*Includes fuel, landing fees & FET. One-way pricing.
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The Palm Beach to New York corridor is one of the busiest private jet routes in America—the northbound leg of the legendary "snowbird shuttle." At 1,028 miles, you're wheels-down at Teterboro in about 2.5 hours with a jet stream tailwind at your back. Spring brings peak demand as seasonal residents return north, while winter offers the best empty leg opportunities as aircraft reposition after southbound drops.
Commercial flights from PBI to JFK or LaGuardia mean airline hassle on both ends—TSA lines, taxi times, baggage claim. Flying private from Palm Beach International puts you at Teterboro just 12 miles from Manhattan. Arrive 15 minutes before departure, walk to your aircraft with your dog, and you're airborne in minutes. Your car meets you on the tarmac at Meridian.
Light Jets like the Phenom 300 are efficient for couples or small families with moderate luggage. Midsize Jets like the Citation Excel offer stand-up cabins and massive baggage holds—essential if you're moving an entire season's wardrobe back north. Super Midsize jets like the Citation X can cover this route in just 2 hours 15 minutes with full cabin service.
This direction is where empty leg deals happen. Thousands of jets fly New York to Palm Beach full of snowbirds each winter. Those aircraft often return north empty—or reposition to their home base. Smart travelers book these "deadhead" returns for 30-50% off retail pricing. November through January is prime time.
Click any section below for insider tips on flying this route
Located just 2.5 miles from downtown West Palm Beach and a short drive from the island, PBI is the central hub for Wellington equestrians and Palm Beach residents. The private aviation facilities are world-class.
Top FBOs at PBI:
Located 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, Teterboro is the dedicated executive hub for New York City. No commercial traffic means priority handling for private jets. The Lincoln Tunnel puts you in Midtown in 20-30 minutes.
Top FBOs at TEB:
This is peak demand for northbound charters. As the Palm Beach season ends, demand for flights back to New York skyrockets. Pricing is at its absolute highest during these months.
The end of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in April creates a massive surge in departures. Equestrians, owners, and their entourages all head north simultaneously.
Few people are leaving Florida for New York right before winter, so pricing is softer. This is your window for better rates—if you're one of the rare northbound travelers in late summer.
At 1,028 miles, this route is well within range of any jet category. Your choice depends on passenger count, luggage requirements, and how much of Palm Beach you're bringing back north.
Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3+: The most efficient option for this route. The Phenom 300 easily handles the distance nonstop, even with a full load.
Citation Excel/XLS+ or Learjet 60: The stand-up cabin (5'8" headroom) makes the 2.5-hour flight significantly more comfortable. The Excel's external baggage hold is massive.
Challenger 300/350 or Citation X: The Citation X can make this run in approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. This category guarantees a flight attendant and full galley service on most charters.
The Palm Beach to New York route has one of the most predictable empty leg patterns in private aviation. Understanding the seasonal flow gives you a significant advantage.
Best window for northbound empty legs
Thousands of jets fly New York to Palm Beach full of snowbirds heading south for the winter. Those aircraft often return to New York empty—or reposition to their home base—creating abundant northbound opportunities.
Do NOT expect empty leg deals in April
The flow is entirely northbound during the spring return. Every operator can sell every seat at full retail price. If you find a "deal" in April, it's likely on an older aircraft or a turboprop—not the premium jet you want.
A standard Light Jet charter runs $17,000-$21,000 one-way. Empty leg opportunities:
Speed. Teterboro is dedicated solely to private aviation. You avoid the 45+ minute taxi times and ATC holds common at commercial hubs like JFK. From car to wheels-up at TEB is often under 15 minutes. Plus, TEB is closer to Manhattan than JFK.
Yes, and this catches snowbirds every spring. If you're returning from a 3-month stay in Palm Beach, you likely have heavy bags. A Phenom 300 has strict weight limits for the baggage hold. If you have 6 passengers with 2 large heavy bags each, you must upgrade to a Midsize or Super Midsize jet. The Citation Excel is legendary for cargo capacity.
No. You're departing warm weather, so no de-icing is needed for takeoff. De-icing fees only apply if the aircraft encounters snow upon landing at Teterboro—which is rare for arrivals (usually only departures need de-icing). This is a non-issue for your Palm Beach departure.
Absolutely. This is one of the most popular pet commute routes in the country. Just ensure your pet's vaccination records are handy. PBI has dedicated pet relief areas near the private terminals, and your dog flies in the cabin with you—not cargo.
A Light Jet (Phenom 300) takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. A Super Midsize (Citation X or Challenger 300) can do it in 2 hours 15 minutes—saving about 25 minutes. Whether that's worth the price difference depends on your priorities.
TEB has a voluntary "quiet hours" curfew from 11 PM to 6 AM. While landing is legally permitted, loud aircraft can be flagged and potentially banned. It's best to schedule arrivals before 10:30 PM to respect the community and avoid any issues with your operator.
Understanding private jet charter costs on this high-traffic snowbird route helps you budget accurately and spot good deals.
Light Jet (Phenom 300, Citation CJ3): $6,500/hour
Midsize Jet (Citation Excel, Learjet 60): $9,000/hour
Super Midsize (Challenger 300, Citation X): $10,500/hour
Our estimates include a 15% markup that covers:
Snowbird season (March-May): 20-30% premium on northbound charters
WEF finale (late April): Peak-of-peak pricing and limited availability
Summer lull (August-September): Best pricing of the year for northbound
Booking window: Last-minute (< 48 hours) = 15-25% premium
Jet stream tailwind: Northbound is slightly faster/cheaper than southbound
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