Private jet charter from Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport is 7 nautical miles south-west of the city on the former Lulsgate Bottom airfield. It is open around the clock with a 2,011 m runway and customs and immigration available at all hours for notified flights. It is slot-coordinated (IATA Level 3), every flight needs prior permission and handling is mandatory. Business jets use Centreline's private terminal, which has its own customs arrival area and security screening.
- Longest runway
- 2,011 m
- Codes
- BRS · EGGD
- Business aviation handling
- 2 handlers
Did you knowBristol's first airport opened at Whitchurch in 1930, only the third civil airport in the country. After the war the city bought the disused RAF airfield at Lulsgate Bottom, and the airport opened on its present site in 1957. Bristol Airport: our history
Travel guide: Flying with Dogs and Pets on a Private Jet.
One of 5 airports in our Cotswolds guide.
Charter a private jet from Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport is 7 nautical miles south-west of the city (UK AIP), and is open around the clock with a 2,011 m runway. Private flights use Centreline's own terminal, away from the main building, which has security screening and a customs arrival area. Bristol is slot-coordinated, so every private flight needs an ACL slot and prior permission, and night movements between 23:00 and 07:00 need extra approval.
Send the trip and we'll come back with clear quotes from vetted operators.
Independent UK charter broker since 2015 · Volairis Ltd, Companies House 09488748 · Member of The Air Charter Association
Popular private jet trips from Bristol
Approximate flying times. Follow a trip for airports, aircraft and what to know there.
Verbier and Crans-Montana
Light or midsize jet
Bristol to Verbier and Crans-Montana by private jetAlso: Ibiza (about 2h 25m), Zurich (about 1h 50m), Rome (about 2h 35m), Vienna (about 2h 20m), Los Angeles (about 11h 35m), Courchevel (about 1h 45m), Mykonos (about 3h 50m), Gibraltar (about 2h 40m).
What the private terminal is like at Bristol
Centreline's purpose-built private terminal is well away from the main terminal, with security screening, customs arrival area and its own car park.
Centreline
Bristol's business aviation FBO, in its own purpose-built private terminal on a large site away from the main airport building. Two passenger lounges (a VIP lounge by the car park and the Silver Lounge for up to 60 people with check-in and baggage screening), two crew lounges, a customs arrival area and airside transfer to the aircraft. Ramp space for 16 large aircraft, de-icing rig, fuel trucks, hangarage. H24. Centreline stopped its own ad hoc charter flying in January 2026 but keeps its FBO.
Swissport
Listed as a handling agent in the UK AIP.
Customs at Bristol, step by step
What happens on an international flight, in the order you meet it. We handle the paperwork with the operator.
- When you book, we ask for each passenger's passport details for the operator.
- The operator books a slot through Airport Co-ordination Ltd and tells the handler the arrival time and how long the aircraft will stay, because parking for private aircraft is limited.
- The operator sends a General Aviation Report (GAR) to Border Force between 48 and 2 hours before departure.
- You use Centreline's private terminal. It has a customs arrival area and arranges pre-clearance or on-site immigration clearance, so you do not go through the main terminal.
- Customs and immigration are available 24 hours a day for notified flights.
Which private jets can use Bristol?
On runway length, every turboprop, very light jet, light jet, super light jet, midsize jet, super midsize, heavy jet and ultra long range type is within it; some VIP airliner types fit, others only with less fuel or fewer passengers. The check below uses each type's published take-off distance at maximum weight, at sea level on a 15°C day. Heat, altitude, a wet runway and the operator's own rules can need more, so we confirm it for your aircraft and date.
Handling is mandatory, and aircraft must be able to talk to air traffic control by radio. Departing aircraft over 5,700 kg must climb straight ahead to at least 3,000 ft before turning. All take-offs and landings between 23:00 and 07:00 need prior application and come under a night quota from 23:30 to 06:00. The declared landing distance on runway 27 is 1,882 m, shorter than the 2,011 m runway.
