Destinations
Popular places to fly privately, and what to know about getting to each one.
Mountains.
AspenColorado · ASE, EGELand three miles from town and be on the mountain the same afternoon. The runway is at about 7,800 feet in a narrow valley, so the aircraft and the crew matter more here than almost anywhere, and we recommend aircraft with that in mind.
Big SkyMontana · BZN, WYSLand at Bozeman in the evening and be at Big Sky about an hour later, after the drive up Gallatin Canyon. In summer, Yellowstone Airport opens a second way in from the south.
Coeur d’AleneIdaho · COE, GEGBe out on the lake the same afternoon: Coeur d’Alene Airport in Hayden is a few minutes north of town. For late arrivals and winter storms, Spokane is the better choice.
Jackson HoleWyoming · JAC, IDA, DIJLand inside Grand Teton National Park, about seven miles from the town of Jackson, and be at Teton Village in about 35 minutes on a winter road. The park shapes how the airport runs, down to the hours you can land.
Lake TahoeCalifornia and Nevada · TRK, TVL, RNOFly into Truckee for the north shore or into Lake Tahoe Airport for South Lake Tahoe, and the drive from the runway is short. Reno-Tahoe has the long runways for anything the lake airports can’t take.
Park CityUtah · SLC, HCRWithin an hour of landing at Salt Lake City (SLC), you can be at Park City Mountain or Deer Valley. Heber Valley (HCR) is closer still, for the aircraft that suit its runway.
Islands and beach.
Cabo San LucasBaja California Sur, Mexico · SJDFrom Los Angeles, you’re in Los Cabos in about two and a half hours, landing at a private terminal that serves both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. It’s an easy international trip once the paperwork is in order.
Key WestFlorida · EYW, MTHKey West International is about two miles from town, at the far end of the Overseas Highway. The runway is short for a jet, and it decides which aircraft can bring you home nonstop.
MauiHawaii · OGG, JHMCross from Los Angeles nonstop and be in Wailea about 40 minutes after landing at Kahului. Winter is the busy season, from the holidays into whale season, which peaks from January to March.
NaplesFlorida · APF, RSWNaples Municipal (APF) puts you about two miles from downtown. Two airport rules shape the aircraft and the timing: a weight limit and overnight quiet hours.
Palm BeachFlorida · DJT, BCTFrom the ramp at West Palm Beach, the island is a short drive over the bridge. Boca Raton (BCT) covers stays farther south.
East Coast.
Martha’s VineyardMassachusetts · MVY, HYAEdgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven are each about 15 minutes by car from the island’s airport. Summer fog and the airport’s quiet hours set the timing.
MiamiFlorida · OPF, TMB, FXEChoose the airport by the neighborhood: Opa Locka for the beaches, Miami Executive for Coral Gables.
NantucketMassachusetts · ACK, MVYFrom the New York area, Nantucket is about an hour in the air, and town is a few minutes from the airport. On a flight that short, a turboprop or light jet does the job without paying for a cabin you won’t use.
The HamptonsNew York · HTO, FOKTrade the Friday traffic on the Long Island Expressway for about half an hour in the air. Which airport you use comes down to where the house is and how big the aircraft is.
West and golf.
BendOregon · RDM, BDNRedmond’s two long runways handle most jets, and downtown Bend is 20 to 25 minutes away. The size of the aircraft decides which of the two airports you use.
Las VegasNevada · LAS, HSH, VGTLeave Southern California and land in Las Vegas in under an hour, minutes from the Strip. That puts a same-day trip within easy reach.
Napa ValleyCalifornia · APC, STSSkip the drive up from the Bay Area and land 15 minutes from downtown Napa. Napa County (APC) is at the south end of the valley, and St. Helena is about 40 minutes up the road.
Palm SpringsCalifornia · PSP, TRMWith an airport at each end of the Coachella Valley, you can land close to the club you’re playing. Palm Springs International (PSP) is about two miles from downtown, and Thermal (TRM) is about 15 minutes from La Quinta.
Pebble BeachCalifornia · MRY, SNSMake an afternoon tee time on the day you fly in. Monterey Regional (MRY) is about 15 minutes from the Pebble Beach gate on 17-Mile Drive.
Santa BarbaraCalifornia · SBA, SMX, CMADowntown is 15 to 20 minutes from Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA) in Goleta, so a long weekend loses little time to the road. Montecito is a little farther, on the east side of town.
ScottsdaleArizona · SDL, DVT, PHXFor a winter golf trip, Scottsdale Airport (SDL) lands you close to the resorts and the north Scottsdale courses, about 20 minutes from Old Town. The largest jets and the big event weeks send some trips to Phoenix instead.
SeattleWashington · BFI, PAE, RNTBe downtown about 15 minutes after landing at Boeing Field (BFI), or use Renton (RNT) for the quicker drive to Bellevue and the Eastside. Each is closer to its side of town than Sea-Tac.
Big occasions.
The events that fill the ramps, with the airports, arrival rules, and dates to plan around.
Art Basel Miami BeachEarly December · Miami Beach, FloridaArt Basel Miami Beach opens to the public on Friday, December 4, 2026, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The airports and the causeways fill the same week, so plan the drive across the bay along with the flight.
CESEarly January · Las Vegas, NevadaCES opens in Las Vegas on Wednesday, January 6, 2027. Land at North Las Vegas and you’re about six miles from the convention center, usually with less traffic on the ramp than at Harry Reid.
The Kentucky DerbyFirst Saturday in May · Louisville, KentuckyLouisville International (SDF) is about two miles from Churchill Downs, and on Derby weekend its ramp is the first in the area to fill. The 153rd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 1, 2027.
The MastersEarly April · Augusta, GeorgiaDaniel Field (DNL) is under three miles from Augusta National, close enough to land in the morning and be on the course by lunch. Its runway is about 4,000 feet, so the size of the aircraft decides whether it’s your airport.
The Super BowlFebruary · Inglewood, CaliforniaSuper Bowl LXI is at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, February 14, 2027, and private parking around Los Angeles is spoken for long before kickoff.