*Includes fuel, landing fees & FET. One-way pricing.
Receive real pricing from vetted operators within hours.
The Miami to Chicago corridor is one of the busiest private jet routes in America, connecting Florida residents, executives, and families traveling north for summer or returning to Midwest homes. Peak northbound season runs April through June as "reverse snowbirds" leave Florida, with excellent empty leg opportunities during summer months (July-September) when few fly this direction.
Commercial flights from Miami International (MIA) mean 2+ hour check-ins, long TSA lines, and crowded terminals. Flying private from Opa-Locka Executive (OPF) in North Miami lets you arrive just 15 minutes before departure, drive right up to your aircraft, and land at Chicago Executive (PWK)—only 18 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, minutes from the Gold Coast and North Shore suburbs.
Most travelers choose a Light Jet like the Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3 for this 2.5-hour flight. For larger groups or extra luggage, a Midsize Jet like the Hawker 800XP offers more cabin space and still makes the trip non-stop with ease.
Demand spikes from April through June as Floridians return north for summer, and again October-November as they head back south. Book early during Art Basel (December), Super Bowl, and holiday weeks when availability tightens and prices rise 20-30%.
Click any section below for insider tips on flying this route
Located 10 miles north of downtown Miami, OPF is the premier private jet hub in South Florida. Unlike Miami International (MIA), there's zero commercial traffic—meaning faster clearance and no delays.
Top FBOs at OPF:
Located in Wheeling/Prospect Heights, about 18 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. PWK is the busiest corporate aviation airport in Illinois—far superior to dealing with O'Hare (ORD) for private travel.
Top FBOs at PWK:
Peak High Season: April through June. This is reverse snowbird migration—Florida residents returning north for summer. Expect 15-25% premiums during these months as demand spikes for northbound flights.
Secondary Peak: September through November. Families returning to Florida for the school year and early snowbirds heading south. Moderate premiums (10-15%).
Lowest Prices: July through August. Miami is hot and humid, Chicago weather is perfect. Very few people fly north during peak summer—you'll find the best deals and most empty leg availability during these months.
Memorial Day Weekend (late May): Peak travel weekend for northbound flights. Book 3-4 weeks ahead or expect to pay 30%+ premiums.
Thanksgiving Week: Heavy traffic in both directions. Airports are slammed, and charter prices spike 20-30%.
Chicago Events: Lollapalooza (August), Chicago Air & Water Show (August), and Chicago Marathon (October) can tighten PWK availability even though you're arriving from Miami.
If you're flying OPF → PWK between November and March, be aware that Chicago weather can add costs:
At 1,068 miles, this route is perfectly suited for light and midsize jets. Flight time is typically 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes depending on winds (you'll usually have headwinds flying north, so expect the longer side of that range).
Citation CJ3+, Phenom 300, or Learjet 75: The most cost-effective option for 4-6 passengers with light luggage. These jets cruise around 450 knots and have a range well over 2,000 nm—plenty for this route with no fuel stop needed.
Citation Excel/XLS, Hawker 800XP, or Learjet 60: The cabin upgrade makes a big difference on a 3-hour flight. Stand-up headroom, enclosed lavatory, and significantly more baggage space.
Challenger 300/350 or Citation Sovereign: If you want flight attendant service, hot meals, and more speed.
Turboprops: Avoid. A turboprop would take 5+ hours for this route, and the cost savings aren't worth the extra time and discomfort.
Miami to Chicago is excellent for empty leg opportunities, but the seasonal patterns are the opposite of the southbound route. Here's how to find deals:
Peak Empty Leg Season: July through September
During summer, very few people fly FROM Miami TO Chicago. But aircraft still need to reposition north after dropping passengers in Miami. This creates a surplus of empty legs heading north, often at 40-60% discounts.
Secondary Opportunity: January through March
After the holidays, some aircraft that flew families south for winter need to return to their Chicago home base. Not as many empties as summer, but still good availability.
April through June: This is peak northbound season. Everyone wants to fly Miami → Chicago, so empty legs are rare and pricing is at a premium.
When you find a true empty leg on this route, expect pricing like this:
Yes. Both PWK and OPF are extremely pet-friendly. Unlike commercial flights, your dog can sit in the cabin with you (no crate required in most cases). Just mention this when requesting your quote—some operators charge a small cleaning fee ($100-200).
Private jets operate on your schedule, not the airline's. If you're running 15-20 minutes late, just call the operator. They'll wait. If you're going to be significantly delayed (1+ hour), there may be additional standby fees, but you won't miss your "flight" like you would with commercial.
Industry standard is $50-100 per pilot for shorter flights, or roughly 5-10% of the charter cost for longer trips. Cash is preferred. If the pilots went above and beyond (handling complicated luggage, accommodating schedule changes), lean toward the higher end.
Absolutely. Both Miami and Chicago have excellent high-end catering options that can service OPF and PWK. Most operators can arrange catering with 24–48 hours' notice. Budget $25–75 per person depending on the level of service you want.
Light Jets (CJ3/Phenom 300): ~500-700 lbs of luggage, which is roughly 2-3 large bags per person. If you're bringing golf clubs or skis, mention this upfront—the operator needs to ensure weight distribution.
Midsize Jets (Hawker 800XP): ~1,000-1,200 lbs of luggage. Much more flexible if you're traveling with a group.
15–20 minutes before departure is standard at Opa-Locka Executive (OPF). There's no TSA and no long check-in lines—you drive up, walk through the FBO, and board. One of the biggest advantages of flying private.
Understanding private jet charter costs helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises. Here's exactly what you're paying for on this route:
Light Jet (Citation CJ3, Phenom 300): $6,500/hour
Midsize Jet (Hawker 800XP, Citation Excel): $9,000/hour
Heavy Jet (Gulfstream G450, Falcon 2000): $15,000/hour
Our estimates include a 15% markup that covers:
Seasonal demand: Peak snowbird season (Nov-Apr) = 10-20% premium
Event pricing: Art Basel Chicago (Dec) and Chicago Boat Show (Feb) cause spikes
Day of week: Friday departures and Sunday returns are most expensive
Booking window: Last-minute (< 48 hours) = 20-30% premium
Empty legs: Repositioning flights = 40-60% discount (when available)
Submit your details and receive instant pricing from top operators
Request Your Quote