*One-way pricing. Summer parking fees at ACK not included.
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The Boston to Nantucket hop is New England's quintessential island escape—90 miles over the water in just 30-35 minutes. Skip the ferry's 2+ hour journey and the chaos of Hyannis parking. Flying private means your dog sits beside you in the cabin, your golf clubs go in the hold, and you're on the beach before the ferry even reaches open water. Summer weekends see the ACK ramp become a parking lot of private jets.
The alternatives are painful: drive 90 minutes to Hyannis, park, wait for the ferry, endure a 2-hour crossing, then taxi to your rental. Or battle the Cape Air terminal at Logan. Flying private from Signature at Logan—or better yet, from Norwood—puts you on Nantucket in 35 minutes with your luggage, pets, and sanity intact.
For this ultra-short hop, a Turboprop like the King Air 350 or Pilatus PC-12 is the smart choice. Jets have no time to climb to efficient cruise altitude on a 90-mile flight. The PC-12's massive cargo door fits strollers, coolers, and beach gear better than most light jets. If you're connecting from an international flight and want seamless luxury, a Light Jet maintains the experience.
Nantucket's ramp becomes a parking lot from Fourth of July through Labor Day. Overnight parking fees are among the highest in the region—a week in July can cost thousands. Many aircraft drop passengers and immediately fly back to the mainland to park cheaper, adding repositioning costs to your charter.
Click any section below for insider tips on flying this route
Located just 3 miles from downtown Boston, Logan is convenient for city access but is a high-congestion commercial hub. Private aviation is separated from the main terminals but taxi times can be long during peak commercial banks.
FBO at BOS:
Many seasoned Nantucket flyers prefer Norwood, located 20 miles south of Boston. Benefits include significantly lower landing fees, no commercial congestion, and faster wheels-up times. If you live in the southern suburbs (Dedham, Westwood, Milton), Norwood is a no-brainer.
Hanscom Field in Bedford is another option, especially for North Shore residents. Less congestion than Logan, reasonable fees, and multiple FBO options.
Located on the south side of the island, about 3 miles from town. ACK is the lifeline of Nantucket—everything from groceries to guests arrives here.
FBO Services at ACK:
Nantucket is notoriously foggy, especially in June and July. This is the single biggest disruptor of price and schedule on this route.
Peak season demand is explosive. The entire New England elite descends on Nantucket for summer weekends.
At just 90 miles, this is an ultra-short hop where a turboprop often makes more sense than a jet. Jets have no time to climb to efficient cruise altitude before they're descending again.
King Air 350 or Pilatus PC-12: The absolute smart choice for this route. A King Air takes approximately 40 minutes, is more fuel-efficient than a jet on this distance, and handles short runways well.
Citation CJ3 or Phenom 300: If you're connecting from a commercial First Class flight at Logan, a light jet offers a seamless luxury experience. The speed difference is negligible on this distance.
While not private, many compare costs against Cape Air's scheduled service. Private charter advantages:
During summer, this is one of the most predictable empty leg routes in the region. The weekend commute pattern creates consistent repositioning opportunities if you can be flexible with your direction.
Thursday/Friday OUTBOUND (BOS → ACK): Full price. Planes fly to Nantucket full of weekend arrivals.
Thursday/Friday INBOUND (ACK → BOS): 🎯 Deal alert! After dropping passengers on Nantucket, aircraft return to Boston empty to pick up the next group. This is your opportunity for a discounted return trip.
Sunday/Monday INBOUND (ACK → BOS): Full price. Everyone leaves the island after the weekend.
Sunday/Monday OUTBOUND (BOS → ACK): 🎯 Deal alert! Aircraft fly to Nantucket empty to pick up returning weekenders. Catch this positioning flight if you're heading to the island early in the week.
A standard one-way Turboprop charter runs $3,000-$5,000. Empty leg opportunities:
It depends on the aircraft and pilot certification. Modern jets (like a Challenger 350) and high-end turboprops have better avionics for low-visibility approaches than smaller piston planes. However, if the fog is "zero-zero" (no visibility), no one lands. The ferry becomes your backup plan. June and July are peak fog months—build flexibility into your schedule.
Yes, and this is a massive advantage over the ferry. Your dog sits with you in the cabin—no cargo hold, no kennel stress. At both Signature (BOS) and Nantucket, you can often walk the dog on the ramp before boarding. Just verify the specific aircraft owner's pet policy when booking.
Yes, and it's strictly enforced. No jet aircraft can take off or land between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. During summer, island neighbors watch this closely and complaints are taken seriously. Plan to arrive by 9:30 PM to be safe—don't cut it close.
A surprisingly large amount. The PC-12 has a massive rear cargo door—like an SUV trunk—that fits strollers, coolers, beach chairs, and golf clubs easily. It's often better for cargo than a small Light Jet. If you're traveling with the full summer kit, the PC-12 is your friend.
Air Traffic Control. The airspace around Boston and the Cape is congested with commercial and private traffic. You might get an immediate "wheels up" clearance, or you might be held on the ground at BOS for 15 minutes waiting for a departure slot. The actual flying time is short (~25-30 minutes), but ATC logistics can add variability.
Usually, yes. Norwood Memorial Airport is about 20 miles south of Boston. Positioning a plane there is often cheaper than paying Logan's high landing and handling fees. If you live in the southern suburbs (Dedham, Westwood, Milton), Norwood is a no-brainer—shorter drive for you and lower costs on the charter.
Understanding private charter costs on this ultra-short route requires awareness of the unique summer economics at Nantucket.
Turboprop (King Air 350, PC-12):
Light Jet (Citation CJ3, Phenom 300):
This is where Nantucket gets expensive:
Many operators avoid ACK parking fees by repositioning:
Summer season (July-August): Peak pricing, parking premiums, book 2-4 weeks ahead
Shoulder season (May-June, Sept): Better availability, reasonable parking
Fog forecast: High fog probability may require flexible scheduling
Day of week: Thursday/Friday outbound and Sunday inbound = premium pricing
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