What are the 20 busiest private aviation airports in the United States?

Traveling by private jet offers the convenience and flexibility that commercial flying can never offer but at a cost. It's not for everyone and is often reserved for the wealthy, celebrities and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. However, many companies realize that time is money and need to get people places fast and find that chartering or even buying a private jet is well worth the expense. When chartering a private jet, you can arrive at a local airport within 30 minutes of take-off, without the hassle of the airport and long queues at check-in, immigration and security. The experience is relatively stress-free and you are ensured a safe and comfortable trip. The whole process is simplified and tailored, exactly as you want and need. Flexibility is a key factor and as plans change, you can change the schedule, the destination or the number of passengers onboard. The use of private jets has boomed since the pandemic, with people not being able to fly commercially but needing to travel. Also, those passengers who once may have traveled in business or first class and experienced private jets are willing to pay extra for the convenience and luxury offered. After the experience, there is an unwillingness to return to commercial travel and the stress of it. In the last few years, there have been more ways to travel by private jet than ever before, making it more accessible than ever. Fractional ownership, private jet card programs and shared charters are just a few ways to access private jets without the associated costs. There is no sign of private jet travel slowing down and private jet charter use is still on the rise. With that in mind, the U.S. has the biggest market of private jet charter in the world. So, where are the busiest airports and just how many departures are there? These are the top five busiest airports in the United States: Teterboro Airport, New Jersey (TEB) This airport holds the top spot for the most private jet traffic. Its proximity to New York City, just across the Hudson River, makes it a popular choice with celebrities and business executives, visiting for business or leisure. The airport is known to be exclusive and discreet and is just 12 miles from Manhattan. In 2022 there were 73,564 departures, an increase of 17.6 percent on the previous year. There are also limitations on commercial aircraft there, making it ideal for private jets. Palm Beach International Airport, Florida (PBI) With 46,115 departures in 2022, this airport caters to the sunny side of the U.S., attracting private flyers seeking warmer climes. It has three runways and 32 gates over three concourses. Some of the FBOs attracting private jet clientele are Jet Aviation, Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation, which complete the private jet experience. Helicopter operations are also popular at this airport. Dallas Love Field Airport, Texas (DAL) Although a key hub for commercial aviation, this airport sees 40,702 private jet departures annually, offering excellent access to the Dallas area. It is just six miles from downtown, making it convenient when doing business in the city. The airport is a major base for Southwest Airlines but has seen increasing private jet activity. There are four FBOs including Jet Aviation, Signature Flight Support, Atlantic Aviation and the Business Jet Center. Westchester County Airport, New York (HPN) The airport is 33 miles from Manhattan and is somewhat of a reliever airport for the city. Although five commercial airlines use the airport, it was also fourth on the list of busiest airports for private aviation with 36,316 departures in 2022. It is sometimes referred to as White Plains Airport. The airport has several FBOs catering to private jets, these include Million Air, NetJets and Atlantic Aviation East and West. Van Nuys Airport, California (VNY) Van Nuys Airport is located 16 miles from the city of Los Angeles. At the current time, no commercial airlines operate from the airport and it specializes in business aviation. In 2022, there were 35,568 private jet departures from the airport. Clay Lacy, Signature Flight Support and Jet Aviation all have FBOs there for the full private jet experience and provide all aircraft services. In 2022, on average business jet airports saw a 5.1 percent increase in departures. Dallas Love Field and Palm Beach International Airport remained around the same numbers. Dulles Airport saw an increase of 17.6 percent in departures along with Teterboro. Here's how the rest of the top 20 busiest airports for private jet travel, shape up: 6. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada 7. Centennial Airport (APA), Denver, Colorado 8. Scottsdale Airport (SDL), Scottsdale, Arizona 9. Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia10. DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia 11. Miami Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF), Miami, Florida 12. William P Hobby Airport (HOU), Houston, Texas 13. Naples Municipal Airport (APF), Naples, Florida 14. John Wayne Airport (SNA), Orange County, California 15. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Austin, Texas 16. Nashville International Airport (BNA), Nashville, Tennessee 17. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago, Illinois 18. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Salt Lake City, Utah 19. Laurence G Hanscom Field (BED), Bedford, Massachusetts 20. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, Florida The FAA monthly reports on trends in business aviation in 2023 saw 3.8 million operations in total. Bearing in mind that 600,000 of these were international flights, it shows that domestic private jet flights in the U.S. are definitely on the rise. In terms of the busiest states for private jet traffic, Florida comes out on top, followed closely by California and then Texas, according to the FAA's OPSNET report.