Burlington, NCChicago, IL

Private jet charter, Burlington to Chicago

Depart from Burlington on your schedule and land at Chicago Executive, the business aviation airport closest to downtown, in about an hour and forty five minutes. SkySouth Aviation has flown private charter since 2003.

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0m
Flight time, one way
0 nm
Distance KBUY to PWK
24/7
Charter dispatch
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Flying private since

The route, direct

One takeoff. One landing. No hub in between.

SkySouth flies you gate to gate with no connection, no layover, and no TSA line at either end.

KBUY
Burlington, NC
PWK
Chicago, IL
~1h 45m
Block time on the CJ3
616 mi
Straight-line distance
45,000 ft
CJ3 cruise altitude
18 mi
PWK to downtown Chicago

Door to door

The Triad to Chicago, two ways

Even where a nonstop exists, commercial travel to Chicago means O'Hare or Midway congestion, security, baggage, and a long drive from the airport to downtown or the North Shore. Here is how a typical day compares.

Commercial to O'Hare or Midway~5 to 6 hrs
Drive to hub
Security & wait
Flight
Bags
Drive to city
SkySouth private charter~3 to 3.5 hrs
Drive to KBUY
Board
Direct flight to PWK
To downtown
Time in the air Commercial flight time Ground, security, waiting, city drive Your drive and transfer

Commercial estimates assume typical routing from the Triad through O'Hare or Midway, including a 30 to 60 minute drive into the city. Individual itineraries vary by carrier, day, and season. Private times reflect a short drive to Burlington from the Greensboro area, immediate boarding, and ground transport into Chicago.

Two aircraft, one nonstop leg

Both jets fly this route without a fuel stop

Burlington to Chicago is roughly 535 nautical miles. The Citation CJ1 and the Citation CJ3 both cover it comfortably nonstop. Choose based on group size and what you want onboard.

Light jet

Citation CJ1

Cost effective comfort for smaller groups

415 mph
Top speed
1,200 nm
Max range
4–5
Passengers
41,000 ft
Service ceiling
  • Premium leather executive seating with recline
  • Stowable tables for work or dining
  • Refreshment center and onboard lavatory
  • Power outlets, reading lights, air vents

From $2,900 per flight hour

Explore the CJ1 →
Flagship

Citation CJ3

More cabin, more speed, more range

480 mph
Top speed
1,500 nm
Max range
6–7
Passengers
45,000 ft
Service ceiling
  • New leather interior and paint completed January 2026
  • Sliding, rotating, reclining club seats
  • Significantly larger cabin than the CJ1
  • Full lavatory, refreshment center, 57 cu ft baggage

From $3,500 per flight hour

Explore the CJ3 →

Hourly rates are starting rates. Your final quote depends on date, passenger count, aircraft availability, and any additional services. Every quote from SkySouth is personalized and transparent, with no hidden fees.

Trip estimator

Estimate your Chicago charter

Get a rough sense of cost for a Burlington to Chicago charter. For an exact number, call dispatch or request a quote.

Aircraft
Trip type
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Estimated flight time, each leg~1h 45m
Billed flight hours, each leg1.9 hrs
Legs2
Estimated starting cost
from$13,300

Estimates use starting hourly rates and approximate block time. Actual pricing depends on fuel, date, specific aircraft, and additional services.

The airports

Two airports built for private aviation

Both ends of this route are general aviation fields, not commercial terminals. That is the difference most travelers do not appreciate until they experience it.

KBUY • DEPARTURE

Burlington-Alamance Regional

3 nm southwest of downtown Burlington, NC

Runway
6,400 ft
Elevation
616 ft
Terminal
SkySouth FBO
TSA lines
None
Serves
Burlington, Elon, Greensboro, Durham

Home base for SkySouth since 2003. The 6,400 foot runway accommodates the CJ1, the CJ3, and larger cabin business jets flying in to use the SkySouth FBO.

PWK • ARRIVAL

Chicago Executive Airport

Wheeling, IL, 18 miles northwest of downtown

Runway
5,001 ft (16/34)
Elevation
647 ft
Approach
ILS, GPS, VOR to Rwy 16
Operations
24 hours, no commercial traffic
Role
Closest business airport to the Loop

The busiest business aviation airport in the Chicago area, with three FBOs and U.S. Customs on the field. Formerly Palwaukee Municipal, it is a general aviation airport that lands you minutes from the North Shore.

