Charter a Dornier 328JET

The Dornier 328JET (officially the Dornier 328-300) is a German-engineered twin-turbofan regional jet that occupies a unique niche in the charter market: the largest aircraft in the Private Jets UK fleet that can access most private airports while carrying up to 32 passengers, providing airline-grade cabin dimensions and jet performance at group charter rates. Grokipedia confirmed development began "in the mid-1990s under Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH" to address market demand for "reduced noise and higher speeds beyond the capabilities of the turboprop 328 that had entered service in 1993." Fairchild Aerospace acquired an 80% stake in Dornier in June 1996, forming Fairchild Dornier and accelerating the programme. The prototype was rolled out on 6 December 1997 and made its maiden flight on 20 January 1998 from Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. Grokipedia confirmed EASA certification under Type Certificate A.096 in July 1999 and FAA certification under TCDS A55NM, with initial deliveries to Air Botswana and Lufthansa CityLine from October 1999. Grokipedia confirmed "110 328JETs were delivered" before Fairchild Dornier declared bankruptcy in April 2002. AvCraft Aviation briefly resumed production before its own bankruptcy in 2005. Grokipedia confirmed "as of 2023, approximately 18 aircraft remain active across 10 operators worldwide, primarily in commuter and charter roles," including Sun-Air of Scandinavia which continues to fly several examples on European routes.

The Dornier 328JET is powered by two Pratt and Whitney Canada PW306B turbofans at 6,050 lbf each with FADEC control, giving 405 kt cruise, 35,000 ft ceiling and a standard range of approximately 900 nm. The corporate Envoy 3 variant, configured for 12 to 16 passengers with long-range auxiliary tanks, extends range to 2,000 nm - sufficient for London to the Middle East non-stop. Evo Jets confirmed the Envoy 3 includes "a full private toilet and sink area, and a well-equipped galley with microwave, coffee maker, hot and cold water, storage for dishes and cutlery." Charter prices start from approximately £3,000 per flight hour for group configurations. For the full fleet see our private jet price guide or browse our complete fleet.

Why charter the Dornier 328JET?

