Charter a Cessna 404 Titan

The Cessna 404 Titan is the largest piston twin-engine aircraft Cessna ever produced - a purpose-built commercial and charter transport designed from the outset for short-haul passenger, cargo and commuter operations rather than private use. AeroCorner confirmed the 404 "was considered the largest piston twin-engine aircraft developed by the company as to date." The prototype made its first flight on 26 February 1975, FAA type certification was issued in July 1976 and first deliveries to regional carriers began in October 1976. Grokipedia confirmed "manufacturing continued until 1982, with a total of 396 units completed before the program ended due to market conditions." The Cessna 404 was developed from the Cessna 402 with a larger fuselage, enlarged vertical stabilizer and wet bonded wing, sharing its fuselage forward section and hydraulic system with the 402C and its trailing-link main landing gear with the Cessna 441 Conquest. Wikipedia confirmed US military designation C-28A and C-28B, and Swedish Air Force designation Tp 87. Military operators include the Bolivian Air Force for utility and VIP transport, Colombian Air Force (SATENA) for counter-insurgency logistics and surveillance, and Jamaica Defence Force for maritime patrol.

The Cessna 404 Titan is an unpressurised twin-engine piston aircraft - designed for commercial transport, cargo and charter operations where payload flexibility, short-field performance and reliability matter more than pressurised cabin comfort. Cessna Flyer confirmed the 404 "can operate out of 2,500-foot strips" and the aircraft's adaptable cabin supports passenger, cargo and mixed configurations. Charter prices start from approximately £500 per flight hour. For the full fleet see our private jet price guide or browse our complete fleet.

Why charter the Cessna 404 Titan?

