Quick answer
A Teterboro private jet is the default for New York. TEB is about 12 miles from Midtown, has a 7,000 ft runway and a 100,000 lb weight limit, and three FBO brands: Signature, Atlantic and Jet Aviation. Westchester (HPN), about 33 miles north, suits Connecticut and the northern suburbs. Republic, Morristown and Stewart cover Long Island, New Jersey and the largest aircraft.
Key takeaways
- Teterboro (TEB) is New York's main private jet airport: about 12 miles from Midtown, with almost no airline traffic.
- Its 100,000 lb weight limit covers most business jets, but the very largest types may be sent elsewhere.
- Westchester (HPN) suits Greenwich and Connecticut, and asks operators not to fly between midnight and 6:30am.
- Republic, Morristown and Stewart serve Long Island, New Jersey and large or overflow aircraft respectively.
- New York is the deepest US empty-leg market, with legs to and from Florida, Aspen and the West Coast.
Book a Teterboro private jet and you are using the airport most private flyers into New York use; our private jet hire New York page has the live prices. It is not the only option, though. The city has a ring of business-aviation airports, each with its own runway lengths, restrictions and handling agents, and the best choice depends on where you are going once you land. This guide covers them in the same way our guide to private jet airports in London covers Farnborough, Biggin Hill and the rest. Every runway, distance and restriction below is linked to its source.
Why Teterboro is New York's private jet airport
Teterboro Airport (TEB) sits in New Jersey about 12 miles north-north-west of Midtown Manhattan. It is the closest dedicated business-aviation airport to the city. It is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and operated under contract by AFCO AvPORTS.
Teterboro is close to the city, built for private aircraft and almost free of airline traffic. A long-standing 100,000 lb maximum weight limit keeps airliners out, so the field is effectively reserved for business jets, charter operators and private owners. In a normal year it handles well over 150,000 aircraft movements, and almost none of them are scheduled passenger flights.
For you, that means no terminal queues, a handling agent waiting at the aircraft, and a car or helicopter into Manhattan within minutes of landing. It is the New York equivalent of a London business-aviation airport, and its closeness to Midtown makes it the default for most trips into the city.
New York private jet airports compared
The table sets out the main New York private jet airports side by side. Distances are approximate straight-line figures from Midtown Manhattan as given by the linked sources. Road times are often much longer.
| Airport | From Midtown | Longest runway | Key restrictions | FBOs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teterboro (TEB), New Jersey | ~12 miles | 7,000 ft / 2,134 m (Rwy 1/19) | 100,000 lb maximum weight; prior permission required; noise-abatement departure turns | Signature (several terminals, including the former Meridian), Atlantic Aviation, Jet Aviation |
| Westchester (HPN), White Plains | ~33 miles | 6,549 ft / 1,996 m (Rwy 16/34) | Voluntary restraint on flights midnight–6:30am; 120,000 lb limit without permission; six noise programmes | Signature (East & West), Atlantic Aviation (East & West), Million Air |
| Republic (FRG), Farmingdale, Long Island | ~30 miles | 6,833 ft / 2,083 m (Rwy 14/32) | Customs by appointment only, requested in advance | Modern Aviation and an independent FBO |
| Morristown (MMU), New Jersey | ~40 miles | 5,998 ft / 1,828 m (Rwy 5/23) | Overnight curfew from a court ruling; preferred noise-abatement runway | Signature, Atlantic Aviation |
| Stewart (SWF), New Windsor | ~60 miles | 11,817 ft / 3,602 m (Rwy 9/27) | Few practical limits on aircraft size; long drive to the city | Atlantic Aviation, Signature |
| East Hampton (JPX), Long Island | ~100 miles | 4,255 ft / 1,297 m (Rwy 10/28) | Status and access rules have been disputed in court; check before booking | Confirm with your operator |
Sources: Teterboro, Teterboro FBOs, Westchester, Westchester noise programmes, Republic, Morristown, Stewart, Stewart FBOs, East Hampton. Rules and FBO line-ups change, and your operator confirms the current position for your flight.
JFK, Newark and LaGuardia are not on the list on purpose. They are major airline hubs, and while a private aircraft can use some of them, slot pressure, airline-scale ramps and long taxi times cancel out most of the benefit of flying private. Unless you are connecting to a commercial flight, one of the airports above will almost always suit you better.
