New York → Palm Beach

New York to Palm Beach is one of the most consistently trafficked private jet routes in the United States — a 950-nautical-mile corridor that serves as the seasonal migration path for the East Coast establishment. From Thanksgiving through Easter, hedge fund managers, real estate moguls, and old-money families shuttle between their Manhattan residences and Palm Beach estates with the regularity of a commuter rail service, making this route a bedrock of American private aviation.

Airport & FBO Analysis

Teterboro (KTEB) remains the default New York departure point, with its three major FBOs — Jet Aviation, Meridian, and Signature — collectively handling hundreds of Palm Beach-bound departures weekly during peak season. The familiarity and efficiency of the Teterboro operation make it seamless for regular travelers on this route.

Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI) offers excellent private aviation facilities through Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation. The FBOs sit on the north side of the field, providing quick access to the island of Palm Beach via the Flagler Memorial Bridge — door to door from the FBO to Worth Avenue takes under 15 minutes. KPBI's generous runway length (over 10,000 feet) accommodates every aircraft type without restriction, and customs facilities handle international arrivals for clients connecting from the Caribbean.

Aircraft Recommendations

At 950 nautical miles and just 2.3 hours of flight time, this route is ideal for light and midsize jets. A Phenom 300E or Citation CJ4 at $8,000 to $14,000 represents outstanding value for couples or small families, delivering a comfortable cabin with full refreshment service. For clients wanting more space or traveling with staff, a midsize Citation Latitude or Learjet 75 at $14,000 to $22,000 adds stand-up cabin height and enclosed lavatory. Heavy jets are available for large family groups at $24,000 to $38,000 but are generally unnecessary for this short hop.

Seasonal Pricing Intelligence

This route follows a pronounced seasonal pattern driven by Palm Beach's social calendar. November through April is peak season, with rates climbing 25 to 35 percent above baseline. The absolute premium falls on Thanksgiving week, Christmas-New Year, and Presidents' Day weekend. The Palm Beach International Boat Show in March creates an additional spike. Off-season (May through October), rates drop significantly and empty leg availability increases dramatically as aircraft reposition north for summer. Savvy travelers can find exceptional deals on southbound positioning flights in late October as the fleet begins its annual migration.

Ground Experience

In Palm Beach, The Breakers, Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, and the Colony Hotel are the iconic addresses, all within 15 minutes of KPBI. Most properties coordinate directly with FBO staff for arrival timing. On the New York end, clients typically depart from Upper East Side hotels and residences, reaching Teterboro in 20 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. Helicopter transfers from Manhattan to Teterboro are popular with time-sensitive travelers.

Booking Tips

• During peak season, book at least 5 to 7 days in advance for holiday weekends; same-day availability exists but limits aircraft choice significantly.
• Empty legs are extremely common — this route generates more repositioning opportunities than almost any other in the US, with discounts of 40 to 60 percent available on one-way positioning flights.
• Consider Lantana Airport (KLNA) as a quieter alternative to KPBI, offering a more intimate FBO experience with similar proximity to Palm Beach.
• Friday afternoon southbound and Sunday evening northbound are the highest-demand windows; midweek travel offers both better pricing and guaranteed aircraft selection.