Laurence G. Hanscom Field – Private Jet Charters
Posted on September 9th, 2026
Hanscom Field (BED, KBED) – Private Jet Charter
Laurence G. Hanscom Field (BED, KBED) is one of New England’s most important business and general aviation airports and a primary private jet gateway to Greater Boston. Located in Bedford, Massachusetts, between Lexington and Concord, Hanscom is particularly well positioned for travelers visiting Boston’s western and northwestern suburbs, the Route 128 technology corridor, Cambridge, and surrounding business and academic centers.
Unlike Boston Logan, Hanscom’s aviation activity is centered primarily on corporate, business, and general aviation. Three fixed-base operators serve private aircraft at BED, while two paved runways provide capability for a broad range of business jets.
JetOptions Private Jets arranges on-demand private jet charters to and from Hanscom Field for domestic and international travel. For clients whose plans involve Greater Boston, airport selection can make a significant difference in the ground portion of the trip. Explore our Boston Private Jet Charter guide for additional destination and airport information.
Planning a Private Flight to Greater Boston?
Hanscom Field is often one of the first airports to consider for private travel to Greater Boston, particularly when the final destination is west or northwest of the city. JetOptions can compare BED with Boston Logan and other regional airports based on your destination, aircraft requirements, schedule, international arrival needs, and ground travel.
Laurence G. Hanscom Field Overview
Hanscom Field is a public-use airport operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). The airport is located in Bedford, northwest of Boston, between the historic communities of Lexington and Concord.
Hanscom Field is one of Greater Boston’s principal airports for private and business aviation. The airport primarily serves corporate, business, and general aviation traffic, with three FBOs supporting private aircraft operations. Two intersecting runways, instrument approaches, and international arrival services make BED a versatile option for private travel to and from the Boston area.
| Laurence G. Hanscom Field – BED / KBED | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Laurence G. Hanscom Field |
| FAA / IATA | BED |
| ICAO | KBED |
| Location | Bedford, Massachusetts |
| Airport Operator | Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) |
| Runway 11/29 | 7,011 × 150 feet, asphalt grooved |
| Runway 05/23 | 5,107 × 150 feet, asphalt grooved |
| FBOs | Atlantic Aviation, Jet Aviation, Signature Aviation |
| Control Tower | Daily, 7:00 AM–11:00 PM local |
| International Arrivals | U.S. Customs and Border Protection services by advance arrangement |
Hanscom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts. Image: Nick Allen – CC BY-SA 4.0.
Why Fly Private to Hanscom Field?
Business Aviation Focus
Hanscom primarily serves corporate, business, and general aviation, making private aircraft a central part of the airport’s daily activity rather than a secondary operation alongside a large commercial airline schedule.
Route 128 & I-95 Access
BED is well positioned for Bedford, Lexington, Concord, Waltham, Burlington, and businesses throughout the Route 128 and I-95 corridor.
Three FBOs
Three established fixed-base operators serve private aviation at Hanscom, providing multiple handling options for transient and based business aircraft.
International Capability
U.S. Customs and Border Protection services at Hanscom support approved international private aircraft arrivals with the required advance arrangements.
Runways and Private Aircraft at Hanscom Field
Hanscom Field’s two intersecting paved runways give the airport substantial capability for business aviation. The longer primary runway supports a broad range of private aircraft and contributes to BED’s importance for both domestic and international charter operations.
Light and midsize jets, super-midsize aircraft, and many large-cabin and long-range business jets can operate at Hanscom, subject to the performance requirements of the individual flight. Aircraft suitability depends on factors including passenger and baggage load, fuel requirements, route, weather, runway conditions, and aircraft performance.
The FAA publishes precision and GPS instrument approaches at Hanscom, supporting year-round business aviation operations in New England’s variable weather environment.
Private Aviation and FBO Services at Hanscom Field
Hanscom Field is served by Atlantic Aviation, Jet Aviation, and Signature Aviation. Together, these fixed-base operators support based and transient private aircraft with fueling, aircraft parking and hangaring, ground handling, passenger and crew facilities, ground transportation coordination, and related aviation services.
The presence of three FBOs is one of the features that distinguishes Hanscom from many smaller general aviation airports in the region. It gives charter operators multiple service and handling options at an airport where business aviation represents a major part of overall activity.
For JetOptions clients, FBO selection and handling arrangements are incorporated into the charter planning process according to the aircraft, itinerary, passenger requirements, and operator arrangements.
International Private Jet Arrivals at Hanscom Field
Laurence G. Hanscom Field is a U.S. Customs user-fee airport with facilities for approved international general aviation arrivals. U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing is available with the required advance arrangements.
This capability makes Hanscom particularly useful for private travelers whose international itinerary is centered in Greater Boston but whose final destination is better served from Bedford than from Boston Logan.
JetOptions coordinates applicable international arrival planning as part of the charter itinerary, taking into account the aircraft, schedule, operating requirements, and passenger destination.
Greater Boston Business & Technology Corridor Access
Hanscom Field’s location is one of its defining advantages. Bedford lies near the Route 128/I-95 corridor, placing BED close to one of New England’s most important concentrations of technology, biotechnology, healthcare, defense, research, professional services, and corporate activity.
Lexington, Bedford, Burlington, Waltham, Concord, and surrounding communities contain corporate offices, research facilities, technology companies, medical and life-science businesses, and professional organizations that regularly generate executive and business travel.
For clients visiting these areas, Hanscom can provide a more logical arrival point than traveling outward from Boston Logan after landing.
Cambridge, Research & Academic Travel
Hanscom is also an important airport to consider for private travel connected with Cambridge and Greater Boston’s academic and research community. The region includes internationally recognized universities, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories, venture capital firms, technology companies, and medical institutions.
