New York to Chicago

New York Departure: Teterboro Airport (TEB)

Located just 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, TEB is the dedicated executive hub for NYC. It handles no commercial traffic, making it the fastest and most efficient departure point for business travelers.

Top FBOs at TEB:

• Meridian Teterboro: Widely rated the #1 FBO on the field. Known for white-glove service and a "boutique hotel" feel, making it a favorite for C-suite executives.
• Signature Flight Support (South): The newest and busiest terminal at TEB, designed for high-volume "splash and dash" business trips.
• Jet Aviation: A massive facility favored by corporate flight departments and owners of large-cabin jets.

Chicago Arrival: Chicago Executive Airport (PWK)

Located 18 miles north of downtown (The Loop) in Wheeling/Prospect Heights. PWK is the preferred alternative to O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) for private traffic due to lower fees and zero commercial congestion.

Top FBOs at PWK:

• Atlantic Aviation: The premier FBO at PWK with a large heated hangar and high-end lounge. Ideally situated for travelers heading to the North Shore suburbs or downtown.
• Signature Flight Support: Another excellent option with consistent service standards for corporate fleets.
• Hawthorne Global: A solid alternative that often has lower fuel pricing and less ramp congestion during peak times.

The "Business Commuter" Pattern

Peak Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This route is heavily used for corporate day trips or 1-night stays. Morning departures (7-9 AM) and evening returns (4-7 PM) see the tightest availability.

Impact: Booking a mid-week flight less than 48 hours in advance can incur a 15-25% premium due to fleet scarcity.

Winter Weather (November–March)

Both TEB and PWK are prone to snow and ice. This creates two potential costs:

• De-icing: Budget $1,500-$4,000. This is almost never included in the base quote and is billed after the flight if required.
• Heated Hangar: To avoid de-icing, you can pay for a heated hangar overnight (~$800-$1,200), which is often cheaper and ensures a faster departure.

One-Way vs. Round Trip

Because this is a high-volume business route, "point-to-point" pricing is competitive. You don't necessarily need to pay for the plane to wait for you if you're staying 3+ days. However, for a same-day or next-day return, keeping the same aircraft (round-trip) is usually cheaper than booking two one-ways.

Westbound Headwinds

Flying TEB to PWK often faces westerly headwinds, adding 10-15 minutes compared to the return leg. This extends billable flight time and slightly increases the cost versus eastbound trips.

At 711 miles, this is a perfect distance for efficient jet travel. Flight time is typically 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes depending on wind conditions.

Light Jets (Most Economical)

Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3+: The most efficient choice for this 2-hour flight. Fast, comfortable, and economical for small groups.

• Capacity: 6-7 passengers
• Flight Time: ~2 hours
• Best For: Corporate commuters or couples. The sweet spot for this route.
• Estimated Cost: $14,000-$17,000 one-way

Midsize Jets (Speed & Headroom)

Citation Excel/XLS+ or Learjet 60: A Learjet 60 is a "rocket" that can climb above traffic and make the trip in under 2 hours. The stand-up cabin offers better comfort for business meetings.

• Capacity: 7-8 passengers
• Flight Time: ~1 hour 50 minutes
• Best For: Executive teams needing workspace. The Learjet 60 is particularly fast.
• Estimated Cost: $18,000-$22,000 one-way

Super Midsize (Guaranteed Performance)

Challenger 300/350: Guaranteed range and winter performance. In heavy winter headwinds, a smaller light jet might cut it close on fuel reserves. A Super Midsize guarantees nonstop performance in any weather and offers flight attendant service.

• Capacity: 8-9 passengers
• Flight Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
• Best For: C-suite executives or groups needing luxury service and guaranteed Wi-Fi.
• Estimated Cost: $28,000-$35,000 one-way

How Empty Legs Work on This Route

New York to Chicago has consistent business travel patterns, creating predictable empty leg opportunities tied to corporate schedules rather than seasonal migration.

Mid-Week Opportunities

Tuesday Mornings (TEB → PWK): Jets repositioning to Chicago to pick up executives flying back to NYC. Look for early morning empty legs heading west.

