Fewer than 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, Teterboro Airport handles thousands of private and corporate aircraft movements each year — without a single commercial airline. TEB, as it's known by its FAA identifier, is New Jersey's main general aviation hub and one of the busiest reliever airports in the United States. This guide is for pilots planning an arrival, passengers booking a private charter and anyone researching the field. Below are details on runway specifications, FBO services, instrument approach procedures, the Permission to Operate requirement for new jet operators, customs access and weight restrictions, drawn from FAA data and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey public records.
What Is Teterboro Airport?
Teterboro Airport (KTEB) is a general aviation relief airport owned and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, located across the municipalities of Teterboro and Moonachie in Bergen County, NJ. Sitting approximately 12 miles west of Midtown Manhattan, TEB exists specifically to absorb private and corporate aircraft traffic that would otherwise compete for slots at Newark Liberty, JFK, and LaGuardia.
Four facts define TEB at a glance:
- Owner: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- Operator: AFCO AvPORTS Management
- Elevation: 9 feet MSL
- ICAO/FAA Identifier: KTEB
The airport enforces a 100,000-pound Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) limit, which effectively restricts TEB to business jets, turboprops, and piston aircraft — no heavy widebody airliners. Operators of jet aircraft that are new to TEB or have recently changed owner or operator must submit a Permission to Operate Jet Aircraft Form to the Airport Manager.
The Federal Aviation Administration classifies TEB as a Reliever airport within the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). AFCO AvPORTS Management handles day-to-day operations under Port Authority oversight, maintaining the infrastructure that makes TEB the busiest airport in the United States for private jet operations. According to Teterboro Airport manager Sherri Smith, the airport handled approximately 171,000 aircraft operations in 2023 alone — with roughly 85% of those being private jets. An in-depth look at Teterboro's transformation
Location and Getting There
Teterboro Airport sits at 100 Fred Wehran Drive, Teterboro, NJ 07608, in the heart of the New Jersey Meadowlands. The airport borders the municipalities of Hasbrouck Heights and Moonachie. Manhattan's midtown core is approximately 12 miles east — a distance that makes TEB the preferred arrival point for private and corporate travelers who need fast access to New York City without the congestion of the major commercial hubs.
Ground Transportation Options
Road access to Teterboro Airport is straightforward from two primary routes. Interstate 95 connects directly via the Teterboro exit, while Route 46 provides an alternative approach from the west. Both routes feed into the airport's general aviation facilities without toll complications specific to the airport itself.
Ground transportation options at TEB include:
- Taxis and rideshares (Uber and Lyft) operate at the fixed base operator terminals
- Car services and black car fleets serve the corporate aviation clientele consistently
- BLADE offers helicopter transfers between TEB and Manhattan, avoiding road traffic entirely
- Rental car arrangements are coordinated through the FBO concierge services on-site
Runways, Airspace, and Flight Procedures
Teterboro Airport operates two asphalt runways configured for general aviation and corporate jet operations.
| Runway | Length (ft) | Surface | ILS/RNAV Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/24 | 6,014 | Asphalt | RNAV (GPS) both ends |
| 19/1 | 6,997 | Asphalt | RNAV (GPS) both ends |
Both runways feature high-intensity runway lights (HIRL) and runway end identifier lights (REIL). Runway 1/19 is the longer of the two runways. Noise abatement procedures at TEB require left-turn departures off Runway 24 to avoid overflying Hasbrouck Heights and surrounding residential communities.
Instrument Approaches and RNAV Procedures
Teterboro Airport sits within Class D airspace, requiring two-way radio communication with TEB Tower before entry. During periods of high traffic, controllers coordinate directly with New York Center (New York TRACON) to sequence arrivals efficiently.
Instrument approaches at TEB include RNAV (GPS) procedures for all four runway ends, with vertical guidance available on select approaches via LNAV/VNAV minima — functioning as an electronic glide slope substitute. Pilots should contact Millville Flight Service Station for preflight weather and NOTAMs prior to departure.