Teterboro private jet: what to know before you fly
A few Teterboro rules shape how your trip is planned. Your operator handles all of them, but they explain the questions you may be asked and some of the quotes you will see.
Runways and the weight limit
Teterboro has two runways: 1/19 at 7,000 ft and 6/24 at 6,013 ft. That is enough for every class of business jet. The binding limit is weight. The 100,000 lb cap covers most light, midsize, super-midsize and heavy jets, but some of the largest long-range types and any airliner-based VIP aircraft can exceed it. Operators of heavier aircraft need additional review before their prior-permission request is approved. If you are chartering a very large aircraft, your operator may suggest Stewart or a hub airport instead.
Prior permission and noise rules
Arrivals need prior permission, generally requested at least 24 hours ahead with the aircraft type, tail number and operator. Departures follow noise-abatement procedures, including a turn after take-off from Runway 24 to avoid nearby residential areas. None of this affects you directly, but it is one reason a last-minute Teterboro slot is not always available on the busiest days.
Customs
Teterboro has customs facilities, so international arrivals, including transatlantic flights from London, can clear US border formalities on the field. Your FBO arranges this in advance with US Customs and Border Protection, and the passenger manifest is filed before departure. Without that coordination, an aircraft can be delayed or sent to another port of entry, which is another reason to use an experienced operator.
The FBOs
Teterboro has three FBO brands. Signature operates several terminals, including the former Meridian facility it acquired from the last independent FBO on the field. Atlantic Aviation and Jet Aviation run the others. All three handle international arrivals and run around the clock. Your operator usually chooses the FBO, often on the basis of fuel contracts and hangar space, but you can state a preference. If the term is new, what is an FBO explains it.
Westchester private jet flights: the northern alternative
Westchester County Airport (HPN) at White Plains is the main alternative to Teterboro and the obvious choice if you are heading for Greenwich, the wider Connecticut shoreline or northern Westchester. It sits about 33 miles north of Midtown, has a 6,549 ft main runway and handles a busy mix of private, corporate and airline traffic.
Noise rules are taken seriously at Westchester. The county runs six noise-abatement programmes, including a voluntary restraint that asks operators not to fly between midnight and 6:30am. It is voluntary rather than a legal curfew, but well-run operators observe it, so a very late arrival or a dawn departure may be steered to Teterboro instead. Aircraft above 120,000 lb maximum gross weight need the airport manager's permission.
For a Westchester private jet trip, the FBO choice includes Signature and Atlantic Aviation, each with East and West facilities, plus Million Air. Customs and immigration are on site. In practice, Westchester is often quicker and calmer than Teterboro for anyone not going into Manhattan, and a common call is to land there for the weekend and use Teterboro for the city.
Republic, Morristown, Stewart and East Hampton
Republic (FRG)
Republic Airport at Farmingdale is Long Island's main business-aviation field, about 30 miles east of Midtown in a straight line. Road times run from 45 minutes in light traffic to more than 90 at peak. Its 6,833 ft main runway suits light, midsize and super-midsize jets, and it is the natural choice for the North Shore and a staging point for the Hamptons. Customs is by appointment and must be requested in advance, so international arrivals usually clear elsewhere first. Handling includes Modern Aviation, which took over the former Sheltair facility.
Morristown (MMU)
Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey is about 40 miles west of Manhattan and popular with corporate flight departments based in the New Jersey suburbs. Its main runway is just under 6,000 ft, and it has an overnight curfew dating from a court case over business-jet noise. Signature and Atlantic Aviation both operate there. For New Jersey destinations it can be quicker than Teterboro.
Stewart (SWF)
Stewart International in the Hudson Valley, about 60 miles north of Manhattan, has an 11,817 ft runway, one of the longest in the region. Size is rarely a problem there, which makes it useful for the largest aircraft and as overflow when nearer fields are full. The drop-off is the drive. It suits the Hudson Valley, upstate trips and aircraft that cannot use Teterboro, but it is a poor default for the city.
East Hampton (JPX)
East Hampton Airport serves the Hamptons and is extremely busy in summer, peaking in August. Its main runway is 4,255 ft, which limits it to smaller jets and turboprops. The town has spent years trying to change its status and access rules, and court decisions have gone back and forth. Treat any information about it as provisional and confirm with your operator before planning a trip around it.
