Philadelphia charter groups above nineteen passengers move into airliner-size aircraft, and that changes both the aircraft and the timeline.
McDonnell Douglas introduced the McDonnell Douglas MD-83 in 1985. It is flown by a crew of 2. The type carries 155 to 172 passengers, cruises at 472 knots, tops out at 37,000 feet, covers 2,550 nautical miles and holds 1253 cubic feet of baggage. An aircraft of this size normally operates under FAR Part 121 or the foreign equivalent rather than FAR Part 135, and those standards generally carry stricter crew and operating requirements than FAR Part 91 and FAR Part 135.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: VIP Airliner
- Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
- Year introduced: 1985
- Seating: 155 to 172
- Crew: 2
- Range: 2,550 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 472 knots
- Service ceiling: 37,000 feet
- Length: 147.8 feet
- Wingspan: 107.8 feet
- Height: 29.6 feet
- Baggage volume: 1,253 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the McDonnell Douglas MD-83 Fits Philadelphia
Airliner-size charters leave from Philadelphia International (KPHL), which takes anything up to airliner size on a 12,000-foot runway.
A published range of 2,550 nautical miles brings Denver, Aspen, Scottsdale and Las Vegas within reach of Philadelphia, before the operator applies reserves and routing for the day.
Anything above nineteen passengers, the aircraft required would fall into regional airliner, or airliner-size, and the trip would no longer fall under the FAR Part 135 standards but possibly operate under FAR Part 121 or foreign equivalent standards. Part 121 and equivalent generally carry stricter crew and operating requirements than FAR Part 91 and FAR Part 135.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the McDonnell Douglas MD-83 run $18,000 to $25,000 per hour as of 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
As a rough guide, Philadelphia to Las Vegas is about 1,896 nautical miles, which is roughly 4.0 to 4.5 hours of flight time at this aircraft’s cruise speed before winds and routing are applied.
Other VIP Airliners Available
Contact
For a quote on a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 charter to or from Philadelphia, call 1-888-987-5387 or visit our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.