Douglas Aircraft Company

Douglas DC-3 for charter

Charter Douglas DC-3 – explore specs, range, speed, dimensions & compare with similar private jets

Charter Price per Hour$2 300 – $3 200
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Aircraft Info

Model:
Douglas DC-3
Family:
Douglas DC-3
Manufacturer:
Douglas Aircraft Company
Aircraft Class:
Piston
ICAO/IATA Codes:
DC3/D3F
Number Built:
16 000
Single Pilot Operations:
No
  • Popularity25
  • Reliability45
  • Comfort20

Performance

Service Ceiling:
22 966 ft 7 000 m
Max Takeoff Weight:
26 896 lbs 12 200 kg
Engine Type:
2× Piston
Typical Engine:
2 x piston radial engines; Wright or Pratt & Whitney
Typical Avionics:
Conventional flight instruments with Garmin GNS/GTN navigation retrofit
Long Range Cruise Speed:
135 kts 250 km/h
Max Cruise Speed:
170 kts 315 km/h

Range & Payload

Estimated Max Flight Time:
10.1 h
Max Range:
1 296 nmi 2 400 km
Fuel Burn Rate:
772 lb/h 350 kg/h
Max Payload:
6 614 lbs 3 000 kg

Douglas DC-3 Cabin Plan

Max passengers:
32
Sleeping Places:
0
  • Hot meal
  • Lavatory
  • Cabin crew

Airframe

Aircraft Height:
16.93 ft 5.16 m
Aircraft Length:
64.5 ft 19.66 m
Wingspan:
95.01 ft 28.96 m
Cabin Zones:
1 unpressurized passenger cabin aft of separate flight deck; airline-style rows, aft baggage and operator-specific service area
Doors:
1 main passenger door; separate baggage hatch and emergency exit; no dedicated service door
Baggage Compartment:
Nose and/or aft baggage compartment; reference volume 3 m3
Airstairs:
y

Charter Costs for the Douglas DC-3

Price per Hour

Charter Price per Hour
$2 300 – $3 200

Owning Price

Buying Price (new)
—
Pre-owned Price Range
$400 000 – $2M

Charter Costs

Cost per NM
$17.56
Direct Operating Cost (DOC)/h
$1 240 – $1 940
Annual Cost of Ownership
$517 000 – $804 000
Cost per Seat-Mile
$0.4 – $0.55

Total Annual Variable Costs

At 200 hours
$318 000
At 350 hours
$556 500

Total Fixed Cost

At 200 hours
$104 000
At 350 hours
$104 000

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Passengers

Douglas DC-3 Description

Imagine an aircraft that didn’t just fly but built connections across the globe. The Douglas DC-3 wasn’t just about transporting passengers; it changed the game for how people interacted across distances. This amazing twin-engine plane redefined air travel during the golden years of aviation, bringing together power and comfort that made long flights not just doable, but enjoyable. What really made the DC-3 stand out was its incredible reliability. Pilots trusted its easy handling and tough build that could take on bad weather without a hitch. That impressive 2,400 km range wasn’t just a fancy number—it meant you could fly between cities like Chicago and Los Angeles without needing to stop for gas when that seemed like a dream. You’d glide smoothly at 180 knots, enjoying the view from wings that sailed through any bumps. Step into the cabin and you’ll see why airlines loved this workhorse. Those 32 seats weren’t crammed in like today’s tiny economy classes; Douglas designed it to give passengers room to breathe with wide aisles and big windows. Back in the day, the cabin felt downright fancy, with soundproof walls and clever insulation that kept engine noise down. Passengers could chat easily over hot meals made in a small kitchen—pretty groundbreaking when most planes offered cold sandwiches. The magic was in the details: Douglas engineers were ahead of their time with ideas for cabin pressurization, though the full tech came later. They made the landing gear super tough, so landing on grass or rough runways was no big deal. That iconic nose-up position in flight? It was pure brilliance—giving stable cruising while allowing shorter takeoffs from smaller fields. Maintenance teams loved how easy it was to work on; everything was right there, no need for acrobatics. Even decades after its 1935 debut, DC-3s are still flying all over the world—a clear sign of solid engineering that prioritized real performance over bells and whistles. Sure, modern jets can zoom by faster, but none have the unique charm of this classic. When you spot that familiar shape soaring against the sunset, you’re seeing a piece of aviation history that isn’t fading away. The DC-3 didn’t just rule its time; it earned lasting admiration by making the incredible seem easy.

Strengths

  • Transport suited to the selected aircraft category
  • Operator-specific seating or mission configurations

Weaknesses

  • Equipment and interior depend on the individual aircraft
  • Published limits require configuration and loading checks

Best use cases

  • Regional charter
  • Private or business transport

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Frequently Asked Questions about Douglas DC-3