Charter a Hawker Horizon

The Hawker Horizon - originally named the Hawker Horizon when development began in 1996 - is a super-midsize business jet produced by Hawker Beechcraft from 2008 to 2013, with 73 aircraft completed across the production run. FAA type certification was received on 21 November 2006 under FAR Part 25 transport category standards. The Hawker Horizon was the first super-midsize jet built with a composite fuselage: carbon fiber construction throughout provides the structural weight savings needed to accommodate a 7.62 m cabin at 39,500 lb MTOW while maintaining 3,100 nm range. At 6,000 ft cabin altitude at FL450 the type offers one of the lowest pressurisation altitudes in the super-midsize category.

Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308A turbofan engines at 6,900 lbf each, with FADEC, power the aircraft to 470 kt maximum cruise and a 45,000 ft ceiling. The Honeywell Primus Epic avionics suite provides five 8×10-inch LCD displays, dual FMS, EICAS and a standard autothrottle - a first for the Hawker line. A fly-by-wire rudder system is fitted. NetJets ordered 50 aircraft in December 2005 - the largest commercial order in Raytheon Aircraft history at that time. BJETS followed with a ten-aircraft order in May 2008 valued at over $330 million. The Hawker Horizon received Chinese CAAC certification in December 2009. Charter prices start from approximately £4,200 per flight hour. For the full fleet see our private jet price guide or browse our complete fleet.

Why charter the Hawker Horizon?

• First composite-fuselage super-midsize jet - 7.62 m flat-floor cabin with 6,000 ft cabin altitude. The Hawker Horizon was the first aircraft in the super-midsize category to use composite construction throughout the fuselage, producing a 7.62 m long, 1.98 m wide and 1.83 m high flat-floor cabin within a 39,500 lb MTOW. The pressurisation system maintains 6,000 ft cabin altitude at FL450 - one of the lowest in the super-midsize class - reducing passenger fatigue on sectors above 4 hours. Special vibration isolators dampen cabin noise to a level that Flying Magazine described as rivalling much larger long-range aircraft;
• 3,100 nm transatlantic range - London to New York, Paris to Dubai non-stop. At 3,100 nm (5,741 km) the Hawker Horizon covers London to New York non-stop and Paris to Dubai non-stop. AOPA Pilot noted during a 2012 evaluation that a load of six passengers could be taken from Aspen, Colorado, on a 30°C day and flown non-stop to New York - demonstrating the hot-and-high performance that PW308A engines with FADEC provide above the capability of earlier Hawker models. First-hour fuel burn is approximately 2,600 lb with subsequent hours at 1,800 to 1,900 lb;
• 470 kt maximum cruise and Honeywell Primus Epic with autothrottle - first in the Hawker line. The PW308A engines produce 470 kt at FL410 and 430 kt long-range cruise at FL450. The Honeywell Primus Epic flight deck - with five 8×10-inch LCD displays, dual FMS, EICAS cycling seven pages of systems information and a standard autothrottle - was new to the Hawker series. The fly-by-wire rudder provides the handling precision more typically found in larger transport-category aircraft. Ram's-horn yokes retain the tactile flying characteristic associated with the Hawker line;
• In-flight accessible aft baggage hold - 115 ft³, first time on a Hawker. Previous Hawker models located baggage in the forward cabin, requiring passengers to load bags through the boarding door. The Hawker Horizon resolved this with a 115 ft³ aft baggage compartment loaded through a low tail-cone hatch without a ladder, and accessible in-flight through a bulkhead door aft of the lavatory. This arrangement - previously reserved for large-cabin jets - provides approximately 12 suitcases of capacity that does not impede boarding or disembarkation;
• Double-club or divan configuration - 8 or 9 passengers with two closets and full galley. Standard configuration seats 8 in two double-club layouts with two closets, a forward galley for hot and cold food preparation, and a sizable enclosed aft lavatory. The nine-passenger option replaces the rear club pair with a three-seat side-facing divan. The flat floor throughout the 7.62 m cabin allows free movement between zones. Seven large windows per side admit natural light along the full cabin length;
• Excellent hot-and-high performance from PW308A FADEC engines - unlike legacy Hawkers. AOPA specifically noted that the PW308A engines with FADEC give the Hawker Horizon hot-and-high performance that distinguishes it from the earlier Hawker 700, 800 and 1000 series. Operations from high-altitude airports - Aspen, Courchevel, Lugano - and from airports in hot climates with reduced runway lengths are within the Hawker Horizon's performance envelope in conditions that would limit or exclude earlier Hawker models.

