A320 ACMI Block Hour Rate in 2026: Costs and Contract Terms
A320 ACMI rates in 2026 run about US$4,000 to US$6,000 per block hour against a 200 to 250 hour monthly minimum. See a worked monthly bill, what the rate excludes and where buyers can negotiate.
What an A320 Wet Lease Costs per Block Hour, and What the Rate Leaves Out
The A320 ACMI block hour rate in 2026 typically runs from about US$4,000 to US$6,000 per block hour, billed against a monthly minimum of 200 to 250 hours. An industry analysis from February 2026 puts both the A320 and 737-800 in that range, with a full schedule running past US$800,000 a month. The headline rate is only part of the bill, so compare offers on total monthly cost.
A320 ACMI pricing at a glance
How the monthly bill is built
One published A320 offer, a 180-seat aircraft, was priced at EUR 3,750 per block hour with a 230-hour monthly minimum, a 2.5:1 flight-hour to cycle ratio, a USD 500,000 deposit and payment one month in advance. At US$4,500 per block hour and 230 guaranteed hours, the minimum bill is about US$1.04 million a month before fuel, handling and crew hotels.
What the rate covers, and what it does not
| Cost item | Who pays | Negotiating point |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft, crew, maintenance, insuranceThe ACMI rate | Lessor | Rate, guarantee and excess-hour pricing |
| Fuel, landing, handling, overflightOperating costs | Lessee | Usually not negotiable |
| Crew hotels and local transportOften excluded | Lessee, unless agreed | Ask for a capped allowance |
| Positioning and liveryOne-off costs | Lessee, unless agreed | Share or waive on longer terms |
| Security depositTypically one month | Lessee | Replace with an SBLC where possible |
Who should price A320 ACMI now
Airlines covering engine-related groundings, late deliveries or Winter 2026/27 peaks, and tour operators planning Summer 2027. Our guide to the A320 ACMI lease covers use cases, and the 2026 capacity crunch explains why demand shifted. For dry lease comparisons, see aircraft lease rates by model.
Frequently asked questions
What is the A320 ACMI block hour rate in 2026?
Industry quotes in 2026 put A320 and 737-800 ACMI at roughly US$4,000 to US$6,000 per block hour, depending on aircraft age, season, crew base and contract length. Older A320ceo aircraft on longer contracts sit at the lower end; peak-summer and short-notice AOG cover sit at the top.
How many block hours does an A320 ACMI contract guarantee?
Most A320 wet leases carry a monthly minimum guarantee of around 200 to 250 block hours per aircraft, often with a minimum flight-hour to cycle ratio. Hours above the guarantee are billed at the contract rate or an agreed excess rate.
Get a live A320 ACMI quote
Blue Cube Aviation sources A320 family wet lease capacity for airlines and tour operators. Send your dates, base and expected block hours for current rates.
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