Even the wealthiest private-aviation customers have become more economical since the pandemic, when operating costs ballooned.

Flying Under the Radar

With lower costs and fewer delays, Long Island’s Republic Airport is drawing Manhattan’s private-plane set away from Teterboro. The caveat: it’s farther from Fifth Avenue

By Andrew Zucker

In the past year, former C.E.O. of Google Eric Schmidt, television judge Judith “Judge Judy” Sheindlin, and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have purportedly stepped foot in East Farmingdale, a sleepy Long Island hamlet. But only for a few minutes.

For well-heeled jet-setters, East Farmingdale’s Republic Airport—37 miles and an 80-minute drive (depending on traffic) from Midtown Manhattan—is an increasingly attractive option. Although Republic doesn’t have the scene-y status of private airports such as Teterboro, in New Jersey, or White Plains, in Westchester County, it’s less expensive.