4 psngr plane=200k, 8psngr= 2million. What gives?

Question

Why does doubling the number of passengers increase the cost by a factor of 10?

Answer 1

1-passenger plane (F-22 Raptor) = $137 million.  Now the 8-passenger plane seems like a bargain.

Seriously, you can't judge airplanes this way.  It's like asking if $50,000 for a car is a good deal.  If it's a Geo Metro, no.  If it's a brand new Rolls Royce, yes.

Answer 2

Do you have examples of the exact types of planes you are talking about?  I could give you specific reasons if you wish to have me compare directly.  Otherwise, I'll concur with all of the reasons stated by the guy ahead of me.

Answer 3

bigger engines, bigger fuselage, heavier payload ,more fuel,and its a whole differnt clas of aircraft,,,

Answer 4

You can get an 8-passenger plane for 200k if you want. try a navajo.

Answer 5

As aircraft size and weight increases, the complexity of aircraft systems and redundancy also increases.

A 4 passenger plane is generally equipped with a piston engine (and generally only one). Once you get into larger aircraft with more passengers/payload capabilities, you start seeing bigger engines (as well as more than one). There are very few eight passenger planes that have piston engines- most are turbine engines, which cost significantly more to operate and maintain.

In addition, once you hit a max takeoff weight of 12,500 lbs or more, the certification standards of aircraft changes. Larger aircraft (weighing more than 12,500) require much more in the way of engineering and flight testing, as well as more crew training (type ratings) and maintenance. (Generally in addition to annual inspections, larger aircraft require "phased" inspections).

Answer 6

well, you're flying vfr vs ifr so the instrumentation is much better, there's also redundancy built into it for avionics, hydraulics, electrics, fuel, a/c systems, bleeds, it's more efficient, faster, requires more maintenance, pressurisation, etc etc

Answer 7

.25 carat diamond $500...2 carat diamond $15,000...4 carat $35,000.  

An 8 passenger plane is not just two 4 passenger planes glued together.  The wings need to withstand at least twice the weight.  Often a second engine is added to the 8 passenger plane.  By the way, you can get an 8 passenger plane for a lot less than 2 million.