If you live or work in the western suburbs, DuPage is usually the easiest way to fly private out of Chicagoland. It's also one of the most capable airports in the region. It has a 7,571-foot main runway, a control tower that never closes, a full-service FBO open around the clock, and U.S. Customs in the same building. You work with one advisor who matches the aircraft to the trip and handles the details from West Chicago to wheels-up.
| Identifiers | FAA: DPA · ICAO: KDPA · IATA: DPA |
| Location | West Chicago, IL 60185. The FAA lists it 29 miles W of downtown Chicago |
| Owner | DuPage Airport Authority (public airport) |
| Main runway | 2L/20R: 7,571 ft × 150 ft, grooved concrete, ILS |
| Other runways | 2R/20L: 6,451 ft × 100 ft · 10/28: 4,750 ft × 75 ft (ILS) · 15/33: 3,399 ft × 100 ft |
| Runway strength | The airport states that Runways 2L/20R and 2R/20L handle aircraft up to 177,000 lb max takeoff weight |
| Control tower | 24 hours |
| Fire/rescue (ARFF) | Staffed 24/7; Index B |
| FBO | DuPage Flight Center (open 24/7) |
| U.S. Customs | On-site user-fee CBP office in the DuPage Flight Center, for aircraft with up to 20 passengers |
Airport data as of FAA information effective Oct 1, 2026, and the DuPage Airport Authority and DuPage Flight Center websites, checked Oct 24, 2026.
Aerial view of DuPage Airport (DPA). Imagery: USGS / USDA NAIP (public domain).
West and northwest suburbs. DuPage is the natural home field for the far west and northwest suburbs. Free-flow drive times (estimates, no traffic):
| From | Approx. drive (no traffic) |
|---|---|
| St. Charles | ~10 min |
| Naperville | ~30 min |
| Schaumburg | ~30 min |
| Barrington | ~35 min |
| Oak Brook | ~40 min |
| Hinsdale | ~45 min |
| The Loop | ~1 hr (the Flight Center also describes DPA as "approximately one hour from downtown Chicago") |
Estimates come from a routing engine without traffic; rush hour changes them. Coming from the North Shore? Chicago Executive (PWK) is usually closer.
Bigger jets and longer trips. The 7,571-foot main runway gives operators more room for larger, heavier aircraft than shorter suburban fields. DuPage Flight Center says the runway can handle corporate aircraft up to the Boeing Business Jet.
Odd-hour departures. The tower, the FBO, and airport fire/rescue are all staffed around the clock. Very early or late departures are easier to plan here than at a field whose tower closes overnight.
International arrivals. U.S. Customs is on the first floor of the FBO, so you can clear customs and get to your car in the same building.
DuPage has four runways, and two of them have instrument landing systems (ILS):
What that means in practice (advisor guidance, not a published spec): DuPage handles everything from turboprops to large-cabin, long-range business jets. Runway length is rarely the deciding factor here. For very long nonstops at heavy weights, the operator's performance planning still makes the final call, and we confirm it when we quote.
DuPage Flight Center: 2700 International Drive, West Chicago. Aircraft and customer services 24/7. It houses the on-site U.S. Customs office.
DuPage Flight Center is the only FBO the airport lists, and it's the one on the airport's radio frequency (UNICOM).
We line up the customs request with the operator when we book your return.
Tower: 24 hours. FBO: 24/7. Fire/rescue: staffed 24/7.
Every charter is quoted for the specific trip: aircraft, routing, dates, and any airport or customs fees. Request a quote or call (847) 902-9004 and your advisor will build one for you.
The Executive Air Space Agency is an independent Stratos Jets franchise providing private aviation advisory and air charter brokerage services. As an air charter broker, the agency is not a direct air carrier: we do not own or operate aircraft or exercise operational control of any flight. All flights are performed by FAA-licensed Part 135 direct air carriers. Through Stratos Jets, established in 2007, clients have access to a nationwide network of vetted charter operators and Risk-Managed Private Aviation™ standards.