Private jet travel has seen a steady increase over the past several years. Throughout the 2000s, private jet travel has seen considerable growth, especially in the United States. The private aviation industry saw a significant jump during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many wealthy travelers resorted to flying privately during this time, as this allowed them to social distance properly and not risk flying on commercial airlines.
Related The Top 10 Fastest Growing States For Private Jets In 2024 Many states saw a large increase, although, overall, the US saw a slight decrease in private jet operations.
However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, private jet travel has taken a small step back. Even so, private jet travel has increased compared to 2019, which was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Private Jet Card Comparisons, the US saw over 3 million private jet flights in 2024, down overall from the 3.12 million recorded in 2023. This was a year-over-year decrease of about 1%. Even so, many airports saw a significant jump in their annual private jet flights. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more popular airports for business jet travel in the US, as well as some of the features that have made them so popular for private jet fliers.
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada
One of the most popular airports for private jet flights is Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The airport saw a total of 31,765 private jet departures in 2024. According to Private Jet Card Comparisons, this was a 4.6% decrease from the 33,306 private jet departures in 2023. This year-over-year decrease brought the airport down from the fourth busiest in 2023 to the sixth-busiest private jet airport in 2024.
Photo: Bradley Caslin | Shutterstock
Harry Reid International Airport is located about five miles south of downtown Las Vegas. It is the premier aircraft for Las Vegas flight operations, including commercial transport for over thirty airlines. Some of the airlines that operate from LAS include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Copa Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Porter Airlines, Korean Air , and Virgin Atlantic, among others.
The airport was originally opened as Alamo Field in 1943, and initially focused on general aviation. Since then, the airport has grown to occupy a total of 2,800 acres. It also sits at an elevation of 2,181 feet mean sea level (MSL). Harry Reid International Airport operates four different runways with the following specifications:
Runway Length (m) Length (ft) Surface 1L/19R 2,740 meters 8,988 feet Concrete 1R/19L 2,978 meters 9,771 feet Concrete 8L/26R 4,424 meters 14,515 feet Concrete 8R/26L 3,208 meters 10,526 feet Concrete
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in Los Angeles, California
The most prominent airport for private jet operators on the West Coast is based in Los Angeles, California. According to Private Jet Card Comparisons, Van Nuys Airport is the fifth most popular airport for private jet operations. This airport saw a total of 32,229 private jet departures in 2024. This was a 3.0% decrease from the 33,240 private jet departures that the airport saw in 2023.
Van Nuys Airport is located in the Van Nuys neighborhood within Los Angeles, California. Its location makes it a prime location for executives, celebrities, and wealthy travelers that are based in a populous city. It is operated by Los Angeles World Airports, the same organization that runs Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). It is also home to several Los Angeles-based organizations, such as the LA Fire Department, the LA Police Department, and the LA Department of Water and Power.
It was originally opened in December 1928 as Metropolitan Airport. Since then, it has grown into the premier general aviation airport on the West Coast. Van Nuys Airport covers a total of 725 acres, and it has two runways with the following specifications:
Runway Length (m) Length (ft) Surface 16R/34L 2,439 meters 8,001 feet Asphalt 16L/34R 1,223 meters 4,013 feet Asphalt
Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, New York
One of the most popular private jet airports in the US is obviously located in New York. Westchester County Airport saw a total of 32,994 private jet departures in 2024. This was only a 0.3% increase year-over-year, as the airport saw a total of 32,895 private jet departures in 2023. Even so, this slight increase brought it to be the fourth most popular private jet airport in the US, mostly due to decreases from other airports.
This airport is located along the New York and Connecticut border, and it is also approximately 33 miles north of Manhattan in New York City, New York. Because of this, it often finds itself operating for wealthy travelers based in New York City. The airport was originally built during World War II in 1942. It was formed to hold an Air National Guard, which would protect New York City from potential adversaries. Since then, the airport has grown to become a prominent operator for private and general aircraft operations.