Charter cost - Hawker Horizon prices from UK airports

Hourly rates run from approximately £4,200 to £5,000 - in the super-midsize category, reflecting the 3,100 nm transatlantic range, flat-floor 7.62 m composite cabin and 470 kt cruise. For 7 to 9 passengers on UK-to-Gulf and transatlantic missions, the Hawker Horizon provides large-cabin dimensions and in-flight accessible baggage at super-midsize rates.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to New York - from £44,000 (8 passengers, non-stop, approximately 7 hours 30 minutes);
• London to Dubai - from £36,000 (8 passengers, non-stop, approximately 6 hours 30 minutes);
• London to Geneva - from £10,500 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes);
• London to Riyadh - from £30,000 (8 passengers, non-stop, approximately 5 hours 45 minutes);
• London to Lagos - from £38,000 (8 passengers, non-stop, approximately 6 hours 30 minutes);
• Edinburgh to Istanbul - from £18,000 (8 passengers, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes);
• London to Nairobi - from £40,000 (8 passengers, non-stop, approximately 8 hours).

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

Ideal routes for the Hawker Horizon

Best matched to transatlantic and Gulf missions where 3,100 nm range, 6,000 ft cabin altitude and the flat-floor 7.62 m cabin serve groups of 7 to 9 at super-midsize rates:

• Transatlantic non-stop (7 to 8 hours) - the defining Hawker Horizon mission. London to New York non-stop at 470 kt cruise is the sector the aircraft was designed around. The 6,000 ft cabin altitude across a 7.5-hour crossing means passengers arrive in measurably better condition than on competing super-midsize jets at higher cabin altitudes. The double-club configuration provides face-to-face working seating for both clubs throughout the crossing. The Primus Epic autothrottle and dual FMS handle North Atlantic routing procedures;
• UK to Gulf non-stop (6 to 7 hours). Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha are within comfortable non-stop range. The hot-and-high FADEC performance that AOPA highlighted - demonstrated by the Aspen-to-New York sector in 30°C heat - is directly relevant on Gulf departures where high temperatures reduce engine output on competing aircraft. The forward galley handles full hot meal service for 8 passengers on the Gulf sector length;
• UK to Africa non-stop (6 to 8 hours). Lagos, Nairobi and Cairo are within range. The 115 ft³ in-flight accessible aft baggage compartment is specifically useful on Africa routing where checked luggage requirements are higher and airport handling at destination less predictable. Passengers retrieve checked bags through the bulkhead door mid-flight rather than waiting at the carousel;
• Groups of 8 to 9 where large-cabin dimensions matter. At 7.62 m the Hawker Horizon cabin approaches the lower end of the large-cabin specification. For groups of 8 travelling on transatlantic sectors where competing super-midsize jets provide narrower or shorter cabins, the Hawker Horizon's 1.98 m width and flat floor provide distinctly more space per passenger. The optional nine-passenger divan configuration handles an extra traveller without compromising the overall cabin environment;
• High-altitude European and Alpine airport access. The PW308A FADEC engines that provide the Aspen hot-and-high performance also enable operations from high-altitude European airports - Lugano, Courchevel, Samedan - in conditions that limit or exclude earlier Hawker models and some competing super-midsize jets. For ski season charters or Alpine business destinations, the Hawker Horizon's FADEC performance is a practical operational advantage.

Cabin and in-flight experience

The Hawker Horizon cabin measures 7.62 m long, 1.98 m wide and 1.83 m high - flat floor throughout. Eight passengers travel in two double-club layouts with two closets for hanging storage; the nine-passenger option replaces the rear club pair with a three-seat side-facing divan. Seven large windows per side provide natural light across the full cabin length. Cabin altitude at FL450 is 6,000 ft. Special vibration isolators dampen noise and movement throughout.

A forward galley with hot and cold food preparation capability, including microwave and coffee maker, serves the full group. The enclosed aft lavatory with sink and vanity provides privacy and comfort. The 115 ft³ aft baggage compartment is accessible in-flight through a bulkhead door behind the lavatory. The Honeywell Primus Epic flight deck with five 8×10-inch LCD displays, dual FMS, EICAS and autothrottle provides the crew interface. Two PW308A engines at 6,900 lbf each, FADEC-controlled, power the aircraft to FL450 with the hot-and-high performance noted by AOPA.

