Private Jet London to Paris: Airports, Flight Time & Cost (2026)
A private flight from London to Paris takes about 55–70 minutes in the air and covers roughly 190–210 nautical miles. Most flights leave from Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Luton or London City and land at Paris–Le Bourget, Europe's busiest business aviation airport. In 2026 a one-way charter on a light jet such as the Embraer Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3+ typically costs $8,000–$12,000 (about £6,000–£9,500 or €7,000–€11,000) for up to 6–7 passengers. Midsize jets cost roughly $10,000–$15,000 and super-midsize jets $14,000–$20,000. Most of the time a private jet saves on this route comes on the ground: you arrive at the private terminal (FBO) about 15–20 minutes before departure, clear passport control there, and are driven to the steps of the aircraft. This guide covers every practical London and Paris airport, real flight times, what a charter costs, which aircraft to choose, and how the trip compares with Eurostar and scheduled flights.
London to Paris by Private Jet: Key Facts
| Item | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| Distance (airport to airport) | ~190–210 nm (350–390 km), depending on the airports used |
| Flight time (wheels up to wheels down) | ~55–70 minutes on a jet; ~75–90 minutes on a turboprop |
| Main Paris airport | Paris–Le Bourget (LBG), ~11 km north of central Paris |
| Main London airports | Farnborough (FAB), Biggin Hill (BQH), Luton (LTN), London City (LCY), Stansted (STN) |
| Best-value aircraft | Light jet: Phenom 300, Citation CJ3+/CJ4 |
| One-way light jet cost (2026) | $8,000–$12,000 · £6,000–£9,500 · €7,000–€11,000 |
| Arrive at the FBO | 15–20 minutes before departure is usually enough |
| Border formalities | Passport control at both ends (the UK is outside Schengen); EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU travelers entering France |
For live pricing and aircraft availability on this city pair, see our London to Paris private jet route page and the return leg on Paris to London.
London Airports for Private Flights to Paris
London has more business aviation airports than any other European city. Pick your departure airport by where you are starting from and which aircraft you want. On a one-hour flight, a 40-minute difference in drive time matters more than anything else.
| Airport | Code | Location / drive to central London | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farnborough | FAB / EGLF | Hampshire, southwest of London; ~45–75 min to Mayfair | Dedicated business aviation airport with no airline traffic. Handles all jet sizes and is ideal from west London, Surrey and the M3/M4 corridor |
| Biggin Hill | BQH / EGKB | Kent, southeast; ~45–60 min to the City and Canary Wharf | Business aviation focus, close to south and east London, and already on the Paris side of town |
| London City | LCY / EGLC | Docklands; ~15–30 min to the City | The closest airport to central London. Its steep approach and short runway limit it to approved aircraft (many light and some larger jets), and it closes to most traffic from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday lunchtime |
| Luton | LTN / EGGW | Bedfordshire, north; ~45–75 min | Busy FBOs, often good charter availability and competitive pricing; convenient from north London |
| Stansted | STN / EGSS | Essex, northeast; ~60–80 min | Large FBOs and long runway; useful from Cambridge, Essex and northeast London |
| RAF Northolt | NHT / EGWU | West London; ~30–45 min | Military airfield with limited civil movements and strict slot rules; closest to central London from the west when a slot is available |
What about Heathrow? Heathrow (LHR) is technically open to private jets, but slot shortages, high handling and parking charges and long taxi times make it a poor choice for a short European hop. Operators almost always suggest Farnborough, Northolt or London City instead. For a fuller overview of departure options, see our London private jet charter guide.
Paris Airports for Private Jets
On the Paris side the choice is simpler. Paris–Le Bourget handles the large majority of private flights from London, and the other airports are for specific situations.
| Airport | Code | Distance to central Paris | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris–Le Bourget | LBG / LFPB | ~11 km north; ~20–40 min to the 8th arrondissement depending on traffic | Business aviation only, with multiple FBOs and on-site border police and customs. Home of the Paris Air Show and the default choice for almost every London–Paris charter |
| Paris–Charles de Gaulle | CDG / LFPG | ~25 km northeast | Possible, but slots, airline traffic and longer taxi times mean it is rarely used for private flights from London |
| Pontoise–Cormeilles | POX / LFPT | ~35 km northwest | Smaller airfield suited to turboprops and some light jets; an option for western suburbs |
| Beauvais–Tillé | BVA / LFOB | ~85 km north | Low-cost airline base; only worth considering if Le Bourget is unavailable or your destination is north of Paris |
Le Bourget's biggest advantage is how close it is to the city. With a chauffeur waiting planeside you can be on the Champs-Élysées within about half an hour outside peak traffic. More on arriving in the city is in our Paris private jet guide.