Currently, Westchester County Airport covers a total of 702 acres, and it sits at an elevation of 439 feet mean sea level (MSL). It is home to several fixed-base operators (FBOs) for private jet users, including Signature Flight Support, Atlantic Aviation, NetJets, and Million Air. The airport has a small terminal for commercial operations. Some of the airlines operating from Westchester County Airport include American Eagle, Breeze airways , Cape Air, Delta Air Lines , and JetBlue, among others.
Overall, the airport has two runways with the following specifications:
Runway Length (m) Length (ft) Surface 11/29 1,357 meters 4,451 feet Asphalt 16/34 1,996 meters 6,549 feet Asphalt
Dallas Love Field (DAL) in Dallas, Texas
Private jet operators flying out of Texas frequently find themselves operating from Dallas Love Field (DAL) in Dallas, Texas. The airport saw a total of 40,332 private jet departures in 2024. According to Private Jet Card Comparisons, the Dallas-based airport saw an increase of 1.7% in private jet departures year-over-year, surpassing its 2023 total of 39,655 total private jet departures. This kept the airport as the third most popular airport for private jet travel in 2024.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
This airport is located just six miles northwest of downtown Dallas, making it ideal for wealthy travelers based in the heavily populated Texas city. Dallas Love Field was originally founded as an Army camp in 1917, which was used to help train prospective pilots after the US entered World War I.
Since then, the company has grown into one of the biggest airports in Texas. The airport covers an area of 1,300 acres, and it sits at an elevation of 487 feet mean sea level (MSL). Overall, the airport has two runways with the following specifications:
Runway Length (m) Length (ft) Surface 13L/31R 2,363 meters 7,752 feet Concrete 13R/31L 2,682 meters 8,800 feet Concrete
Unlike other airports focused on private jet travel, Dallas Love Field is home to several commercial airlines. It was the birthplace of Southwest Airlines , which occupies a 95% market share at the airport. Other airlines that operate from Dallas Love Field include:
Alaska Airlines
Delta Air Lines
JSX
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in West Palm Beach, Florida
The most popular airport for private jet travel in Florida is Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to Private Jet card Comparisons, the Florida-based airport saw a total of just under 42,000 total private jet departures in 2024. This was an approximate decrease of 1.8% year-over-year, as the airport saw nearly 43,000 total private jet departures in 2023. This kept the airport as the second most popular airport for private jet travel in the US.
Palm Beach Airport is located in West Palm Beach, which is part of the metropolitan area of Miami, Florida. It is the third-busiest airport in this area, following only Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The airport was originally founded in 1936 as Morrison Field.
Currently, the airport is owned and operated by the Palm Beach County Department of Airports. It sits at an elevation of 19 feet. The airport covers a total of 2,120 acres with the following runways:
Runway Length (m) Length (ft) Surface 10L/28R 3,048 meters 10,001 feet Asphalt 10R/28L 980 meters 3,214 feet Asphalt 14/32 2,113 meters 6,931 feet Asphalt
The airport also has many commercial airlines that operate from the airport. This includes services from the following airlines: Air Canada, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, among others.
Teterboro Airport (TEB) in Bergen County, New Jersey
It is no surprise that Teterboro Airport is yet again the most popular airport for private jet operators in the United States. The airport saw a staggering 74,832 private jet departures in 2024, making it the most popular private jet airport in the US by a margin of over 30,000 departures. This was a slight increase of about 0.3% year-over-year from the 74,577 private jet departures that the airport saw in 2023.
Teterboro Airport is located just twelve miles north of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York. Because of this, many celebrities and wealthy executives find Teterboro Airport to be the premier private airport when flying out of New York City. The airport also has a weight limit of 100,000 pounds, which means it is not necessarily possible for commercial operations.
Photo: JonathanCollins | Shutterstock
Additionally, Teterboro Airport is owned and managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It is also the oldest operating airport in the New York City area, after it was founded by Walter C. Teter in 1917. Today, the airport consists of over 825 total acres. This includes 90 acres of hangars and offices, 408 acres for runways, and 329 acres of undeveloped land. The airport also sits at an elevation of 8.4 feet mean sea level (MSL).
Overall, Teterboro Airport has the following runways:
The Most Popular US Airports For Private Jet Travel
