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❄️ #2 Snowbird Route

New York to Palm Beach

Teterboro (TEB) → Palm Beach International (PBI)

EMPTY LEG OPPORTUNITY
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Typically 40–60% below standard charter pricing
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Flight Time
1,028
Miles
2025 Charter Estimates
Light Jet
4-6 passengers · Citation CJ3, Phenom 300
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Midsize Jet
7-8 passengers · Hawker 800, Learjet 60
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Heavy Jet
10-14 passengers · Challenger, Gulfstream
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*Includes fuel, landing fees & FET. One-way pricing.

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About This Route

The New York to Palm Beach corridor is a premier snowbird route connecting Manhattan executives and families with Florida's Gold Coast and Wellington's world-class equestrian scene. Peak southbound season runs November through January as New Yorkers flee winter for Palm Beach. Excellent empty leg opportunities April-May as aircraft reposition south after the return migration.

Why Fly Private TEB → PBI?

Commercial flights from JFK or LaGuardia mean 2+ hour check-ins, TSA lines, and 45-minute taxi times. Flying private from Teterboro (TEB)—just 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan—lets you arrive 15 minutes before departure, avoid JFK's congestion entirely, and land at Palm Beach International (PBI), only 2.5 miles from downtown West Palm and a 10-minute drive to the island.

Best Aircraft for This Route

Most travelers choose a Light Jet like the Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3+—the most popular and economical choice for this 2.5-hour flight. For golf trips, a Midsize Jet like the Citation Excel offers a massive external baggage compartment that easily fits 6-8 sets of clubs. Business travelers often choose Super Midsize jets like the Citation X for guaranteed Wi-Fi and speed (under 2 hours 15 minutes).

Peak Season

Demand explodes from November through January as snowbirds flee New York winter for Palm Beach. The Winter Equestrian Festival (January-April) creates sustained demand for Wellington-bound travelers. Book early during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's when availability tightens and prices rise 20-30%. Palm Beach International Boat Show (March) also drives premiums.

📖 Complete Route Guide

Click any section below for insider tips on flying this route

New York Departure: Teterboro Airport (TEB)

Located 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, TEB is the primary executive hub for NYC. It's dedicated solely to private aviation, avoiding the delays of JFK and LaGuardia. From car to wheels-up is often under 15 minutes.

Top FBOs at TEB:

  • Meridian Teterboro: Often rated the #1 FBO in the Northeast. Known for white-glove service and a sophisticated terminal that feels like a luxury hotel. Perfect for impressing clients or first-time charter passengers.
  • Signature Flight Support (South): The busiest terminal at TEB. Ideal for quick turns and travelers who want standardized, reliable service. Most popular for Palm Beach commuters.
  • Jet Aviation: Large facility favored by corporate flight departments and owners of larger heavy jets. Excellent for Gulfstreams and Global aircraft.

Palm Beach Arrival: Palm Beach International (PBI)

Located just 2.5 miles from downtown West Palm Beach and a 10-minute drive to the island. PBI is the preferred airport for Palm Beach and Wellington access, handling extreme private traffic volume in winter.

Top FBOs at PBI:

  • Signature Flight Support: The dominant FBO at PBI with a massive campus capable of handling extreme winter volume. Most operators default here. "Resort-style" arrival experience with premium amenities.
  • Atlantic Aviation: Located on the south side of the field, offering a slightly more private and less congested ramp area than Signature. Excellent for quick ground transportation pickups.
  • Jet Aviation: Known for handling international arrivals and larger cabin aircraft with excellent efficiency. Premium service level for VIP travelers.
Insider Tip: During Winter Equestrian Festival (January-April), PBI parking can sell out on competition weekends. Book your FBO slot 2-3 weeks in advance or expect "drop and go" repositioning fees.

Seasonal Demand (The #1 Price Driver)

Peak High Season: November through January. This is the classic snowbird migration—New Yorkers fleeing winter for Palm Beach. Demand for southbound charters surges and prices can increase 20-30% during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's weeks.

