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Where it fits well
- 266 kt cruise supports fast regional travel.
- 449 nm advertised range creates a practical planning radius of about 301 nm with 4 occupants.
- 4640 kg realistic payload proxy and 48 seats define the usable cabin mission.
Key figures
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 48 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 4640 kg |
| Advertised range | 449 nm |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 301 nm |
| Cruise speed | 266 kt |
| Runway need | ~1090 m |
| Pressurised | Yes |
| Fuel | Jet A-1 |
| Fixed annual base | €131k |
| Direct cost per flight hour | €3490 |
The ownership trade-off
The ATR 42-300 combines 44-seat turboprop capability with about 2,311 NM reported range and about 270 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
Cost picture at different usage
- 40 hours/year: about €440k per year ( €10990 per flight hour all-in)
- 80 hours/year: about €579k per year ( €7240 per flight hour all-in)
- 120 hours/year: about €719k per year ( €5990 per flight hour all-in)
- 180 hours/year: about €928k per year ( €5157 per flight hour all-in)
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at €443k per year at 80 hours. Condition, engine time remaining and avionics matter more than the year itself — price the aircraft in front of you, not the model.
Limitations to price honestly
- The ATR 42-300 combines 44-seat turboprop capability with about 2,311 NM reported range and about 270 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
- €131k fixed annual planning base before flying a single hour.
- Approximate 1090 m take-off requirement must be checked against runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading.
Recommended missions
- Family and small-group touring with a weight-and-balance check for every trip.
- Short and medium regional trips, accepting fuel stops when conditions require.
- Time-sensitive business travel where dispatch reliability justifies the cost.