| Aircraft class | On this runway |
|---|---|
| Turboprop 5–8 seats · take-off 730–1,000 m · Pilatus PC-12 NGX | Yes |
| Very light jet 4–5 seats · take-off 630–1,100 m | Yes |
| Light jet 6–7 seats · take-off 960–1,200 m · Embraer Phenom 300E | Yes |
| Super light jet 7–8 seats · take-off 820–1,350 m | Yes |
| Midsize jet 8–9 seats · take-off 1,100–1,660 m · Cessna Citation XLS+ | Yes |
| Super midsize 9–10 seats · take-off 1,400–1,600 m · Bombardier Challenger 350 | Yes |
| Heavy jet 12–14 seats · take-off 1,430–1,780 m · Dassault Falcon 7X | Yes |
| Ultra long range 13–19 seats · take-off 1,700–1,970 m · Bombardier Global 7500 | Yes, though the longest-legged types need a performance check |
| VIP airliner 18–50+ seats · take-off 1,500–2,100 m | Some types (4 of 5); others with less fuel or fewer passengers |
Worth knowing before you fly
- Centreline's terminal is separate from the busy main terminal, with its own car park, screening and customs arrival area, so passengers on a private flight do not need to go through the main building.
- Bristol is slot-coordinated, so even a private flight needs an ACL slot as well as prior permission. Requests outside ACL's weekday office hours go to the Airport Duty Manager.
- Bristol is open 24 hours, but take-offs and landings between 23:00 and 07:00 need prior application and count against a night quota, so late-night and early-morning slots are not guaranteed.
- General aviation parking is limited. The operator must tell the handler how long the aircraft will stay, and overnight parking needs the handler's agreement.
Events Bristol serves
From our events calendar: what the airport is used for, and the transfer to the venue on an ordinary day.
Cheltenham Festival
About an hour by road.
Private jets to the Cheltenham FestivalOperating information
For business and private flights. Details change, so we check them again for your date.
Airport
| Opening hours | Aerodrome, air traffic control, handling, security and de-icing are H24 (UK AIP). Jet A-1 is available 05:00-23:59 local in winter and around the clock in summer, and by arrangement. Prior permission is needed for movements between 23:00 and 07:00 local. Centreline describes its business aviation facility as H24. |
|---|---|
| Prior permission | All flights are subject to PPR at all times, and a flight plan does not count as permission. Operators submit flights to Airport Co-ordination Ltd (ACL), which acts for Bristol, giving the operator, aircraft type and registration, requested times and the nominated handling agent. Ad hoc requests go to ACL 07:30-16:00 Monday to Friday and to the Bristol Airport Duty Manager at other times. Because general aviation parking is restricted, inbound GA flights must also give the handling agent their ETA and length of stay, and overnight parking on the south side needs the handling agent's permission. |
| Customs and immigration | Customs and immigration are H24, subject to notified movements (UK AIP). Bristol is a designated customs airport and port of entry (GEN 1.2, Appendix C), with a Border Force office at the airport. A General Aviation Report (GAR) is required no earlier than 48 hours and no later than 2 hours before departure (GOV.UK). Centreline has a customs arrival area at its FBO and says it can arrange pre-clearance or on-site immigration clearance, so business jet passengers do not need to visit the main terminal. |
| Slots | Coordinated airport (IATA Level 3, ACL). Operators must keep to the times ACL allocates. Ad hoc slots come from ACL in office hours (07:30-16:00 Monday to Friday) and from the Airport Duty Manager at other times. |
| Noise and night restrictions | Night flying restrictions apply 23:00-07:00 local: all take-offs and landings then need prior application to ACL. A night noise quota system runs 23:30-06:00 local, and the airport says aircraft of quota count 4 or more may not be scheduled. Departing aircraft over 5,700 kg fly noise preferential routes, climbing straight ahead to at least 3,000 ft QNH before turning. The AIP sets departure noise limits of 90 dB(A) by day and 85 dB(A) at night at the monitors 6.5 km from start of roll, and asks crews to avoid reverse thrust where safe. |
| Aircraft parking | General aviation parking is restricted: inbound flights must pre-notify the handling agent of arrival time and length of stay, and non-based aircraft need the handler's permission to stay overnight on the south side (UK AIP). Hangar space for visiting aircraft is limited and for light aircraft only, on the south side. Centreline says its ramp can take 16 large aircraft, within metres of its terminal. Diverting aircraft are expected to 'fuel and go' unless unserviceable. |
| De-icing | De-icing is available H24 (UK AIP). Centreline lists a de-icing rig among its ramp equipment. |
| Other restrictions | Handling is mandatory for all aircraft. Aircraft that cannot talk to ATC by radio are not accepted, and aircraft must carry third-party insurance of at least £500,000. Jet engine runs, including business jets, need an authorisation code from Airside Operations. A marshaller is required for every stand. The declared landing distance on runway 27 is 1,882 m, shorter than the runway, because of a displaced threshold. |
Runways
| 09/27 | 2,011 m, asphalt (grooved) |
|---|
By road
| Bristol | 7 nautical miles south-west of the city (UK AIP); Bristol Temple Meads station is 7 nautical miles away (UK AIP) |
|---|---|
| M5 | From the north, leave the M5 at junction 18; from the south, at junction 22 for the A38 (airport directions) |
Airports near Bristol
Cardiff
MOD St Athan
Cotswold
Dunkeswell
More airport guides nearby: Gloucestershire Airport, Bournemouth Airport, Southampton Airport, London Oxford Airport, Cornwall Airport Newquay.
