Necker Island's Airport: Does It Exist?

Necker Island is a privately-owned island in the British Virgin Islands, located just north of Virgin Gorda. The island is owned by Sir Richard Branson, who bought it for $180,000 in 1978. As a private island, accommodation facilities are limited to the Great House and the Bali House. There are no direct flights to Necker Island, but there are several airports nearby, including Auguste George Airport, Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, and Virgin Gorda Airport. These airports offer private jet charters and flights to the island, with prices ranging from $100 to $500 for a one-way trip.

Airports serving the region

Necker Island is a privately-owned island located just north of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. It is one of the last undeveloped, privately held islands in the territory. The island is owned by Sir Richard Branson, the chairman of the Virgin Group, and is part of the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio of luxury properties. The island operates as a resort and can accommodate up to 40 guests, with additional room for six children.

Since Necker Island is a private island, there are no commercial airports on the island itself. However, there are several airports that serve the region, providing access to Necker Island via private jet charter or ferry connections. Here are some of the popular airports for accessing Necker Island:

Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS)

Previously known as Beef Island Airport, this airport is the main hub for flights coming into and departing from the British Virgin Islands. It is a central gateway to Necker Island, with approximately 39 flights arriving monthly.

Auguste George Airport (TUPA)

Located in Anegada, Auguste George Airport is the northernmost airport in the British Virgin Islands. It is ideal for private and on-demand charters due to the limited number of air charter companies serving Necker Island. The runway at this airport is 2,500 feet long and designated in the 09/27 direction.

Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ)

This airport is situated on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands and primarily serves Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. Flights to this airport are restricted to a few select airlines that have been pre-approved by the ASSI and the FAA. The runway at Virgin Gorda Airport is a dirt runway, 3,100 feet in length, and designated in the 03/21 direction.

Charlotte Amalie Airport

While there is no direct connection from New York JFK Airport to Necker Island, travellers can fly into Charlotte Amalie Airport and then take a ferry to Red Hook, St. Thomas, followed by another ferry to Necker Island.

Private jet charter options

Necker Island, located in the British Virgin Islands, is a private island owned by Sir Richard Branson. It is one of the world's most exclusive private islands, offering complete privacy and indulgence. The island can be rented out exclusively for groups of up to 30 people, although there are also a few select weeks throughout the year where individual rooms can be booked.

Private jet charters to and from Necker Island have been available since 2005. The cost of chartering a private jet to Necker Island depends on several factors, including the size of the aircraft, distance travelled, flight duration, length of stay, and any additional services required. Charter rates typically start at approximately $2,000 to $2,500 per hour and can go up to $14,000 to $17,800 per hour, depending on the specific details of your flight.

There are several airports that serve the region, and from which you can book a private jet charter to access the island:

• Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS, TUPJ): This is the nearest airport to Necker Island and is located about half an hour from the centre of the island. It is the main air transportation hub in the Virgin Islands and the main air gate for those travelling to the island by private jet.
• Tortola's Beef Island (EIS): Six jet operators offer nine different types of aircraft to carry your party of up to nine passengers. From there, you can get a water shuttle or come on your own boat or yacht to Necker Island.
• Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ): This airport is located on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands and mainly serves Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. Flights here are restricted to only a few airlines, as they must be pre-approved by the ASSI and the FAA.
• Auguste George Airport (TUPA): This is the northernmost airport in the British Virgin Islands, located in Anegada. This airport is ideal for private and on-demand charters as only a few air charter companies serve Necker Island, and there is no pre-scheduled air carrier service.

There are several companies that offer private jet charter services to and from Necker Island, including:

• Paramount Business Jets: Offers a comprehensive empty-leg flight search on the market.
• Presidential Aviation: Provides private jet charter services to Necker Island, highlighting the luxury and exclusivity of the experience.
• Monarch Air Group: Emphasizes their dedication to safety, wide selection of aircraft, and years of experience in chartering private jets.
• Mercury Jets: A qualified charter broker that guarantees reliability, confidentiality, and price transparency. They offer a 24/7 dedicated charter representative service.
• Tradewind Aviation: Offers a special promotion where booking a private charter to the British Virgin Islands includes a 5% discount on airfare.
• Priority One Jets: Highlights the exclusivity of Necker Island and provides private jet charter services to the island.

