United States
Trip Support
CBP and customs, APIS and permissions, ESTA and the 2025 entry rules, TSA waivers for foreign aircraft, presidential TFRs, Teterboro and the executive airports, and the event weeks, from a desk based at Dallas Love Field.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 10 September 2026
The working reference
How the United States works for a private flight
For a US-registered aircraft on a domestic trip the United States is the easiest country in the world: no permits, no slots at most fields, twenty-four hour airports with customs on site. The work is at the border and at the busiest fields. Every international arrival files APIS at least sixty minutes out and holds permission to land from the CBP port of entry before it departs abroad; outbound it files again and holds permission to depart. The aircraft carries the annual CBP user fee decal, and charter operators can face extra inspection fees. Since 2025 the operator screens every passenger against the entry suspensions at booking, and ESTA is valid only when the operator is an approved Visa Waiver carrier. Foreign-registered heavy aircraft making two or more stops need a TSA waiver filed seven days ahead. Teterboro, twelve miles from Midtown, runs a noise programme that bans an aircraft after three violations, restricts aircraft over 100,000 pounds and shares airspace with three airline hubs, so holds and winter de-icing stops are routine and White Plains, Farmingdale and Morristown are the alternates. Presidential movements close a ten-mile core around the destination and route arrivals through gateway airports with TSA screening booked a day ahead. The desk files the manifests, books the CBP extension when the port closes early, and holds the alternate at Teterboro before the aircraft moves.
CBP, APIS and permissions
APIS at least sixty minutes before arrival and again before departure. Permission to land from the port of entry before leaving abroad; permission to depart outbound. Annual user fee decal on the aircraft. Where a port closes early, the Reimbursable Services Program buys extended hours: an agreement takes months to sign, services are ordered about a week ahead and billed per officer hour.
Entry rules 2025
Full entry suspensions for nationals of twelve countries and partial suspensions for seven more, with exemptions for permanent residents, dual nationals on a non-restricted passport, diplomatic visa holders and athletes at major events. Operators screen the manifest at booking, file an accurate APIS and pre-confirm entry with CBP at the port.
ESTA and visas
ESTA can be used on a private aircraft only when the operator is an approved Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier. On any other aircraft visa-free nationals need a B1 or B2 visa. Crews check this before the booking, not at the ramp.
TSA waivers
Foreign-registered aircraft over 100,309 pounds making two or more US stops, every overflight over that weight, lighter foreign overflights not departing a portal country, and aircraft on certain registers for any US operation. Seven days to file, 90 days valid, hard copy on board, Mode C or S and an active flight plan.
Teterboro and the New York alternates
Twelve miles from Midtown, no PPR or slots outside event periods, a noise programme that bans an aircraft after three violations in two years, aircraft over 100,000 pounds restricted, holds from shared airspace with Newark, Kennedy and LaGuardia, circling approaches, and near two-hour delays in winter de-icing. White Plains 33 miles from Manhattan, Farmingdale 25, Morristown and Stewart as alternates.
The executive airports
Teterboro, Van Nuys, Opa-locka, Las Vegas and Dallas Love Field all run 24 hours with no PPR or slots outside events and no permits for an N-registered Part 91 flight. Opa-locka customs runs to midnight with an extension on request and has ramp but no hangar. Parking is not guaranteed for a week at Teterboro or Las Vegas; Van Nuys allows seven days.
Presidential TFRs
A ten-mile core closed except to pre-approved, TSA-screened flights, an outer ring to thirty miles requiring a flight plan, discrete squawk and two-way comms with no loitering. Gateway airports with screening booked 24 hours ahead and no intermediate stops. Ramps freeze minutes before a movement. If intercepted, 121.5.
Event weeks
The Super Bowl brings a game-day TFR from an hour before kickoff, an FAA safety plan with arrival windows and departure banks, PPR through the event handler and waitlists at the nearest fields. The Masters fills Augusta. Art Basel tightens Opa-locka. The desk locks customs, crew hotels and transport early.
Guides and updates
United States articles from the desk
The detailed pieces behind this page, newest first, each with the year it was written and the discipline it belongs to.
ESTA passengers on private jets: what U.S. crews need to verify before international arrivals
Explains that ESTA passengers can only fly privately into the US on a VWP signatory carrier, and sets out APIS, Permission to Land/Depart and CBP decal requirements for crews.
