Aircraft Loan Rates Today.

Aircraft loan rates by aircraft type and loan size (October 2026)

These are rates lenders publish themselves, not JetFinex quotes. Published rates are starting or "as low as" figures for strong borrowers; most quotes land above them.

Loan size matters as well as aircraft type. AOPA Aviation Finance describes pricing becoming more competitive as loans get larger, with tiers at roughly $75,000 and $500,000, and its 20-year piston terms apply only to loans of $75,000 and above. Credit union rates such as those above usually cap the loan size they apply to. Plug any of these rates into the aircraft loan calculator to see the monthly payment.

Benchmark rates behind aircraft loans

On these figures, FLYING Finance's 6.52% certified piston starting rate sat about 1.6 percentage points above the 5-year Treasury. Watch the benchmarks to see which way quotes are likely to move between updates of this page.

How is an aircraft loan rate set?

A lender builds the rate from two layers. The first is the market: what it costs the lender to fund the loan. The second is risk: how likely you are to repay, and how much the lender can recover from the aircraft if you do not. AOPA notes that the Federal Reserve's moves to control inflation correlate directly with what it costs to borrow, and that aircraft finance is no more immune to this than any other industry. Lenders then add or subtract based on you and the deal.

Because every lender prices differently, a published rate is a snapshot, not a promise. AOPA's January 2026 report described aircraft loan rates declining into the low 6 percent range for qualified buyers, which shows how far the market can move over a few years. Treat any figure you read, including that one, as dated and ask for current written quotes.

How do Treasury, SOFR and prime rates affect aircraft loan rates?

Benchmarks set the floor; your aircraft and profile set the spread. Lenders do not publish their pricing formulas, but the public data points line up: FLYING Finance tracks the 5-year Treasury, SOFR and prime alongside its starting rates, and AOPA notes aircraft finance follows Federal Reserve moves like any other lending. Fixed-rate loans tend to move with term Treasury yields, and floating-rate loans are usually quoted as a margin over an index such as SOFR or prime, so check which index a floating quote uses.

AOPA Aviation Finance also notes that aircraft rates are sticky on the downside: lenders tend to cut more slowly than they raise. So when benchmark rates fall, expect aircraft quotes to follow with a lag, which matters if you are timing a purchase or an aircraft refinance.

How do the aircraft's age and type affect the rate?

The aircraft is the lender's collateral, so anything that makes it harder to value or resell tends to raise the price of the loan or tighten its terms. Older airframes, engines near overhaul, uncommon types and aircraft with damage history all fall into that group. AOPA Aviation Finance's published piston program shows the pattern in its terms: a 15% minimum down payment on single-engine aircraft newer than 1960 but 20% for older aircraft, and 15% to 30% down on twins depending on age. Lenders that do not like a type may simply decline rather than quote a higher rate.

That is why an aircraft with a strong resale market and complete records often gets a better quote than a cheaper but harder-to-sell alternative. Our guides to aircraft residual values and financing a used aircraft go deeper, and airplane loan terms explained covers how term and down payment trade off against the rate.

Which borrower factors matter most?

AOPA Aviation Finance says the biggest drivers are liquidity and debt-to-income ratio:

• Liquidity is how many months of non-retirement cash and marketable securities you hold.
• Debt-to-income is total annual debt payments plus living and aircraft expenses, divided by total income.

The same source says the best rates go to strong applicants with more than 18 months of liquidity and a debt-to-income ratio under 35%. For an operating business, lenders apply the same logic to the company: cash on hand, existing debt service and the cash flow the aircraft will produce. Our guide on what to prepare before applying for aircraft financing lists the documents that show it.

Which deal factors move the rate?

AOPA Aviation Finance lists several features of the loan itself:

The loan-to-value point connects directly to cash at closing. The down payment guide explains how lenders set the advance. For larger aircraft, putting more down may buy you both a smaller loan and a lower rate.

Does how you use the aircraft change the rate?

Yes. AvBuyer reports that Part 135 aircraft typically carry lower residual values because of heavier use, and that financing generally involves shorter terms, higher interest rates and lower advance rates than Part 91 use. It also reports that some lenders avoid Part 135 operations entirely while others specialize in them, so a smaller group of lenders may quote you. Lenders may also cap annual hours or require an engine maintenance program. Tell every lender your intended use up front. See financing a Part 135 charter aircraft for what charter lenders ask to see.

Worked example: what a rate difference costs

These numbers are hypothetical and only show the math. Suppose an operator borrows $300,000 over 15 years with monthly payments, and compares two quotes that differ by one percentage point.

A one-point gap is about $166 a month, which looks small, but it adds up to roughly $30,000 over the term. That is why it is worth asking for quotes at two down payment levels and two terms. You can test your own figures in the aircraft loan calculator, which turns any rate in the table above into a monthly payment.

Why do two lenders quote different rates for the same aircraft?

Lenders differ in where their money comes from, which aircraft they know well, and how much risk they will take. A bank that lends to you as an existing customer may price on the relationship. A specialty aviation lender may price on the aircraft and the use. As noted above, AvBuyer reports that fewer lenders will finance commercial operations, so a charter operator may see a wider spread between quotes than a private owner does.