London to Paris Private Jet Flight Time
Airborne time between London and Paris is short, so it varies with the airports and the aircraft. Typical wheels-up to wheels-down times:
| Aircraft type | Example | Typical flight time |
|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350 | ~75–90 min |
| Very light jet | HondaJet, Phenom 100 | ~60–70 min |
| Light jet | Phenom 300, Citation CJ3+/CJ4 | ~55–65 min |
| Midsize jet | Citation XLS+, Citation Latitude | ~55–65 min |
| Super-midsize / heavy | Challenger 350, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000 | ~55–65 min |
Bigger jets are faster in cruise, but on a 200 nm flight they spend most of the trip climbing and descending, so a light jet and a heavy jet land within a few minutes of each other. That makes the route a strong fit for light jets. Paying for a larger aircraft buys cabin space, baggage capacity and seats, not time.
How Much Does a Private Jet from London to Paris Cost?
Charter on this route is priced per flight hour, plus airport, handling and passenger charges. A one-hour flight often bills at about 1.2–1.8 hours once taxi time and any positioning are included. These are typical 2026 one-way prices for a dedicated aircraft, based on the market hourly rates in our private jet cost guide:
| Category | Typical aircraft | Seats | One-way (USD) | One-way (GBP) | One-way (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350 | 6–8 | $6,000–$9,000 | £4,500–£7,000 | €5,500–€8,500 |
| Very light jet | HondaJet, Phenom 100 | 4–5 | $7,000–$10,000 | £5,500–£8,000 | €6,500–€9,500 |
| Light jet | Phenom 300, Citation CJ3+/CJ4 | 6–8 | $8,000–$12,000 | £6,000–£9,500 | €7,000–€11,000 |
| Midsize jet | Citation XLS+, Citation Latitude | 7–9 | $10,000–$15,000 | £7,500–£11,500 | €9,000–€14,000 |
| Super-midsize | Challenger 350, Praetor 500 | 8–10 | $14,000–$20,000 | £10,500–£15,500 | €13,000–€18,500 |
| Heavy jet | Challenger 650, Falcon 2000, Legacy 600 | 10–14 | $20,000–$30,000 | £15,000–£23,000 | €18,500–€28,000 |
Currency conversions are approximate. Your quote is issued in a single currency, usually EUR or GBP for European-based aircraft.
What drives the price up or down
- Where the aircraft is based. A jet based at your departure airport costs far less than one that has to fly empty from elsewhere to pick you up. Luton, Farnborough and Le Bourget all have large based fleets, which keeps London–Paris pricing competitive.
- One way vs. return. If you come back the same day, or within a day or two, a return quote with the aircraft waiting is often much cheaper than two separate one-way trips, because the operator avoids flying empty. Crew waiting and overnight costs are added.
- Airport choice. London City and Northolt can add fees or need specific aircraft approvals. Le Bourget handling fees vary by FBO.
- Taxes. UK Air Passenger Duty is charged at a higher rate on most business jets. French passenger taxes also apply, and both are added to the quote.
- Timing. Peak dates (Paris Fashion Week, Roland-Garros, the Paris Air Show in odd-numbered years, and Friday-evening and Sunday-evening travel) tighten availability and raise prices.
A full light jet split across six passengers comes to roughly $1,300–$2,000 per seat each way. That is still well above a business-class train ticket, but competitive for a group that values privacy, flexibility and a departure time it chooses.
Best Aircraft for London to Paris
Embraer Phenom 300 / 300E
The Phenom 300 is the best-selling light business jet of the last decade and an ideal fit for this route. It seats up to 6–7 passengers in typical charter configuration, has a private aft lavatory and a usable baggage hold, and is fast enough to make the crossing in under an hour from most London airports. It is also approved for London City operations. Full specs and pricing are in our Phenom 300 guide.
