When deciding to charter a private jet to or from Paris, Le Bourget is often considered the best airport. It is not only the French capital’s main business aviation hub but also one of the few airports in the world that began as a commercial hub and was later converted entirely to private aviation, with a history that spans from Lindbergh’s first transatlantic landing in 1927 to the Paris Air Show, which every two years transforms its runways into a global showcase for the aerospace industry.
In this guide, we explore why Paris–Le Bourget is the go-to destination for those flying by private jet to Paris, how its runways and VIP terminals are laid out, why secondary airports in other major European cities are often more convenient than international hubs, and finally, how much it costs and how long it takes to fly by private jet from Paris to three of the most sought-after Mediterranean summer destinations: Ibiza, Mykonos, and Santorini.
Be sure to read our article on the most sought-after luxury routes this summer among private jet travelers
Is Le Bourget really the best airport in Paris for private aviation?
Paris is served by three airports, but only one of them is entirely dedicated to general aviation: Le Bourget. The other two, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly, remain commercial airports in every respect, with limited access for private aviation. At Charles de Gaulle, for example, general aviation flights are permitted only for passengers connecting to scheduled flights and with limited ground time; charters with more than 25 seats, however, are required to operate from there, not from Le Bourget.
Le Bourget, on the other hand, was created and operates exclusively for private jets: non-scheduled charters, corporate flights, and air taxis. This means faster procedures, no competition with scheduled air traffic for slots, and an ecosystem of services designed exclusively for private travelers. It is in this sense—rather than in terms of mere abstract “quality”—that Le Bourget earns the title of best Parisian airport for private aviation: it has no real direct competitors in the market.
History and Infrastructure: What Makes Paris-Le Bourget Airport Unique
Le Bourget is located about 11 km northeast of downtown Paris, straddling the municipalities of Le Bourget, Bonneuil-en-France, Dugny, and Gonesse. Opened in 1919, it served as the capital’s main airport for decades before being gradually replaced by Orly and then by Charles de Gaulle, and, starting in the 1980s, it became an airport dedicated exclusively to private aviation.
The total area exceeds 530 hectares. In addition to its operational role, Le Bourget is home to the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace, one of the world’s leading aviation museums, and the famous International Paris Air Show, held every odd-numbered year. In terms of transportation, downtown Paris can be reached in about 30 minutes via the RER network, and a new station on Line 17 of the Grand Paris Express is scheduled to open right next to the airport in 2026, which will make travel even faster.
The runways at Paris-Le Bourget Airport: Which private jets can land there?
Le Bourget has three runways, designed to cover the entire spectrum of private and business aviation:
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Runway 09/27, which is 1,845 meters long, is the shortest and handles light jets and turboprops such as the Phenom 300 or the Pilatus PC-12;
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Runway 03/21, which is 2,665 meters long, is best suited for midsize and super-midsize jets;
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Runway 07/25, the longest at 3,000 meters, can accommodate even ultra-long-range aircraft such as the Global 7500, the Falcon 8X, and the Gulfstream G700 when fully fueled.
Another unexpected operational advantage: Paris-Le Bourget Airport does not require slots or prior permission (PPR) for private and business flights, which greatly simplifies planning compared to a major hub like Charles de Gaulle. However, there is a technical limitation to be aware of: the airport’s safety certificate restricts operations to aircraft with landing gear specifications equivalent to or smaller than those of a Boeing 777-200LR. In practice, the largest VIP wide-body aircraft (such as executive variants of the 747 or A380, which are extremely rare even in the private charter market) are excluded from standard operations, while Boeing Business Jets based on the 737/A319/A320 require a special exemption from the French Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile.
VIP Services for Private Jet Passengers at Le Bourget
When it comes to services, Paris-Le Bourget Airport truly stands in a league of its own compared to any other French airport. The airport has eight independent FBO terminals, each managed by a different operator, which compete for customers by offering private lounges, VIP rooms with views of the tarmac, reserved terraces, meeting rooms, and dedicated dispatch offices. Among the operators on the ground are historic names in international airport handling, each with its own terminal, heated hangar, and private apron space.
The services that VIP passengers receive as standard at Le Bourget include: customs and immigration processed directly on board the aircraft or in the FBO terminal to streamline formalities as much as possible; private entrances separate from the commercial passenger flow; dedicated parking spaces and reserved security checkpoints; business centers and conference rooms; and assistance with helicopter transfers to the city center. This level of personalization is something no commercial airport—no matter how efficient—can replicate, simply because its infrastructure was never designed to accommodate the privacy and speed that private jet passengers expect.
See also: The Best FBOs at Airports: Luxury Services and Traveler Reviews
Why a secondary airport is a better option than large international hubs
People who fly by private jet often realize right away that a city’s main airport is almost never the best choice. The reason is structural: a major commercial hub relies on flight slots, scheduled air traffic codes, and thousands of passengers every hour—conditions that run counter to what a private traveler seeks: speed, discretion, and scheduling flexibility.
