Choosing the Best Airport for Westchester Business Travelers

One of the hidden advantages of living in Westchester County—whether in Chappaqua, Armonk, Scarsdale, or Pleasantville—is the flexibility to choose from four major airports within reach. For local professionals who travel frequently, the question is rarely if you’ll fly, but from where.

Do you value the simplicity of Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, or do you prefer the broader route maps of LaGuardia (LGA), JFK, or Newark (EWR)? Your answer can dramatically affect how much time you spend in transit, how smoothly your trips go, and even how you balance business travel with Westchester’s relaxed lifestyle.

In this post, we’ll break down:

• Realistic commute times to each airport

• Pros and cons for frequent business travelers

• The best destinations and routes from each hub

• Why airport access is a real benefit of Westchester Real Estate

Living in Westchester: The Business Traveler’s Advantage

For those working in New York City or traveling regularly across the country, living in Westchester County offers something rare: multiple major airports within 90 minutes. From Chappaqua or Armonk, you can reach:

• HPN (White Plains) in 15–25 minutes

• LGA (LaGuardia) in roughly 60 minutes (off-peak)

• JFK in 90 minutes via car or train

• EWR (Newark) in about 90 minutes with good traffic

Having four strong options means more flexibility for flight times, fewer delays, and easier same-day trips—something New York City commuters envy.

Airport #1: Westchester County Airport (HPN / White Plains)

Distance: 8–20 minutes from central Westchester towns like Chappaqua, Armonk, and Bedford.

Why locals love it:
HPN is Westchester’s most underrated business travel asset. With major carriers like Delta, American, JetBlue, and Breeze Airways, this small but efficient airport connects directly to business hubs including Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Savannah, and Charleston.

Pros:

• Minimal crowds and fast security

• Easiest parking and drop-off

• Shortest door-to-gate time of any NYC-area airport

• Ideal for early morning or late-night flights

Cons:

• Limited long-haul and international routes

• Fewer daily frequencies

• Seasonal route changes

Best for:
Executives flying to regional business hubs or Florida clients. If you’re traveling from Chappaqua to Atlanta for a day of meetings, nothing beats the 25-minute drive and smooth check-in.

Airport #2: LaGuardia (LGA)

Distance: About 45–75 minutes from central Westchester.

After its massive rebuild, LaGuardia has become one of the most modern domestic airports in the country. It’s the go-to for business travelers heading to Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, or Detroit—with multiple flights daily.

Pros:

• Frequent domestic flights

• Newly renovated terminals and lounges

• Reliable public transit via the Q70-SBS or M60-SBS buses to Manhattan and LIRR

Cons:

• Traffic congestion during peak hours

• Limited true international service

• Moderate parking availability

Best for:
Day trips and short-haul business routes. When you need flexibility and flight frequency, LaGuardia is still the most practical choice for Westchester professionals.

Airport #3: JFK

Distance: 75–100 minutes (driving) or about 90 minutes by train and AirTrain JFK.

JFK is the region’s gateway to the world. From Westchester, you can easily reach global business destinations like London, Paris, Dubai, and Tokyo—most with multiple daily nonstops.

Pros:

• Best international route network in the Northeast

• High-end lounges and premium cabin choices

• Reliable train options (LIRR + AirTrain) to avoid traffic

Cons:

• Construction delays and road congestion (especially during JFK’s terminal modernization project)

• Longer check-in and security lines

Best for:
Global business travelers and executives who value nonstop international routes and premium comfort.

Airport #4: Newark Liberty (EWR)

Distance: Around 90 minutes by car or rail from central Westchester.

EWR serves as United Airlines’ East Coast hub and offers excellent connections to Europe, the Midwest, and the West Coast. For frequent United flyers or corporate accounts with United, Newark is often the logical pick.

Pros:

• Strong United presence with plenty of business destinations

• Reliable NJ Transit service directly to the airport via the AirTrain Newark system

• Consistent international network

Cons:

• Traffic through the George Washington Bridge or Cross Bronx can be unpredictable

• AirTrain transfers add one extra step

Best for:
Travelers loyal to United or those catching European flights with convenient evening departures.

Door-to-Gate Comparison

Real-World Scenarios

• Quick Southeast Trip: HPN’s nonstops to Atlanta, Charlotte, or West Palm Beach make same-day business travel realistic without the stress of city traffic.

• Global Meeting Schedule: Flying to London or Dubai? JFK wins every time.

• Frequent Midwest Travel: LGA’s multiple daily departures to Chicago or Detroit make it the most flexible option.

• United Loyalty: EWR’s schedule depth is unmatched for corporate flyers tied to United’s MileagePlus program.

Why Airport Access Adds Value to Westchester Real Estate

For professionals relocating from New York City or lower Fairfield County, proximity to four major airports is a hidden selling point of Westchester Real Estate. You can live in a quiet, suburban community—with top schools, outdoor spaces, and lower property taxes than NYC—yet still enjoy world-class connectivity.

It’s one reason so many executives choose Chappaqua, Armonk, Rye Brook, and Bedford. Whether you’re headed to a client in Atlanta, a board meeting in Chicago, or a trade show in London, your door-to-gate time is shorter than most suburban markets anywhere in the country.

Travel Tips for Westchester Flyers

1. Always check HPN first. The nonstop list is growing quickly, especially with Breeze Airways expanding routes to Southern and mid-Atlantic cities.

2. Book early for holiday weeks. HPN’s parking fills up fast, even though access is easier than JFK or LGA.

3. Use rail when traffic’s bad. Metro-North plus the LIRR or NJ Transit (with AirTrain transfers) can save an hour on bad days.

4. Track construction updates. JFK’s ongoing modernization may impact roadway timing through 2026.

5. Factor in quality of life. Saving an hour on every trip means more time at home, dinner with family, or catching that evening Little League game.

The Takeaway

Choosing the right airport is more than a travel decision—it’s part of what makes living in Westchester County so efficient for busy professionals.

• HPN: Local convenience and shorter travel days

• LGA: Frequent domestic options for day trips

• JFK: International access and luxury carriers

• EWR: Strong United and European coverage

When you pair world-class air connectivity with beautiful neighborhoods, excellent schools, and vibrant local communities, it’s easy to see why so many professionals choose to call Westchester home.

If you’re exploring a move to Chappaqua or anywhere in Westchester County, reach out anytime—I’m happy to share local insights on commute options, property values, and community life that make this region one of the best-connected suburbs in America.