The Airbus A318 Elite is the shortest ACJ family variant and the one Naples-market wedding parties and family-office charters ask about when they want an airliner cabin without the ACJ319’s fuel-burn. Naples Municipal (APF) is not the field for it; RSW (Southwest Florida International, Fort Myers) is where the aircraft actually lands and where the coach column, ground crew, and buses stage.
First delivered in 2005 and later rebranded ACJ318 at EBACE 2011, the A318 Elite is a corporate-configured shortest-fuselage A320-family jet. VIP layouts run 14 to 19 passengers with multiple lavatories and a private aft cabin. Range is 4,200 nautical miles at Mach 0.78, ceiling 41,000 feet. Cabin cross-section is identical to a standard A318, wide enough to walk two-abreast without turning sideways.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: VIP Airliner
- Manufacturer: Airbus
- Year introduced: 2005
- Seating: 14 to 19
- Crew: 2
- Range: 4,200 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: Mach 0.78 (~448 kt)
- Service ceiling: 41,000 feet
- Length: 103.1 feet
- Wingspan: 111.9 feet
- Height: 41.2 feet
- Baggage volume: 750 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Multiple lavatories
Why the Airbus A318 Elite Fits Naples
APF’s 6,600-foot main runway rules out routine A318 Elite ops in Naples afternoons; RSW is the practical field for the type. Book the ground leg from RSW to Port Royal or Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort into the trip sheet, and expect 45 to 90 minutes in season traffic on I-75.
The 4,200-nautical-mile book range covers a nonstop London (Farnborough or Luton) to RSW leg for a European family office or a Naples-market wedding hosting an inbound guest group. Also covers Los Angeles reposition without stopping.
Use case that comes up in the Naples market: a multi-family Port Royal owner running a corporate retreat with 16 executives plus staff, staging in and out of RSW because APF cannot take the airframe.
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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 A318 Elite run $16,000 to $22,000 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Hourly billing on a Naples-market A318 Elite trip runs $16,000 to $22,000 per flight hour as of 7/2026 (source: ACA published range). RSW handling, catering, and ground positioning quoted separately.
Other VIP Airliners Available
Contact
For a quote on a Airbus A318 Elite charter in or out of Naples, 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.