• Up to 9 passengers in charter; Ambassador, Courier and Freighter variants; quick-convertible cabin; 1,560 kg payload from a 770 m airstrip - the most versatile piston twin available for charter. AeroCorner confirmed Cessna announced "a new piston twin capable of airline, freight, and corporate works, that can take off with a 1,560 kg payload from a 770-meter airstrip." Air Charter Service confirmed the standard charter configuration is 8 or 9 passengers, with the option of a co-pilot seat for owner-operated flights only. Three primary variants serve different missions: the Titan Ambassador is the 9-passenger charter standard; the Titan Courier provides a convertible passenger-cargo cabin for mixed loads; the Titan Freighter offers a reinforced floor, cargo doors and polycarbonate interior walls and ceiling designed to withstand cargo breaking free in flight. Wikipedia confirmed "by early 1982 seven different variants were available." The rapid cabin convertibility between passenger and cargo configurations makes the 404 uniquely suited to charter operators who need one aircraft for both people and freight on different sectors of the same day;
• Continental GTSIO-520-M at 375 hp each; trailing-link main landing gear; bonded wet wing; 700 m takeoff; 2,500-foot strip capability; known ice certification; Maine Aviation camera STC - extraordinary mission flexibility. SKYbrary confirmed 700 m takeoff distance. Cessna Flyer confirmed "it can operate out of 2,500-foot strips" - a short-field capability enabling access to grass strips, island runways and remote airfields unavailable to pressurised turboprops. Cessna Flyer confirmed a "known ice capability" that significantly expands operational window in UK and Northern European winter conditions. The Maine Aviation Sales STC for camera hole installation makes the 404 a standard platform for aerial survey and photographic missions. The trailing-link main landing gear (shared with the Cessna 441 Conquest) provides excellent rough-field handling. Grokipedia confirmed "retractable tricycle landing gear reinforced for rough-field operations." For charter operators who need a robust, multi-mission platform that can use short or unpaved strips, fly in icing conditions and carry cameras, survey equipment or mixed passenger-cargo loads, the 404 Titan provides the widest operational envelope in the piston twin charter category;
• US military C-28A/C-28B; Swedish Air Force Tp 87; Bolivian AF; Colombian AF SATENA counter-insurgency; Jamaica Defence Force maritime patrol; Airlines of Tasmania - confirmed government and airline operational confidence. Wikipedia confirmed US military designations C-28A and C-28B and Swedish Air Force Tp 87. Grokipedia confirmed "the Bolivian Air Force operated the type for utility and VIP transport from the 1980s into the 1990s, during a period of intensified anti-drug efforts in remote areas" and "the Colombian Air Force utilized two 404s through SATENA, its military transport arm, for surveillance and logistics in counter-insurgency campaigns." Grokipedia confirmed "the Jamaica Defence Force also employed the 404 for patrols and utility tasks, contributing to maritime surveillance and internal security." Grokipedia confirmed Airlines of Tasmania operated the 404 in "Australia's rugged landscapes" for commuter and air taxi services. These government and airline operators - in terrain and operational conditions more demanding than European charter - confirm the 404's structural robustness and engine reliability in sustained high-utilisation commercial service;
• 220-232 kt cruise; 26,000 ft ceiling above most European short-sector weather; 1,000+ nm operational range at standard charter loads; lowest charter rate in the multi-passenger piston category. SKYbrary confirmed 220 kt TAS cruise and 26,000 ft ceiling. The 26,000 ft ceiling enables flight above convective weather on most European short sectors, providing weather avoidance unavailable to aircraft with lower ceilings despite the unpressurised cabin. At 220-232 kt cruise the 404 is significantly faster than any single-engine aircraft at comparable rates. Air Charter Service confirmed the 404 "can fly both high and far for a piston" with a maximum range of more than 2,000 miles (3,200+ km) at reduced payload. Cessna Flyer confirmed "a 404 can fly to its destination and have enough fuel on board to return home" - confirming the fuel capacity for round-trip sectors without refuelling. For charter clients requiring 8 to 9 seats at the lowest available multi-passenger piston rate, the 404 Titan provides it at per-person costs competitive with scheduled regional services;
• 3 primary cabin variants (Ambassador/Courier/Freighter); aerial survey camera STC; medevac conversions; surveillance operators in Colombia and Jamaica; the 404 serves more mission types than any other piston twin in the charter market. Grokipedia confirmed "the aircraft's adaptable cabin enabled conversions for specialized roles, including medical evacuation (medevac) for air ambulance services and aerial surveys in remote areas." Cessna Flyer confirmed "one other important - and perhaps unexpected - use of a 404 is for surveillance and photography. With such good flying characteristics, known ice capability and a strong airframe, the 404 has a niche." The Maine Aviation STC for camera hole installation "meets most countries' certification requirements" per Cessna Flyer. For charter operators and clients requiring a platform that can be configured for passenger transport in the morning, aerial survey in the afternoon and cargo or medevac at weekend, the 404 Titan's multi-role capability is the primary selection argument over the more passenger-focused piston twins;
• 396 built; purchase cost £150,000-400,000; annual maintenance £12,000-20,000; lowest lifecycle cost in the 8-9 seat charter aircraft category; the established workhorse of piston twin charter worldwide. Cessna Flyer confirmed "purchase cost of a 404 can range from $200,000 to $500,000, depending on an aircraft's condition and options" and "annual maintenance expenses are between $15,000 and $25,000." The 404's reputation - confirmed by Cessna Flyer as "solid and safe" and capable of hauling "a whole lot of people, fuel and cargo" - reflects a platform design optimised for commercial durability over executive luxury. Cessna Flyer noted "the typical seller of the 404 has used the aircraft either for a charter or a freighter" confirming the 404's lifecycle is overwhelmingly commercial charter and cargo rather than private ownership. For charter operators building a fleet for regional transport and freight with the lowest available per-hour operating cost in the 8-9 seat category, the 404 Titan is the reference standard.

Charter cost - Cessna 404 Titan prices from UK airports

Hourly rates run from approximately £500 to £700 - the lowest available for an 8 to 9-seat multi-engine aircraft, reflecting the 404's commercial transport positioning, piston engine configuration and unpressurised cabin. For groups of 6 to 9 on short UK regional and European sectors where capacity per pound and short-field access to regional strips are the selection criteria, the 404 provides the lowest per-person rate of any multi-engine aircraft in the Private Jets UK fleet.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to Edinburgh - from £750 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes);
• London to Paris - from £750 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes);
• Edinburgh to Stornoway - from £500 (8 passengers, approximately 55 minutes);
• London to Amsterdam - from £625 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes);
• Manchester to Belfast - from £500 (8 passengers, approximately 45 minutes);
• Edinburgh to Inverness - from £500 (8 passengers, approximately 35 minutes);
• London to Dublin - from £625 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes).

Empty Leg flights appear on repositioning routes. See our Empty Legs page for current availability.

