*Includes fuel, landing fees & FET. One-way pricing.
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The Miami to New York corridor is often called the "Golden Route" of business aviation—one of the highest-volume private jet routes in the world. At 1,092 miles, you're wheels-down at Teterboro in about 2.5 hours with the jet stream at your back. Spring brings peak demand as snowbirds return north, while the post-Art Basel exodus in early December creates a brief but intense spike.
Commercial flights from MIA to JFK or LaGuardia take 3+ hours plus airport hassle on both ends. Flying private from Opa-Locka—Miami's dedicated executive airport—puts you at Teterboro just 12 miles from Manhattan. Arrive 15 minutes before departure, show your ID to the pilots, and you're airborne. No TSA, no customs, no lines. Your car meets you on the tarmac.
Light Jets like the Phenom 300 are the efficient "commuter" choice for couples or small groups. Midsize Jets like the Citation Excel offer stand-up cabins and massive baggage holds for those moving north with summer wardrobes. Super Midsize jets like the Citation X can cover this route in just 2 hours 15 minutes with guaranteed Wi-Fi and flight attendant service.
Flying northbound, you benefit from the jet stream—tailwinds that can shave 20-30 minutes off your flight time compared to the southbound leg. This makes the OPF→TEB direction faster and often slightly cheaper due to reduced fuel burn.
Click any section below for insider tips on flying this route
Located 10 miles north of downtown Miami, Opa-Locka is the preferred hub for private traffic. You bypass the congestion of Miami International (MIA) entirely and enjoy a purpose-built executive aviation experience.
Top FBOs at OPF:
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 winter ends, thousands of New Yorkers return home from their Florida winter. This creates a shortage of aircraft in Florida, driving up prices for OPF→TEB charters.
Miami is hot and humid, so fewer people are looking to charter out of Miami. This is your window for better pricing and availability—unless you're escaping the heat yourself.
Tropical storms can cause multi-day airport closures at OPF. If you're flying during hurricane season, build flexibility into your schedule and consider trip insurance.
At 1,092 miles, this route is well within range of any jet category. Your choice depends on passenger count, luggage requirements, and desired comfort level.
Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3+: The most efficient option for this route. The Phenom 300 flies nonstop easily—even with a full load—and is perfect for couples, small families, or quick business trips.
Citation Excel/XLS+ or Hawker 900XP: The stand-up cabin (5'8" headroom) makes the 2.5-hour flight significantly more comfortable than a light jet. 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.
This route has distinct seasonal flows that savvy flyers can exploit. Understanding the migration patterns is key to finding deals.
Best window for northbound empty legs
During the holiday season, planes fly south full of snowbirds heading to Florida. Many of these aircraft return to New York empty to pick up their next charter. This creates northbound empty leg opportunities during the holidays.
Best days: Tuesday and Wednesday
Most full-price charters fly Thursday through Sunday (weekend leisure travel). Mid-week sees fewer retail bookings, which means operators are more likely to offer empty leg deals to fill repositioning flights.
A standard Light Jet charter runs $18,000-$22,000 one-way. Empty leg opportunities:
Usually, yes. Teterboro is the closest private airport to Manhattan at just 12 miles. However, consider alternatives based on your final destination: if you're heading to the Hamptons, fly into Francis S. Gabreski (FOK) in Westhampton. For Connecticut or Westchester, use White Plains (HPN) to avoid the city entirely.
Yes, and this route is one of the most popular "pet commutes" in the country. At Fontainebleau (OPF) and Meridian (TEB), you can usually drive your car directly to the aircraft stairs to transfer your pet, avoiding the terminal entirely. Your dog flies in the cabin with you—no cargo hold, no stress.
Be careful with luggage expectations. A Phenom 300 fits 6-7 roller bags comfortably. If you're moving back to New York for the summer with steamer trunks, golf clubs, and beach gear, you need a Midsize or Super Midsize jet with a larger baggage hold. The Citation Excel is legendary for cargo capacity.
Winds. Flying north (OPF→TEB) usually benefits from the jet stream, making the flight faster at around 2.5 hours. Flying south (TEB→OPF) fights the headwind, taking closer to 3 hours. The northbound leg is the faster and often cheaper direction.
Not on all Light Jets. Wi-Fi is standard on Super Midsize jets like the Challenger 300, but many older Light Jets don't have it. If staying connected is critical for your flight, you must specifically request a "Wi-Fi equipped" tail number when booking. Don't assume.
No. This is a domestic flight. You simply show your ID to the pilots—no TSA, no customs, no lines. You can arrive at the FBO 15 minutes before departure, walk to your aircraft, and be airborne in minutes. It's the private aviation experience at its simplest.
Understanding private jet charter costs on America's busiest route helps you budget accurately and compare quotes effectively.
Light Jet (Phenom 300, Citation CJ3): $6,500/hour
Midsize Jet (Citation Excel, Hawker 900XP): $9,000/hour
Super Midsize (Challenger 300, Citation X): $10,500/hour
Our estimates include a 15% markup that covers:
Snowbird season (March-May): 15-25% premium on northbound charters
Art Basel exodus (early December): Surge pricing for 3-5 days post-event
Day of week: Thursday-Sunday = premium; Tuesday-Wednesday = best deals
Booking window: Last-minute (< 48 hours) = 15-25% premium
Hurricane season flexibility: Weather delays may require schedule adjustments
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