Private jets to the Cheltenham Festival
Four days of jump racing at Cheltenham, with Gold Cup day on Friday 19 March 2027.
- Dates
- 16–19 March 2027
- Where
- Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham
- Fly to
- Gloucestershire (Staverton) (GLO)
- Book by
- Book by 22 December 2026
Where to land
Transfer times are approximate and grow on event days, when roads around the venue are at their busiest.
Gloucestershire (Staverton) (GLO)
About 15 to 20 minutes by road, or a short helicopter hop to the course.
Racecourse heliport (Heli)
A few hundred metres from the course.
Bristol (BRS)
About an hour by road.
Birmingham (BHX)
About 1 hour 15 minutes by road.
Slots and permissions during the Cheltenham Festival
During major events, airports often run special slot, parking and prior-permission (PPR) schemes, and each airport sets its own rules for each event. Every event quote is subject to the slots and permissions being granted. We apply for them as soon as you book, and if your first-choice airport is full we offer the nearest alternative.
What the airports have published
Gloucestershire Airport in 2026: a race-week slot system in morning and evening windows, prior permission for every flight, a landing-fee surcharge and long waits for fuel. The 2026 notice was published in late January.
A temporary heliport a few hundred metres from the course runs on race days, and the airspace around the racecourse is restricted during the Festival.
Request to book
Every event quote is subject to the slots and permissions being granted.
Questions
Which airport is closest to the Cheltenham Festival?
Gloucestershire (Staverton) (GLO) is the usual choice: About 15 to 20 minutes by road, or a short helicopter hop to the course to Cheltenham Racecourse. The alternatives are Racecourse heliport (Heli), Bristol (BRS), Birmingham (BHX).
When should I book a private jet to the Cheltenham Festival?
We suggest booking by 22 December 2026. The book-by date is our suggested latest date to confirm for the widest choice of aircraft. Aircraft and slots are committed early for big events, so booking sooner usually means more options and a better price. After it, flights are often still possible, with less choice.
Are airport slots guaranteed?
During major events, airports often run special slot, parking and prior-permission (PPR) schemes, and each airport sets its own rules for each event. Every event quote is subject to the slots and permissions being granted. We apply for them as soon as you book, and if your first-choice airport is full we offer the nearest alternative.
Sources
- The Jockey Club: the Cheltenham Festival
- Gloucestershire Airport: Cheltenham race week 2026
- The Jockey Club: arriving by helicopter
Checked on 20 October 2026. Organisers and airports change their arrangements, so we confirm them again for your flight.