Thursday Evenings (TEB → PWK): Similar pattern—aircraft repositioning for Friday morning pickups in Chicago.

Weekend Reset

Sunday Afternoons (PWK → TEB): Corporate jets that spent the week in the Midwest return empty to the Northeast for Monday departures. Good opportunity for eastbound travelers.

Realistic Savings

When you find a true empty leg on this route:

• Light Jet: $8,000-$10,000 (vs $14,000-$17,000 retail)
• Midsize Jet: $12,000-$15,000 (vs $18,000-$22,000 retail)

How to Find Them

• Be flexible with timing: Empty legs often depart early morning or late evening when crews are repositioning.
• Check Tuesday and Thursday: These are the highest-volume repositioning days on this route.
• Book 24-48 hours out: Operators post empty legs when they know a plane needs to reposition. Check daily if you have flexibility.

Why use Chicago Executive (PWK) instead of O'Hare (ORD)?

Speed and cost. PWK is dedicated to private aviation. You can drive right up to the plane at the FBO. O'Hare has massive commercial congestion, long taxi times, and higher landing fees. Unless you're connecting to an international commercial flight, always choose PWK (or Midway).

Is Wi-Fi guaranteed on this route?

Not on all Light Jets. While standard on Super Mids (Challenger 300), many older Light Jets do not have it. If you need to work during the 2-hour flight, specifically request a "Wi-Fi equipped" tail number.

How much is de-icing?

It varies by aircraft size and amount of fluid used, but expect $1,500 to $4,000 per application. It is a necessary safety cost during Chicago and New York winters. This is almost never included in the base quote.

Can I fly a Light Jet in winter?

Yes, modern light jets like the Phenom 300 perform excellently. However, in extreme blizzard conditions, a larger aircraft (Super Midsize) handles turbulence and crosswinds better, offering a smoother ride.

What is the flight time difference between a Light Jet and a Midsize?

Minimal. On a 700-mile trip, a fast Midsize jet (Learjet 60) might save only 10 minutes compared to a standard Light Jet. You're paying for the cabin size, not the time savings.

Are there landing slot restrictions?

TEB can have delays due to NY airspace congestion, but usually doesn't require "slots" like JFK. PWK is very accessible. However, always aim to depart before 3 PM or after 7 PM to avoid the worst ATC delays in the New York area.

What's Included in the Price?

Understanding private jet charter costs helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises. Here's exactly what you're paying for on this route:

Base Hourly Rates (2025)

Light Jet (Phenom 300, Citation CJ3+): $6,500/hour

• Flight time: ~2 hours
• Base cost: $13,000
• Capacity: 6-7 passengers

Midsize Jet (Citation Excel, Learjet 60): $9,000/hour

• Flight time: ~1.9 hours
• Base cost: $17,100
• Capacity: 7-8 passengers

Super Midsize Jet (Challenger 300/350): $15,000/hour

• Flight time: ~1.75 hours
• Base cost: $26,250
• Capacity: 8-9 passengers

Additional Fees & Taxes (Included in Quote)

Our estimates include a 15% markup that covers:

• Federal Excise Tax (FET): 7.5% on domestic flights
• Fuel surcharges: ~3-5% (varies by fuel prices)
• Landing fees: $250-$500 per airport
• Crew expenses: Included in hourly rate
• Overnight fees: Only if crew stays (common on day trips)

What's NOT Included (Optional Add-Ons)

• Catering: $25-$75 per person (budget $150-$300 for business trips)
• Ground transportation: $100-$300 for luxury car service
• De-icing (winter departures): $1,500-$4,000 if needed
• Heated hangar overnight: $800-$1,200 (alternative to de-icing)
• WiFi: Usually included on Super Mids, some older aircraft charge $50-$100

Why Prices Fluctuate

Day of week: Tuesday-Thursday are peak business days = higher demand

Booking window: Less than 48 hours notice = 15-25% premium

Time of day: Morning departures (7-9 AM) and evening returns (4-7 PM) are most expensive

Winter weather: De-icing adds $1,500-$4,000 per departure

Empty legs: Repositioning flights = 40-50% discount (when available)