Airport selection for Cambridge depends on the specific destination, traffic patterns, schedule, and aircraft. Hanscom and Boston Logan can both be viable choices, and the better option can vary considerably from one itinerary to another.
Rather than treating one Boston-area airport as the automatic choice, JetOptions can plan the trip around the client’s actual destination and travel requirements.
Hanscom Field or Boston Logan?
For many private aviation itineraries, these are the two most important Greater Boston airports to compare.
Hanscom Field (BED) is centered on business and general aviation and is particularly well positioned for Bedford, Lexington, Concord, Waltham, Burlington, Route 128, and destinations west and northwest of Boston. Boston Logan (BOS) is Boston’s principal international gateway and is better positioned for downtown Boston, the Seaport, Financial District, Back Bay, and many central-city destinations.
The better airport depends on your final destination, aircraft, route, schedule, international requirements, and expected ground travel. JetOptions can evaluate both before presenting charter options.
Private Jet Routes from Hanscom Field
Hanscom Field supports private charter flights throughout the United States as well as international itineraries. Route planning depends on aircraft range, passenger requirements, airport suitability, and the client’s final destination.
Boston – New York
Frequent business and personal travel between Greater Boston and the New York metropolitan area can be arranged using the airports best suited to each passenger’s destination.
Boston – Washington, D.C.
Private charter provides flexible access between Greater Boston and airports throughout the Washington metropolitan region.
Boston – South Florida
Seasonal and year-round charter travel connects Hanscom with Miami, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and other South Florida destinations.
Boston – Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard
Private aircraft provide convenient regional connections between Greater Boston and the Massachusetts islands during the summer season and throughout the year.
Boston – Chicago
Business charter flights connect Hanscom with Chicago-area airports selected according to the passenger’s final destination.
Boston – Los Angeles
Super-midsize and large-cabin aircraft can provide nonstop coast-to-coast charter options between Greater Boston and Southern California.
Nearby Boston & New England Private Jet Airports
Boston Logan – BOS
Boston’s principal international airport, particularly useful for central Boston, international arrivals, and itineraries requiring extensive runway capability.
Beverly Regional – BVY
A North Shore general aviation airport serving Beverly, Salem, Peabody, Cape Ann, and communities northeast of Boston.
Lawrence Municipal – LWM
A regional general aviation airport serving North Andover, Lawrence, the Merrimack Valley, and northern Massachusetts.
Nashua Municipal – ASH
A general aviation airport serving Nashua, southern New Hampshire, and communities near the Massachusetts state line.
Manchester-Boston – MHT
A long-runway airport serving Manchester, southern New Hampshire, northern Massachusetts, and northern New England.
Rhode Island T. F. Green – PVD
The principal airport for Providence and Rhode Island, with useful positioning for Newport and southeastern New England.
Private Jet Options for Hanscom Field
Hanscom Field supports a broad range of private aviation, from regional flights aboard light and midsize jets to transcontinental and international trips using super-midsize and large-cabin aircraft. The appropriate aircraft depends on passenger count, cabin preferences, baggage, route, nonstop range, runway performance, and the specific requirements of the trip.
JetOptions has specialized exclusively in arranging on-demand private jet charters since 2009. Our Charter Advisors source aircraft according to each client’s itinerary rather than limiting travelers to a membership program, jet card, or fixed fleet.
Explore the JetOptions private jet fleet for aircraft categories, cabin information, passenger capacity, range, photos, videos, and charter pricing information.
Private Jet Charter to Hanscom Field
JetOptions arranges personalized private jet travel to Hanscom Field for Greater Boston and destinations throughout New England. Tell us where you’re departing from, when you want to travel, and who is flying, and our Charter Advisors will develop private flight options around your itinerary.
Hanscom Field Private Jet FAQs
Can private jets use Hanscom Field?
Yes. Laurence G. Hanscom Field (BED/KBED) primarily serves corporate, business, and general aviation and is one of the principal private aviation airports serving Greater Boston.
What are the airport codes for Hanscom Field?
Hanscom Field uses the FAA and IATA code BED and the ICAO identifier KBED.
Where is Hanscom Field?
Hanscom Field is located in Bedford, Massachusetts, between Lexington and Concord and northwest of central Boston.
How many runways does Hanscom Field have?
Hanscom has two paved, intersecting runways. Runway 11/29 measures 7,011 feet long and 150 feet wide, while Runway 05/23 measures 5,107 feet long and 150 feet wide.
How many FBOs are at Hanscom Field?
Hanscom Field is served by three fixed-base operators: Atlantic Aviation, Jet Aviation, and Signature Aviation.
Does Hanscom Field have U.S. Customs for private jets?
Yes. Hanscom is a U.S. Customs user-fee airport, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection services are available for approved international general aviation arrivals with advance arrangement.
Is Hanscom Field a good private jet airport for Boston?
Yes. Hanscom is one of the principal private aviation airports serving Greater Boston and is particularly well positioned for Bedford, Lexington, Concord, Waltham, Burlington, and destinations west and northwest of the city.
Is Hanscom Field convenient for Cambridge?
Hanscom can be a useful airport for Cambridge depending on the specific destination, schedule, traffic, and aircraft. Boston Logan can also be appropriate, so the better airport should be evaluated for the individual itinerary.
Is Hanscom Field better than Boston Logan for private jets?
Neither airport is best for every trip. Hanscom is primarily focused on business and general aviation and is particularly convenient for destinations west and northwest of Boston. Logan is better positioned for many central Boston destinations and provides the runway and infrastructure of a major international airport.
What types of private jets can use Hanscom Field?
Hanscom accommodates a broad range of business aircraft, including light jets, midsize and super-midsize aircraft, and many large-cabin and long-range private jets, subject to the operational requirements of the individual flight.