In short. London private flights mostly use Farnborough, Biggin Hill and Luton; Paris Le Bourget is Europe's busiest business aviation airport and Nice Côte d'Azur, the gateway to Monaco, is second. In the UK, anyone paying for a private flight must be flown by an operator with a UK air operator certificate, and the CAA publishes the list. In the EU, carriers need an AOC and operating licence, and operators from outside the EU need an EASA third-country operator authorisation and cannot fly domestic EU legs for hire.
London
Farnborough (EGLF) is business aviation only: scheduled passenger, tour charter and bulk freight flights are not permitted, and the airport works under a planning cap of 50,000 movements a year. Biggin Hill, Luton, Stansted and London City are the main alternatives, each with its own hours and slot rules. From Toronto, Farnborough is about 3,075 nm.
Paris, Geneva, Nice and Monaco
- Paris Le Bourget (LFPB) was Europe's busiest business aviation airport in 2024, with more than 54,000 movements according to the EBAA yearbook.
- Nice Côte d'Azur (LFMN) was second, at more than 38,000. It is the airport for Monaco, with helicopter or road transfer for the final leg. Paris to Nice is about 375 nm.
- Geneva (LSGG) serves Geneva, Lake Geneva and the Alpine resorts; Farnborough to Geneva is about 410 nm.
Who may legally fly you
UK: the Civil Aviation Authority is clear that a paid flight in a business jet is commercial air transport. The operator must hold a UK AOC, you must be told the operator's name, and you can check it on the CAA's published list of AOC holders. The CAA prosecutes illegal operators.
EU: under Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 an EU carrier needs an AOC and an operating licence, and EU carriers may operate intra-EU services. Operators from outside the EU need an EASA third-country operator (TCO) authorisation for commercial flights into, within or out of the EU, plus traffic rights from the member state, and cannot sell domestic EU legs.
Planning tips
- Book slots early in summer on the Côte d'Azur and in winter for the Alps.
- Confirm airport opening hours and noise rules for late arrivals.
- For transatlantic trips, see long-range private flights.
Our role. AeroSterling does not operate or sell flights and holds no air operator certificate. Through our charter request desk we pass your brief to independent, licensed operators and charter brokers that we vet, and they quote and contract with you directly, naming the operating carrier in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Which London airport is best for a private jet?
It depends on where you are going in London. Farnborough is business aviation only, with no scheduled airline flights; Biggin Hill serves south-east London; Luton, Stansted and London City are also used. The operator checks slots and opening hours for your times.
How do I check a European charter operator is legal?
Ask for the legal name of the operating carrier. In the UK, check it on the CAA list of air operator certificate holders. In the EU, the carrier should hold an AOC and an operating licence from its home member state.
Can a US or Canadian operator fly me from Paris to Nice?
Not for hire. A non-EU operator needs an EASA third-country operator authorisation to fly commercially into the EU and does not have rights to sell flights between two EU points. An EU carrier operates intra-EU legs.
How long is a private flight from New York to London or Paris?
Teterboro to Farnborough is about 2,990 nm and Teterboro to Le Bourget about 3,150 nm, roughly 7 hours nonstop in a long-range jet, depending on winds and aircraft.
General information, not legal, tax or operational advice. Rules, airport procedures and prices change; the operator and your advisers confirm what applies to your trip. Distances are great-circle figures from our airport data; times are indicative.
