Westchester County Airport (HPN) Guide—The Little Airport With Perfect Comfort And Convenience

While people think about flying to or from the City of New York, patronizing big names like JFK or LaGuardia, you might want to seek a somewhat quieter and more serene alternative in the north of the city; then, Westchester County Airport is your place.

Welcome to Westchester County Airport (HPN)—a small yet busy airport that serves the Hudson Valley area and parts of Connecticut and, surprisingly, Manhattanites who would like to avoid long lines and wasted footsteps at bigger airports. History, facilities, routes, and considerations for the chosen few make it a favorite for so many.

Facts regarding Westchester County Airport

• IATA/FAA LID Code: HPN 

• Location: The North Castle, Harrison, and Rye Brook, Westchester County, New York, US 

• Ownership: County of Westchester

• Services: Mainly domestic and commercial flights, including some seasonal and international flights; also provides general aviation, private jet services, cargo handling, and aircraft maintenance. They have passenger terminal facilities, ground transport, parking, and car rental services. 

• Runways: Two asphalt runways (the longest is 1,996 meters (6,549 ft), for medium-sized commercial aircraft).

• Altitude: AGL 439 ft (134 m)

• Hours of Operation: 24/7, all year round

• Contact Number: +1 914-995-4860

• Review Rating: 4.2 stars on 1,200+ Google Business Profile reviews

(Source: https://www.airport.guide/khpn)

A Brief and Curious History

Westchester County Airport began its operations in 1942, but it was not a passenger airport. It was constructed in the period of World War II as the home of the Air National Guard. They were to defend New York City and Rye Lake, a key source of water for the city.

Commercial flights did not commence until 1949, when American Airlines started service. The airport experienced a variety of airlines that came and went over the years, including Mohawk Airlines, Air Florida, United, Northwest, etc. There were even those who flew international flights. Like, in the 80s, you could just jump on a plane and fly from New York to Bermuda!

The list of airlines has changed over the years, but the airport has never lost its image as a less stressful option than the busy New York airports.

Location Between Westchester County Airport and Other Airports

Located about 33 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, the airport sits in the towns of North Castle and Harrison and the village of Rye Brook. It is so close to Connecticut that the state border runs along its eastern flank.

Size and Facilities

This is not a large airport, and herein lies its charm. Spanning an area of 702 acres, it has two runways:

• Runway 16/34—6,549 feet long (used for bigger aircraft)

• Runway 11/29 is 4,451 feet long

The passenger terminal was built in 1995, with:

• Six gates (four ramp positions)

• Jetways at Gates 1, 2, 3, and 4

• Gift shop, food positions, small lounge

• Two lanes for TSA security (with way shorter queues than huge airports)

In 2019, a dedicated terminal was inaugurated to serve private jet travellers, with a cozy “lodge-style” interior that serves as a reminder that this airport is also home to many business travellers and VIPs.

Noise Control and Environmental Care

The airport is located in a residential area and near vital sources of water; hence, its significance in terms of noise control.

• The pilots are requested not to fly from midnight to 6:30 AM (voluntary curfew).

• They monitor the sound levels, and when a flight is too loud, they inform the operator to prevent the occurrence in the future.

• Some movements of aircraft are restricted in order to ensure that noise is minimized.

There is also an ISO 14001-certified environmental program at the airport to conserve clean water and land. This involves environmental safety training of staff and practice review.

How To Get There 

It is easy to drive.

• Exit 2 off I-684 onto NY Route 120.

• Entering from the east, take NY Route 120A through Rye Lake Avenue.

No car? There is the Bee-Line Bus Route 12, which operates every day between the airport, the White Plains Transit Center, and the Metro-North train station. It also makes stops at SUNY Purchase College and Manhattanville University.

Airlines and Where They Fly

Guests are spared the need to choose from hundreds of destinations, but a mix of these useful routes, with a heavy bias towards flights to Florida and major connection hubs, is available.

• American Eagle: Charlotte, Chicago–O’Hare, Washington National, and seasonally Miami.

• Breeze Airways: Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh/Durham, Vero Beach, seasonal Florida, and Southern points.

• Delta / Delta Connection: Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul (from Sept 2025).

• JetBlue: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, San Juan, Tampa, West Palm Beach, and Nantucket (seasonal).

• Cape Air: Lebanon (NH), seasonal Martha’s Vineyard and Provincetown.

• BermudAir: Bermuda.

• JSX: Semi-private flights to Florida destinations.

What Makes the Airport Popular

1. Fast and easy—with a smaller footprint, shorter lines are guaranteed; less walking is a perk.

2. Closer to home for many, such as Hudson Valley and Connecticut travelers.

3. Balanced service—for both the regular leisure traveler and private jet client.

4. Stress-free, great generosity, allowing passengers to get there pretty late before their flight, and stay comfortable.

Conclusion

Westchester County Airport is not aiming to be as large as JFK or LaGuardia, and that is its greatest advantage. It provides the destinations people need, in an atmosphere that is calmer, faster, and more personal. If you are flying to Florida to spend the winter, taking a short business trip, or simply need to escape the chaos of major city airports, HPN could become your new favorite departure point.