TBM 700

Before the TBM 700, a single-engine turboprop fast enough to compete with a light jet on cruise speed simply did not exist in the private aviation market. SOCATA and Mooney set out to prove it could be done, and the TBM 700 became the first aircraft to do it: a genuinely pressurized, high-performance single that cruises at speeds most twin-engine turboprops cannot match, while burning roughly half the fuel of a comparable jet.
That combination, jet-like speed with turboprop fuel economy, is still the TBM 700's core appeal today. It remains a strong charter option for travelers who want to move quickly on regional routes without paying jet-category hourly rates, and 324 were built during its production run, with a meaningful number still active in charter fleets.

SOCATA and Mooney developed the TBM 700 together, with its first flight in July 1988 and FAA approval in 1990. Production began the following year and ran through 2005, when the more powerful TBM 850 succeeded it. A single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-64 engine and a top cruise speed of 300 knots define this aircraft.

The TBM 700 spawned three real production variants before its successor arrived: the 700A, the original version; the 700B, which added a larger cargo door; and the 700C2, which raised the maximum takeoff weight to 7,394 pounds, allowing operators to carry full fuel and full occupancy at once. 

Daher (which acquired the program from SOCATA) then replaced the 700 in 2006 with the TBM 850, powered by a more capable PT6A-66D engine, followed by the TBM 900 with winglets and a five-blade propeller, and today's TBM 940 and TBM 960 with modern automation and updated avionics. 

Aircraft chartered as a TBM 700 today may carry any of the 700-series engine and equipment updates, not just the original 1990 configuration.

A turboprop trades a light jet's cabin size for a meaningfully lower hourly rate, and the TBM 700 narrows that gap on speed more than most. At $1,500 to $1,900 per hour, it costs well below a light jet such as the Citation CJ3, while cruising fast enough that the time difference on a regional route is often modest.

• Lower cost: $1,500 to $1,900 per hour versus $2,500 to $3,500 for a light jet.
• Closer cruise speed than most turboprops: 300 knots versus 480 knots or faster for a light jet, a smaller gap than most turboprop-to-jet comparisons.
• Fewer seats: up to 5 passengers versus 5 to 9 for most light jets.
• Best mission: fast regional trips for 2 to 5 passengers where cost matters as much as speed.

The TBM 700 seats up to five passengers, typically a four-seat club section in the rear cabin.

• A pressurized cabin keeps the ride comfortable at cruise altitudes that an unpressurized aircraft could not sustain.
• A larger cargo door than most single-engine turboprops in its class makes loading bulkier items more practical.
• Leather seating, fold-out tables, and refreshment storage are common on charter-configured aircraft.
• There is no flight attendant on this aircraft category; confirm baggage allowance and service expectations at booking.

The TBM 700 performs best on fast regional routes where its cruise speed narrows the gap with a light jet while keeping the hourly rate well below one.

TBM 700 charter rates run $1,500 to $1,900 per flight hour, standard pricing within the single-engine turboprop category. Total one-way trip pricing depends on route distance, positioning, and demand. Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573 for a current quote.

The $1,500 to $1,900 hourly rate covers core operational costs. Additional fees are quoted separately on every trip, which matters when comparing total trip prices.

• Aircraft operation: fuel, crew, and maintenance are included in the hourly rate.
• Pilot: the TBM 700 is certified for single-pilot operation; some operators fly it with two.
• Federal excise tax and segment fees: federally mandated, quoted separately.
• Positioning costs: charged if the aircraft must reposition to your departure airport.
• International handling fees: apply on Caribbean, Canada, and other international hops.

Contact Hogani Jets for current pricing and details.

The most common cross-shop comparisons are the Piper M600/SLS, a similarly sized single with Garmin Autoland, and the Pilatus PC-12 NGX, a larger single-engine turboprop. The TBM 700 wins on outright cruise speed; the M600/SLS wins on its Autoland safety system, and the PC-12 NGX wins on cabin room and passenger capacity.

Every TBM 700 charter operator's Part 135 certificate, insurance coverage, and safety record is independently reviewed before booking.

The TBM 700 is certified for single-pilot operation and, depending on the specific aircraft, may carry an original or upgraded avionics suite. Hogani Jets does not operate the aircraft. 

Every TBM 700 charter is conducted by a licensed Part 135 direct air carrier whose crew, maintenance, and operations remain under that carrier's independent operational control.

The TBM 700 is a strong fit for fast regional legs where its cruise speed narrows the gap with a light jet while keeping cost well below one. The following Hogani Jets route pages cover its most relevant charter corridors.

• New York to Chicago private jet charter
• Los Angeles to Aspen private jet charter
• Dallas to Denver private jet charter

Ready to book a TBM 700 charter or check availability? Contact Hogani Jets for a tailored quote. Call +1-855-660-0573 or email charter@hoganijets.com, and our team will coordinate the right aircraft and operator for your trip.

How much does it cost to charter a TBM 700?

STBM 700 charter rates run from $1,500 to $1,900 per flight hour, standard pricing within the single-engine turboprop category. One-way trip pricing ranges from about $6,900 for shorter regional hops to $13,200 or more on longer legs. Final cost depends on route, positioning, and season.

What is the real range of a TBM 700?

TBM 700 published a maximum range of 1,550 nautical miles, reached under ideal conditions with a light payload. Realistic range with standard IFR reserves and a typical passenger load runs closer to 1,000 to 1,460 nautical miles.

What is the difference between the TBM 700 and later TBM models?

The TBM 700 was succeeded by the TBM 850 in 2006 with a more powerful engine, then the TBM 900 with winglets and a five-blade propeller, and today's TBM 940 and TBM 960 with modern automation and avionics. All share the same basic single-engine turboprop design lineage.

How many passengers can the Socata TBM 700 carry?

The Socata TBM 700 seats up to five passengers, typically a four-seat club section.

How fast does the TBM 700 fly?

The TBM 700 cruises at up to 300 knots true airspeed (345 mph) at maximum cruise, among the fastest single-engine turboprops, with an economy cruise setting of about 242 knots to extend range.

Is a single-engine turboprop safe to charter?

Single-engine turboprops like the TBM 700 operate under the same Part 135 safety oversight as any charter aircraft, and the PT6A engine family has one of the strongest reliability records in aviation. The trade-off against a twin-engine aircraft is redundancy in the event of an engine issue.

Are empty leg flights available on the TBM 700?

Yes. The TBM 700's frequent regional positioning creates empty-leg opportunities at meaningful savings off standard one-way rates. Availability is short-notice and date-fixed, so Hogani Jets recommends flexibility when chasing empty-leg pricing.

Is Hogani Jets a direct air carrier?

No. Hogani Jets is an air charter broker and does not own or operate aircraft. All Socata TBM 700 charters are facilitated through licensed Part 135 direct air carriers, who maintain full operational control and regulatory compliance for every flight.