• Cabin. 7.62 m × 1.98 m × 1.83 m; flat floor; 7 large windows per side;
• Passengers. 8 (double-club) or 9 (with aft divan); 2 closets;
• Cabin altitude. 6,000 ft at FL450 - low for super-midsize class;
• Galley. Forward; microwave; coffee maker; hot and cold service;
• Lavatory. Enclosed aft; sink; vanity;
• Baggage. 115 ft³ aft; in-flight accessible through bulkhead door;
• Avionics. Honeywell Primus Epic; 5× 8×10-inch LCDs; dual FMS; EICAS; autothrottle; fly-by-wire rudder;
• Engines. 2 × PW308A (6,900 lbf; FADEC); excellent hot-and-high performance.

Technical specifications

Hawker Horizon vs similar aircraft

• Hawker Horizon vs Challenger 350. The Challenger 350 has a wider cabin (2.18 m vs 1.98 m), lower charter rates and a strong global support network. The Hawker Horizon counters with a longer cabin (7.62 m vs 7.33 m), 3,100 nm range (comparable), 6,000 ft cabin altitude (vs approximately 7,000 ft on the Challenger 350 at similar altitude), in-flight accessible 115 ft³ aft baggage and the FADEC hot-and-high performance that extends airport access in high-temperature and high-altitude conditions;
• Hawker Horizon vs Citation XLS+. The Citation XLS+ is a smaller midsize jet with lower charter rates and shorter range (approximately 2,100 nm vs 3,100 nm). For groups of 4 to 7 on European missions, the XLS+ offers lower rates. The Hawker Horizon provides 1,000 nm more range, the 7.62 m composite cabin versus the XLS+'s shorter interior, 9 versus 9 maximum passengers at comparable cabin comfort, in-flight accessible baggage, 6,000 ft cabin altitude and the autothrottle Primus Epic avionics. For transatlantic and Gulf missions the Hawker Horizon is the appropriate choice;
• Hawker Horizon vs Gulfstream G280. The G280 has more range (3,600 nm vs 3,100 nm), slightly higher cruise speed and Gulfstream's global support network. Charter rates are broadly comparable. The Hawker Horizon counters with a longer and wider cabin (7.62 m × 1.98 m vs G280's cabin), in-flight accessible 115 ft³ aft baggage compartment, 6,000 ft cabin altitude, the dual-closet storage and the first-in-class composite construction. For groups prioritising cabin length and in-flight baggage access, the Hawker Horizon is preferable.

Frequently asked questions - Hawker Horizon charter

How much does it cost to charter a Hawker Horizon?
Charter rates run from approximately £4,200 to £5,000 per flight hour. London to New York non-stop costs from £44,000 for 8 passengers. London to Dubai costs from £36,000. London to Geneva costs from £10,500. All quotes from Private Jets UK are fully itemised with no hidden charges.

Is the Hawker Horizon the same as the Hawker 4000?
Yes - the Hawker Horizon was the original name when the programme was announced in 1996. Hawker Beechcraft renamed it the Hawker 4000 in 2005, and the aircraft received FAA type certification on 21 November 2006. First deliveries began in 2008. The name Hawker Horizon is still widely used to identify the type, particularly in the UK and European charter markets.

Can the Hawker Horizon fly London to New York non-stop?
Yes - at 3,100 nm NBAA IFR range the aircraft covers London to New York (approximately 3,450 nm) non-stop at lighter payloads and with favourable conditions. At standard charter loads of 8 passengers, a fuel stop may be required depending on winds. Confirm routing and payload with Private Jets UK before booking. London to Dubai (approximately 3,400 nm) is non-stop at standard loads.

How many passengers can fly on a Hawker Horizon?
Eight in the standard double-club configuration; nine with the optional three-seat side-facing divan replacing the rear club pair. The 7.62 m flat-floor cabin accommodates both layouts with two closets, a forward galley and enclosed aft lavatory retained in each configuration.

Why did production of the Hawker Horizon end?
Hawker Beechcraft filed for bankruptcy in May 2012. Textron acquired the assets and formed Beechcraft Corporation, discontinuing the Hawker aircraft line to focus on the King Air turboprop and Cessna jet product families. Production of the Hawker 4000 ended in 2013 with 73 aircraft built. Parts and engineering support for existing aircraft continues through Textron Aviation.