The main private aviation hubs in the US Northeast are Teterboro (TEB) and Westchester (HPN) for New York, Hanscom Field (BED) for Boston, Washington Dulles (IAD) for the capital region and Northeast Philadelphia (PNE) for Philadelphia. Teterboro was the busiest US private jet airport in 2025. In summer, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard join the list.
Key takeaways
- New York: Teterboro and Westchester ranked first and third among US private jet airports in 2025. Details are in our New York private jet airports guide.
- Boston: Hanscom (7,011 ft runway, user-fee customs) is the business aviation hub. Logan works for very large jets or airline connections. Norwood is small and noise-restricted.
- Washington: Dulles has 11,500-foot runways and customs. Manassas and Leesburg are general aviation alternatives. Reagan National is open to private flights only under a strict TSA security program.
- Philadelphia: Northeast Philadelphia is the dedicated private option; PHL and Wilmington (ILG) fill specific needs.
- The islands: Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard have no customs and get crowded on peak summer weekends. Hyannis has customs and a 5,425-foot runway.
What are the main private aviation hubs in the US Northeast?
The five main hubs are Teterboro and Westchester for New York, Hanscom for Boston, Dulles for Washington and Northeast Philadelphia for Philadelphia. By 2025 business aircraft departures, Teterboro ranked first in the US, Westchester third, Dulles fifth and Hanscom twentieth, according to ARGUS TRAQPak data published in 2025's busiest US private jet airports.
| Hub | Code | Serves | Why it is a hub |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teterboro | TEB | Manhattan, northern New Jersey | Busiest US private jet airport in 2025 (75,029 departures); no scheduled airline service |
| Westchester County | HPN | Westchester, Greenwich, Stamford | Third busiest in the US in 2025, up 11.9%; separate private terminals |
| Hanscom Field | BED | Boston, Cambridge, Route 128 | Massport's general aviation reliever for Logan; user-fee customs |
| Washington Dulles | IAD | Washington, Northern Virginia | Fifth busiest in 2025; two 11,500 ft runways and customs |
| Northeast Philadelphia | PNE | Philadelphia, Bucks County | Dedicated general aviation airport; customs with 24 hours' notice |
Weight limits, curfews and customs hours for Teterboro, Westchester, Republic (FRG), Morristown (MMU) and Stewart (SWF) are in our New York private jet airports guide. Teterboro is also the usual starting point for Northeast hops: in straight-line distance it is about 80 nm to Philadelphia International, 158 nm to Hanscom, 183 nm to Nantucket and 194 nm to Dulles. To estimate a Northeast charter on any of these legs, the calculator gives a range by aircraft class, and the range explorer shows which aircraft reach farther destinations nonstop.
Northeast private jet airports at a glance
Beyond New York, fifteen airports cover most Northeast trips. Runway length and customs are the two numbers to check first. Runway figures below are the longest runway at each airport, from FAA airport data published on AirNav (for example, Hanscom Field's listing), as of October 2026. Distances are straight-line miles to the city named, so the drive will be longer.
| Airport | Longest runway | Straight-line distance | Customs (as listed) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanscom Field (BED), MA | 7,011 x 150 ft | 14 mi to downtown Boston | Yes, user fee | Boston, Cambridge, MetroWest |
| Boston Logan (BOS), MA | 10,083 x 150 ft | 3 mi to downtown Boston | Yes | Downtown, the largest jets |
| Norwood Memorial (OWD), MA | 4,007 x 100 ft | 13 mi to downtown Boston | Not listed | Southern suburbs, smaller aircraft |
| Washington Dulles (IAD), VA | 11,500 x 150 ft | 23 mi to the White House | Yes | Northern Virginia, long-range trips |
| Reagan National (DCA), VA | 7,169 x 150 ft | 3 mi to the White House | Yes | DASSP operators only |
| Manassas (HEF), VA | 6,200 x 100 ft | 28 mi to the White House | By appointment | Western suburbs, quieter ramps |
| Leesburg Executive (JYO), VA | 5,500 x 100 ft | 31 mi to the White House | By appointment | Loudoun County, light jets |
| Philadelphia Intl (PHL), PA | 12,000 x 200 ft | 7 mi to City Hall | Yes | Center City, large jets |
| Northeast Philadelphia (PNE), PA | 7,000 x 100 ft | 12 mi to City Hall | Yes, 24-hour notice | Most Philadelphia charters |
| Wilmington (ILG), DE | 7,275 x 150 ft | 6 mi to Wilmington | Yes | Delaware, southern suburbs |
| Nantucket (ACK), MA | 6,303 x 150 ft | On the island | Not listed | Nantucket |
| Martha's Vineyard (MVY), MA | 5,504 x 100 ft | On the island | Not listed | Martha's Vineyard |
| Cape Cod Gateway (HYA), MA | 5,425 x 150 ft | Hyannis | Yes | Cape Cod, island customs stop |
| Portland Jetport (PWM), ME | 7,200 x 150 ft | Portland | Yes | Southern Maine |
| Bradley (BDL), CT | 9,510 x 200 ft | Hartford area | Yes | Hartford, central Connecticut |
"Customs" reflects the international operations entry in the FAA data. Hours and notice periods vary, and the operator books the inspection in advance at every airport. For how private terminals work on the ground, see what is an FBO?.