Secondary Peak: March through April. Return migration ("The Great Migration") creates aircraft shortages in Florida, driving up prices for northbound flights. Southbound flights during this period are cheaper.

Lowest Prices: Late August through early November (excluding Thanksgiving). Summer heat keeps many away from Florida. You'll find excellent pricing during this off-peak window.

Winter Equestrian Festival (January-April)

Sustained High Demand: The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington creates consistent demand from January through April. PBI sees heavy traffic on competition weekends, with parking spots selling out during major events. Book early if traveling during WEF season.

Palm Beach International Boat Show (March)

Creates a massive spike in demand at PBI. Expect 15-25% premiums during the show week. Similar impact to peak holiday season.

Presidential TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions)

When the President is at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, strict airspace restrictions activate. A 30-mile restricted ring forces aircraft to use specific approach paths, often leading to holding patterns or ground delays. While you can still land at PBI, expect stricter security and potential arrival slot restrictions. Some travelers divert to Boca Raton (BCT) or West Palm Beach (LNA) to avoid TFR hassles.

Winter Weather (TEB Departure)

Departing Teterboro between December and March carries a high risk of de-icing expenses. If there's frost or snow on the wings, the aircraft must be sprayed before takeoff:

  • Light Jet: $1,500-$2,500
  • Midsize Jet: $2,500-$4,000
  • Super Midsize: $4,000+ per application
Money Tip: Flying NY → Palm Beach in April or May? Look for empty legs—operators are repositioning planes back to Florida after snowbird season. You can save 30-50% off peak winter prices.

At 1,028 miles, this route is perfectly suited for light and midsize jets. Flight time is typically 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on aircraft type and jet stream.

Light Jets (Most Popular)

Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3+: The most popular and economical choice. These jets have a range of ~2,000 miles, easily covering the 1,028-mile trip nonstop.

  • Capacity: 6-7 passengers comfortably
  • Flight Time: ~2 hours 45 minutes
  • Best For: Couples, small families, or commuters with light luggage (~$19k-$24k one-way)
  • Note: A Phenom 300 has a large baggage hold and can fit 2-3 sets of golf clubs. If bringing 4+ sets, upgrade to midsize.

Midsize Jets (The Comfort Choice)

Citation Excel/XLS+ or Hawker 900XP: Comfort and luggage capacity. The Citation Excel features a stand-up cabin (5'8") and a massive external baggage compartment.

  • Capacity: 7-8 passengers
  • Flight Time: ~2 hours 30 minutes
  • Best For: Golf trips—fits 6-8 sets of clubs easily. Perfect for families or groups who want more headroom than a light jet.
  • Trade-off: About 20-25% more expensive than light jets

Super Midsize (Executive Choice)

Challenger 300/350 or Citation X: Speed and amenities. A Citation X can fly this route in roughly 2 hours 15 minutes. Includes full galley and guaranteed flight attendant on most charters.

  • Flight Time: ~2 hours 15 minutes
  • Best For: VIPs needing a "flying office" with guaranteed Wi-Fi. C-level executives and those who want maximum comfort.
  • Trade-off: 40-50% more expensive than light jets
Pro Tip: Need Wi-Fi for the 2.5-hour flight? Specify a "Wi-Fi equipped aircraft" when booking. While standard on Super Mids, many Light Jets (Citation CJ3) do not have it.

How Empty Legs Work on This Route

New York to Palm Beach offers excellent empty leg opportunities due to high traffic volume, but you must fly against the flow. This route follows the "contra-flow" rule—you'll rarely find cheap empty legs going with the crowd.

Best Times to Find Empty Legs TEB → PBI

Peak Empty Leg Season: April through May

After snowbirds return north in spring ("The Great Migration"), operators need to reposition aircraft from the Northeast back to Florida for parking or next season. This creates a surplus of empty legs heading south (against the northbound flow), often at 30-50% discounts. This is the absolute best time to find deals on southbound flights.

