Most private jets flying to Miami land at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF), about 10 miles north of downtown. It has an 8,002-foot runway, on-site US Customs and several FBOs. Miami Executive (TMB) is better for Coral Gables and south Miami. Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) suit Broward and the northern beaches. Miami International (MIA) accepts private jets, but with tighter ramp rules.
Key takeaways
- OPF is the default for Miami Beach, downtown and the Design District: a long runway, customs on the field and a choice of FBOs.
- TMB is the closest business aviation airport to Coral Gables, Pinecrest and south Miami-Dade, with a 6,000-foot main runway.
- FXE and FLL are often the better choice for Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Bal Harbour, and a useful backup when Miami-Dade is busy.
- MIA works, but its General Aviation Center requires permission 3 hours ahead and limits wingspan on its ramp to 78 feet.
- Art Basel Miami Beach (December 2 to 6, 2026) and the Miami Grand Prix (April 30 to May 2, 2027) are the peak weeks. Book early.
Which airports serve Miami by private jet?
Five airports cover Miami for private flights: three in Miami-Dade County and two in Broward County. The right one depends on where you are going, the size of the aircraft and whether you are arriving from abroad.
| Airport | Main runway | Customs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Opa Locka Executive (OPF) | 8,002 x 150 ft | Yes, on the field | Miami Beach, downtown, Design District, Hard Rock Stadium |
| Miami Executive (TMB) | 6,000 x 150 ft | Yes, on the field | Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Kendall, south Miami-Dade |
| Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) | 6,002 x 100 ft | Yes, on the field | Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton direction, northern beaches |
| Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) | 9,000 x 150 ft | Yes, at several FBOs | Aventura, Hollywood, Port Everglades cruise departures |
| Miami International (MIA) | 13,016 x 150 ft | Yes, at the General Aviation Center | Brickell, Coral Gables, connections to airline flights |
Runway figures are from the FAA airport data published on AirNav, for example OPF's listing. OPF and TMB are owned by Miami-Dade County and run by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, which also runs MIA. FXE belongs to the City of Fort Lauderdale, and FLL to Broward County.
Why is Opa-locka (OPF) the main private jet airport for Miami?
OPF combines a long runway, customs, several FBOs and quick access to the city. Miami-Dade County's OPF page describes it as a designated reliever to MIA, with one of the longest general aviation runways in the country at 8,002 feet. That length matters: it gives heavy jets and ultra long range jets room to take off with full fuel for transatlantic or South American flights.
What to know about OPF:
- Location: about 10 miles north of downtown Miami in a straight line, and about 12 miles from South Beach. The county gives the drive to downtown as around 35 minutes; traffic on I-95 can stretch that.
- FBOs: several, including Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation and Fontainebleau Aviation. Your operator picks the FBO, but you can ask for a preference.
- Customs: OPF is a customs landing rights airport with CBP on the field, so international flights can clear on arrival.
- Tower hours: the county lists the control tower as open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Events: OPF is about 10 minutes from Hard Rock Stadium, according to the county, which makes it the natural choice for the Miami Grand Prix and big games.
OPF is also home to a busy US Coast Guard air station, so you may see search-and-rescue aircraft on the field.
When is Miami Executive (TMB) the better choice?
TMB is the better choice when you are staying in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest or anywhere in south Miami-Dade. The county says it is about 15 minutes from the business centers of south Miami-Dade. In a straight line, it is about 11 miles from Coral Gables, compared with about 13 from OPF, and it avoids the drive through central Miami.
TMB's main runway is 6,000 feet long. That suits light jets, midsize jets and super midsize jets on most trips. For a large jet departing on a long international flight, the operator may prefer OPF's longer runway, especially on hot days, when aircraft need more runway to take off.
TMB has CBP on the field, several FBOs including Signature Aviation, and noise abatement procedures in effect. It is also a flight training airport, so expect to share the airspace with small training aircraft.
Should you fly into Fort Lauderdale (FXE or FLL) instead?
Yes, if your destination is Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, Bal Harbour or Hollywood, or if Miami-Dade airports are full. FLL is about 8 miles from Aventura in a straight line, while OPF is about 9 and FXE about 17. For downtown Fort Lauderdale, FXE and FLL are both within about 6 miles.
- Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) is a dedicated general aviation airport with a 6,002 x 100 ft main runway, on-field customs and several FBOs, including Signature Aviation, Atlantic Aviation, Banyan Air Service and W Aviation.
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) is an airline airport, but its 9,000-foot runway, multiple FBOs (including Sheltair, Signature Aviation and Fontainebleau Aviation) and customs make it a strong option for larger jets. Several of its FBOs advertise 24-hour customs.
The drive from Fort Lauderdale to South Beach is long in heavy traffic, so do not choose FXE or FLL for a Miami Beach stay simply because the flight is a few minutes shorter.