Which airport is best for a private jet to Boston?
Hanscom Field in Bedford is the best choice for most private flights to Boston. Massport describes it as the general aviation reliever for Boston Logan. It is about 14 miles from downtown in a straight line and about 11 from Cambridge, which suits trips to Cambridge, the Route 128 corridor and the western suburbs.
What to know about Hanscom:
- Runways: 7,011 and 5,107 feet, both 150 feet wide. That is enough for light, midsize and super midsize jets, and for many heavy jets depending on weight and weather.
- No large airliners: the FAA remarks close the field to airline operations with more than 60 seats, except with 24 hours' prior permission. Private aviation has the field mostly to itself.
- Night surcharge: there is a landing and departure surcharge between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., plus voluntary noise abatement procedures.
- Customs: Hanscom is on CBP's list of user fee facilities, so international arrivals are possible with advance arrangement.
When Logan or Norwood makes more sense
Logan (BOS) is about 3 miles from downtown and has runways over 10,000 feet. It makes sense for the largest jets at heavy weights, for a connection to an airline flight, or when the downtown waterfront is the destination.
Norwood Memorial (OWD), south of the city, has a 4,007-foot main runway. The FAA remarks bar aircraft that exceed set noise levels, and no customs service is listed. It is mainly an option for turboprops and some smaller jets heading to the southern suburbs, subject to the operator's runway calculations.
Where do private jets land in Washington, DC?
Most private flights to Washington use Dulles, Manassas or Leesburg, because Reagan National admits private aircraft only under a strict security program.
- Dulles (IAD): two 11,500-foot runways, customs and several FBOs. It is the natural choice for heavy and ultra long range jets, international arrivals and trips to Tysons, Reston or Loudoun County.
- Manassas (HEF): a general aviation airport with a 6,200-foot main runway, about 28 miles from the White House. FAA data lists customs by appointment through the CBP command center with 24 hours' notice, and weekend inspections must be arranged before 5 p.m. local on the Friday before.
- Leesburg Executive (JYO): a 5,500-foot runway, good for light jets and turboprops serving Loudoun County. Customs is listed as available 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. by appointment, also with 24 hours' notice.
The rules at Reagan National (DCA)
Reagan National is 3 miles from the White House, but private flights there must meet the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP). The TSA's general aviation page says all general aviation operators must follow DASSP measures for flights to and from DCA, and every unscheduled general aviation operation needs an FAA slot reservation.
The regulation, 49 CFR 1562.23, requires the operator to:
- Hold an approved DASSP and apply to the FAA for a tentative reservation, then get TSA authorization for each flight.
- Depart from a designated gateway airport with no intermediate stops before DCA.
- Have every passenger, crew member and bag screened before boarding.
- Carry at least one armed security officer on board, except on legs with no passengers.
- Ensure crew have passed fingerprint-based criminal history checks.
Not every operator holds an approved DASSP, and each flight needs both an FAA slot and TSA approval, so DCA narrows the choice of aircraft and needs lead time. If your trip depends on it, say so at the quote stage. For most travelers, Dulles or Manassas is simpler and leaves more aircraft to choose from.
Which airports serve Philadelphia and Wilmington?
Northeast Philadelphia (PNE) is the main general aviation airport for Philadelphia. Philadelphia International (PHL) and Wilmington (ILG) cover the rest of the market.
- Northeast Philadelphia (PNE): a 7,000-foot main runway, about 12 miles from City Hall in a straight line. Customs is available with 24 hours' prior permission from CBP, according to the FAA data. It suits the northern suburbs, Bucks County and much of Center City travel.
- Philadelphia International (PHL): the longest runway in this guide at 12,000 feet, and 7 miles from City Hall. It is a busy airline hub, so it works best for the largest jets, airline connections or trips to the airport side of the city.
- Wilmington (ILG): a 7,275-foot main runway, 6 miles from downtown Wilmington and about 30 from Philadelphia's City Hall. It has customs, and the FAA remarks list a landing fee for aircraft over 7,500 lb. It suits Delaware, the Brandywine Valley and the southern Main Line.