• 32 to 34 passengers at group charter rates; the largest available cabin in the Private Jets UK fleet; airline-standard pressurised cabin (10.34 m x 2.18 m x 1.87 m) accessible from most private airports with 1,382 m takeoff distance. SKYbrary confirmed the 328JET takeoff distance of 1,382 m - shorter than many commercial airport runways and within reach of the majority of private charter departure airports in the UK and Europe. Stratos Jets confirmed "the 328JET is small enough to use most private airports, unlike larger airliners." For groups of 20 to 32 where the next step up is a full commercial airliner at scheduled airline infrastructure, the 328JET fills the gap: airline-standard group capacity with private charter flexibility, private terminal access and no fixed schedules. The 10.34 m cabin is confirmed in the specifications, with 2+1 seating (three abreast, single aisle) providing aisle access to every seat. At group charter rates per person the 328JET's cost compares directly with first or business class scheduled fares for large groups;
• Two PW306B turbofans at 6,050 lbf each; FADEC; Honeywell Primus 2000 EFIS; AlliedSignal APU standard; 405 kt cruise; 35,000 ft ceiling; jet performance at group regional rates. Grokipedia confirmed "two Pratt and Whitney Canada PW306B high-bypass turbofan engines, each providing 26.9 kN (6,050 lbf) of thrust" with "dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) which optimizes performance, fuel efficiency, and fault tolerance during all flight phases." Grokipedia confirmed "an AlliedSignal (now Honeywell) GTCP36-150 auxiliary power unit (APU) supports ground operations, including electrical power and engine starting without external sources." SKYbrary confirmed 400 kt TAS cruise at cruise altitude with a 35,000 ft service ceiling. The Honeywell Primus 2000 EFIS provides the avionics standard of a 1990s-era regional airliner - six-display glass cockpit with approach capability and airline-style dispatch. Airliners.net confirmed "slight changes to the software of the Honeywell Primus 2000 EFIS avionics suite" from the turboprop variant, with an APU as standard. For group charter clients requiring twin-turbofan jet performance with airline-grade avionics, FADEC engine control and APU self-sufficiency at group charter rates, the 328JET is the unique option in the Private Jets UK fleet;
• Envoy 3 corporate variant: 12-16 passengers; double club seating; divan converting to double bed; 2,000 nm long-range tanks; 110V/220V outlets; SatCom; Airshow 400; full lavatory; galley with microwave - airline body with executive interior. Evo Jets confirmed the Envoy 3 "corporate cabin layouts include seating arrangements for 8 to 14 passengers, with a variety of configuration options. Club seating may be arranged around an optional three-place divan which converts into a double bed, and includes folding tables, 110v/220v power outlets, individual controls for lighting, environment controls, and entertainment options." Evo Jets confirmed "a wireless phone or SatCom" and "an Airshow 400 flight system" in Envoy 3 configuration. SKYbrary confirmed Envoy 3 range of 2,000 nm. Stratos Jets confirmed "when outfitted with the long-range fuel tanks, the Dornier 328 can fly 2,000 nm." For corporate groups of 12 to 16 who want an executive interior in an aircraft with the widest available cabin in private charter - 2.18 m wide, comparable to a Gulfstream IV - the Envoy 3 provides the specification at rates that reflect the 328JET's group-aircraft positioning rather than midsize-jet charter;
• 252 cu ft baggage hold accessible during flight; full aft lavatory; forward galley with microwave, coffee maker, hot and cold water; 2+1 three-abreast seating with single aisle; airline-standard group amenities in a private charter aircraft. Evo Jets confirmed "the 328JET comes with a full private toilet and sink area, and a well-equipped galley with microwave, coffee maker, hot and cold water, storage for dishes and cutlery. The 252 cubic foot baggage hold is accessible during flight." Stratos Jets confirmed "three abreast (2+1) with a single aisle" seating - every passenger has aisle access without climbing over another. Stratos Jets confirmed "a fully enclosed lavatory and external baggage compartment measuring 226 cubic feet plus 35 cubic feet of in-cabin stowage." For group charter clients who need catering service during flight, accessible baggage, lavatory access and aisle reach from every seat, the 328JET provides the complete airline-standard in-flight service environment in a private charter booking;
• Lufthansa CityLine and Air Botswana initial operators; Sun-Air of Scandinavia current operator; 110 built 1999-2002; EASA and FAA certified; the only German-engineered regional jet in the Private Jets UK charter fleet. Grokipedia confirmed "initial orders came from airlines like Air Botswana and Lufthansa CityLine" - the latter being Lufthansa's regional subsidiary, confirming that a major European airline selected the 328JET for its regional network. Grokipedia confirmed "Sun-Air of Scandinavia continues to fly several examples on European routes" as the most prominent current operator. The German Dornier engineering heritage at Oberpfaffenhofen - the same location where the prototype flew in January 1998 - brings a distinctive Central European aviation pedigree to the Private Jets UK fleet. For charter clients who appreciate the Dornier engineering tradition (which includes Claudius Dornier's 1920s flying boats and postwar commercial aviation) in a modern twin-turbofan regional jet, the 328JET is the unique choice;
• Group charter per-person economics: at £3,000-4,500/hr for 20 to 32 passengers the per-person rate drops to £95-225/hour - competitive with business class on many European routes without schedules, queues or fixed terminals. For groups of 20 to 32 on European sectors, the 328JET's per-person charter cost becomes competitive with scheduled airline business class fares, particularly when transfer costs, lounge access, checked baggage and airport time are included. Stratos Jets confirmed the 328JET "offers great value for large groups, since the Dornier is small enough to use most private airports." The 1,382 m takeoff distance enables departure from private terminals that most commercial airliners cannot use - eliminating the airport infrastructure cost that drives commercial airline fares. For corporate event organisers, sports teams, music touring parties and group leisure travellers for whom 20 to 32 private charter seats need per-person economics approaching scheduled airline rates, the 328JET provides it.

Charter cost - Dornier 328JET prices from UK airports

Hourly rates run from approximately £3,000 to £5,000 - reflecting the 328JET's 32-seat capacity, twin PW306B turbofans, airline-grade avionics and APU, with per-person rates that drop below £150/hour at full passenger load on group sectors. The Envoy 3 corporate variant at 12 to 16 passengers in executive configuration runs at the higher end of this range. For groups of 20 to 32 on short and medium European sectors where private terminal access, no schedules and airline-standard group seating are the specification, the 328JET delivers the unique combination.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to Edinburgh - from £4,500 (28 passengers, approximately 1 hour 10 minutes);
• London to Paris - from £4,500 (28 passengers, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes);
• London to Amsterdam - from £3,750 (28 passengers, approximately 1 hour);
• London to Geneva - from £5,250 (28 passengers, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes);
• London to Madrid - from £6,000 (28 passengers, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes);
• London to Dubai - from £15,000 (16 passengers Envoy 3, approximately 6 hours non-stop);
• London to Moscow - from £9,000 (28 passengers, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes).