Which New York airport should you fly into?
Choose the airport from where you are going, not from the airport's reputation. As a starting point:
- Midtown, Downtown or the Upper East Side: Teterboro. It is the nearest airport, has the most handling capacity and offers a helicopter option into Manhattan.
- Greenwich, Connecticut or northern Westchester: Westchester. It is shorter by road and calmer on the ground.
- Long Island's North Shore: Republic.
- The Hamptons: East Hampton if your aircraft fits and current rules allow, otherwise Republic and a car or helicopter onward.
- New Jersey suburbs: Morristown, or Teterboro if timing matters more than distance.
- A very large aircraft, or every nearer field full: Stewart.
Your operator will raise any restriction that rules out your first choice. If a quote names an airport you weren't expecting, ask why. There is usually a sensible reason, such as weight, the curfew or parking, but you should know what it is.
Flying into New York? Check what's live on your route — whole aircraft, with Teterboro, Westchester and the rest included.
Check a price →Empty legs at Teterboro
New York is the deepest private-jet market in the US, which makes Teterboro one of the best places in the world to find empty legs. Aircraft fly clients out to Florida, the mountains and the West Coast, then have to come home, and the reverse happens at the end of every season. Those positioning flights are sold at a discount because they are flying anyway.
Empty legs at Teterboro follow the calendar. Winter brings a steady flow between Miami and Teterboro (see private jet hire Miami). Ski season produces legs from Aspen (see private jet hire Aspen) as aircraft return after dropping skiers. Summer reverses the Florida flow. Indicative prices from this site's New York data:
| Route | Typical aircraft | Full charter (one way) | Empty leg (one way) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami → New York | Light / midsize | $18,000–$30,000 | $6,000–$15,000 |
| Aspen → New York | Midsize / super-midsize | $28,000–$45,000 | $9,000–$22,000 |
| Los Angeles → New York | Heavy | $50,000–$80,000 | $16,000–$38,000 |
| London → New York | Heavy / long-range | £60,000–£95,000 | £18,000–£45,000 |
Indicative whole-aircraft prices. The figure on any specific leg depends on the aircraft, the operator and how close to departure it is booked; the live figure is confirmed on enquiry.
As everywhere, the leg runs on the aircraft's timetable, not yours. If your dates are fixed, an on-demand charter is the reliable option. If you have a day or two of flexibility, watching the corridor usually pays. How to find empty legs covers the methods, and empty leg flights in the USA covers the wider US market.
Getting from the airport into Manhattan
From Teterboro, the drive to Midtown takes roughly 30–60 minutes depending on traffic and the tunnel or bridge. A helicopter from Teterboro to a Manhattan heliport takes around eight minutes and is the faster option at rush hour, when the crossings slow to a crawl.
Whether the helicopter is worth it depends on timing. At 11am on a Sunday the car is fine. At 5pm on a Thursday the helicopter can save an hour. From Westchester, Republic or Morristown, plan on a car for most destinations. Their advantage is being near where you are going, not near Manhattan.
Flying private from London to New York
For UK travellers, the most common reason to read this guide is a transatlantic trip. London to New York is a heavy-jet or long-range route. A few super-midsize aircraft can make the crossing in good conditions, but the westbound flight into prevailing headwinds is where range matters most, so most operators quote larger aircraft. Our guide to transatlantic private jet cost covers the pricing in detail.
Departing London (our private jet hire London page covers the UK end), you will usually leave from Farnborough, Biggin Hill or Luton and clear US customs at Teterboro or Westchester on arrival. The crossing is also where the deepest percentage discounts appear when a long-range aircraft has to reposition. Transatlantic legs are rarer than European ones, but the saving when one matches is large.
Set a London–New York alert and we'll tell you the moment a transatlantic leg into Teterboro or Westchester lists.
