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Chicago has several airports that handle private jets. Picking the right one can save you an hour on the ground. It can also decide which aircraft makes sense, and whether you clear customs at 4 p.m. on a Saturday or wait until Monday. That choice is part of the job. One advisor. Every detail handled.
We're based in Glenview, about 12 minutes from Chicago Executive Airport. We arrange private charter from every major business-aviation airport in the region and recommend the one that fits where you're starting, what you're flying, and when you need to go.
| Chicago Executive (PWK) | DuPage (DPA) | Waukegan (UGN) | Gary/Chicago (GYY) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICAO / IATA | KPWK / PWK | KDPA / DPA | KUGN / UGN | KGYY / GYY |
| Where | Wheeling, IL. FAA: 18 mi NW of downtown | West Chicago, IL. FAA: 29 mi W of downtown | Waukegan, IL. FAA: 35 mi N of downtown | Gary, IN. Airport: 25 mi from downtown |
| Longest runway | 5,001 ft | 7,571 ft | 6,001 ft | 8,859 ft |
| Control tower | 6a–10p weekdays, 7a–10p weekends | 24 hours | 6a–8p | 6a–11p |
| FBOs | 3 (Ascension, Atlantic, Signature) | 1 (DuPage Flight Center, 24/7) | 1 (North Shore Jet Center, since Oct 1, 2026) | 2 (Gary Jet Center, B. Coleman) |
| U.S. Customs | User-fee; Mon–Fri 11a–7p core hours | User-fee; Mon–Fri 11a–7p; up to 20 passengers | User-fee; Mon–Fri 11a–7p; other times with 24 hr notice | CBP; normally daily 9a–10p CT, staffing permitting |
| Best for | North Shore & north suburbs | Western suburbs; heavy and long-range jets | Lake County & southern Wisconsin | South Side, NW Indiana; heaviest jets |
| Details | PWK guide → | DPA guide → | UGN guide → | GYY guide → |
Facts from FAA airport data (effective Oct 1, 2026), each airport's official website, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, checked Oct 24, 2026. "Best for" is our advisory view, not an airport designation. Customs services need advance arrangement at every airport. Details are on each airport page.
Free-flow drive estimates (no traffic) from common starting points to the nearest of the four:
| Starting from | Usually closest | Approx. drive (no traffic) |
|---|---|---|
| Glenview, Northbrook, Winnetka | Chicago Executive (PWK) | ~10–20 min |
| Highland Park | Chicago Executive (PWK) | ~20 min |
| Lake Forest, Libertyville | Waukegan (UGN) or PWK | ~20–25 min |
| St. Charles | DuPage (DPA) | ~10 min |
| Naperville | DuPage (DPA) | ~30 min |
| Schaumburg, Barrington | PWK or DPA | ~25–35 min |
| Oak Brook, Hinsdale | PWK (≈35–40 min) or DPA (≈40–45 min) | ~35–45 min |
| The Loop | PWK | ~35–40 min (GYY ~40–45 min) |
| Hyde Park / South Side | Gary/Chicago (GYY) | ~35 min |
| Munster, Merrillville, IN | Gary/Chicago (GYY) | ~20–30 min |
Estimates come from the OSRM routing engine (OpenStreetMap data) without traffic. Real drive times vary a lot with the time of day, so we plan pickups around your actual schedule.
O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) can also be used for private flights, and some trips are better served there. For most private travelers, the dedicated business-aviation airports above mean a shorter walk, a private terminal, and less waiting.
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.
We're an independent Stratos Jets franchise. You get one advisor for the whole trip, from the first quote through the moment you're home. For how we vet operators, empty legs, jet card options, and more, see our private jet charter services.
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.