The Dornier 328 is a regional turboprop aircraft with 32 standard seats and certification for up to 33 passengers. According to Deutsche Aircraft, the current type certificate holder, its typical range is approximately 1,500 km. It can operate from short runways, including grass or gravel surfaces, subject to operational conditions. Its cruising speed is around 620 km/h, compared with approximately 500 km/h for an ATR 72.
For charter flights, the Dornier 328 meets a specific need: transporting groups of 20 to 32 people on regional routes, including airports that larger aircraft may struggle to serve. It sits between the slower Saab 340 and regional jets such as the ERJ 135. Its jet-powered variant, the 328JET, shares the same fuselage.
At Artheau Aviation, we charter this aircraft for group travel, including business delegations, seminars, sports teams and institutional trips. We identify available aircraft, compare operators and coordinate every stage of the flight, from departure to your group's arrival.
Passengers
32 seats
33 certified maximum, according to EASA
Cruising speed
≈ 620 km/h
Approximately 335 kt, indicative figure
Range
≈ 1,500 km
Typical range, according to Deutsche Aircraft
Runways
Short
Grass and gravel possible, according to Deutsche Aircraft
The charter price of a Dornier 328 covers the entire aircraft, regardless of how many seats are occupied. It depends on flight time, aircraft positioning, airport charges, ground handling and any time spent waiting at the destination. For return flights several days apart, we compare keeping the aircraft on site with repositioning it between flights.
On a per-passenger basis, a 32-seat turboprop may be more suitable than a largely empty narrow-body airliner. For groups of 20 to 32 people on flights lasting under two hours, the Dornier 328 is worth considering, subject to availability.
We prepare each charter quotation after consulting several operators. Before you confirm, we explain what is included and which factors could affect the final price.
The Dornier 328 combines the capacity of a small airliner with access to certain regional airfields that larger aircraft may find difficult to serve.
A delegation or team travels together on one aircraft without chartering a 70-seat plane.
Deutsche Aircraft states that it can operate from short, grass or gravel runways, including at higher elevations.
Approximately 620 km/h: on a 1,000 km route, the flight-time difference compared with a regional jet remains limited.
A 2+1 cabin layout with no middle seats, ideal for a two-hour group flight.
Its limitation: with only 107 aircraft built, the Dornier 328 is relatively rare. Availability in Europe should be checked early; depending on your dates, a Saab 340, ATR 42 or ERJ 135 may be an alternative.
According to Deutsche Aircraft, the Dornier 328 has a typical range of approximately 1,500 km (800 nautical miles). The manufacturer also quotes a maximum range of up to 3,400 km without specifying the operating conditions, so we do not use that figure for group charters. We ask the operator to confirm each route based on passenger numbers, baggage, winds and the alternate airport.
From Paris–Le Bourget, this typical range includes nonstop routes to London (approximately 330 km), Geneva (410 km), Munich (690 km), Barcelona (850 km), Prague (860 km) and Rome (1,100 km). Marseille to Budapest is approximately 1,180 km, representing a flight of around two hours.
For routes beyond 1,500 km, or longer journeys with a full group and substantial baggage, we may recommend a regional jet such as the ERJ 145 or CRJ900 instead.
Great-circle distances calculated by Artheau Aviation for guidance only.
The figures below relate to the 328-100 turboprop variant. They may vary according to the configuration selected by the operator.
| Specification | Dornier 328-100 |
|---|---|
| Seats | 32 (standard) · 33 certified maximum |
| Cruising speed | ≈ 620 km/h |
| Typical range | ≈ 1,500 km (800 NM) |
| Engines | 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW119B or PW119C |
| Maximum take-off weight | 13,990 kg |
| Maximum operating altitude | 31,000 ft (9,449 m) |
| Length / wingspan | 21.28 m / 20.98 m |
| Jet-powered variant | 328JET (328-300), 2 × PW306B |
Sources: Deutsche Aircraft and EASA, type certificate EASA.A.096. Dimensions: flugzeuginfo.net.
According to Deutsche Aircraft, the Dornier 328 seats 32 passengers in its standard configuration. Its type certificate permits up to 33 seats. We confirm the exact seating arrangement and provide a cabin layout with every proposal.
The cabin has three seats per row, with two on one side of the aisle and one on the other. There are no middle seats, which is a welcome feature for delegations travelling on regional flights.