FBOs and Ground Services at TEB
Three fixed base operators serve Teterboro Airport, each providing the full range of ground services that private and corporate aircraft operators expect at a major metropolitan hub.
Signature Aviation operates three terminals at TEB — East, South, and Signature TEB West — offering fuel, hangars, de-icing, ground handling, and premium passenger lounges. Atlantic Aviation provides comparable services, including hangar storage, line service, and crew amenities. Jet Aviation rounds out the FBO lineup with MRO capabilities alongside the standard fuel and ramp services.
Passengers seeking on-demand charter or helicopter connections can arrange transport through BLADE, which offers on-demand charter flights from TEB.
TEB holds customs landing rights, which allows international arrivals to clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the field. Pilots must coordinate international arrivals well in advance — this means filing the required eAPIS manifest, pre-arranging CBP inspection through the FBO, and confirming that CBP officers will be on-site at the scheduled arrival time. Failure to pre-coordinate can result in significant delays or diversion to an alternate port of entry. Contact the handling FBO directly to initiate this process before departure.
Airport Operations, Authority, and Regulations
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey owns and operates Teterboro Airport, with AFCO AvPORTS Management handling day-to-day operations under a management contract. The Federal Aviation Administration governs all flight procedures, airspace classifications, and safety standards at TEB. Since assuming control of the airport in 1949, the Port Authority has invested over $450 million in modernization efforts at TEB, including upgraded lighting systems, expanded hangars, and sustainability initiatives. An in-depth look at Teterboro's transformation
Class D airspace is active at Teterboro when the control tower is staffed — tower hours run 0600 to 2200 local time. Outside those hours, the airspace reverts to Class G, and pilots must use advisory frequency 123.075 MHz.
Operators of jet aircraft that are new to TEB or have recently changed owner or operator must submit a Permission to Operate Jet Aircraft Form to the Airport Manager. Aircraft capable of operating over 100,000 pounds must submit certification to Airport Operations verifying that the aircraft operating weight is less than 100,000 pounds.
Teterboro is a noise-sensitive airport. Its Fly Quiet Program sets mandatory departure noise limits and asks for voluntary restraint on non-essential operations between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Notable History and Fast Facts About TEB
Teterboro Airport opened in 1919, making it one of the oldest operating airports in the New York metropolitan area. Through the mid-20th century, it transitioned from general commercial use to its current role as the primary general aviation relief airport for the NYC metro region, absorbing private and corporate traffic that would otherwise burden Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia.
A notable safety event — the February 2005 overrun of a Challenger 600 on Runway 6, which crossed Route 46 and struck a vehicle — prompted FAA regulatory review and reinforced TEB's strict weight and operational controls that remain in effect today.
Fast facts for Teterboro Airport (KTEB):
- ICAO/FAA identifier: KTEB
- Elevation: 9 ft MSL
- County: Bergen County, New Jersey
- State: New Jersey
- Operator: AFCO AvPORTS Management
- Governing authority: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- Airport classification: General aviation relief airport
- Control tower: FAA-operated, 24 hours
These figures come directly from FAA airport data and Port Authority public records, reflecting current operational status.
Bottom Line: Teterboro Airport Is New Jersey's Premier Private Aviation Gateway
Teterboro Airport (TEB) stands as the New York metro area's busiest airport for private jet operations, serving thousands of private and corporate aircraft operations each year. Located in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, TEB sits roughly 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, without the complexity of a commercial airline hub.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates TEB under strict FAA guidelines, including the Permission to Operate requirement for new jet operators, aircraft weight limits, and customs landing rights protocols that protect both safety and efficiency. Signature Flight Support is the primary fixed base operator for crews and passengers.
Whether you are planning a first charter flight or a regular corporate schedule, knowing TEB's procedures, runway layout and instrument approaches helps you avoid delays. Use the guide above to plan your next TEB arrival or departure.