New York → Miami

New York to Miami is the single busiest private jet route in the United States — a 950-nautical-mile corridor that carries a relentless stream of finance professionals, real estate investors, art collectors, and seasonal residents between the nation's financial capital and its subtropical playground. With over 5,000 private jet movements per year on this city pair, the route benefits from extraordinary competition among operators, driving efficiency and keeping pricing more accessible than almost any other charter corridor of comparable distance.

Airport & FBO Analysis

On the New York end, Teterboro Airport (KTEB) dominates, with three major FBOs — Jet Aviation, Meridian, and Signature Flight Support — providing seamless departures 18 hours a day (Teterboro enforces a voluntary curfew from 11 PM to 6 AM). Westchester County Airport (KHPN) serves clients in Connecticut and the northern suburbs, while Republic Airport (KFRG) on Long Island offers an alternative for those in the Hamptons area.

Miami's private aviation hub is Opa-locka Executive Airport (KOPF), a dedicated general aviation field 15 minutes north of downtown Miami. The Fontainebleau Aviation FBO is the flagship facility, with a 12,000-square-foot terminal, private customs hall for international arrivals, and valet parking. Miami Executive Airport (KTMB) to the south and Fort Lauderdale Executive (KFXE) to the north provide overflow capacity during peak event weekends. For clients heading directly to Miami Beach, Opa-locka's location offers the most direct ground route — about 20 minutes to South Beach.

Aircraft Recommendations

At 950 nautical miles and 2.5 hours of flight time, this route is ideal for light jets — and the sheer volume of available aircraft makes light jets exceptionally well-priced. A Phenom 300E or Citation CJ4 runs $15,000 to $22,000, seating 6 to 8 passengers with luggage for a Miami weekend. For added cabin space, a midsize Citation Latitude or Hawker 800XP at $22,000 to $35,000 provides stand-up headroom and a more comfortable working environment. Heavy jets in the $38,000 to $55,000 range are available for larger groups or those wanting the most spacious experience, but represent premium pricing relative to the route distance.

Seasonal Pricing Intelligence

Demand follows a clear winter-weighted pattern. November through March sees elevated traffic as snowbirds and seasonal residents migrate south, with Art Basel Miami Beach in early December creating the single most intense demand spike of the year — expect 50 to 75 percent premiums and book at least 3 weeks ahead. The Miami F1 Grand Prix weekend, Super Bowl (when hosted in Miami), and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival each create secondary peaks. Summer (June through August) offers the lowest prices and best aircraft availability, as Miami's heat suppresses leisure demand — this is when savvy travelers find light jet charters under $15,000.

Ground Experience

From Teterboro, Midtown Manhattan hotels — The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park, Four Seasons Downtown, Aman New York — are 25 to 40 minutes depending on Hudson River crossings and traffic. In Miami, the Faena Miami Beach, Four Seasons Surf Club, and The Setai are the preferred addresses for private jet clientele, each within 25 minutes of Opa-locka. For clients heading to the Design District or Brickell, travel times are even shorter at 10 to 15 minutes. Most luxury properties in both cities maintain dedicated car services that coordinate with FBO ground handlers for curbside-to-cabin continuity.

Booking Tips

• This is one of the few routes where same-day booking is reliably available — the volume of positioned aircraft in both cities means last-minute options almost always exist.
• Empty leg opportunities are the most abundant of any US route; check listings regularly, as one-way repositioning flights can be found at discounts of 40 to 60 percent, particularly on southbound Fridays and northbound Sundays.
• For Art Basel week, treat this like a ski holiday booking — 3 to 4 weeks minimum advance notice, or risk paying extreme premiums for whatever aircraft remains available.
• Jet card holders with programs like Sentient or Magellan will find this route well-served; compare card rates against on-demand charter for your specific dates, as competitive pressure often makes on-demand pricing surprisingly favorable.