Read the guide2025Airport handling, parking and feesWhat U.S. Pilots Need Before Departure in the Country’s Top Executive Airports
Operational snapshots (hours, CIQ, PPR, fuel, parking, permits) for Teterboro, Van Nuys, Opa Locka, Dallas Love Field and Las Vegas with event-related caveats.
Read the guide2025Customs, immigration and crew entryNew U.S. Entry Rules: What Private Jet Pilots and Operators Should Know
Lists the 2025 US nationality-based entry suspensions (full and partial), exemptions, and what operators must do on manifest screening, APIS and CBP coordination.
Read the guide2025Slots, ATC and flight planningMar-a-Lago Presidential TFR guide for private jet pilots
A procedural guide to the Mar-a-Lago presidential TFR: inner and outer core rules, gateway airports, TSA screening, PBI ramp freezes and intercept procedures.
Read the guide2024Airport handling, parking and feesTeterboro: Challenges of operating in the busiest U.S. private jet airport
Explains why Teterboro is hard to operate into (congested airspace, circling approaches, coastal weather, ramp bottlenecks, noise rules) and lists nearby alternates.
Read the guide2024Permits and overflightDo private jet pilots need a TSA Waiver when flying to the U.S.?
Explains exactly when a TSA International Waiver is needed for flights to, from and over the US based on registration, MTOW, number of stops and country of registry.
Read the guideAirport guides
The airports behind United States operations
Runways, slots, customs, handling and fuel on each field's own guide, written by the desk that files the paperwork.
Questions
United States trip support questions
What do I file to bring a private jet into the United States?
APIS at least sixty minutes before arrival, permission to land from the CBP port of entry obtained before you leave abroad, and the annual CBP decal on the aircraft. Outbound you file APIS again and hold permission to depart. The desk files all of it.
Can my passengers enter on ESTA?
Only if the operator is an approved Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier. Otherwise visa-free nationals need a B1 or B2 visa. The desk checks the operator status before the booking.
Who is affected by the 2025 entry suspensions?
Nationals of twelve countries under a full suspension and seven under a partial one for visitor and student visas, with exemptions for permanent residents, dual nationals on a non-restricted passport, diplomatic visa holders and athletes at major events. The desk screens the manifest at booking.
Does my foreign-registered aircraft need a TSA waiver?
If it is over 100,309 pounds and makes two or more US stops, or overflies the country at that weight, or overflies at any weight without departing a portal country, or is on a restricted register. Filed seven days ahead, valid 90 days, hard copy on board.
Why is Teterboro difficult?
Airspace shared with Newark, Kennedy and LaGuardia brings holds and circling approaches, winter de-icing brings ground stops, the noise programme bans an aircraft after three violations in two years, aircraft over 100,000 pounds are restricted, and parking for a week is not guaranteed. White Plains, Farmingdale and Morristown are the alternates.
What happens during a presidential TFR?
A ten-mile core closes except to pre-approved, TSA-screened flights, the outer ring to thirty miles needs a flight plan, a discrete squawk and two-way comms, arrivals route through gateway airports with screening booked a day ahead, and ramps freeze before a movement.
Do I need PPR or slots at US executive airports?
Not outside event periods. Teterboro, Van Nuys, Opa-locka, Las Vegas and Dallas Love Field run 24 hours with no PPR or slots, and an N-registered Part 91 flight needs no permits. Events add PPR and waitlists.
What if customs is closed when I land?
The port of entry can extend its hours under the Reimbursable Services Program once the operator has an agreement in place, ordered about a week ahead and billed per officer hour. Opa-locka extends on request. The desk books it with the arrival.
How much notice does a US trip need?
A few days for a domestic trip, a week for an international arrival to file the manifests and confirm the port, seven days for a TSA waiver, and weeks ahead for the Super Bowl, the Masters or a presidential TFR when the local fields go on PPR.
What does the desk need to file a US arrival?
Aircraft registration and insurance, the CBP decal status, every passenger's passport and nationality for APIS and the entry check, the operator's Visa Waiver status, the port of entry and the dates. It comes back with the manifests filed, permissions in hand and customs hours confirmed.
Get it filed
Flying into the United States? Filed from the desk
Send the dates, the aircraft and the port of entry. You get APIS filed, permissions in hand, every passenger checked before the booking, and a number you can hold us to.
Contact UsPrefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email tripsupport@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.