Questions
Is there a private terminal at Bristol Airport?
Yes. Centreline's purpose-built private terminal is well away from the main terminal, with security screening, customs arrival area and its own car park.
What are Bristol Airport's opening hours for private flights?
Aerodrome, air traffic control, handling, security and de-icing are H24 (UK AIP). Jet A-1 is available 05:00-23:59 local in winter and around the clock in summer, and by arrangement. Prior permission is needed for movements between 23:00 and 07:00 local. Centreline describes its business aviation facility as H24.
Can I clear customs at Bristol Airport on a private flight?
Customs and immigration are H24, subject to notified movements (UK AIP). Bristol is a designated customs airport and port of entry (GEN 1.2, Appendix C), with a Border Force office at the airport. A General Aviation Report (GAR) is required no earlier than 48 hours and no later than 2 hours before departure (GOV.UK). Centreline has a customs arrival area at its FBO and says it can arrange pre-clearance or on-site immigration clearance, so business jet passengers do not need to visit the main terminal.
What size of private jet can use Bristol?
The longest runway is 2,011 m. Going by each type's published take-off distance at maximum weight: every turboprop, very light jet, light jet, super light jet, midsize jet, super midsize, heavy jet and ultra long range type is within it; some VIP airliner types fit, others only with less fuel or fewer passengers. Handling is mandatory, and aircraft must be able to talk to air traffic control by radio. Departing aircraft over 5,700 kg must climb straight ahead to at least 3,000 ft before turning. All take-offs and landings between 23:00 and 07:00 need prior application and come under a night quota from 23:30 to 06:00. The declared landing distance on runway 27 is 1,882 m, shorter than the 2,011 m runway. The operator confirms performance for your aircraft, load and date.
Which events do people fly to Bristol for?
On our events calendar: Cheltenham Festival (about an hour by road). Slots and parking fill early on event dates, so book as soon as your plans are firm.
How long is a private flight from Bristol to Geneva?
About 1 hour 40 minutes in a light or midsize jet. Actual times depend on the aircraft, winds and routing.
How long is a private flight from Bristol to Nice?
About 2 hours in a light or midsize jet. Actual times depend on the aircraft, winds and routing.
Can I fly into Bristol with my dog or cat?
Yes, on a private charter. Bristol is on the government's approved list for pets arriving on charter flights, but approval belongs to each operator for each airport, so we choose an operator approved for Bristol. Your pet needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination and the right certificate, and dogs need tapeworm treatment. Our guide to flying with pets has the details.
What are the fees for a private jet at Bristol?
Our quotes include landing and handling fees, along with fuel, crew and taxes. What the airport and handler charge depends mainly on the aircraft's size and the time of day. Out-of-hours, de-icing and special event fees can be extra, and we tell you which could apply before you book.
Can we have catering on a private flight from Bristol?
Yes. Tell us what you would like when you book and the operator orders it for the flight. Depending on the operator and region it is either included or charged separately, and we tell you which before you book.
Checked 13 November 2026 from the UK AIP and published airport, government and handler information (aurora.nats.co.uk, centreline.aero, gov.uk, bristolairport.co.uk). Not for operational use; we confirm everything for your flight.
