Chicago → Nantucket
Part 135 on-demand charter · Chicago departures · Nantucket arrivals
Expect $22K–$27K for this route, assuming mid-week, shoulder season travel. Flight time ranges from 1h 59m–2h 1m depending on aircraft type and headwinds.
Estimates based on Q2 2026 market data. Actual quotes vary by availability and demand.
Part 135 is the FAA standard for on-demand charter operations: ATP-rated crews, certified aircraft, and direct safety accountability.
Top 3 Aircraft: Chicago to Nantucket
Pilatus PC-24
Pilatus · Light Jet
“The PC-24 was designed for airports like Nantucket. Short-field certified, it handles KACK's 6,303-foot runway without performance penalties. 88 cubic feet of baggage fits a week of island luggage for 4-6 passengers. Most light jets work fine at KACK, but the PC-24's short-field capability gives you margin that matters when crosswinds pick up on the island.”
Citation Latitude
Cessna · Midsize Jet
“The Latitude handles KACK's runway in standard conditions. The flat floor and 127 cubic feet of baggage make it the right choice for groups of 5-7 with serious luggage. Watch the weight: a full Latitude on a hot July afternoon at KACK may need to reduce payload. Your operator will run the numbers.”
Gulfstream G280
Gulfstream · Super-Midsize Jet
“The G280 can operate at KACK but runway performance needs attention in summer. The 6,303-foot runway at sea level is adequate, but on a hot day with a full cabin, the numbers tighten. If the operator approves the performance, the G280's 154 cubic feet of baggage and wide cabin make it worth the step up for larger groups.”
Summer changes everything about Nantucket. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the island's population triples. Charter demand follows. FBO ramp space fills up, the noise curfew kicks in (10 PM to 7 AM, May through October), and fog can roll in from the Atlantic and shut down the airport in under an hour. Outside that window, KACK is a quiet island airport with easy operations. 795 nautical miles from Chicago, about 2 hours in the air. The PC-24's short-field performance gives you margin at KACK's 6,303-foot runway, and 88 cubic feet of baggage handles a full week of island packing.
Island fog is the operational wildcard at Nantucket. I have seen charters divert to Hyannis three times in one summer week because the marine layer dropped visibility below minimums in 20 minutes. If you are flying into KACK between June and September, build a weather contingency into your plan. Your crew should brief Hyannis (KHYA) as the alternate before every approach. It adds 60-90 minutes to your ground time if you divert, but it beats circling the island waiting for the fog to lift.
Nantucket in July sounds perfect until the fog rolls in. Between June and September, KACK averages 5-8 days per month with below-minimum visibility in the morning. If your schedule is rigid, consider flying into Hyannis (KHYA) and taking the Hy-Line ferry across. It adds 90 minutes but eliminates the weather risk entirely. The brokers who guarantee Nantucket arrivals in peak summer are not being honest about the operational reality.
Departure Airports from Chicago
| Airport | Code | Distance from Loop | FBO | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Midway International | KMDW | 10 mi | Atlantic Aviation | Default for northeast island trips. Atlantic handles the morning rush for Nantucket-bound flights. |
| Chicago Executive | KPWK | 18 mi | Signature Flight Support | Good for North Shore departures. Quieter ramp in peak summer when Midway is busy. |
| DuPage Airport | KDPA | 30 mi | DuPage Aerospace | Lowest fees but adds drive time. Only if you are already in the western suburbs. |
Nantucket Memorial Airport (KACK)
Nantucket Memorial is a small island airport with one primary runway at 6,303 feet. The runway length limits super-midsize operations in summer heat. Island weather creates unique challenges: fog rolls in fast, and marine layers can shut down operations with 30 minutes notice. The airport enforces noise restrictions from May through October with a curfew from 10 PM to 7 AM.
Alternative: Cape Cod Gateway Airport (KHYA)
30 mi by ferry from Nantucket. Longer runway, no curfew. Take the Hy-Line ferry to Nantucket. Adds 60-90 minutes.
Seasonal Pricing: Chicago to Nantucket
Peak island season. Ramp space fills fast. Noise curfew 10 PM to 7 AM enforced strictly. Fog risk is highest. Book FBO handling 2+ weeks in advance.
Excellent weather with lighter demand. The curfew is in effect but ramp congestion is manageable. Best value for island access.
Base pricing. Curfew lifts after October. Beautiful weather, no crowds. The quietest and most operationally predictable window.
Off-season. Many island businesses close. Lowest demand and pricing. Weather is cold but operations are clean. No curfew.
Flight Operations into KACK
Nantucket Memorial enforces a noise curfew from 10 PM to 7 AM between May and October. No exceptions. Plan your departure and arrival times around this window. Advection fog is the primary weather challenge. Warm moist air moves over cold ocean water and the island can go from clear to zero-zero visibility in 15 minutes while the Cape Cod mainland is still VFR. This happens most frequently in June and July mornings. Your crew should always brief Hyannis (KHYA) as the alternate. The 6,303-foot runway handles light and midsize jets without issue. Super-midsize aircraft can operate but require performance analysis, especially in summer heat with full passenger loads.
Round-Trip Cost: $35K
A same-day round trip to Nantucket works within crew duty limits. 795 nm each way means roughly 4.5 hours total block time. Plan for 5-7 hours on the island with a morning departure from Chicago. The noise curfew means you must depart KACK before 10 PM in summer. Build fog contingency time into your return.
Pre-Flight Briefing: Nantucket
How much does a Chicago to Nantucket charter cost?
The Pilatus PC-24 runs around $22,000 in shoulder season. A Citation Latitude is approximately $24,500. The Gulfstream G280 comes in at $26,500. Summer peak (June through August) adds 30-40%. All prices are all-in estimates.
How long is the flight from Chicago to Nantucket?
1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hours depending on aircraft and winds. Distance is 795 nautical miles.
What is the best time to fly to Nantucket?
May and September hit the balance of good weather, lighter crowds, and lower pricing. Peak summer (June through August) has the best weather but highest prices and fog risk. October is beautiful with no curfew and base-rate pricing.
Does Nantucket have a noise curfew?
Yes. May through October, no operations between 10 PM and 7 AM. Plan your arrival and departure accordingly. Winter months have no curfew.
What happens if fog closes Nantucket?
Your crew diverts to Hyannis (KHYA), 30 miles away on Cape Cod. From there, the Hy-Line ferry takes you to Nantucket in about 60 minutes. It is not ideal, but it is the standard contingency. Build this possibility into your schedule between June and September.
Chicago to Nantucket: 795 nm, 1h 55m to 2h 01m. Pilatus PC-24, Citation Latitude, or Gulfstream G280. $22K to $26.5K base pricing with 30-40% premiums in summer (June through August). Nantucket Memorial (KACK) has a 6,303-foot runway and enforces a noise curfew 10 PM to 7 AM from May through October. Fog is the primary operational challenge. Hyannis (KHYA) serves as the all-weather alternate. Best value in May, September, and October.
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Phelipe
ATP-Rated Airline Pilot · E175 Type Rating · CFI/CFII/MEI · 7+ Years Aviation
Verify Airman CertificateData sources: Pricing: Aviapages Q2 2026 · Airport data: FAA NASR · Aircraft performance: Published POH · Analysis: ATP-rated airline pilot