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What is a private terminal (FBO)?

An FBO is a private terminal: a small building at an airport, away from the airline terminal, where charter, jet card and semi-private flights board. The letters stand for "fixed base operator". Your confirmation names one, and that name and street address are where you go.

What the term means

JSX describes an FBO as a private air facility located away from commercial terminals that serves private aviation companies and charter flights. In practice it is a lobby, a lounge and a door onto the aircraft parking area, run by a company such as Signature, Atlantic or Jet Aviation, or by an independent.

Semi-private carriers use the same kind of building. JSX and Aero call theirs lounges or private terminals; some are their own, and some are inside another operator's FBO.

Why the exact name matters

An airport often has several. Of the 63 airports listed here, 40 have more than one private terminal, each at its own street address:

One brand can have more than one building at the same airport. At Teterboro Airport, Signature alone has East, West and South. Telling a driver "Signature at Teterboro" is not enough.

What is inside

Operators list what each location offers. Common ones are a passenger lounge, wifi, a conference room, coffee and snacks, and a car rental desk. Each terminal's page here shows what its operator lists.

Parking varies. Of the 25 charter terminals where the operator states what parking exists, 14 list valet. Operators do not publish parking prices, so ask the terminal if you plan to leave a car.

They are not all open around the clock

Of the 49 charter terminals whose hours we have read from the operator, 10 are not open 24 hours. If your flight is early or late, check the terminal's page for its hours.

Finding yours

Your charter company, jet card provider or carrier chooses the terminal and names it on your confirmation, often next to the letters "FBO". Find your airport, then match the name and street address.

Sources

Checked October 2026. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us.

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