Ideal routes for the Cessna 404 Titan

Best matched to short UK regional and European sectors where 8 to 9 passenger capacity, short-field access, 220 kt cruise and lowest available per-person multi-engine rate are the selection criteria:

• Scottish Highland, island and regional UK sectors where 700 m takeoff and rough-field landing gear open airstrips unavailable to pressurised twins and turboprops. Barra beach strip, Tiree, Campbeltown, Stornoway, Wick and remote Highland and island airfields are natural 404 territory. Cessna Flyer confirmed 2,500-foot strip capability with full payload. For groups of 6 to 9 accessing Scottish island and Highland destinations at the lowest available multi-engine rate, the 404 provides direct access that larger pressurised aircraft cannot match at any rate;
• Short UK regional sectors where the 8 to 9-seat capacity provides the lowest available per-person private charter rate competitive with scheduled regional fares. London to Edinburgh, Manchester to Belfast, Edinburgh to Inverness and similar sub-90-minute UK regional sectors with groups of 7 to 9 bring the per-person cost for a 404 charter into a range competitive with airline scheduled fares - without airport queues, baggage restrictions or fixed departure times. For groups of 7 to 9 whose combined private charter budget approaches the total cost of scheduled airline tickets plus transfers and delays, the 404 at £500-750/hr provides the economic argument for the switch to private charter;
• Mixed passenger-cargo missions where the Courier variant's convertible cabin enables simultaneous people and freight on the same sector. The Titan Courier's convertible cabin supports mixed passenger-cargo loads in a single sector - 4 passengers in the forward cabin and cargo in the aft, or a reduced passenger count with oversize equipment. For charter clients who need both people and freight delivered simultaneously to a destination with a short runway, the 404 Courier provides the configuration that no pressurised piston twin or entry-level turboprop offers;
• Aerial survey, surveillance and photography missions where the known ice capability, Maine Aviation camera STC and high-altitude cruise at 26,000 ft create a purpose-built survey platform. Cessna Flyer confirmed the camera hole STC "meets most countries' certification requirements." Known ice certification allows continued operations in UK and Northern European winter icing conditions where many survey aircraft are grounded. At 220 kt cruise and 26,000 ft ceiling the 404 covers survey areas faster and at higher altitude than most piston twins. For operators requiring a survey platform that also serves as a charter aircraft, the 404 combines both roles in one airframe;
• Short European cross-Channel sectors (London to Paris; London to Amsterdam; London to Dublin) where 8 to 9 seats at £500-750/hr provide the most economical multi-engine private option for large groups. For European groups of 7 to 9 on cross-Channel sectors under 2 hours, the 404's combination of 220 kt cruise, 8-9 seats and lowest multi-engine charter rate provides a per-person cost argument that approaches scheduled airline economics with private aviation flexibility. The 404's 26,000 ft ceiling places it above most North Sea and English Channel weather on the outbound and return sectors.

Cabin and in-flight experience

The Cessna 404 Titan cabin measures 4.50 m (14.8 ft) long, 1.37 m (4.5 ft) wide and 1.54 m (5.1 ft) high in the passenger configuration. Air Charter Service confirmed "the cabin is typically configured to accommodate eight or nine passengers" in charter operations. The cabin is not pressurised. Air Charter Service confirmed "approximately five soft suitcases can be brought onto the aircraft" with 12 kg per person baggage allowance at full load. The Titan Ambassador variant provides a standard passenger cabin with individual seats; the Titan Courier offers a convertible passenger-cargo layout with removable rear seats; the Titan Freighter is a dedicated cargo configuration with reinforced floor and cargo doors. Many active 404s have been retrofitted with modern avionics. The known ice certification is standard equipment enabling year-round UK and Northern European operations.

• Cabin. 4.50 m x 1.37 m x 1.54 m; unpressurised; 8-9 passengers charter standard;
• Variants. Titan Ambassador (9-seat passenger); Titan Courier (convertible passenger-cargo); Titan Freighter (full cargo; reinforced floor; cargo doors);
• Short-field. 700 m takeoff; 600 m landing; rough-field trailing-link gear;
• Known ice. Certified for flight into known icing conditions;
• Survey STC. Maine Aviation camera hole STC for aerial survey operations;
• Engines. 2 x Continental GTSIO-520-M (375 hp each; turbocharged; 3-blade prop);
• Ceiling. 26,000 ft (unpressurised); optimised for operations below 15,000 ft.

