A turboprop is a propeller aircraft driven by a jet engine. It flies slower and lower than a jet, but on short hops the difference in time is small and the price is usually the lowest of any private option.
Typical models: Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350. With a practical range of about 1,200 nautical miles (1,381 miles), it can fly roughly 4 hr 25 min without stopping in normal conditions. Seats: 6 to 8 passengers.
A good fit for
- Trips of roughly an hour to an hour and a half, where a jet saves only a few minutes.
- Island and mountain airports with shorter runways, which many turboprops handle well.
- Small groups with bulky luggage: the Pilatus PC-12 is known for its large rear cargo door.
Worth knowing
- It cruises lower than a jet, so you are more likely to feel bumps in bad weather.
- Longer trips add up: past a couple of hours, a light jet is usually worth the difference.
- Some travelers simply prefer a jet; ask yourself whether that matters for this trip.
Routes where a turboprop is an option
24 of our 55 routes, from Boston to Martha's Vineyard (about 35 min) to New York to Nashville (about 2 hr 45 min). Prices are for this jet size on each route.
| Route | Time in the air | One way, estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Boston to Martha's Vineyard | about 35 min | $4,500–$6,000 |
| Boston to Nantucket | about 40 min | $4,500–$6,000 |
| New York to Boston | about 55 min | $4,500–$6,000 |
| Boston to New York | about 55 min | $4,500–$6,000 |
| New York to Martha's Vineyard | about 55 min | $4,500–$6,000 |
| Dallas to Austin | about 55 min | $4,500–$6,000 |
| New York to Nantucket | about 1 hr | $4,500–$6,000 |
| New York to Washington | about 1 hr | $4,500–$6,000 |
| Los Angeles to Las Vegas | about 1 hr | $4,500–$6,000 |
| Las Vegas to Los Angeles | about 1 hr | $4,500–$6,000 |
| Dallas to Houston | about 1 hr 5 min | $5,000–$6,500 |
| Los Angeles to San Francisco Bay Area | about 1 hr 15 min | $5,500–$7,500 |
| San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles | about 1 hr 15 min | $5,500–$7,500 |
| Los Angeles to Scottsdale | about 1 hr 30 min | $7,000–$9,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area to Las Vegas | about 1 hr 30 min | $7,000–$9,000 |
| Atlanta to Palm Beach | about 2 hr 5 min | $9,500–$12,500 |
| Denver to Scottsdale | about 2 hr 10 min | $9,500–$13,000 |
| Atlanta to Miami | about 2 hr 15 min | $10,000–$13,500 |
| Dallas to Aspen | about 2 hr 35 min | $11,500–$15,500 |
| New York to Chicago | about 2 hr 35 min | $11,500–$15,500 |
2026 estimates with typical fees. How we estimate.
Questions
Is a turboprop safe?
Yes. Turboprops are flown by the same licensed charter operators as jets, under the same FAA rules for charter (Part 135). Many regional airlines fly turboprops every day.
Is a turboprop much slower?
It cruises at roughly two thirds of a light jet's speed. On a short trip that means a few minutes; on a long one it means hours, which is why we only show turboprops for trips up to about 700 nautical miles.