Atlanta to New York

Atlanta Departure: DeKalb-Peachtree (PDK)

Located 10 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, PDK is the preferred airport for private aviation. It's closer to Buckhead and Lenox, avoids the massive commercial delays of Hartsfield-Jackson, and is dedicated solely to general aviation.

Top FBOs at PDK:

• Signature Flight Support: Full-service facility with excellent amenities and high-volume handling capability.
• Atlantic Aviation: Popular with corporate flight departments, known for efficient turnarounds.
• Epps Aviation: A local favorite with personalized service and competitive pricing.

Alternative: Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)

While it's the world's busiest airport, ATL has excellent private facilities via Signature Flight Support. Only use ATL if you're connecting to a commercial flight—otherwise PDK is faster and easier.

New York Arrival: Teterboro (TEB)

Located 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, TEB is the dedicated executive hub for NYC. It handles more private jet traffic than any airport in the region.

Top FBOs at TEB:

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

"Hollywood of the South" Traffic

Atlanta is a major film production hub. There's a constant flow of talent and executives between NY and ATL. Awards shows, film festivals, or major production starts can tighten availability on Super Midsize jets.

• Mid-week premium: Tuesday-Thursday pricing is often higher than weekends due to heavy corporate travel.
• Entertainment surges: Major film/TV productions starting or wrapping can spike demand unexpectedly.

Major Events

• The Masters (April): While in Augusta, overflow traffic often parks at PDK or ATL. During Masters week, expect "special event fees" and scarce parking.
• SEC Championship: Football weekends create demand spikes, especially for weekend departures.
• Major concerts/tours: Stadium shows in Atlanta create surges on both directions.

Weather Factors

• Summer Thunderstorms (ATL): From June to August, afternoon storms are common in Atlanta. Schedule morning departures to avoid ground stops.
• Winter Operations (TEB): Arriving in Teterboro during winter (Dec-March) can incur de-icing fees if the aircraft must turn around and fly back out.

At 747 miles, this is a short, high-efficiency business corridor. Flight time is typically 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes. Any jet category handles this route easily.

Light Jets (Most Economical)

Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3+: The most efficient choice. The 2-hour flight is perfect for a light jet—fast, comfortable, and economical for small groups.

• Capacity: 6-7 passengers
• Flight Time: ~2 hours
• Best For: Corporate commuters or couples
• Cost: ~$16,000-$18,000 one-way

Midsize Jets (Speed & Headroom)

Citation Excel/XLS+ or Learjet 60: The 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 or music touring groups
• Cost: ~$22,000-$26,000 one-way

Super Midsize (Status & Luggage)

Challenger 300/350: If you're traveling with significant equipment (film/music gear) or wardrobe trunks, the massive baggage hold of a Challenger is necessary.

• Capacity: 8-9 passengers
• Flight Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
• Best For: Entertainment talent, touring bands, or C-suite executives requiring guaranteed Wi-Fi

Business Corridor Patterns

This route has consistent business travel patterns that create predictable empty leg opportunities—unlike seasonal routes, deals are available year-round if you know when to look.

Mid-Week Opportunity: Thursday Afternoons

Why: NY-based jets drop executives in Atlanta early in the week, then return home empty on Thursday afternoons. Look for ATL → TEB empty legs Thursday 2-6 PM.

• Light Jet empty leg: $8,000-$11,000 (vs $16,000-$18,000 retail)
• Midsize empty leg: $12,000-$15,000 (vs $22,000-$26,000 retail)

Weekend Reset: Sunday/Monday

Why: Aircraft reposition for the business week. Look for TEB → ATL legs on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings as jets head south to start the week.

How to Find Them

• Be flexible: Empty legs are last-minute by nature. If you can shift by 1-2 days, your options multiply.
• Tuesday/Wednesday departures: Least likely to have empty legs (peak business travel days).
• Book 24-72 hours out: Operators post empty legs when they know a plane needs to reposition.

Should I use ATL or PDK in Atlanta?

PDK (DeKalb-Peachtree) is almost always better for private jets. It's closer to Buckhead and avoids the massive taxi delays of Hartsfield-Jackson. Only use ATL if you're connecting to a commercial flight.

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.

Can I bring film equipment on a private jet?

Yes, but weight and size matter. Hard-shell Pelican cases are heavy and bulky. If you have more than 5-6 large cases, you must upgrade to a Super Midsize or Heavy jet to ensure they fit in the cargo hold.

Is there a curfew at Teterboro?

TEB has a voluntary "quiet hours" curfew from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM. While landing is legally permitted, loud aircraft can be banned. It's best to schedule arrivals before 10:30 PM.

How much luggage fits in a Light Jet?

A Phenom 300 fits 6-7 roller bags. If you're moving a full wardrobe or production gear between NY and ATL, you need a larger aircraft.

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

Minimal. On a 750-mile trip, a fast Midsize jet (Learjet 60) might save only 10-15 minutes compared to a standard Light Jet. You're paying for cabin size, not time savings.

Does the flight have Wi-Fi?

On a 3.5-hour flight, this is crucial. Most Super Midsize jets have it standard. For Light and Midsize jets, it's not guaranteed. You must specifically request a "Wi-Fi equipped" tail number if you need to stay connected.

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: ~2.2 hours
• Base cost: ~$16,100
• Capacity: 6-7 passengers

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

• Flight time: ~2.0 hours
• Base cost: ~$22,400
• Capacity: 7-8 passengers

Heavy Jet (Challenger, Gulfstream): $15,000/hour

• Flight time: ~1.9 hours
• Base cost: ~$37,300
• Capacity: 10-14 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

What's NOT Included (Optional Add-Ons)

• Catering: $25-$75 per person (often skipped on 2-hour flights)
• Ground transportation: $100-$300 for luxury car service
• De-icing (winter at TEB): $1,500-$4,000 if aircraft needs to turn around
• WiFi: Usually included on newer jets; some older aircraft charge $50-$100

Why Prices Fluctuate

Day of week: Mid-week (Tue-Thu) is busiest = 10-15% higher than weekends

Event pricing: Masters week, SEC Championship, major film premieres spike demand

Summer storms: Afternoon delays June-August can extend billable flight time

Booking window: Last-minute (< 48 hours) = 15-25% premium