The Airbus ACJ318 is the corporate airliner that handles a Los Angeles group of fifteen or more in a single cabin without the logistics of coordinating multiple jets on a shared departure slot.
First delivered in 2005 as the A318 Elite and renamed ACJ318 at EBACE 2011, this is the shortest-fuselage jet in the A320 family, built to corporate specification. Fourteen to nineteen passengers in a typical VIP layout with an enclosed lavatory, a dedicated bedroom, and a shower. Range runs 4,200 nautical miles at Mach 0.78, with a service ceiling of 41,000 feet and a wingspan of 111.9 feet. Auxiliary center tanks consume most of the lower-deck hold space in exchange for the extended range. Full specifications for the ACJ318 are published by Airbus Corporate Jets.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: VIP Airliner
- Manufacturer: Airbus Corporate Jets
- Year introduced: 2005
- Seating: 14 to 19
- Crew: 2
- Range: 4,200 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: Mach 0.78 (~448 knots)
- Service ceiling: 41,000 feet
- Length: 103.2 feet
- Wingspan: 111.9 feet
- Height: 41.3 feet
- Baggage volume: 430 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Airbus ACJ318 Fits Los Angeles
The 4,200-nautical-mile range covers Los Angeles to Honolulu, HI nonstop, Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with fuel to spare, and the full sweep of cross-country domestic travel with no stops. For London and most of continental Europe, a technical fuel stop is standard, typically in Newfoundland or Iceland, and the auxiliary center tanks make that routing practical rather than operationally unusual.
The cabin footprint is the reason a large entertainment group or studio production picks the ACJ318 over booking multiple heavy jets. Fourteen to nineteen executives, cast, or crew traveling in one pressurized cabin with a bedroom, shower, and galley, coordinating once rather than across separate flight plans and crew schedules.
Los Angeles International (LAX) and Ontario International (KONT) are the two fields most commonly used for ACJ318 departures from the Los Angeles area, subject to operator preference and routing. KONT runs 24 hours with no curfew and carries long runways suited to heavy aircraft, which matters on a late-night departure for a production wrapping a night shoot.
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 Airbus ACJ318 run $16,000 to $22,000 per hour as of 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
On a large-group departure from Los Angeles, the ACJ318 at 14 to 19 seats often undercuts the combined cost of multiple heavy jets once each aircraft’s positioning fee and separate handling charges are added up.
Other VIP Airliners Available
The full vip airliners category page lists every vip airliner we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on an Airbus ACJ318 charter in or out of Los Angeles, 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.