Secondary Opportunity: Late August through October

Before the main snowbird migration begins in November, some aircraft reposition south early for maintenance or pre-season positioning. Not as many empties as April-May, but still good availability.

Worst Times (Almost No Empty Legs)

November through January: This is peak southbound season. Everyone wants to fly New York → Palm Beach, so empty legs are virtually non-existent and pricing is at maximum premiums. During Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, forget about finding empty legs entirely.

How to Find Them

  • Be flexible with dates: Empty legs are last-minute by nature. If you can move your travel by 1-2 days, you'll find significantly more options.
  • Book 24-72 hours out: Operators post empty legs when they know a plane needs to reposition. Check daily during April-May for best results.
  • Tuesday/Wednesday are golden: Most full-price charters fly Thursday-Sunday. Midweek repositioning flights are most common.
  • One-way bookings work best: If you only need TEB → PBI (not a round trip), you're the ideal empty leg customer.

Realistic Savings

This route is highly directional. When you find a true empty leg in April/May, expect pricing like this:

  • Light Jet: $10,000-$13,000 (vs $19,000-$24,000 retail)
  • Midsize Jet: $13,000-$18,000 (vs $26,000-$32,000 retail)
Pro Tip: If you fly this route regularly, tell your broker you're "always interested in last-minute empty legs TEB → PBI in April-May." You'll get first calls when deals appear and can save thousands per trip.

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, takeoffs are strongly discouraged, and loud aircraft can be banned. Best to schedule departures before 10:30 PM.

Can I bring golf clubs on a Light Jet?

It depends on the jet. A Phenom 300 has a large baggage hold and can fit 2-3 sets. A Learjet 45 or Citation CJ2 has smaller storage. If bringing 4+ sets of clubs, upgrade to a Midsize Jet (Citation Excel) to be safe.

What happens if the President is at Mar-a-Lago?

You can still fly into PBI, but expect stricter security and potential delays. The FAA establishes a 30-mile restricted ring. You may need to provide passenger manifests earlier than usual, and your flight path may be routed around the TFR.

Are pets allowed on this route?

Yes, this is a very pet-friendly corridor. Ensure your broker selects a "pet-approved" aircraft owner. At TEB and PBI, you can usually drive your car directly to the aircraft (ramp side) to transfer your pet without walking through the terminal.

How far is PBI from Wellington?

Palm Beach International (PBI) is approximately 15-20 miles (25-30 minutes driving) from the Wellington International Equestrian Center. It's the most convenient airport for equestrians attending Winter Equestrian Festival.

How early should I arrive at TEB?

15-20 minutes before departure is standard at Teterboro. 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.

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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 (Citation CJ3, Phenom 300): $6,500/hour

  • Flight time: ~2.75 hours
  • Base cost: $17,875
  • Capacity: 4-6 passengers

Midsize Jet (Hawker 800XP, Citation Excel): $9,000/hour

  • Flight time: ~2.5 hours
  • Base cost: $22,500
  • Capacity: 7-8 passengers

Heavy Jet (Gulfstream G450, Falcon 2000): $15,000/hour

  • Flight time: ~2.25 hours
  • Base cost: $33,750
  • Capacity: 10-12 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
  • Overnight fees: Only if crew stays (typically not on this route)

What's NOT Included (Optional Add-Ons)

  • Catering: $25-$75 per person (budget $200-$400 total)
  • Ground transportation: $100-$300 for luxury car service
  • De-icing (winter departures from TEB): $1,500-$6,000 if needed
  • Pet cleaning fee: $100-$200 if bringing animals
  • WiFi: Usually included, but some older aircraft charge $50-$100

Why Prices Fluctuate

Seasonal demand: Peak snowbird season (Nov-Apr) = 10-20% premium

Event pricing: Winter Equestrian Festival (Jan-Apr) and Palm Beach Boat Show (Mar) often cause temporary price 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)

Money Tip: The total you see in our calculator includes all mandatory fees. The only extras are optional services you choose to add (catering, ground transport, etc.).

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