This shortlist is generated from the versioned PlaneFit aircraft database, then ordered by mission-relevant specifications. It is a research starting point, not a universal ranking. The best aircraft changes with payload, runway, pilot qualifications, annual utilisation and the exact example available for purchase.
Bombardier / De Havilland Dash 8-400 (Q400)Photo: Trougnouf · CC BY 4.0 · representative variant
#1
Twin-engine turboprop

Bombardier / De Havilland Dash 8-400 (Q400)

80-occupant pressurized twin-engine turboprop

Price
€7.42m
Cruise
360 kt
Range
1100 nm
Payload
8424 kg

The Q400 combines 80-seat turboprop capability with about 1,667 NM reported range and about 350 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

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ATR ATR 72-600Photo: Ilari Kousa · CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative variant
#2
Twin-engine turboprop

ATR ATR 72-600

74-occupant pressurized twin-engine turboprop

Price
€12.23m
Cruise
275 kt
Range
758 nm
Payload
7550 kg

The ATR 72-600 combines 74-seat turboprop capability with about 1,697 NM reported range and about 275 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

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ATR ATR 72-210Photo: Ilari Kousa · CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative variant
#3
Twin-engine turboprop

ATR ATR 72-210

74-occupant pressurized twin-engine turboprop

Price
€2.62m
Cruise
279 kt
Range
791 nm
Payload
7000 kg

The ATR 72-210 combines 74-seat turboprop capability with about 907 NM reported range and about 278 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

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ATR ATR 72-500Photo: Ilari Kousa · CC BY-SA 4.0
#4
Twin-engine turboprop

ATR ATR 72-500

74-occupant pressurized twin-engine turboprop

Price
€7.86m
Cruise
275 kt
Range
772 nm
Payload
7000 kg

The ATR 72-500 combines 74-seat turboprop capability with about 1,697 NM reported range and about 275 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

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ATR ATR 42-500Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC0
#5
Twin-engine turboprop

ATR ATR 42-500

44-occupant pressurized twin-engine turboprop

Price
€3.93m
Cruise
300 kt
Range
703 nm
Payload
5500 kg

The ATR 42-500 combines 44-seat turboprop capability with about 2,311 NM reported range and about 300 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

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Cessna Citation LongitudePhoto: Eftrmt · CC0
#7
Light jet

Cessna Citation Longitude

Twelve-occupant super-midsize business jet

Price
€30m
Cruise
483 kt
Range
3500 nm
Payload
3137 kg

Long range, stand-up cabin and strong runway performance are compelling, but acquisition, crew and programme costs require an institutional budget.

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Bombardier Global 7500Photo: Marc Lacoste · CC0
#8
Light jet

Bombardier Global 7500

19-occupant pressurized business jet

Price
€47.5m
Cruise
530 kt
Range
7700 nm
Payload
1530 kg

The Global 7500 combines 19-seat jet capability with about 7,300 NM reported range and about 530 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

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Cessna Citation XPhoto: P. Alejandro Díaz · Public domain
#9
Light jet

Cessna Citation X

Twelve-occupant high-speed super-midsize business jet

Price
€6m
Cruise
525 kt
Range
3460 nm
Payload
2834 kg

Exceptional transcontinental speed, but fuel burn, Rolls-Royce engine programmes and ageing systems make it expensive to own.

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Bombardier Global 6500Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0
#10
Light jet

Bombardier Global 6500

19-occupant pressurized business jet

Price
€41.55m
Cruise
505 kt
Range
6600 nm
Payload
1530 kg

The Global 6500 combines 19-seat jet capability with about 6,004 NM reported range and about 505 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

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Gulfstream G700Photo: Mztourist · CC BY-SA 4.0
#11
Light jet

Gulfstream G700

Up to 19-passenger ultra-long-range business jet

Price
€63.76m
Cruise
600 kt
Range
7750 nm
Payload
832 kg

The G700 combines 19-seat jet capability with about 7,750 NM reported range, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

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Gulfstream G600Photo: Matti Blume · CC BY-SA 4.0
#12
Light jet

Gulfstream G600

21-occupant pressurized business jet

Price
€41.69m
Cruise
600 kt
Range
6600 nm
Payload
1179 kg

The G600 combines 21-seat jet capability with about 5,500 NM reported range and about 600 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

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