Aircraft for the Greek islands

The best aircraft depends on where the journey starts, how many are travelling and which island you land on. Here is how the categories compare for flights to Mykonos and beyond.

Aircraft wing over the clouds seen through an oval cabin window

Turboprop

Athens links and the short island runways

Seats: 6–9
Range: ≈ 1,800 nm
Hourly, est.: $1,800–3,200

Business jet on the ramp under a moody evening sky

Light jet

Athens, Nice and Geneva to the islands

Seats: 6–8
Range: 2,000–2,150 nm
Hourly, est.: $3,500–5,500

Business jet waiting on an apron at dusk

Midsize jet

Nonstop from most of western Europe

Seats: 7–9
Range: ≈ 2,100 nm
Hourly, est.: $4,500–7,000

Quilted leather seats in a warmly lit jet cabin

Super-midsize

London and Paris nonstop with room for luggage

Seats: 8–10
Range: 3,200–4,000 nm
Hourly, est.: $6,500–9,500

Large business jet on the apron under a golden evening sky

Large cabin

Bigger groups, or from the Gulf and beyond

Seats: 10–16
Range: 4,000–4,300 nm
Hourly, est.: $8,500–13,000

Side by side

Every category compared

Hourly ranges are typical US charter estimates before taxes and fees; operators in Europe price differently. Ranges are typical maximums that shrink with load and headwinds.

Aircraft categories compared for Greek island flights
Category	Seats	Range	Hourly, est.	Examples	For the islands
Turboprop	6–9	≈ 1,800 nm	$1,800–3,200	Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350	Island hops; the only choice for the shortest runways
Very light jet	4–5	1,400–1,550 nm	$2,800–4,200	HondaJet, Citation M2	Short hops for two or three guests
Light jet	6–8	2,000–2,150 nm	$3,500–5,500	Phenom 300E, Citation CJ4, Learjet 75	Athens, Nice or Geneva to the islands
Midsize jet	7–9	≈ 2,100 nm	$4,500–7,000	Citation XLS+	Nonstop from most of western Europe
Super-midsize	8–10	3,200–4,000 nm	$6,500–9,500	Challenger 350, Citation Longitude, Praetor 600	London or Paris with plenty of luggage
Large cabin	10–16	4,000–4,300 nm	$8,500–13,000	G450, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS	Large groups, the Gulf, longer journeys
Ultra long range	13–19	7,500–7,700 nm	$12,000–20,000+	G650ER, Global 7500	Nonstop from the Americas or Asia

Matching the aircraft to the trip

From London, a light jet reaches Mykonos nonstop with a light load, while a midsize or super-midsize jet makes the same flight with more room and luggage to spare. From Paris, Geneva and Nice, light and midsize jets are the natural fit. Inside Greece, turboprops do much of the island work, because several island runways are too short for jets.

In peak season, the size of the aircraft also affects parking on Mykonos. A smaller aircraft is easier to accommodate on a busy apron, and a larger one will usually drop you off and wait elsewhere. Your quote explains the plan and its cost.

See island runways and hops