Cessna Aircraft Company

Cessna 172 for charter

Charter Cessna 172 – explore specs, range, speed, dimensions & compare with similar private jets

Charter Price per Hour$200 – $300
Request Charter

Aircraft Info

Model:
Cessna 172
Family:
Cessna 1xx
Manufacturer:
Cessna Aircraft Company
Aircraft Class:
Piston
ICAO/IATA Codes:
C172/CN1
Number Built:
45 000
Single Pilot Operations:
Yes
  • Popularity40
  • Reliability75
  • Comfort25

Performance

Service Ceiling:
13 999 ft 4 267 m
Max Takeoff Weight:
2 551 lbs 1 157 kg
Engine Type:
1 x Piston
Typical Engine:
Lycoming IO-360-L2A
Typical Avionics:
Garmin G1000 NXi; GI 275 standby
Long Range Cruise Speed:
105 kts 195 km/h
Max Cruise Speed:
124 kts 230 km/h

Payload–Range Chart

Estimated Max Flight Time:
6.4 h
Max Range:
696 nmi 1 289 km
Fuel Burn Rate:
71 lb/h 32 kg/h
Max Payload:
871 lbs 395 kg

Cessna 172 Cabin Plan

Max passengers:
3
Sleeping Places:
0

Airframe

Aircraft Height:
8.86 ft 2.7 m
Aircraft Length:
27.23 ft 8.3 m
Wingspan:
36.09 ft 11 m
Cabin Zones:
1 shared cockpit/passenger cabin, two seats forward and two aft; no separate lounge or lavatory
Doors:
Two side entry doors plus a small baggage door; no separate service door
Baggage Compartment:
Aft baggage area, external access; published limit 54 kg
Airstairs:
Fixed steps; no integral stairway

Charter Costs for the Cessna 172

Price per Hour

Charter Price per Hour
$200 – $300

Owning Price

Buying Price (new)
$500 000 – $600 000
Pre-owned Price Range
$120 000 – $500 000

Charter Costs

Cost per NM
$2.05
Direct Operating Cost (DOC)/h
$80 – $130
Annual Cost of Ownership
$52 000 – $82 000
Cost per Seat-Mile
$0.47 – $0.71

Total Annual Variable Costs

At 200 hours
$21 000
At 350 hours
$36 800

Total Fixed Cost

At 200 hours
$30 000
At 350 hours
$30 000

Boston – Nantucket

KBOS – KACK

Flight time:
56 min
Estimated price:
$1 909

Boston – Vineyard Haven

KBOS – KMVY

Flight time:
53 min
Estimated price:
$1 834

Boston – Provincetown

KBOS – KPVC

Flight time:
34 min
Estimated price:
$1 358

Boston – Hyannis

KBOS – KHYA

Flight time:
47 min
Estimated price:
$1 683

Boston – Bar Harbor

KBOS – KBHB

Flight time:
1 h 52 min
Estimated price:
$3 312

Boston – Rockland

KBOS – KRKD

Flight time:
1 h 32 min
Estimated price:
$2 811

These route prices are estimates. The final quote will be provided by your manager and may vary depending on aircraft availability, travel dates, airport fees, and additional services.

Get a quote for your flight on the Cessna 172

Passengers

Cessna 172 Description

Imagine this: you're rolling down the runway in the aviation world’s go-to tool, the Cessna 172. This isn’t just any small plane; it’s the ultimate reliable partner that’s taught countless pilots over the years. Since 1956, more than 44,000 of these high-wing legends have been built, making it the face of single-engine flying. So, what makes the Skyhawk special? Once you hop in, you’ll instantly notice how amazing the visibility is from those iconic high wings. The large windows make every flight a treat, whether you’re spotting rivers below or watching for other planes. Three people can sit comfortably in the surprisingly roomy cabin—no need for yoga stretches in here. Forget about cramped spaces; this aircraft gives everyone breathing room while keeping all the controls right at your fingertips. When it comes to performance, don’t underestimate those modest numbers. That cruising speed of 226 km/h makes it perfect for long trips, covering distances up to 1,289 km like it’s nothing. Picture having breakfast in Paris and then lunch in Barcelona with fuel to spare! The magic? It’s all about smooth handling and simple mechanics. New pilots admire how easy it is to handle, especially during stalls, and seasoned flyers appreciate how it handles bumpy landings like a pro. Maintenance teams love these planes because they’re easy to work on. Open the engine cover, and everything is right where you expect it—no need for crazy maneuvers for regular checks. That legendary Lycoming engine runs like a dream, handling hundreds of training hours between overhauls. It’s this rock-solid reliability that keeps flight schools packed with C172s, just like bakers sempre have flour on hand. Flying the Skyhawk feels like lounging in your favorite leather jacket—familiar and always satisfying. Whether you’re gathering flight hours, checking out fields, or just flying into the sunset, this aviation classic gives you more joy per mile than anything else around. When you want a plane that won’t let you down, look up to the sky—the Cessna 172 has been there since Eisenhower was in the White House.

Strengths

  • Small-airport access
  • Flexible small-group travel

Weaknesses

  • Limited cabin privacy and luggage allowance
  • Payload and fuel tradeoffs

Best use cases

  • Short regional private flights
  • Utility or specialist missions, subject to operator approval

Compare Cessna 172

More Aircraft Types for Charter

Frequently Asked Questions about Cessna 172