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Aircraft for Aspen.
From turboprops to ultra-long-range jets, and what each category means at a 7,820-foot mountain airport. Hourly figures are typical US estimates before tax and fees.
Range on a brochure is only half the answer.
At Aspen, the right aircraft is the one that can carry your group, your bags and enough fuel out of a 7,820-foot airport on the day you fly. We match every option on four things.
Performance at altitude
Thin air and warm days reduce what an aircraft can lift. We check each option against Aspen's elevation and your season.
Range with reserves
Westbound winter winds and fuel for an alternate shorten real-world range. Coast-to-Aspen trips favor super-midsize jets.
Bags and skis
Ski bags, boards and golf clubs need hold space. We size the aircraft to everything you are bringing.
Aspen's rules
Aspen's size and weight limits, and each operator's own requirements for the airport, decide which types can land there.
Turboprop
Turboprops such as the Pilatus PC-12 and King Air 350 fly slower than jets but handle shorter runways and mountain airports well. They suit regional trips within Colorado and the neighboring states, and small groups who value cabin space over speed. On longer routes a light jet will usually save time.
- Seats
- 6–9
- Typical range
- ~1,800 nm
- Cabin height
- Under 5 ft
- Est. per hour
- $1,800–3,200
At Aspen: Short-field ability for regional hops into the mountains; slower on longer legs.
Light jet
Light jets carry six to eight passengers in a cabin you sit in rather than stand in, at a lower hourly cost than larger jets. From Texas, California or the Midwest they reach Aspen nonstop with ease. From the East Coast in winter, westbound headwinds may mean a fuel stop, and baggage space is the limit for ski groups.
- Seats
- 6–8
- Typical range
- 2,000–2,150 nm
- Cabin height
- ~4.8–4.9 ft
- Est. per hour
- $3,500–5,500
At Aspen: Efficient from Texas, California and the Midwest; limited room for skis.
Midsize jet
Midsize jets add cabin height (about 5.7 ft), a little more range and more room for bags. For trips of two to four hours, such as Dallas, Houston or Chicago to Aspen, they are a balanced choice for families and small groups.
- Seats
- 7–9
- Typical range
- ~2,100 nm
- Cabin height
- ~5.7 ft
- Est. per hour
- $4,500–7,000
At Aspen: A common choice from Dallas, Houston and Chicago, with more headroom and bag space.
Super-midsize jet
Super-midsize jets give you a stand-up cabin of about 6 ft, a flat floor and the range to fly from the East Coast or South Florida to Aspen nonstop in most conditions. For coast-to-Aspen ski trips with full bags, this is usually the category to start with.
- Seats
- 8–10
- Typical range
- 3,200–4,000 nm
- Cabin height
- ~6.0 ft
- Est. per hour
- $6,500–9,500
At Aspen: Coast to Aspen nonstop in most conditions, with a stand-up cabin and room for ski bags.
Large-cabin jet
Large-cabin jets seat ten or more with separate seating areas and a large baggage hold, which suits families and groups traveling with gear. Some large types sit close to Aspen's size and weight limits, which have changed over the years, so we confirm the current rules for the aircraft on your quote.
- Seats
- 10–16
- Typical range
- 4,000–4,300 nm
- Cabin height
- 6.2+ ft
- Est. per hour
- $8,500–13,000
At Aspen: Space for families and groups with gear; we check Aspen's current size limits for each type.
Ultra-long-range jet
Ultra-long-range jets are built for intercontinental flights, with long, wide cabins designed for whole-day journeys. Aspen's size limits have often excluded the biggest of them, so trips usually route through Eagle County or Grand Junction. For domestic Aspen trips, a large-cabin or super-midsize jet often makes more sense.
- Seats
- 13–19
- Typical range
- 7,500–7,700 nm
- Cabin height
- 6.2+ ft
- Est. per hour
- $12,000–20,000+
At Aspen: Aspen's size limits have often excluded the largest types, so plans usually use Eagle County or Grand Junction.
Specifications and estimated costs.
Typical figures for each category. Individual aircraft vary, so your quote lists the exact type, seats and baggage space.
| Category | Seats | Typical range | Cabin height | Est. per hour | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 6–9 | ~1,800 nm | Under 5 ft | $1,800–3,200 | Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350 |
| Very light jet | 4–5 | 1,400–1,550 nm | Under 5 ft | $2,800–4,200 | HondaJet, Citation M2 |
| Light jet | 6–8 | 2,000–2,150 nm | ~4.8–4.9 ft | $3,500–5,500 | Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Learjet 75 |
| Midsize jet | 7–9 | ~2,100 nm | ~5.7 ft | $4,500–7,000 | Citation XLS+ |
| Super-midsize jet | 8–10 | 3,200–4,000 nm | ~6.0 ft | $6,500–9,500 | Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600 |
| Large-cabin jet | 10–16 | 4,000–4,300 nm | 6.2+ ft | $8,500–13,000 | G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS |
| Ultra-long-range jet | 13–19 | 7,500–7,700 nm | 6.2+ ft | $12,000–20,000+ | G650ER, Global 7500 |
Every quote we send is all-in, with the federal excise tax, segment fees and the operator's fees included. Weather-dependent costs such as de-icing are shown as estimates.
Not sure which aircraft fits?
Tell us your group, your bags and your dates. We will suggest the categories that suit Aspen and price them side by side.