Request Permission to Land at Private Island Airports

Many appealing strips are not open to the public, but often you can get in if you ask.

Jonathan Welsh

Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 06:08 PM ET

Verified

Private airports on islands tend to be quiet, picturesque places. [Credit: iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots are drawn to private island airports for their unique, often picturesque locations that offer a sense of exclusivity and access to otherwise unreachable destinations.
Gaining access to these special airfields typically requires prior permission, which generally serves as a method for owners to track visitors rather than to deny entry.
The article showcases several notable private island airports across the U.S., each with distinct characteristics such as historical significance, unique runway surfaces like coral, or convenient access to local towns.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The words “private island” conjure all sorts of pleasant images. For pilots, the topic of private island airports is similarly appealing. Receiving permission to land at a private airfield can give pilots a special feeling, like they are privy to a well-kept secret.

Private strips often are located in picturesque, out-of-the-way places that you would never visit if you could not fly there. Gaining access to these special locations might require picking up a phone to call for permission to land. But usually this procedure is just a way for the airport owner to keep track of visitors, not a means of keeping them out.