Jet charter San Francisco to Seattle
A jet charter San Francisco to Seattle covers 595 nautical miles. Light jets make the trip nonstop in 1 hour 45 minutes. Estimates for that class run $6,500 to $10,000.
San Francisco to Seattle jet rates by aircraft
A private jet from San Francisco to Seattle goes 595 nautical miles in 1h 45m on a light jet, estimated at $6,500–$10,000 one way.The numbers below cover five aircraft classes on this regional leg. Times are nonstop block times, and prices are one-way estimates per aircraft, not per seat. Turboprops sit at the slow end, heavy jets at the fast end. Read across each row before deciding what you actually need for a 595 nm route into Seattle.
| Aircraft class | Flight time | One-way estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 2h 23m | $5,000–$8,500 | Nonstop |
| Light jet | 1h 45m | $6,500–$10,000 | Best fit |
| Midsize jet | 1h 43m | $9,000–$13,500 | Nonstop |
| Super-midsize jet | 1h 38m | $11,500–$16,500 | Nonstop |
| Heavy jet | 1h 38m | $15,500–$23,500 | Nonstop |
Per-aircraft ballparks, not per seat, before federal excise tax and segment fees. Duration covers taxi, climb and descent.
Why a light jet fits this trip
A light jet flies this 595 nm route nonstop in 1h 45m, at $6,500 to $10,000 — the best match of cabin, speed and price for most parties. The HondaJet Elite II seats 5 and the Citation CJ4 Gen2 seats 7, and both have the range for the leg with room for headwinds. If you are traveling alone or with one other person, a turboprop saves money at 2h 23m but gives up cabin space.
Midsize and super-midsize jets shave only minutes off the block time — 1h 43m and 1h 38m — and cost $9,000 to $16,500. For parties of 6 or more with real luggage, a super-midsize jet earns the extra spend on this route. Heavy jets also fly it in 1h 38m but start at $15,500, which is hard to justify for 595 nm unless you need the cabin for a full group.
Embraer Phenom 300E
- 7 seats
- 464 kt cruise
- 2,010 nm range
Cabin 4 ft 11 in tall, 17 ft 2 in long. Baggage 84 cu ft.
Pilatus PC-24
- 8 seats
- 440 kt cruise
- 2,000 nm range
Cabin 5 ft 1 in tall, 23 ft long. Baggage 90 cu ft.
Leaving San Francisco
San Francisco departures start at SFO or Oakland, both with runways long enough for every class here. SFO's longest runway is 11,870 ft and Oakland's is 10,520 ft, so nothing in the fleet is payload-limited on the way out. Most light jet operators prefer the Bay Area field that keeps their repositioning short.
Plan to arrive at the FBO roughly 15 to 20 minutes before departure; there is no terminal walk or security line for a private departure. If your schedule is firm, ask for the tail number and operator name early so you can confirm the aircraft and crew before you lock in ground transport.
Arriving in Seattle
Boeing Field sits closest to downtown Seattle, with a 10,007 ft runway and a short hop to the stadium district. Paine Field in Everett is the second option, with 9,010 ft of runway and easier access if your destination is north of the city, such as Boeing's factory tour or the Mukilteo ferry. Bremerton National handles smaller arrivals across the water.
If you would rather land at the airline field, Seattle–Tacoma International has a 11,901 ft runway and full FBO service. For most downtown meetings, Boeing Field puts you in a car and on the way in minutes. Check with your operator on which Seattle airport they prefer for the tail you are quoted.
| Airport | Code | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco International Airport | KSFO / SFO | 11,870 ft |
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport | KOAK / OAK | 10,520 ft |
| King County International Airport - Boeing Field | KBFI / BFI | 10,007 ft |
| Seattle Paine Field International Airport | KPAE / PAE | 9,010 ft |
| Bremerton National Airport | KPWT / PWT | 6,000 ft |
| Seattle–Tacoma International Airport | KSEA / SEA | 11,901 ft |
When prices rise on this route
Demand peaks on Friday afternoons out of the Bay Area and Sunday evenings back from Seattle. Those are the same windows when commercial fares and hotel rates climb, and charter aircraft get committed to other clients. Booking two to three weeks out for a weekend trip gives you a better choice of light jets and midsize aircraft.
Summer is the busiest stretch on this city pair, and Seattle's clear-season events pull traffic from California. If you are flying for a Mariners series, a Seahawks home game or a summer weekend downtown, book the return leg at the same time as the outbound. A one-way quote near a peak date can price higher than a round trip booked together, because the operator has to reposition the aircraft afterward.
Midweek departures usually price below weekend departures on this 595 nm leg. Tuesday through Thursday gives you more aircraft to compare and more room to negotiate on a midsize jet. If your dates are flexible, shifting a day in either direction is often worth more than switching classes.
Private jet routes similar to San Francisco to Seattle
Each of these 6 private jet routes is 757 to 1,452 nautical miles. One-way light jet estimates run $8,000 to $26,500.
Questions about this route
How much does jet charter San Francisco to Seattle cost?
Expect roughly $6,500 to $10,000 for a light jet one way, the class that fits this 595 nm route best. Midsize jets run $9,000 to $13,500, super-midsize $11,500 to $16,500 and heavy jets $15,500 to $23,500. These are estimates; the final quote depends on aircraft, date and crew availability.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Seattle by private jet?
A light jet covers the route in 1 hour 45 minutes nonstop. A midsize jet takes 1 hour 43 minutes, and super-midsize and heavy jets take 1 hour 38 minutes. A turboprop takes 2 hours 23 minutes. These are block times, so taxi and climb are included.
Can I fly same-day round trip from San Francisco to Seattle?
Yes. At 1 hour 45 minutes each way, a light jet makes a same-day round trip practical. You will typically pay for both legs plus any waiting time, so ask the operator to quote the full day rather than two one-ways. A 595 nm return in one day is a common pattern for business travelers.
Which Seattle airport will my flight use?
Most charters into Seattle use Boeing Field, with a 10,007 ft runway and a short drive to downtown. Paine Field in Everett has a 9,010 ft runway and suits destinations north of the city. Seattle–Tacoma International has an 11,901 ft runway, and Bremerton National has 6,000 ft for smaller aircraft.
Who operates the aircraft on a charter flight?
The flight is flown by an FAA Part 135 operator that holds operational control, including the crew and the aircraft. A broker like this service arranges the trip as an agent under DOT Part 295 rules and does not own or operate the aircraft. You can ask for the operator's name and certificate before you book.
Is a turboprop cheaper than a light jet on this route?
A turboprop runs about $5,000 to $8,500 one way, below the light jet range of $6,500 to $10,000. It takes 2 hours 23 minutes against 1 hour 45 minutes, and the cabin is smaller. For 595 nm with a small party and flexible timing, the savings are real; for luggage or a full group, the light jet is the better fit.