It’s hard to remain indifferent to the Piaggio Avanti II. Its rear-mounted propellers, forward canard, futuristic silhouette — this aircraft looks like nothing else in the sky. But behind the design lies a remarkable operational reality: the world’s fastest turboprop, with a cabin that most light jets can only envy.
At MK Partnair, the Avanti II is one of the aircraft that generates the most curiosity from our clients. Those who have tried it once tend to come back — for the space, the cabin height, and that very particular way of flying.
On board the Avanti II — The passenger experience
A cabin that has nothing to envy from larger jets
This is where the Avanti II surprises. When you board for the first time, you don’t expect to find this much space in a turboprop. And yet: up to 1.75 m of cabin height at the rear (slightly less towards the front), a flat floor, panoramic windows, and a width of 1.85 m — a cabin that few light jets can rival.
- Stand-up cabin at the rear — 1.75 m maximum height aft, slightly less forward; unique in its category
- Full flat floor — move freely from front to back
- 6 leather seats — forward divan + 4-seat club face-to-face configuration
- Panoramic windows — very large, exceptional natural light
- Private enclosed lavatory at the rear
- Forward galley with refreshments and snacks
- Remarkably quiet cabin — engines are at the rear, far from the passengers
- Pressurised hold accessible in-flight — good luggage capacity
💡 MK Partnair’s take: The Avanti II is the aircraft that surprises our clients the most. They board expecting a slightly basic turboprop — and they discover a cabin where you can stand up, move around, and feel genuinely comfortable. The quiet is also a revelation: the propellers are behind the wings, far from the passengers’ ears in cruise. It is one of the quietest cabins you’ll find at this price point.
What you need to know
- Turboprop, not a jet — the engines have propellers. If you look out the window, you’ll see them turning. Some passengers find this unsettling; others don’t notice.
- Propeller noise at takeoff — the propellers are clearly audible in the cabin during takeoff. At cruise altitude, the cabin becomes very quiet.
- Optimal configuration: 4 to 6 passengers
- Very limited European availability — only a few operators run the Avanti II; pricing is only competitive when the aircraft is well-positioned relative to your departure point. Otherwise, a Citation CJ2 or Phenom 300 will often be more competitive.
Why choose the Piaggio Avanti II?
✈️ Key specs at a glance
| Specification | Piaggio Avanti II |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 passengers (standard configuration) |
| Range | ~2,780 km (1,500 nm) |
| Cruise speed | 730 km/h (395 kts) — world’s fastest turboprop |
| Cabin length | 4.55 m |
| Cabin width | 1.85 m |
| Cabin height | 1.75 m aft — slightly less forward |
| Floor | Full flat floor |
| Lavatory | ✅ Yes — private, enclosed |
| Service ceiling | 41,000 ft |
| Engines | 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66B (pusher propellers) |
| Fuel efficiency | ~40% less than an equivalent jet |
| Ideal for | Short/medium European legs, 4–6 pax, premium cabin |
A revolutionary design in the service of performance
The Piaggio Avanti II is the result of decades of Italian aeronautical research. Its three-surface configuration — forward canard, main wing, and T-tail — combined with PT6A-66B engines in a pusher configuration (propellers at the rear), delivers remarkable aerodynamic efficiency. The result: light jet speed, turboprop fuel consumption, and a cabin height you won’t find anywhere else at this price point.
Key advantages:
- World’s fastest turboprop — 730 km/h, on par with a Phenom 100
- Up to 1.75 m cabin height aft — unique in its category, no competitor comes close
- Full flat floor — freedom of movement comparable to a midsize jet
- ~40% less fuel than an equivalent jet — reflected in charter rates
- Exceptionally quiet cabin in cruise — engines positioned aft, far from passengers
- Iconic design — the most recognisable aircraft in its category
Performance and accessible destinations
Jet speed, turboprop economy
Powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66B engines in pusher configuration, the Avanti II reaches a cruise speed of 730 km/h — comparable to a Phenom 100 or Citation Mustang — while burning approximately 40% less fuel than an equivalent jet.
Sample routes from Paris
| Destination | Flight time | Recommended airport |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva | ~55 min | Geneva-Cointrin |
| Nice | ~1h15 | Nice Côte d’Azur |
| London | ~1h10 | Farnborough, Biggin Hill |
| Barcelona | ~1h35 | El Prat or Sabadell |
| Milan | ~1h20 | Linate |
| Ibiza | ~1h50 | Ibiza Airport |
| Dublin | ~2h | Dublin Airport |
💡 MK Partnair tip: The Avanti II is ideal for clients hesitating between a Citation XLS and a Phenom 300 — same price bracket, but a genuinely different cabin experience. When the aircraft is well-positioned for your departure, it is a compelling option. When it isn’t, we’ll honestly tell you that a CJ2 or Phenom 300 will be more competitive that day.
How much does it cost to charter a Piaggio Avanti II?
Indicative pricing
The Avanti II sits at the same price level as the Phenom 300 — its appreciated cabin and strong performance justify this positioning. Here are indicative one-way ranges:
| Route | Indicative price (one-way) |
|---|---|
| Paris → Geneva | €8,000 – €11,000 |
| Paris → Nice | €9,500 – €13,000 |
| Paris → London | €9,000 – €12,000 |
| Paris → Barcelona | €10,500 – €14,000 |
| Paris → Ibiza | €14,000 – €18,000 |
*Net prices, including airport taxes and crew. Variable based on availability and aircraft positioning. Pricing is competitive only when the aircraft is already well-positioned for your route.*
Frequently asked questions — Piaggio Avanti II charter
Is the Avanti II noisy because of the propellers?
This is the question everyone asks — and the answer is nuanced. At takeoff, the propellers are clearly audible in the cabin. Once at cruise altitude, the cabin becomes very quiet — the pusher configuration places the engines behind the wings, far from the passenger seats. In cruise, it is often quieter than many jets. It sounds different from a jet on the ground; not necessarily louder in the air.
How many passengers can the Avanti II carry?
The Avanti II seats 6 passengers in its standard configuration — a forward divan and a 4-seat club arrangement. The optimal configuration for comfort is 4 to 6 passengers.
Can you stand up inside the Avanti II?
Yes, at the rear — the Avanti II offers up to 1.75 m of cabin height aft, slightly less towards the front. With a flat floor, you can move freely throughout the cabin. No light jet competitor offers this vertical space.
Why does the Avanti II have rear-mounted propellers?
This is the heart of Piaggio’s engineering. By placing the engines in a pusher configuration (propellers at the rear, pushing rather than pulling the aircraft), Piaggio freed up the forward fuselage to enlarge the cabin, reduced cabin noise, and improved aerodynamic efficiency. Combined with the forward canard surface, this three-surface system reduces drag — and explains why the Avanti II is as fast as it is with propellers.
What is the range of the Avanti II?
The Avanti II has a range of ~2,780 km (1,500 nm) — sufficient to cover the majority of European destinations from Paris non-stop.
How much does a Paris–Nice flight cost on an Avanti II?
A Paris–Nice charter on an Avanti II costs between €9,500 and €13,000 one-way, when the aircraft is well-positioned. If not, we will offer you a Phenom 300 or CJ2 at a more competitive rate. Request a personalised quote →
Book your Piaggio Avanti II with MK Partnair
Since 2012, MK Partnair has been helping clients charter private jets across France and Europe. Our approach:
- ✅ Free quote within 2 hours
- ✅ Net prices, no surprises
- ✅ Access to a worldwide fleet
- ✅ Dedicated advisor 24/7
The Avanti II is an aircraft that deserves to be discovered. If you’ve never flown in one, we promise it will surprise you.
