What are the best airports in the world? That depends on if you’re flying with an airline or via private jet. Here, we look at five airports that are regularly featured in world best airport rankings and score highly in surveys for facilities offered by their FBOs (Fixed Base Operators). Fixed Base Operators provide facilities for private planes, their crew, and their passengers.
Five of the Best Airports in the World for Private Jet Travel
Farnborough, Hampshire, England
Located 40 miles southwest of London, Farnborough Airport was the site of the first powered flight in Britain, in 1908. Today, it regularly takes top spot in best private airports lists, thanks to its excellent FBOs and facilities. It’s the only London airport designed exclusively for business aviation and nicknamed the Business Aviation Gateway to London.
Convenient on-site customs and immigration clearance ensures passengers are quickly on their way. It’s just a 30-minute train ride to the city or 12 minutes away by helicopter, flying into London Heliport. Road connections are also excellent, and you can be in the city within an hour by car.
For passengers, amenities include:
concierge and catering service
full private-screening facilities
private lounges, work areas, and workout facilities, and VIP showers
pet services and equine handling facility
charging stations for electric vehicles
direct passenger vehicle access to aircraft
private, state-of-the-art meeting rooms with built-in audio visual facilities
complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the terminal
on-site apron café
chauffeur and transportation services
laundry services
on-site hotel.
Crews can make use of their own lounges, soundproof sleeping areas with massage chairs, showers and a gym, plus laundry and catering services. The airport’s generous, temperature-controlled hangars can facilitate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing BBJ or Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty. There are also full-service maintenance facilities for both visiting and resident aircraft.
Farnborough Airport is open 7am-10pm Monday-Friday and 8am-8pm Saturday and Sunday.
Oakland County International Airport, Pontiac, Michigan
Oakland County International Airport is in Waterford Township, 30 miles northwest of Detroit. It ranks among the best airports in the world for private travel due to its six FBOs, all offering elite services. These include ramp-side vehicle access, customs and immigration, ground transportation, catering, and passenger lounges. Restaurants, banquet venues and car rentals are all based close to the terminal lobby.
One of these FBOs, Pentastar Aviation, consistently ranks at or near the top of FBO rankings. For charter companies and plane owners, this full-service FBO offers not just the traditional ground handling and fueling, but aircraft maintenance, avionics, extensive hangar space, and cabin interior shops. Its large main terminal, which operates 24/7, has passenger lounges, multimedia-equipped conference rooms, a concierge, and a café. The smaller satellite Stargate terminal is designed for large charter groups such as sports team. It has a departure lounge and the country’s only privately operated jet bridge and baggage carousel.
Oakland County International Airport serves travelers 24 hours a day.
Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Florida
Tampa International Airport is around 6 miles northwest of downtown Tampa. It offers a wide range of top-class amenities including VIP vehicle-to-plane ramp access, luxurious ground transportation, executive conference rooms and comfortable snooze rooms.
Tampa International has two FBOs. The Tampa International Jet Center was acquired by Sheltair in 2016 and has ranked high in top FBO lists ever since. It offers valet and concierge services, dry cleaning, hotel reservations and bespoke catering. Its impressive 13,000-square-foot aircraft arrival and departure canopy can handle jets up to the size of a Bombardier Global 7500. There are two conference rooms with full audio visual facilities, a café, courtesy hotel shuttles, a passenger lounge, and a crew lounge. An adjacent US customs facility offers fast clearance and there’s extensive hangar and maintenance facilities. There’s also free transport over to International Plaza, with its dining and shopping opportunities.
Tampa International Airport and the Jet Center are open 24/7.
Paris Le Bourget, France
Paris Le Bourget Airport is 7 miles northeast of Paris. It was the landing site for the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, made by pilot Charles Lindbergh in 1927. It’s also home to the Paris Air Show, the oldest annual air show in the world. While it lacks the amenities of a commercial service airport, it is served by a host of FBOs.
They include Advanced Air Support, which boasts a newly-renovated modern terminal and high rankings in top FBO lists. For crews, there are two well-equipped private lounges, two ensuite bedrooms, a snooze room and private storage facilities. For passengers, it offers:
a main lounge
four additional private VIP lounges equipped with satellite TV and Wi-Fi
a VVIP lounge with satellite TV, Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom
a conference room with Wi-Fi and video projection facilities
a prayer room
private secure parking
extensive hangar space and outside parking space for aircraft
rental cars, chauffeur services and shuttles
concierge services: catering, reservations for hotels and restaurants, tickets for shows and events etc.
Paris Le Bourget Airport is open around the clock for all your needs.
Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand
Don Mueang International Airport, formerly Bangkok International Airport, is about 16 miles northeast of downtown Bangkok. Fixed base operators here include MJets, the highest-scoring Asian FBO in world best airports FBO rankings from Aviation International News. It's famous for its ability to process travelers’ documentation quickly, claiming that most international travelers can be on their way within seven minutes! That’s thanks to its on-site customs, immigration, and quarantine clearance, with visa availability on arrival too.
The company’s two-story terminal has luxurious amenities for both private passengers and crew. Passengers can enjoy a large executive lounge, which can take parties of up to 75 people, or a private lounge. There are also conference rooms, a range of concierge services and private security services on offer. The crew suite has three sofa beds and shower facilities.
Don Meang International is open around the clock to serve travelers.
Paramount Business Jets: Flying You to the Best Private Airports
When you fly privately, you gain access to ten times the number of airports available to you via commercial flights. Our list features just five of the many airports around the world offering top-class luxury and executive services for private travelers. These can include everything from arranging transport and inclusive trips for your onward journey, to bespoke business or catering arrangements at the airport itself.
If you’re not sure which airport best suits your needs, simply contact the expert team at Paramount Business Jets. They’ll ensure your departure and arrival airports have all the facilities you require. Just call them on +1-877-727-2538 ext. 1 or email them at charter@paramountbusinessjets.com to discuss your needs.
