Understanding the Costs of Landing a Private Jet
Owning a private jet is often seen as a symbol of wealth and convenience, but it comes with a host of hidden expenses that can quickly add up. While the initial cost of purchasing a jet is significant, the ongoing operational costs—especially those related to landing and parking—can be just as substantial. These fees vary depending on the airport, the weight of the aircraft, and other factors such as time of arrival and special events.
For example, at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, the landing fee is calculated based on the weight of the aircraft when fully loaded. As of July 2025, the charge is $9.31 for every 1,000 pounds. A Cessna Citation CJ3+ that weighs 13,870 pounds would incur a landing fee of about $129, while a Gulfstream G600, which has a maximum takeoff weight of 94,600 pounds, would pay around $881. The Boeing Business Jet 737-800, weighing 174,200 pounds, would face a landing fee of approximately $1,622.
In contrast, Van Nuys Airport in California offers a more favorable rate at $6.11 per 1,000 pounds. This reduces the same landing fees to about $85 for the CJ3+, $578 for the Gulfstream, and $1,064 for the Boeing. However, these prices only cover the act of landing. Additional charges apply for parking and overnight stays.
At Teterboro, jets under 100,000 pounds are charged $45 for the first eight hours. Heavier planes, up to 200,000 pounds, pay $70. If the plane exceeds 200,000 pounds, an additional $25 is added for every extra 25,000 pounds. Overnight stays significantly increase these costs. For instance, a Cessna Citation CJ3+ or Gulfstream G600 would cost $135 for a 24-hour stay, while a Boeing Business Jet would cost $210. An aircraft weighing over 500,000 pounds, such as the Airbus A350-1000, would pay $1,110 just to remain parked for a day.
These costs are in addition to the price of the jet itself and the fees associated with hiring a private jet pilot in America.
Hidden Charges and Rules That Can Add to Costs
Failing to follow airport rules can lead to unexpected and sometimes steep charges. At Teterboro, for instance, if a pilot does not relocate the jet as instructed, the Port Authority charges $500 for the first 15 minutes, followed by $1,000 for every additional 15 minutes. Similarly, at Dallas–Fort Worth’s business terminal, flights arriving between midnight and 5 a.m. are charged $250 per hour, plus an extra 50% if additional staff must be called in during those hours.
Noise-sensitive airports also impose strict penalties. After issuing a warning for the first offense, Santa Monica Airport charges $2,000 for a second curfew or noise violation, $5,000 for a third, and $10,000 for a fourth. Repeated violations could result in a six-month ban on the jet.
Additionally, if a private jet crosses into the U.S. from another country, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires a $35.98 annual decal to cross the border. Airports may also impose less obvious additional charges. For example, Newark Liberty International Airport adds 13 cents to every gallon of Jet A fuel it supplies. Signature Aviation at Denver Centennial lists an infrastructure fee of $38, a lavatory service fee of $90, and ground handling fees ranging from $230 to $580. These handling fees can be waived only if the aircraft takes on a minimum amount of fuel.
Event Surcharges and Peak-Season Fees
Big events can bring significant additional costs for private jets. During Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Clark County imposed a “special-event” charge for every aircraft that needed landing clearance. At Henderson and North Las Vegas airports, the county charged $750 for small jets and up to $3,000 for larger jets with wingspans over 79 feet. This fee applied regardless of how long the aircraft stayed.
The real surprise came at Signature Aviation’s terminal at Harry Reid International, where a non-refundable event fee started at $2,575 and reached $14,729 for larger aircraft. Combined with the county’s fee, a jet owner could have easily incurred $18,000 in fees just to be in town for the big game.
Peak-season charges can also increase the cost of landing a jet. Colorado’s Aspen–Pitkin County Airport normally charges $8.59 for every 1,000 pounds an aircraft weighs, but during the busy ski season, that rate jumps by 140%. So, instead of paying $812 to land a Gulfstream G600 (which weighs 94,600 pounds), the price increases to around $1,138.
Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Airport handles this differently. While its overnight parking fee is usually $25, during peak holiday weeks like Christmas and Presidents’ Day, it bumps up to $30. Although a smaller increase, over time it can add up.
