Hawker 800XP & Learjet 60 Caribbean Charter Guide

Hawker 800XP / 900XP & Learjet 60XR

Midsize business jets providing the speed and range needed for longer flights from the U.S. Northeast, South America, or across the wider Caribbean. When flying nonstop from New York, Boston, Chicago, or Texas into the Caribbean—or running 1,000+ NM legs from South Florida to St. Thomas (STT), St. Maarten (SXM), Aruba, or Barbados—the Hawker 800XP/900XP and Learjet 60XR deliver 2,500+ NM range, Mach 0.80+ cruise speeds, and midsize cabin comfort.

Why We Recommend the Hawker 800XP / Learjet 60

Mission Role & Runway Advantage: When flying nonstop from New York, Boston, Chicago, or Texas into the Caribbean—or running 1,000+ NM legs from South Florida to St. Thomas (STT), St. Maarten (SXM), Aruba, or Barbados—the Hawker 800XP/900XP and Learjet 60XR deliver 2,500+ NM range, Mach 0.80+ cruise speeds, and midsize cabin comfort.

Prime Bahamas & Caribbean Destinations: St. Maarten (SXM), St. Thomas (STT), San Juan (SJU / SIG), Casa de Campo (LRM), Turks & Caicos (PLS), Grand Cayman (GCM)

Typical Charter Rates & Associated Costs: Hawker 800XP & Learjet 60

Estimated Hourly Charter Rate: $4,500 – $5,400 / hr (Learjet 60 / 60XR); $4,800 – $5,900 / hr (Hawker 800XP / 850XP / 900XP)
Daily Minimum & Crew Costs: 2.0-hour daily minimum; two-pilot midsize jet crew fees average $750 – $1,050/day plus international overnight expenses
Executive FBO Handling, Landing & Parking Fees: $550 – $1,100 per landing at SXM, STT, SJU, LRM, and PLS VIP terminals
Overflight Permits, Fuel Surcharges & Customs: International CARICOM/ airspace overflight permits ($150 – $350), VIP customs handling ($300 – $500), and passenger taxes ($95 – $175/person)

Once your Caribbean flight distance stretches beyond 850 nautical miles—such as nonstop flights from South Florida to St. Thomas (STT), St. Maarten (SXM), St. Lucia (UVF), or Barbados (BGI), or direct departures from the U.S. Northeast, Midwest, and South America—light jets often require a fuel stop when carrying a full passenger load against headwinds. Midsize icons like the Hawker 800XP (and 850XP/900XP) and the Bombardier Learjet 60XR solve that range equation while keeping hourly charter rates well below heavy-jet levels.

Why the Hawker 800XP and Learjet 60 Are Midsize Workhorses

While both aircraft serve the midsize 2,400-to-2,800-nautical-mile segment, each offers distinct strengths tailored to how your group travels:

Hawker 800XP / 900XP — Wide Stand-Up Cabin Comfort: Built with a 5-foot-9-inch cabin height and a wide 6-foot fuselage cross-section, the Hawker 800XP offers noticeably more shoulder room and aisle space than almost any other traditional midsize jet. Its club-four seating, three-place divan, and generous galley make two-and-a-half to four-hour flights from Teterboro (TEB), White Plains (HPN), or Miami-Opa Locka (OPF) to St. Maarten or Casa de Campo remarkably relaxing.
Learjet 60 / 60XR — Blistering Climb & High-Altitude Speed: Known as the "sports car" of midsize business aviation, the Learjet 60XR climbs rapidly to 43,000–51,000 feet—well above commercial airliner traffic and tropical weather systems—cruising at up to 466 knots (Mach 0.81) with a deep external tailcone baggage compartment.

Typical Hourly Charter Rates & Associated Costs

Chartering a Learjet 60 or 60XR typically costs between $4,500 and $5,400 per flight hour, while a wide-cabin Hawker 800XP, 850XP, or 900XP averages $4,800 to $5,900 per flight hour. Beyond flight time, travelers should account for standard midsize jet associated expenses: a 2.0-hour daily minimum, two-pilot crew fees ($750 to $1,050/day), international FBO ramp and handling fees ($550 to $1,100 at airports like Princess Juliana SXM or Cyril E. King STT), airspace overflight permits, and customs/passenger departure taxes.