Technical specifications

Cessna 404 Titan vs similar aircraft

• Cessna 404 Titan vs Piper Navajo Chieftain. The Piper Navajo Chieftain is a 10-seat twin piston at comparable charter rates with counter-rotating TIO-540 engines at 350 hp each and an 18-foot cabin. The 404 counters with a higher ceiling (26,000 ft vs Chieftain's 26,300 ft - comparable), 1,560 kg payload from 770 m (vs Chieftain's lighter useful load), the cargo Freighter variant for dedicated freight, known ice certification and the Maine Aviation camera STC. For groups requiring maximum payload from short strips with cargo door access, the 404 Freighter is uniquely capable; for standard passenger charter the Chieftain and 404 are closely matched on performance with the Chieftain's counter-rotating props providing no critical engine in engine-out scenarios;
• Cessna 404 Titan vs Cessna 421C Golden Eagle. The 421C is a pressurised twin piston at £2,500-3,500/hr with 5.0 psi pressurisation, 30,000 ft ceiling and 5-6 passengers. The 404 counters with 8-9 passengers at £500-700/hr, cargo door options, Freighter and Courier variants, the known ice certification and 700 m takeoff. The 421C is the choice for clients who specify pressurisation; the 404 is the choice for groups of 7 to 9 needing maximum seats at the lowest available multi-engine rate with short-field or cargo capability;
• Cessna 404 Titan vs Quest Kodiak 100. The Quest Kodiak 100 is a single-engine utility turboprop at £700/hr with 10 seats, sub-700 ft STOL takeoff, float capability and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. The 404 counters with twin-engine safety redundancy - particularly relevant for overwater and mountain sectors - and dedicated cargo Freighter configuration. The Kodiak provides superior STOL performance and amphibious float option; the 404 provides twin-engine redundancy and the established cargo Freighter variant for freight charter. For overwater European sectors where twin-engine requirement is specified, the 404 is the appropriate choice over the single-engine Kodiak.

Frequently asked questions - Cessna 404 Titan charter

How much does it cost to charter a Cessna 404 Titan?
Charter rates run from approximately £500 to £700 per flight hour - the lowest available for an 8 to 9-seat multi-engine aircraft. London to Edinburgh costs from £750 for 8 passengers. Edinburgh to Stornoway costs from £500. London to Paris costs from £750. All quotes from Private Jets UK are fully itemised with no hidden charges.

Is the Cessna 404 Titan pressurised?
No - the 404 Titan is unpressurised, with a 26,000 ft service ceiling. This distinguishes it from the Cessna 421C Golden Eagle (pressurised at 5.0 psi; £2,500-3,500/hr) and the Piper Cheyenne (pressurised turboprop; £900/hr). The unpressurised cabin is offset by known ice certification for year-round UK and Northern European operations and a 26,000 ft ceiling for weather avoidance on short sectors.

What are the different versions of the Cessna 404 Titan?
Three primary variants: the Titan Ambassador (9-seat passenger; standard charter configuration); the Titan Courier (convertible passenger-cargo cabin with removable seats for mixed loads); and the Titan Freighter (dedicated cargo; reinforced floor; cargo doors; polycarbonate interior walls and ceiling resistant to cargo impact). By 1982 seven variants total were available including Ambassador II/III and Courier II/III with factory-fitted avionics packages.

What short-field performance does the Cessna 404 Titan have?
SKYbrary confirmed 700 m takeoff and 600 m landing distances. Cessna Flyer confirmed "it can operate out of 2,500-foot strips" with full payload. The trailing-link main landing gear (shared with the Cessna 441 Conquest) provides good rough-field handling. AeroCorner confirmed the 404 "can take off with a 1,560 kg payload from a 770-meter airstrip." This short-field capability opens Scottish island strips, Highland airfields and European mountain approaches unavailable to pressurised twins and jets.

What is the Cessna 404 Titan's military history?
Wikipedia confirmed US military designations C-28A and C-28B and Swedish Air Force designation Tp 87. Grokipedia confirmed the Bolivian Air Force operated the 404 for utility and VIP transport during anti-drug operations, the Colombian Air Force SATENA used it for counter-insurgency logistics and surveillance over remote terrain, and the Jamaica Defence Force used it for maritime patrol and internal security. These demanding government operations in rugged and remote environments validate the 404's structural robustness beyond standard commercial charter requirements.