Cessna Citation CJ3+ and CJ4
The Citation CJ family is the other workhorse of European light jet charter. The CJ3+ and CJ4 seat 6–8 passengers, can use short runways, and are widely based across the UK and France, which keeps positioning costs down.
Cessna Citation XLS / XLS+
The Citation XLS+ is a step up when you need more cabin height, a larger lavatory or more baggage space. It is a good choice for groups of 7–8 or for passengers with luggage for a longer stay. See our Citation XLS guide.
Bombardier Challenger 350
If you want a stand-up, wide cabin even for a one-hour flight, for example when hosting clients, travelling with a family or continuing on to a longer leg such as Paris to Nice or Geneva, the Challenger 350 is the benchmark super-midsize jet. It seats 8–10 and has a flat-floor cabin about 6 ft tall. Details are in our Challenger 350 guide.
Private Jet vs Eurostar vs Commercial Flight
The honest comparison is door to door, because the train runs city centre to city centre and the jet does not. Here is a realistic journey from Mayfair to the 8th arrondissement on a weekday morning:
| Step | Private jet (Farnborough or Biggin Hill → Le Bourget) | Eurostar (St Pancras → Gare du Nord) | Airline (Heathrow → CDG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel to departure point | 45–60 min | 15–25 min | 45–60 min |
| Check-in, security and border control | 15–20 min at the FBO | Arrive 60–90 min before departure (Eurostar's recommendation varies by class and season) | 90–120 min |
| Journey | ~1 h | ~2 h 15–2 h 30 | ~1 h 15 plus taxi time |
| Arrival formalities | ~10 min; car waiting planeside or at the FBO door | None on arrival (French checks happen in London) | 20–45 min including baggage |
| Onward to central Paris | 20–40 min | 10–20 min | 45–60 min |
| Typical door to door | ~2 h 30–3 h | ~3 h 30–4 h | ~4 h 30–5 h 30 |
From central London, a private jet saves about one hour door to door over Eurostar. The jet's real advantages are elsewhere:
- You set the schedule. You fly when you want, and a quick meeting followed by a return the same afternoon is easy.
- Starting points outside central London. From Surrey, Hampshire, the Cotswolds, Kent or Hertfordshire, Farnborough, Biggin Hill or Luton is often closer than St Pancras, which can double the time saving.
- Destinations beyond central Paris. For Versailles, Chantilly, the western business districts or a connection onward, a jet lands closer and lets you continue without a change.
- Privacy and luggage. You get a private cabin for confidential conversations and no strict baggage limits within the aircraft's capacity. Pets can travel in the cabin, subject to UK and EU pet travel rules.
If you are travelling alone from central London to central Paris, Eurostar Business Premier is hard to beat on cost. For groups, tight schedules, multi-stop trips or travel from outside the capital, a private jet usually wins.
Passports, Customs and the EU Entry/Exit System
Since Brexit, a London–Paris flight crosses the external border of the Schengen Area, so passport control applies at both ends. On a private flight this is quick and is handled at the FBO:
- Leaving the UK. The operator files the required advance passenger information with UK authorities. You need a valid passport, and checks take place at the private terminal.
- Arriving in France. French border police (PAF) and customs check passports and baggage at Le Bourget's FBOs, usually in a few minutes.
- EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The EU's biometric Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamping for non-EU travellers, including UK citizens, entering the Schengen Area for short stays. On your first entry under EES, your fingerprints and a facial image are recorded, which adds a few minutes. Later entries are faster.
- ETIAS. The EU's planned travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors (including UK nationals) has not yet replaced EES-only entry. Check the official EU ETIAS website before travel for the current start date.
- Entering the UK. On the return leg, EU and many other visa-exempt nationals need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. UK and Irish citizens do not.
- Passport validity. For travel into Schengen, UK passports should be under 10 years old on the day you enter and valid for at least three months after your planned departure from the EU.
Duty-free allowances, cash declarations (€10,000 or more must be declared entering or leaving the EU) and pet documentation apply as they do on any other international flight. Your charter broker or operator will confirm the details before departure.
Empty Leg Flights Between London and Paris
Because so many aircraft are based in London and Paris, empty legs on this route come up often: aircraft fly empty to collect passengers or return to base after a one-way trip. Empty legs are sold at a significant discount, often 30–75% below the normal one-way price, but the date, time and sometimes the airports are fixed, and a flight can be cancelled if the original charter changes. They work best for flexible travellers. Check our live empty leg flights and read the complete empty leg guide for how to book them and what to watch out for.