When you compare, line up the full set of terms rather than the rate alone:

• Rate, and whether it is fixed or floating
• Term and amortization, which can differ, for example when a loan amortizes over a longer period than it runs
• Down payment or advance rate, and which value the lender uses
• Fees at closing and any prepayment charge
• Restrictions on use, annual hours or sublease

A slightly higher rate with a longer amortization and fewer restrictions can fit a business better than the lowest headline rate. Compare the all-in cost and the flexibility, then pick the structure that fits how you will actually fly the aircraft. If a lease may suit you better than a loan, read aircraft lease vs buy first.

Should you choose a fixed or floating rate?

A fixed rate gives a payment you can plan around, which matters for operators whose revenue is steady but thin. A floating rate may start lower but can rise when market rates do. If you consider floating, run the payment at a rate two or three points higher and check that the business still covers its debt service. Ask whether any rate can be locked while the purchase and inspection are completed, and what happens to the quote if closing slips.

How can you get a lower rate?

1. Build liquidity and reduce other debt before you apply, since those are the biggest borrower drivers AOPA names.
2. For aircraft above about $150,000, price the effect of a larger down payment or shorter term.
3. Give each lender the same facts on use, hours and aircraft, so the quotes compare cleanly.
4. Ask for the rate, term, fees and any prepayment terms in writing, and compare total interest over the term.
5. Revisit the loan later. If market rates fall or your profile improves, a refinancing may lower the cost.

Rates and terms are set by each lender, and this article is general information, not individual advice. Confirm tax and legal points with your own advisors. When you are ready to organize your documents for lenders, you can start a deal file with JetFinex.

Update log

• October 19, 2026: Page launched. Benchmarks from the Oct 16, 2026 H.15 release (Oct 15 values) and NY Fed SOFR for Oct 15; lender rows from pages checked Oct 19, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What are aircraft loan rates today?

Published starting rates checked on October 19, 2026 ran from about 5.6% to 9.99%, depending on the lender, aircraft and term: for example FLYING Finance listed certified piston from 6.52% and turboprop and jet from 6.66%, and AOPA Aviation Finance listed single-engine piston at 6.99% to 9.99%. Your rate depends on credit, aircraft age, loan size, term and down payment.

What is a good interest rate for an airplane loan?

A good rate is one close to the published starting rates for your aircraft class, on the term and down payment you want. Starting rates go to strong borrowers with newer aircraft and larger down payments, so compare written quotes on the same assumptions rather than against a headline number.

Are airplane loan rates, plane financing rates and aviation financing rates the same thing?

They all describe the interest on a loan secured by an aircraft. Personal-use loans are priced mainly on the borrower and the aircraft. Business-use loans also weigh the company's financials; Aircraft Associates Credit Union, for example, says loans for aircraft used for business must be processed as business loans.

How long can you finance an aircraft?

Published programs run up to 20 years for piston aircraft (AOPA Aviation Finance offers 20 years only on loans of $75,000 and above), and turbine loans commonly use a 15-year amortization with a 5-year term, leaving a balloon. See airplane loan terms explained.

Does a bigger down payment lower my aircraft loan rate?

On aircraft priced above about $150,000, AOPA Aviation Finance says a lower loan-to-value ratio can lower the rate. On aircraft at or under $150,000 it says a larger down payment will not change the rate. FLYING Finance lists 20% or more down as a factor that improves rates.

Why do charter operators pay more to borrow?

AvBuyer reports that Part 135 aircraft see heavier use and lower residual values, so lenders generally use shorter terms, higher rates and lower advance rates.

Is a floating rate cheaper than a fixed rate?

AOPA Aviation Finance lists floating rate structures among the factors that can lower the starting rate, but a floating rate can rise later. Model the payment at a higher rate before you choose.

How often is this page updated?

Monthly. Every figure links to its source with the date it applied, and the update log at the bottom of the page shows each refresh.

Sources

• Federal Reserve, H.15 Selected Interest Rates
• Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Secured Overnight Financing Rate
• FLYING Finance, Aircraft loan rates
• AOPA Aviation Finance, Piston aircraft financing
• AOPA Aviation Finance, Turbine and turboprop financing
• Wings Credit Union, Aircraft loan rates
• Aircraft Associates Credit Union, Airplane loans
• AOPA, Aircraft loan interest rates decline (January 2026)
• AOPA Aviation Finance, I'm looking to upgrade. What rate is normal for me?
• AOPA Aviation Finance, Does my down payment affect my interest rate?
• AOPA Aviation Finance, Should you refinance after the Fed's rate drop?
• AOPA, Interest rates are up (2023)
• AvBuyer, Part 91 and Part 135 operations: aircraft financing differences

Rates are published by the lenders and agencies named and can change daily. JetFinex is not a lender and this page is not an offer, quote or commitment to lend. See our editorial standards and disclosures. Spot an error? Tell us.