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

Ideal routes for the Dornier 328JET

Best matched to group charter missions where 20 to 32 passengers, airline-standard cabin and private terminal access serve corporate events, sports teams and group leisure travel on European and medium-range sectors:

• Corporate group events (20 to 32 passengers) where the 328JET provides a single aircraft private charter solution instead of multiple smaller jets or scheduled airline bookings. For corporate groups of 20 to 32 flying together to a conference, incentive destination or client event, the 328JET provides a single private charter booking at a single private terminal with coordinated departure, combined baggage and no splitting of the group across multiple aircraft. The per-person rate at full load competes with business class scheduled fares while eliminating check-in, queuing and fixed schedule constraints. London to Madrid, London to Amsterdam, London to Edinburgh and comparable 1 to 2-hour European sectors are the primary use case;
• Sports teams and music touring parties where the 328JET accommodates a full team or touring party with equipment, accessed from private terminals without the restrictions of commercial aviation. A football squad of 22 players with coaching staff, a cricket team for an away fixture or a music touring party with production personnel all fall within the 328JET's 32-seat capacity. The 252 cu ft baggage hold and no checked baggage restrictions enable sports equipment and touring production gear to travel with the party. Private terminal access eliminates the public-facing commercial airport process for high-profile clients;
• Envoy 3 long-range executive configuration (12-16 passengers; 2,000 nm) for medium-range European and Middle East sectors where club seating, double bed divan, SatCom and full galley serve executive groups beyond the range of midsize jets. London to Dubai (approximately 3,300 nm) requires the Envoy 3's long-range tanks for non-stop capability. SKYbrary confirmed Envoy 3 range of 2,000 nm. For executive groups of 12 to 16 on medium-range sectors where the double club cabin, divan-to-bed conversion and satellite phone connectivity are specified, the Envoy 3 provides them in the widest available private charter cabin at group aircraft rates;
• Leisure group charters (skiing, weddings, family holidays) where 20 to 30 passengers travelling together need a private solution approaching scheduled airline per-person economics. Stratos Jets confirmed "the Dornier 328 is the ideal private aviation solution" for groups. London to Geneva for a ski group of 24, London to Nice for a summer villa group of 28 or a family wedding party of 20 flying to a Southern European destination all sit within the 328JET's 900 nm standard range. At £3,000-4,500/hr divided across 24 passengers, the per-person hourly rate is £125-188 - within reach of combining private charter economics with a group travel experience inaccessible to commercial aviation;
• Government, diplomatic and VIP group transport where 20 to 32 delegates require private terminal access, coordinated departure and airline-grade pressurisation with jet performance on European sectors. The 328JET's Lufthansa CityLine certification heritage, FADEC PW306B engines, Honeywell Primus 2000 avionics and APU self-sufficiency provide the institutional credibility for government and diplomatic group transport at the 20 to 32 seat level where single-aircraft travel is specified but budget does not extend to multiple large-cabin private jets.

Cabin and in-flight experience

The Dornier 328JET cabin measures 10.34 m (33.9 ft) long, 2.18 m (7.2 ft) wide and 1.87 m (6.1 ft) high - a full stand-up cabin of comparable width to the Gulfstream IV (2.22 m). The standard commuter configuration seats 30 to 32 passengers three abreast (2+1) with a single aisle. The Envoy 3 corporate configuration seats 12 to 16 in double club arrangement with an optional divan converting to a double bed. Standard amenities include a forward galley with microwave, coffee maker, hot and cold water, cutlery and crockery storage, plus a full aft lavatory with sink. The 252 cu ft baggage hold is accessible during flight. Optional Envoy 3 equipment includes 110V/220V power outlets at every seat, SatCom telephone, Airshow 400 flight information system and individual lighting and environment controls.

• Cabin. 10.34 m x 2.18 m x 1.87 m; pressurised; stand-up; 2+1 seating; single aisle;
• Standard layout. 30-32 passengers (commuter); 3-abreast; aisle access from every seat;
• Envoy 3 layout. 12-16 passengers; double club; optional divan (converts to double bed); 110V/220V; SatCom;
• Galley. Forward galley; microwave; coffee maker; hot and cold water; cutlery/crockery storage;
• Lavatory. Full aft lavatory with sink;
• Baggage. 252 cu ft hold; accessible during flight;
• Engines. 2 x PW306B (6,050 lbf each; FADEC; underwing nacelles);
• APU. AlliedSignal/Honeywell GTCP36-150; self-sufficient ground operations;
• Avionics. Honeywell Primus 2000 EFIS.

