When the guest list for an Aruba trip grows past what a heavy jet can carry, a VIP airliner is the aircraft we look at next.
Airbus introduced the ACJ318 Elite in 2005. It seats 14 to 19 with a published range of 4,200 nautical miles and a cruise of Mach 0.78 (~448 knots). The aircraft has a service ceiling of 41,000 feet, 750 cubic feet of baggage volume and multiple lavatories.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: VIP Airliner
- Manufacturer: Airbus
- Year introduced: 2005
- Seating: 14 to 19
- Crew: 2
- Range: 4,200 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: Mach 0.78 (~448 knots)
- Service ceiling: 41,000 feet
- Length: 103.1 feet
- Wingspan: 111.9 feet
- Height: 41.2 feet
- Baggage volume: 750 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Multiple lavatories
Why the Airbus ACJ318 Elite Fits Aruba
With 4,200 nautical miles of published range, it covers trips between Aruba and destinations such as Miami, New York and Los Angeles, allowing for reserves and routing. Every trip to Aruba is international, so each passenger needs a valid passport and completes Aruba’s online ED card before traveling.
On the island, every private flight uses Queen Beatrix International in Oranjestad, and at home an aircraft this size usually leaves from one of the larger airports in your area. The runway an aircraft needs is calculated by the operator for that day’s conditions, and your advisor confirms it with the operator before the trip is booked.
How Aruba Clients Use the Airbus ACJ318 Elite
VIP airliners take the Aruba groups that no business jet can, such as a large destination wedding or a company incentive trip. Once the group runs past nineteen passengers, the trip calls for an airliner-size aircraft and no longer falls under FAR Part 135, the FAA’s rules for on-demand, for-hire charter. Those flights operate under FAR Part 121 or a foreign equivalent, which generally carries stricter crew and operating requirements than both Part 91 and Part 135.
Tell us where you are flying from, who is coming and what they are packing, dive gear and golf clubs included, and your advisor will tell you whether this aircraft fits or suggest one that suits the trip better.
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
- Estimated hourly rate: $16,000 to $22,000 (as of 10/2026)
Other VIP Airliners Available
Contact
For a quote on an Airbus ACJ318 Elite charter to or from Aruba, call an advisor at 1-888-987-5387, or send the trip through our contact page. You can read how we review operators and crews on our safety page, and compare other categories in the aircraft gallery.
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.