When a Colorado group outgrows the seats on a heavy jet, a VIP airliner becomes the aircraft to look at.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-83 entered service in 1985. It seats 155 to 172 with a published range of 2,550 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 472 knots. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 37,000 feet, 1,253 cubic feet of baggage volume and an enclosed lavatory.
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 Colorado
With 2,550 nautical miles of published range, it covers trips from Denver to destinations such as Scottsdale, Seattle and Boston, allowing for reserves and routing. In winter, snow and de-icing can add time to a Colorado departure, so it helps to build a little slack into the plan.
Centennial caps aircraft at 70,000 lb maximum takeoff weight, or 75,000 lb for Stage III aircraft, so heavier aircraft leave from Denver International, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan, Colorado Springs or Colorado Air and Space Port. At Colorado’s elevations, whether the aircraft can use a particular airport on your date is the operator’s call for that aircraft, its weight and the day’s conditions, and your advisor will confirm it before anything is booked.
How Colorado Clients Use the McDonnell Douglas MD-83
These are airliners fitted with private cabins, and there are far fewer of them than business jets, so call as early as you can when a Colorado trip needs one.
Tell us the route, how many people are flying and what they are bringing, skis and golf bags included, and your advisor will say whether this aircraft suits the trip or suggest one that suits it 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: $18,000 to $25,000 (as of 10/2026)
Other VIP Airliners Available
Contact
For a quote on a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 charter in or out of Colorado, 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.