For flights between Philadelphia and New York, about 80 nm, a helicopter or a turboprop is often as quick door to door as a jet. Our comparison of helicopter charter vs private jet explains where the line falls.
Flying to Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod
Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard are the busiest seasonal destinations in New England, and their ramps fill up on summer weekends. Plan early and keep a backup airport in mind.
| Airport | Main runway | Customs | Notable rules in FAA data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nantucket (ACK) | 6,303 x 150 ft | Not listed | 2 hours' prior permission for unscheduled aircraft with more than 9 passenger seats; ramp parking fee |
| Martha's Vineyard (MVY) | 5,504 x 100 ft | Not listed | Voluntary curfew 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; 24 hours' prior permission for unscheduled aircraft with more than 9 passenger seats |
| Cape Cod Gateway (HYA) | 5,425 x 150 ft | Yes | Prior permission midnight to 6 a.m. for aircraft with more than 9 passenger seats |
Summer demand at Nantucket can outrun the ramp. Over the 2023 Fourth of July weekend, AVweb reported that the airport manager called it the busiest 24-hour arrival period the airport had seen, and the transient ramp was closed to most aircraft, which could drop passengers but had to park elsewhere. Similar restrictions can appear on any peak weekend by NOTAM.
What this means for your trip:
- Book early for July, August and holiday weekends, and ask the operator whether parking is confirmed or whether the aircraft will drop and reposition.
- Choose a smaller aircraft when the group allows it. Light jets and turboprops fit tighter ramps and shorter runways.
- Clear customs first if you are coming from abroad. Hyannis, Hanscom and Logan list customs; the islands do not.
- Allow for fog. Island weather can delay or divert flights, so build slack into connections.
Connecticut, Westchester and northern New England
For Connecticut, Westchester County Airport (HPN) is usually the closest jet airport to Greenwich and Stamford, and Bradley (BDL) serves Hartford. HPN is covered in the New York guide. Bradley has a 9,510-foot main runway and customs. Waterbury-Oxford (OXC), with a 5,801-foot runway, is a CBP user fee airport and a quieter option for western Connecticut.
Farther north:
- Portland, Maine (PWM): a 7,200-foot main runway and customs, with general aviation customs processing at the cargo apron. It is the main jet gateway for southern Maine summer trips.
- Manchester-Boston Regional (MHT), NH: a 9,250-foot main runway and user-fee customs. It is an alternative for southern New Hampshire and the northern Boston suburbs.
- Providence (PVD), RI: an 8,700-foot main runway and customs, convenient for Newport and Rhode Island.
How much does a private jet in the Northeast cost?
Most Northeast trips are short, so the cost is driven by aircraft class and a few flight hours, not by the airport. Typical US on-demand rates per flight hour, before taxes and fees, as of October 2026:
| Class | Typical hourly rate | Typical Northeast use |
|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | $2,000–3,400 | Islands, short hops under 300 nm |
| Light jet | $4,000–5,900 | Washington to Boston or Nantucket |
| Midsize jet | $5,000–7,200 | Northeast to Florida with more cabin room |
| Super midsize jet | $6,500–9,800 | Coast to coast nonstop |
| Heavy jet | $8,500–13,000 | Transatlantic nonstop from Dulles, Logan or PHL |
Illustrative estimate: Dulles to Nantucket is about 367 nm in a straight line. At a light jet's typical cruise of about 440 knots, plus climb and descent, that is roughly 1.2 flight hours. At $4,000–5,900 per hour, the one-way flight time comes to about $4,800–7,100, before federal excise tax, segment fees, airport and FBO fees, and any repositioning. This is a rough guide, not a quote; prices vary with season, availability and where the aircraft is based.
To run your own numbers, use the flight time calculator and the charter flight cost estimator. Summer island weekends are the busiest period, so watch for empty legs on the return.
How to choose the right Northeast airport
Pick the airport closest to where you are going that fits the aircraft and, for international trips, has customs at the hours you need. A short checklist for your operator or broker:
- Where exactly are you going?
- Is the runway long enough with your passengers, bags and fuel? Ask the operator to confirm, especially for Norwood, Leesburg, Martha's Vineyard and Hyannis.
- Are you arriving from abroad? Confirm customs hours and notice periods, and book the inspection before departure.
- Any curfews or night surcharges? Hanscom has a night surcharge and Martha's Vineyard a voluntary curfew.
- Is parking confirmed? On peak island weekends, ask whether the aircraft will stay or reposition.
- Is DCA essential? If so, raise it first, because few operators can do it.
For a national view, see our guide to the top private jet airports in the United States.
Planning your Northeast trip
Tell us where you are going, how many people are traveling and when, and request a quote. We will match the trip with an operator, aircraft and airport that fit.