An airliner-size aircraft is the answer in Dubai when the party outgrows a heavy jet. Above nineteen passengers the trip no longer sits under the FAR Part 135 standards and would operate under FAR Part 121 or a foreign equivalent, which generally carry stricter crew and operating requirements, and we quote it as the different thing it is.
The Airbus ACJ318. Below are the figures, what it suits in this market, and what it costs to charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: VIP Airliner
- Manufacturer: Airbus Corporate Jets
- Year introduced: 2005
- Seating: 14 to 19
- Crew: 2
- Range: 4,200 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: Mach 0.78 (~448 kt)
- Service ceiling: 41,000 feet
- Length: 103.2 feet
- Wingspan: 111.9 feet
- Height: 41.3 feet
- Baggage volume: 430 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Airbus ACJ318 Works in Dubai
Where an airliner-size aircraft fits a Dubai trip
The thing worth understanding before you choose an aircraft in Dubai is that this is a long-haul market first. The two trips clients ask about most are Dubai to London and Dubai to New York, and both are decided by range rather than by cabin preference. The regional legs, out to Doha or Riyadh or across to Delhi and Mumbai, are a smaller and simpler question, and the aircraft that answers one is usually not the aircraft that answers the other.
Whether an airliner-size aircraft is available for your dates, and which operating standard it falls under, is settled with the operator before we quote. Above nineteen passengers the trip leaves FAR Part 135, and on an international leg out of Dubai the equivalent standard is set by the authority responsible for that operation.
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 Airbus ACJ318 run $16,000 to $22,000 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
What moves the number on a Dubai trip is the length of the flight and the positioning. An aircraft already in the region prices very differently from one ferried in for your departure, and on a long flight that positioning leg can be a real share of the total. Your advisor will tell you which your quote is built on.
Other VIP Airliners Available
Contact
For a quote on an Airbus ACJ318 charter into or out of Dubai, head to our contact page or call 1-888-987-5387 at any hour. For the vetting work behind every trip see our safety page, and our aircraft directory compares this against the other categories we arrange.
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 Airbus unless noted otherwise.