The McDonnell Douglas MD-83 is a full airline-configuration narrow-body, and out of South Florida it is chartered when the group runs past a hundred and fifty people. It seats 155 to 172 and covers 2,550 nautical miles from KDJT at a 472 knot cruise.
The MD-83 is a stretched DC-9 derivative with two rear-mounted Pratt and Whitney JT8D-219 engines and built-in airstairs. Airline seating runs 155 to 172 and range is 2,550 nautical miles. Mounting the engines at the tail keeps the forward cabin notably quiet for an aircraft of this age. Every McDonnell Douglas MD-83 we arrange flies with an operator certified under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
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 Palm Beach
Large group movements out of KDJT: a full conference, a school or university group, or a tour party heading to the Caribbean or the Midwest on a fixed date.
Built-in airstairs and a low fuselage. The MD-83 works at airports with limited ground equipment, which comes up regularly on Caribbean and Central American itineraries.
In Palm Beach County, KDJT is the only field that takes this aircraft. For a group of this size we plan the ground side at the same time: buses, baggage handling and customs all need their own slot in the schedule.
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.
- 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 9/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
$18,000 to $25,000 per hour, which across a full 170-seat load is the lowest cost per passenger of anything we charter. These trips are quoted per rotation with positioning included.
Other VIP Airliners Available
The full vip airliners category page lists every vip airliner we arrange for Palm Beach departures.
Contact
For a quote on a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 charter from Palm Beach, FL, 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. All images copyrighted and provided courtesy of McDonnell Douglas unless noted otherwise.