These companies can assist in arranging your private jet charter to Necker Island, ensuring a luxurious and convenient travel experience.

Travel time from New York

Necker Island is a privately-owned island located off Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. It is approximately 1637 miles from New York JFK Airport (JFK) to Necker Island.

There is no direct connection from New York to Necker Island. The quickest way to get from New York to Necker Island takes around 7 hours and 24 minutes, including transfers. The quickest flight from New York JFK Airport to Charlotte Amalie Airport is a direct flight that takes 3 hours and 48 minutes. From Charlotte Amalie Airport, you can take a ferry to Red Hook, St. Thomas, and then another ferry to Necker Island.

Alternatively, you can fly to Beef Island Airport and take a ferry to Peter Island, followed by another ferry to Cruz Bay, St. John, and finally a last ferry to Necker Island.

Another option is to fly from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Cyril E. King Airport (STT) and then take the ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas, to Necker Island. This option takes approximately 10 hours and 8 minutes, including transfers.

Flexible dates and prices

If you're looking for flexible dates and prices for flights to Necker Island, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to know that the closest international airport to Necker Island is Beef Island in Tortola (airport code EIS). This airport is located about 13 miles southwest of the island.

When it comes to finding flexible dates, it's recommended to use the “Flexible Dates” search tool offered by various travel websites. This tool allows you to enter your preferred travel dates and then see the prices for surrounding days, making it easier to find cheaper options. Generally, flights earlier in the week tend to be cheaper, with Tuesday and Monday being the least expensive days to fly, while Saturday is typically the priciest day.

In terms of prices, they can vary depending on the time of year and day of the week. For one-way trips, August tends to be the cheapest month, while April is usually the least expensive for round-trip flights. It's worth noting that booking in advance and being flexible with your travel dates can help you find more affordable airfares. Additionally, consider using low-cost carriers and avoiding full-service airlines, as they tend to offer better deals.

The cost of flights to Necker Island typically ranges from $100 for one-way trips to $206 for round trips. However, prices can go up to $500 for round trips, depending on various factors. Keep in mind that these prices may not include baggage fees, and it's always a good idea to check the specific terms and conditions of your chosen airline.

If you're looking for a more luxurious option, private jet charter flights to Necker Island are also available. These flights have seen a gradual decrease in pricing in recent times, returning to pre-COVID levels.

Necker Island also offers various accommodation options, including the Necker Island Estate, beachfront villas, and Balinese-style villas, each providing a unique blend of luxury and comfort. The island can accommodate groups of up to 200 people and is known for its child-friendly environment, making it ideal for families.

Virgin Gorda Airport

Necker Island is a privately-owned island located just off Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. It is one of the last undeveloped privately-held islands in the territory. The island is roughly 258 acres in size and is currently for sale.

There is no direct connection from New York JFK Airport (JFK) to Necker Island. However, you can get to the island by plane and ferry. One option is to fly to Charlotte Amalie, walk to Charlotte Amalie Airport, and then take three ferries: first to Red Hook, St Thomas, then to Peter Island, and finally to Cruz Bay, St John, before arriving at Necker Island. Another option is to fly to Beef Island, walk to Beef Island Airport, and then take ferries to Peter Island, Cruz Bay, St John, and finally Necker Island.

There are numerous airports that serve the region, including Auguste George Airport (TUPA) in Anegada, which is the northernmost airport in the British Virgin Islands. Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS), previously known as Beef Island Airport, is the main hub for flights coming into and flying out of the British Virgin Islands.

Historically, Virgin Gorda Airport was served by American Eagle, with this code-sharing service operated by Executive Airlines on behalf of American Airlines from San Juan (SJU). This regional air carrier became a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines and flew CASA 212-200 twin-turboprop aircraft into the airport. Sunaire, flying as Eastern Express on behalf of Eastern Airlines, also served Virgin Gorda, primarily with flights between the airport and San Juan, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands. Dorado Wings operated smaller Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander aircraft into the airport before introducing larger Twin Otter aircraft. Another airline that served Virgin Gorda in the past was Air BVI, which operated eight-passenger-seat Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander twin-prop, STOL-capable aircraft into the airport with nonstop flights to San Juan and Tortola. Air Sunshine continues to serve Virgin Gorda at the present time.

Frequently asked questions