Chicago Executive puts you 10 to 20 minutes from Lake Forest, Highland Park, and Winnetka, and roughly 30 to 45 minutes from downtown, well inside the ground time from O'Hare or Midway. For heavy jets or international arrivals, O'Hare is the alternative. Both airports are part of the national system tracked in the FAA National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

Who books this route

Chicago runs on business travel

As one of the largest corporate and financial centers in the country, Chicago draws steady, year round demand from the Triad, with peaks around conventions and major events.

Corporate and financial travelVery high
Conventions and trade showsVery high
North Shore residents and leisureHigh
Healthcare and medical transportStrong
Sports and live eventsStrong
  • Executives and corporate teamsA morning departure puts a full team in Chicago for midday meetings with a same day return, no overnight required.
  • Convention and trade show travelMcCormick Place and the wider Chicago event calendar drive group charters throughout the year.
  • North Shore and business corridorChicago Executive lands you minutes from Lake Forest, Highland Park, and the northern business districts.
  • Healthcare and organ transportSkySouth crews are trusted by hospitals and surgical teams for time critical medical transport.

Why it matters

What flying private actually changes

01

Depart when you decide

Set an early departure, a late return, or a same day round trip. The aircraft waits for you, not the other way around.

02

No crowds, no lines

KBUY is general aviation only. Park beside the jet, load your bags, and board. No commercial terminal at either end.

03

Bring the whole group

The CJ3 seats six to seven. One charter rate covers the team rather than seven separate airline tickets at peak fares.

04

Skip O'Hare congestion

Chicago Executive is the business airport closest to downtown, with faster turnarounds and no scheduled airline traffic to wait behind.

05

A proven safety record

Flying private charter since 2003. Hospital systems rely on SkySouth crews for some of the most demanding missions in civilian aviation.

06

Transparent pricing

Every quote is personalized with no hidden fees. You know the cost before you book, ground logistics included.

The bigger picture

Private aviation keeps climbing

Federal data shows business jet activity growing steadily, driven by companies and travelers who value time, flexibility, and access to airports commercial carriers do not serve.

13.1%
Jump in U.S. business jet deliveries in 2025 over the prior year
3.2%
Projected annual growth in jet flight hours through 2046
5,000+
U.S. airports open to private aircraft, versus roughly 500 for airlines

Sources: Federal Aviation Administration, Aerospace Forecast Fiscal Years 2026 to 2046, and FAA Airport Categories. Airport access figures reflect general aviation reach across the national system.

Common questions

Everything you need to know

How long is the private jet flight from Burlington, NC to Chicago?
The direct flight from Burlington-Alamance Regional (KBUY) to Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes on the Citation CJ3. The CJ1 runs slightly longer at cruise because of its 415 mph top speed versus the CJ3 at 480 mph. Total door to door time is typically 3 to 3.5 hours once you add the short drive to Burlington and the transfer into the city.
Which Chicago airport does SkySouth use?
SkySouth routes to Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) in Wheeling, the busiest business aviation airport in the Chicago area and the closest to downtown. It operates 24 hours a day with no commercial traffic, has three FBOs and U.S. Customs on the field, and lands you minutes from the North Shore. For heavy jets or international arrivals, O'Hare is available as an alternative.
How much does it cost to charter a jet from Burlington to Chicago?
Starting rates are $2,900 per flight hour on the Citation CJ1 and $3,500 per flight hour on the Citation CJ3. A one way trip bills roughly 1.9 to 2.1 flight hours, so starting estimates run about $6,650 to $6,100 one way and about $12,200 to $13,300 round trip before fuel and additional services. Use the estimator above for a quick figure, then call (336) 639-2151 for an exact quote.
Can both aircraft fly this route without a fuel stop?
Yes. The route covers about 535 nautical miles. The CJ1 has a maximum range near 1,200 nm and the CJ3 near 1,500 nm, so both make the trip nonstop with comfortable reserves in nearly all conditions.
Does Chicago Executive Airport handle the CJ1 and CJ3?
Yes. Chicago Executive has a 5,001 foot primary runway that comfortably accommodates light jets like the Citation CJ1 and CJ3. Both aircraft operate well within its runway length in normal conditions.
Can I book a same day or last minute flight to Chicago?
Often yes, subject to aircraft and crew availability. SkySouth runs 24/7 charter dispatch, so short notice trips are frequently possible. Call the dispatch line at (336) 639-2151 to check availability for your dates.

Burlington → Chicago

Land minutes from the Loop in about an hour and forty five

Tell us your dates and party size. Our team handles scheduling, catering, and ground transport so you focus on the trip, not the logistics.

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24/7 dispatch (336) 639-2151