One operator quotes approximately 6.4 m³ of baggage hold capacity, although this varies by aircraft. For groups travelling with equipment, samples or presentation materials, we check the available volume and permitted weight with the operator before confirming the aircraft.
| Charter mission | Suitability of the Dornier 328 | Our assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Business delegation or trade mission | Highly suitable | The entire delegation travels together on a schedule set by the organiser. |
| Seminar or executive committee | Highly suitable | A group flight for 20 to 32 people to a regional city near the meeting venue. |
| Sports team travel | Suitable | Enough capacity for a team and its staff; equipment volume must be checked. |
| Short-runway airport | Suitable | It can serve regional airfields that larger aircraft cannot access. |
| Group of more than 35 passengers | Insufficient capacity | An ATR 42, ATR 72 or Dash 8 Q400 offers more seats. |
| Route over 1,500 km | Requires assessment | A regional jet such as the ERJ 145 or CRJ900 may avoid a technical stop. |
For group flights of 20 to 32 people on European routes under two hours, particularly to regional airports or short runways.
The actual seating layout (32 or 33 seats), baggage hold capacity, range with your group's load and the operator's authorisations.
This aircraft is rare, so we start searching early. We also check slots, ground handling, catering and crew rest requirements.
Similar size: Saab 340. Comparable regional jet: ERJ 135. Larger: ATR 42, ATR 72 or Dash 8 Q400.
We arranged a Dornier 328 return charter for 29 business representatives from Aix–Marseille. They were brought together by a business network affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and travelled to Budapest from Friday to Sunday. Their objective was to develop business connections between the two regions.
Each participant represented their own company, with a full programme of meetings over the weekend. Travelling separately on scheduled connecting flights would have split the group and reduced the time available at the destination.
A charter flight allowed everyone to depart Marseille together on Friday morning, at a time chosen by the organiser, and arrive in Budapest ready for the programme.
The Marseille–Budapest route is approximately 1,180 km, within the Dornier 328's typical range. Its cruising speed of around 620 km/h brings the flight time to approximately two hours.
With 32 seats, it accommodated all 29 participants on one aircraft without requiring a larger aircraft than necessary.
We coordinated the operator, airport slots and ground handling at Marseille Provence and Budapest, as well as the passenger list. The return flight brought the delegation back to Marseille on Sunday in the middle of the afternoon.
The organiser had a single point of contact for the entire air travel programme: Artheau Aviation.
Premium catering was served on board. We also provided specialist publications on the Hungarian economy so participants could prepare for their meetings.
The two-hour flight therefore became an opportunity for the delegation's businesses to begin exchanging ideas before arriving in Budapest.
This mission demonstrates the value of chartering for a business delegation: bringing everyone together on one aircraft, controlling the schedule and making productive use of travel time.
Tell us your route, travel dates, passenger numbers and baggage volume. These details help us identify the most suitable aircraft and configuration.
We consult several operators, check aircraft and slot availability, then present one or more solutions with a clear explanation of what each price includes.
Once you confirm, we coordinate the operator, airports, passenger list and catering. Your dedicated contact remains available until the group arrives.
We do more than find an available aircraft. From your first request to landing, our teams coordinate every stage of your charter.
Your dedicated broker remains your main point of contact throughout your journey, from the initial request to your arrival.
We compare aircraft and certified operators to recommend the solution best suited to your itinerary, requirements and budget.
Once your flight is confirmed, our Flight Preparation team coordinates the operational details required for a smooth journey.
The team oversees flight logistics, ground handling, catering, passenger requirements and other arrangements before departure.
Every flight is operated by a certified aircraft operator holding the licences and approvals required for the mission.
We review operators, aircraft and operational requirements to check that each proposed solution meets our safety and compliance standards.
The price is quoted for the entire aircraft. It depends on flight time, aircraft positioning, airport charges and any waiting days at the destination. We explain what is included before confirmation.
The standard layout has 32 seats, with up to 33 permitted by the type certificate. We confirm the actual configuration in every proposal.
Approximately 1,500 km under typical conditions, according to Deutsche Aircraft. From Paris, that includes London, Geneva, Munich, Barcelona and Prague without a stop.
The 328JET uses the same fuselage but has two PW306B jet engines instead of turboprops. It is faster, while the turboprop Dornier 328 retains an advantage on short runways.
Yes. Deutsche Aircraft states that it can operate from short runways, including grass or gravel surfaces. We check each airport with the operator.
Yes. For trips lasting several days, we compare keeping the aircraft on site with repositioning it between the outbound and return flights.
As early as possible: the Dornier 328 is a relatively rare aircraft. Early enquiries give us more scope to compare operators and alternatives.
From private jet charters to commercial group flights and dedicated cargo operations, we deliver tailored air solutions for every mission, anywhere in the world.