For more information: Air Traffic: What Are the Rules for Private Flights?
In London , the contrast is striking. Farnborough, which is entirely dedicated to business aviation and has no commercial scheduled air traffic, features a 2,440-meter runway capable of easily accommodating even ultra-long-range aircraft for transcontinental routes, with direct access via the M3 highway, making it competitive despite not being the closest to the city center as the crow flies. Biggin Hill, on the other hand, relies entirely on its physical proximity: located about 12–15 miles from central London and Canary Wharf, with a 1,806-meter runway sufficient for most medium-to-large jets, it offers the option of a helicopter transfer that reaches the city center in just six minutes. In both cases, the absence of flight slots and commercial traffic allows for turnaround times that a large international airport could never guarantee.
Is Le Bourget suitable for all types of private jets?
Yes, with just one minor exception. Thanks to its 3,000-meter runway, Paris-Le Bourget can accommodate virtually every category of private jet in operation—from light jets to the heaviest ultra-long-range models on the market— even when fully fueled.
The shortest runway, at 1,845 meters, easily accommodates light jets and turboprops for shorter European routes.
The only segment that requires special authorization is that of the largest VIP wide-body aircraft and Boeing Business Jets, for technical reasons related to the airport’s safety certificate, as described above. For the vast majority of private clients—from light jets to the Global 7500—Le Bourget covers the entire spectrum without any practical limitations.
How long does it take to fly from Paris–Le Bourget to the most exclusive islands in the Mediterranean by private jet?
For those dreaming of a summer in the Aegean or the Balearic Islands, the flight times from Paris–Le Bourget are perfect for a luxurious and relaxing vacation.
Ibiza is the closest destination: about 1,100 km away, a trip that takes 2 hours to 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Mykonos takes almost twice as long, with a distance of about 2,200 km to cover and a flight time ranging from 3 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours and 45 minutes.
Santorini is slightly farther away than Mykonos—about 2,320 km—but the flight time is in the same range, between 3 hours and 15 minutes and 3 hours and 30 minutes.
One detail that often surprises those planning their first private jet trip to Greece: the main constraint is almost never the flight time, but rather the availability of slots at the island airports. During the high season, from June to September, demand for private flights to Mykonos and Santorini often exceeds the operational capacity of those airports, so the recommendation remains the same: book well in advance or be flexible with your takeoff and landing times.
Private Jets to the Greek Islands: The Best Airports to Land At
How much does it cost to charter a private jet from Paris-Le Bourget to Ibiza, Mykonos, and Santorini?
Prices for chartering a private jet from Paris to Ibiza, Mykonos, or Santorini vary depending on the aircraft category, the season, the aircraft’s location, and various additional costs. For this reason, we will always refer to “starting at” prices, which represent the minimum market rate for that route and that aircraft category.
Paris – Ibiza: The Cost of a Private Jet
Private Flight from Paris Le Bourget to Ibiza, the price for chartering a light jet starts at around €11,000, while a midsize jet starts at €20,000. It is the most affordable route of the three, partly due to the shorter distance.
Paris – Mykonos: The Cost of a Private Jet
Private Flight from Paris Le Bourget to Mykonos, chartering a light jet from Paris to Mykonos starts at €18,000, while a midsize jet starts at €34,000.
Paris – Santorini: The Cost of a Private Jet
Private flight from Paris Le Bourget to Thira, Santorini, prices for a light jet start at €18,000, while a midsize jet starts at €34,000, in line with the rates for Mykonos.
The price difference between Ibiza and the two Greek islands cannot be explained solely by the greater distance: Greek airport taxes, summer congestion of flight slots at the airports in Mykonos and Santorini, and the frequent need for the operator to fly the plane back empty to its home base when private traffic in both directions is unbalanced also play a role.
For more information: Private Jets to Mykonos and Santorini: The Problem of Airport Slots That Fill Up Quickly
If you’d like to charter a private jet to these destinations, contact PrivateJetFinder to receive a dedicated, personalized quote based on your travel dates and needs.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Paris Le Bourget Airport
Is Paris-Le Bourget Airport open 24 hours a day?
Arrivals are generally possible throughout the day, but departures are subject to restrictions during the late night hours.
What is the longest runway at Le Bourget?
Runway 07/25, at 3,000 meters, is the longest and can accommodate even ultra-long-range jets with full fuel loads.
Is a special permit required to land in Paris-Le Bourget with a private jet?
No, for regular business aviation and charter flights, neither slots nor prior permissions (PPRs) are required.
How much does a private jet from Paris to Ibiza cost?
Prices start at €11,000 for a light jet and €20,000 for a midsize jet, for a one-way flight.
How long does it take to fly from Paris to Santorini by private jet?
About 3 hours and 15 minutes to 3 and a half hours, depending on the type of jet and operating conditions.
Which is better for private jets: Mykonos Airport or Santorini Airport?
It depends on your needs, but Santorini Airport has a longer runway that can accommodate even larger jets. Both airports are very busy during peak season.