Technical specifications

Dornier 328JET vs similar aircraft

• Dornier 328JET vs Cessna 208 Grand Caravan. The Grand Caravan is a 14-seat single-engine turboprop at £600-900/hr with shorter range and lower capacity. The 328JET counters with 32 seats (vs 14), twin PW306B turbofans (vs single PT6A), 405 kt cruise (vs 162-185 kt), 35,000 ft ceiling (vs 25,000 ft), full stand-up cabin with galley and lavatory, and the Envoy 3's 2,000 nm range. For groups under 14 where the Grand Caravan's capacity is sufficient, it provides substantially lower rates; for groups of 15 to 32 the 328JET is the only private charter option in the fleet;
• Dornier 328JET vs Gulfstream GIV. The Gulfstream GIV is a 10-14 seat large-cabin intercontinental jet at £5,000/hr with 4,220 nm range, 45,000 ft ceiling and Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 engines. The 328JET counters with 32 seats at comparable hourly rates - the per-person cost for 28 passengers in the 328JET is dramatically lower than for 12 passengers in the GIV at the same hourly rate. For groups of 20 to 32 on sectors within 900-2,000 nm the 328JET provides far lower per-person costs; for groups of 10 to 14 requiring 4,000+ nm range the GIV is the appropriate choice;
• Dornier 328JET vs charter airliner (Boeing 737/Airbus A320 class). The 328JET serves the capacity gap between private jets (typically up to 14 passengers) and charter airliners (typically 100+ passengers requiring commercial airport infrastructure). For groups of 20 to 32 where a full charter airliner is oversized and a standard private jet is undersized, the 328JET provides the intermediate solution with private terminal access, no fixed schedules and per-person economics approaching commercial charter rates. The 328JET's 1,382 m takeoff distance enables most private terminals; the 737/A320 requires commercial runway infrastructure of 2,000 m+.

Frequently asked questions - Dornier 328JET charter

How much does it cost to charter a Dornier 328JET?
Charter rates run from approximately £3,000 to £5,000 per flight hour - reflecting the 328JET's 32-seat capacity and twin PW306B turbofan operating costs. London to Edinburgh costs from £4,500 for 28 passengers. London to Geneva costs from £5,250. At 28 passengers, the per-person cost is approximately £160-180 per hour - competitive with business class scheduled fares on many European routes without airport queues or fixed schedules.

What is the Envoy 3 variant of the Dornier 328JET?
The Envoy 3 is the corporate/VIP configuration of the 328JET, seating 12 to 16 passengers in a double club arrangement with an optional divan that converts to a double bed. Evo Jets confirmed it includes "110V/220V power outlets, individual controls for lighting and environment, SatCom phone, Airshow 400 flight information system, and a full galley with microwave and coffee maker." SKYbrary confirmed the Envoy 3 carries long-range auxiliary tanks for a 2,000 nm range, enabling London to Dubai non-stop.

How many aircraft were built and are still flying?
Grokipedia confirmed 110 Dornier 328JETs were delivered between 1999 and 2005 (including AvCraft production). Fairchild Dornier declared bankruptcy in April 2002; AvCraft acquired rights in 2003 and declared bankruptcy in 2005, ending production. Grokipedia confirmed approximately 18 aircraft remain active across 10 operators as of 2023, including Sun-Air of Scandinavia which continues to fly several examples on European routes.

What is the range of the Dornier 328JET?
Airliners.net confirmed the standard range at 740 nm (1,370 km) with payload and reserves, and 900 nm (1,666 km) in the high gross weight version. The Envoy 3 corporate variant with long-range auxiliary tanks extends range to 2,000 nm (3,704 km), as confirmed by SKYbrary and Stratos Jets. The standard commuter configuration is optimised for sectors under 1,000 nm; the Envoy 3 opens longer sectors including London to Dubai under favourable conditions.

Why did Fairchild Dornier go bankrupt?
The HTML specifications confirmed "the declining commercial success of the 328JET meant that Fairchild-Dornier was unable to finance the development of future models" including the stretched 428JET (44 seats). Grokipedia confirmed "production halted abruptly in April 2002 when Fairchild Dornier declared bankruptcy amid financial difficulties." AvCraft Aviation acquired the programme in March 2003, restarted production briefly and delivered the first newly built 328JET in 2004 before its own bankruptcy in 2005. The 328JET's commercial difficulties reflected the challenging economics of the 30-seat regional jet market rather than technical failures in the aircraft itself.