.
- Winter mountain trips may still require jet performance; do not assume turboprop access at ASE or similar fields without operator sign-off.
Methodology
Methodology and sources
Every figure on this page is a planning estimate, not a quote. We do not track live aircraft availability or market prices.
This model page uses the same category hourly band as other aircraft in its class. The notes here describe how this type is typically used in charter; a specific tail, year of manufacture, and operator can price above or below the band.
A final invoice can move up or down based on aircraft availability, repositioning, taxes, federal excise tax and segment fees, landing and FBO or handling fees, crew overnights and duty limits, de-icing, fuel surcharges, international permits and customs, and peak demand.
Use the range to compare aircraft, routes, or access models before you speak with a licensed operator or broker.
Sources and reference points
Estimates here are cross-checked against public and industry reference material for structure and terminology, not scraped from live charter pricing feeds.
- 14 CFR Part 135 (eCFR)
Federal operating rules for on-demand charter and commuter operations in the United States.
- FAA
U.S. aviation safety, certification, and operator oversight relevant to private and charter flying.
- NBAA (National Business Aviation Association)
Industry context on business aviation operations, access models, and planning.
- IRS Form 720 (excise tax filings)
How federal excise taxes on transportation are reported; many domestic charters include FET on the invoice.
- NBAA aircraft operating information
High-level industry framing for how aircraft categories are used in business aviation.
- FAA airport operations
How airports are run; landing, ramp, and FBO handling fees are set locally, not by this site.
Category hourly bands and aircraft notes reflect typical charter market structure and published aircraft class characteristics—not quotes for a specific tail. Drafting may use AI-assisted tools. A human reviews every page before publish: airport codes, distances, regulatory references, and the rule that estimates are not quotes. We strip templated filler phrases at render time on route pages and block new content that reuses them in CI. Editorial policy.
Last reviewed May 2026. Pricing assumptions are broad planning ranges and should be confirmed with a licensed operator or broker.
Use
What this aircraft is used for
The King Air family is a long running line of twin engine turboprops valued for ruggedness, short field ability, and dependable regional economics.
Common cabins seat about six to nine passengers depending on the model.
Best uses
Best route types
- Short regional trips
- Access to small or rural airports
- Cost conscious flights where jet speed is not needed
Tradeoffs
Limitations to keep in mind
- Slower than jets, so longer trips take more time
- Cabin is comfortable but not full jet height
- Limited range for long legs
Suited to short and medium regional legs.
Alternatives
Similar aircraft and categories
Common questions
Why is the King Air so widely used?
Twin engine reliability, short field capability, and low operating cost make it a workhorse for regional charter across many markets.
How many passengers does a King Air seat?
Typically six to nine depending on the model and interior.
Is a King Air a jet?
No. It is a twin engine turboprop, which trades some speed for efficiency and access to smaller airports.
Routes this aircraft commonly flies
- New York to NantucketShort hop from Teterboro to ACK: minimum hours, summer ramp limits, turboprop versus jet, and when private beats the ferry.
- New York to The HamptonsPlanning charter cost range, aircraft fit, and routing notes for New York to The Hamptons.
- Los Angeles to Las VegasPlanning charter cost range, aircraft fit, and routing notes for Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
Estimate a trip on this aircraft
- Charter CostFree private jet flight cost calculator: estimate charter cost from flight time, aircraft category, trip type, and extras. Planning ranges only—not quotes.
- Aircraft Hourly RateSee planning hourly rate ranges by aircraft category and estimate a flight cost from hours, with a reference table across all categories.
- Split CostSee per person and per group cost when a group shares a single private charter, including host subsidies.
- AircraftCompare aircraft categories by passengers, speed, range, and planning hourly cost.
Last reviewed May 2026. Estimates use planning assumptions that we revisit periodically.