South of Denver at almost 5,900 feet. The main private jet airport for the city.
Centennial sits about 14 miles southeast of downtown Denver in a straight line, and it's the main private jet airport we list for Denver.
At 5,885 feet, Centennial is a high-altitude airport. Thinner air means longer takeoff runs and less payload, so some aircraft can't leave full, especially on hot days. Expect operators to be more careful about passenger count and luggage here.
Private jet routes through Centennial
We cover 2 routes through Centennial. The shortest trip is Denver to Scottsdale (about 1 hr 35 min); the longest is Los Angeles to Denver (about 2 hr 10 min).
| Route | Usual jet | Time in the air | One way, estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles to Denver | Light jet | about 2 hr 10 min | $12,000–$16,000 |
| Denver to Scottsdale | Light jet | about 1 hr 35 min | $8,500–$11,500 |
2026 estimates with typical fees, for the jet size most groups choose. How we estimate.
Runways at Centennial
Centennial has 3 runways; the longest, 17L/35R, is 10,001 feet. That would be long by sea-level standards. But at 5,885 feet of elevation, aircraft need more runway than at sea level, so the real margin is smaller than the number suggests.
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17L/35R | 10,001 ft | 100 ft | asphalt |
| 17R/35L | 7,001 ft | 75 ft | asphalt |
| 10/28 | 4,800 ft | 75 ft | asphalt |
Flight times from Centennial
Estimated time in the air and one-way price from APA to the main private jet airport of other cities, for the jet size most groups of four to six would pick. Real quotes depend on the date and where the aircraft is based.
| To | Distance | Usual jet | Time in the air | One way, estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (TEB) | 1,619 mi | Light jet | about 3 hr 45 min | $20,500–$27,000 |
| Los Angeles (VNY) | 839 mi | Light jet | about 2 hr 10 min | $12,000–$16,000 |
| Miami (OPF) | 1,703 mi | Midsize jet | about 3 hr 40 min | $23,500–$31,000 |
| Chicago (MDW) | 907 mi | Light jet | about 2 hr 20 min | $13,000–$17,000 |
| Dallas (DAL) | 644 mi | Light jet | about 1 hr 45 min | $9,500–$12,500 |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 611 mi | Light jet | about 1 hr 40 min | $9,000–$12,000 |
| Aspen (ASE) | 110 mi | Midsize jet | about 30 min | $6,500–$8,500 |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 1,678 mi | Midsize jet | about 3 hr 35 min | $23,500–$30,500 |
Straight-line distances. Estimates use the same method as our cost calculator.
Other private jet airports nearby
- Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), Aspen: about 110 miles away.
- Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE), Aspen: about 110 miles away.
- Scottsdale Airport (SDL), Scottsdale: about 567 miles away.
- North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), Las Vegas: about 610 miles away.
When Denver gets busy
- Ski weekends from December to March keep Centennial busy.
On those dates, aircraft and parking at Centennial fill up early and quotes climb. Booking two to three weeks ahead helps.
Questions about Centennial
How far is Centennial from downtown Denver?
About 14 miles in a straight line. Driving time depends on traffic.
Which routes use Centennial?
On this site: Los Angeles to Denver, Denver to Scottsdale.
Is Centennial only for private jets?
No. It also handles other traffic, but private jets use dedicated terminals (FBOs) on the field.
Codes: IATA APA, ICAO KAPA. Coordinates, elevation and runways from OurAirports open data. See also the guide to charter fees, including landing and handling charges.