How to Book a Private Flight from London to Paris
- Share the basics: date, preferred time, number of passengers, approximate baggage, and where you are starting from and going to (postcode or district is enough).
- Choose airports and an aircraft: your broker matches the nearest practical airports with available aircraft and quotes several options, for example a Phenom 300 from Farnborough and a CJ3+ from Biggin Hill.
- Confirm and pay: once you accept, the operator confirms the aircraft and crew. Passenger names and passport details are needed for the border filings.
- Add ground transport: book a chauffeur at both ends so a car meets you at the FBO in London and at the aircraft in Le Bourget.
- Fly: arrive 15–20 minutes before departure, clear passport control in the FBO lounge and board.
Short-notice requests are common on this route. With aircraft based at both ends, flights can often be arranged within a few hours, subject to crew availability and any airport slot requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a private jet flight from London to Paris?
A private jet flight from London to Paris takes about 55–70 minutes from take-off to landing, depending on the airports and aircraft. Turboprops take about 75–90 minutes. Because you arrive at the private terminal only 15–20 minutes before departure, a typical door-to-door journey from central London to central Paris is about 2.5–3 hours.
How much does a private jet from London to Paris cost?
In 2026 a one-way private jet charter from London to Paris typically costs $8,000–$12,000 (about £6,000–£9,500 or €7,000–€11,000) on a light jet such as a Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3+. Midsize jets cost roughly $10,000–$15,000, super-midsize jets $14,000–$20,000 and heavy jets $20,000–$30,000. Empty legs can be 30–75% cheaper when available.
Which airports do private jets use between London and Paris?
In London, private flights to Paris most often depart from Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Luton, London City or Stansted, with RAF Northolt available on a limited basis. In Paris, almost all flights land at Paris–Le Bourget, a dedicated business aviation airport about 11 km north of the city centre. Charles de Gaulle, Pontoise and Beauvais are occasional alternatives.
Can I fly a private jet from London City Airport to Paris?
Yes, if the aircraft is approved for London City's steep approach and short runway. Several light jets, including the Phenom 300 and some Citation models, are approved, as are some larger jets. The airport is closed to most flights from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday lunchtime, so weekend trips usually use Farnborough or Biggin Hill instead.
Is a private jet faster than Eurostar from London to Paris?
From central London, a private jet is usually about an hour faster door to door than Eurostar: roughly 2.5–3 hours versus 3.5–4 hours. The saving is larger when you start outside central London near a business aviation airport, or when your destination in France is outside central Paris. For a single traveller going centre to centre, Eurostar is far cheaper.
Do I need a passport for a private flight from London to Paris?
Yes. The UK is outside the Schengen Area, so every passenger needs a valid passport, and passport control takes place at the private terminals at both ends. Non-EU travellers, including UK citizens, are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System with fingerprints and a facial image on their first entry. EU and other visa-exempt visitors need a UK ETA for the return leg.
What is the best private jet for London to Paris?
A light jet such as the Embraer Phenom 300 or Cessna Citation CJ3+/CJ4 is the best-value choice for up to 6–7 passengers, because a larger jet saves almost no time on a one-hour flight. Choose a midsize Citation XLS+ for more baggage space, or a super-midsize Challenger 350 for a stand-up cabin, larger groups or onward legs.
Can I book a same-day private jet from London to Paris?
Often, yes. London and Paris both have large based charter fleets, so flights can frequently be arranged within a few hours of the request, subject to crew duty limits, airport opening hours and any slot requirements. Booking further ahead gives more choice of aircraft and airports, especially during busy events such as Paris Fashion Week.
Book Your Private Flight from London to Paris
Whether it is a same-day business trip, a weekend in Paris, or the first leg of a longer European trip, a private jet turns London to Paris into a one-hour flight with almost no time in terminals. Tell us your dates, passenger numbers and starting point, and we will compare light, midsize and super-midsize options from the London airports that suit you best. Request a London to Paris quote from DesJets, check today's empty leg deals, or browse our light jet and midsize jet fleets. Planning the return? See Paris to London private jet charter.