Set up a route alert →Teterboro private jet costs: a worked example
Take a group of eight flying from London to New York for a week of meetings, landing at Teterboro and driving into Midtown. On this site's indicative figures, a heavy or ultra-long-range jet costs roughly £60,000–£95,000 one way on full charter, a price that includes the aircraft's positioning. Spread across eight seats, that is about £7,500–£11,900 each, before catering or extras.
| London → Teterboro, eight passengers | Whole aircraft (one way) | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Full charter, heavy or ultra-long-range | £60,000–£95,000 | £7,500–£11,900 |
| Empty leg, same class | £18,000–£45,000 | £2,250–£5,600 |
Indicative whole-aircraft prices, one way, including positioning. Empty legs typically sell for up to 75% below the full charter price, and the live figure is confirmed on enquiry.
Three things move that sum. The first is the aircraft: London to New York is roughly seven to eight hours westbound, and a smaller jet that needs a fuel stop adds an hour or more plus another landing and handling bill. The second is the return. If the aircraft waits in New York for you, expect the crew's hotel and parking on the invoice; if it flies home and comes back to collect you, you are paying for both positioning legs, so ask for both options priced. The third is timing. A leg that happens to be repositioning across the Atlantic on your dates changes everything, which is why transatlantic empty leg flights are worth watching if your week can move by a day or two.
The airport itself makes less difference to the price than you might expect. Landing and handling at Teterboro, Westchester or Republic are a small share of a transatlantic bill; the choice between them should be made on where you are going once you land.
When a Teterboro private jet isn't the right choice
Teterboro is the default for good reason, but it is not always the best airport, and occasionally flying private into New York is not the best answer at all.
- Your aircraft is too heavy. The 100,000 lb limit rules out some of the largest long-range types and any airliner-based VIP aircraft. Stewart, with its 11,817 ft runway, is the usual alternative, at the cost of a long drive.
- You are going to Connecticut, Long Island or the New Jersey suburbs. Westchester, Republic or Morristown will usually put you closer to the door, and the time saved on the road outweighs Teterboro's handling capacity.
- You need a slot at short notice on a busy day. Prior permission and peak-day demand mean a last-minute Teterboro arrival is not guaranteed. A nearby field with spare capacity can be the calmer choice.
- You are one or two people on fixed dates. On a full transatlantic charter you pay for every seat, so the cost per person sits far above a business-class fare. The case for flying private rests on group size, time and privacy. If none of those apply, the airline is the honest answer, unless an empty leg happens to fit.
A good operator raises these trade-offs when quoting. If yours doesn't, ask which airport they have assumed and why. For the airports at the other end of your trip, our full list of private jet hire destinations covers each city in turn.
Frequently asked questions
Why do private jets fly into Teterboro instead of JFK?
Teterboro is closer to Midtown, built for private aircraft and free of airline traffic, so there are no terminal queues and no long airline-scale taxi times. JFK is a major airline hub where slot pressure and congestion cancel out most of the benefit of flying private.
How far is Teterboro from Manhattan?
About 12 miles north-north-west of Midtown in a straight line. By road it usually takes 30–60 minutes depending on traffic, and a helicopter to a Manhattan heliport takes around eight minutes.
Is there a weight limit at Teterboro?
Yes. There is a 100,000 lb maximum weight limit, which keeps airliners out and covers most business jets. Some of the largest long-range aircraft can exceed it and need extra review, and your operator checks this before quoting.
Can international flights clear customs at Teterboro?
Yes. Teterboro has customs facilities, and the FBO arranges US Customs and Border Protection clearance in advance. Westchester also has customs on site, while Republic offers it by appointment only.
Is Westchester better than Teterboro?
It depends on where you are going. For Greenwich, Connecticut or northern Westchester, HPN is usually quicker and calmer. For Manhattan, Teterboro is closer. Westchester also asks operators not to fly between midnight and 6:30am.
Which FBOs are at Teterboro?
Signature, which runs several terminals including the former Meridian facility, Atlantic Aviation and Jet Aviation. All three handle international arrivals, and your operator usually chooses which one you use.
How much is an empty leg into Teterboro?
Indicatively, a Miami–New York leg on a light or midsize jet lists from roughly $6,000–$15,000 for the whole aircraft, against $18,000–$30,000 chartered outright. Longer routes cost more. The live figure is confirmed on enquiry.
Which airport is best for the Hamptons?
East Hampton is closest, but its 4,255 ft runway limits aircraft size, and its access rules have been in dispute. Republic at Farmingdale is the usual alternative, with a car or helicopter onward.