Can you fly a private jet into Miami International (MIA)?
Yes, but MIA is rarely the first choice for charter. Miami-Dade County's general aviation page says the MIA General Aviation Center is open 24 hours a day, every day, with a passenger lounge and CBP facilities for international arrivals. Signature Aviation also operates at MIA.
The FAA airport data lists two important limits:
- Prior permission is required 3 hours before every arrival on the General Aviation Center ramp.
- Aircraft with wingspans over 78 feet are prohibited from that ramp, which rules out many large-cabin jets.
MIA makes sense when you are connecting to an airline flight, staying in Brickell or Coral Gables, or arriving very late at night. Otherwise, OPF or TMB is usually simpler, with less taxi time and fewer airline delays.
Which airport is closest to where you are staying?
Pick the airport by neighborhood, not by which is closest to the coast. Straight-line distances, in statute miles, from each airport:
| Destination | OPF | TMB | MIA | FLL | FXE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Beach | 12 | 21 | 10 | 20 | 29 |
| Brickell | 11 | 17 | 6 | 22 | 30 |
| Bal Harbour | 9 | 25 | 12 | 13 | 21 |
| Aventura | 9 | 28 | 14 | 8 | 17 |
| Coral Gables | 13 | 11 | 5 | 25 | 33 |
| Downtown Fort Lauderdale | 17 | 38 | 24 | 4 | 6 |
Road distance is longer, and South Florida traffic matters more than miles. Ask your operator or FBO to arrange a car that meets you on the ramp, and allow extra time during rush hour and big events. For a full guide to private terminals, see what is an FBO?.
When is Miami busiest for private jets?
The busiest weeks are Art Basel Miami Beach in early December, the winter holidays, and big sporting events such as the Miami Grand Prix. Winter in general, from December to April, is high season in South Florida.
Dates to plan around:
- Art Basel Miami Beach: December 4 to 6, 2026, with VIP preview days on December 2 and 3, according to Art Basel.
- Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix: April 30 to May 2, 2027, at the Miami International Autodrome next to Hard Rock Stadium, according to Hard Rock Stadium.
- Christmas to New Year: peak winter-sun travel, when aircraft availability is tightest.
During these weeks, FBO ramps fill, aircraft availability drops and prices rise. Book early, keep your times flexible, and expect that the aircraft may drop you off and reposition elsewhere to park. Our guide to private jet charter for major events covers parking, timing and how to plan around crowds.
How much does a private jet to Miami cost?
The cost depends on the aircraft class and flight time. Teterboro to OPF is about 950 nautical miles in a straight line, within the nonstop range of light jets. Chicago, Dallas and Washington are similar or shorter. Typical US on-demand rates per flight hour, before taxes and fees:
| Class | Typical hourly rate | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Light jet | $4,000–5,900 | Up to 6 or 7 passengers from the Northeast or Midwest |
| Midsize jet | $5,000–7,200 | More cabin room and baggage |
| Super midsize jet | $6,500–9,800 | Coast-to-coast nonstop from Los Angeles |
| Heavy jet | $8,500–13,000 | Large groups, Europe and South America |
These are typical ranges; quotes vary with season, availability and positioning. Because so many aircraft fly in and out of Miami, it is worth asking about empty legs, especially heading north after big events. Use the flight time calculator for your route and the private jet charter cost calculator for a budget estimate.
Flying to Miami from abroad
All five airports can clear international private flights, so you can usually land at the airport closest to your destination. OPF, TMB, FXE and FLL list CBP on the field, and MIA clears general aviation flights at its General Aviation Center. Customs hours vary by airport and change from time to time, so the operator books the customs slot before departure and files the passenger manifest through eAPIS.
Miami is a hub for flights to the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America. For the corridors travelers use most, from the New York area to the Bahamas, see the most popular private jet routes from South Florida. For documents, permits and taxes on international trips, read our guide to flying a private jet internationally.
A checklist for your Miami charter
- Where are you staying? Choose OPF, TMB, FXE or FLL by neighborhood, using the table above.
- How big is the aircraft? Large jets on long departures may need OPF's or FLL's longer runways.
- Are you arriving from abroad? Confirm the customs slot and hours with the operator.
- Is it an event week? Book early for Art Basel, the holidays and the Grand Prix, and ask about ramp parking.
- How will you get to town? Arrange a car to meet you at the FBO and allow for traffic.
- What about luggage? Golf bags and art purchases take space; check baggage capacity by aircraft size.
Planning your trip
For most Miami trips, Opa-locka is the right answer, with Miami Executive and Fort Lauderdale Executive as strong alternatives depending on where you are staying. Tell us your dates, group size and final destination, and request a quote. We will match you with an operator, aircraft and airport that fit the trip.