The McDonnell Douglas MD-83 moves large Puerto Rico groups from San Juan (SJU) in a full airliner cabin, seating 155 to 172 with 2,550 nautical miles of range. It fits sports organizations, large tour groups, or charters flying SJU to the US mainland. A mainline airliner in group-charter service.
McDonnell Douglas built the MD-83 from the 1980s as a stretched twin-jet airliner, cruising near 472 knots at up to 37,000 feet. It carries airline-size passenger loads on charter.
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 Puerto Rico
From Puerto Rico the MD-83 fits the largest passenger groups: San Juan to the mainland US for a team, event, or organization with well over a hundred aboard. Full airliner capacity is the point.
For high-headcount group charter out of SJU, the MD-83 carries what business jets and small airliners cannot.
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; reports may be provided on request.
- 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
Industry hourly rates for the McDonnell Douglas MD-83 run $18,000 to $25,000 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Other VIP Airliners Available
Contact
For a quote on a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 charter in or out of Puerto Rico, call +1-888-987-5387 or head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
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.