Boston to Washington is a business route, and most of our trips there are built around a day of meetings. You leave Hanscom Field in Bedford, land at Dulles about an hour and a half later, and are in Tysons, Reston or the District without connecting through an airline hub.
Aircraft we fly to Washington
| Aircraft | Passengers | Typical flight time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenom 300 | Up to 7 | About 1 hr 30 min | Small teams and quick day trips |
| Citation XL | Up to 8 | About 1 hr 35 min | Full cabins with room for bags |
| Challenger 604 | 8 to 12 | About 1 hr 25 min | Larger delegations and a stand-up cabin |
Times are typical airborne estimates and vary with winds, routing and traffic; your quote includes an exact schedule. See full specifications on our fleet page.
Why most private flights use Dulles, not Reagan National
Reagan National (DCA) is closest to downtown, but private flights there are allowed only under a TSA security program that requires advance approval and additional screening. For most charter trips, Dulles is the practical choice: it has full-service private terminals and direct highway access to Northern Virginia and the District.
Other Washington-area airports
Depending on where you are headed, Manassas (HEF), Leesburg (JYO) or Baltimore/Washington (BWI) can put you closer or save time on the ground. Tell us your final destination and we'll suggest the best fit.
For more on the city itself, see our Washington, D.C. destination guide.
Same-day round trips
The aircraft and crew wait at Dulles while you are in meetings, so your return leaves when you are ready. Flying into the Washington area involves special airspace procedures; our crews fly it regularly and handle the requirements as part of trip planning.
Departing from Hanscom Field
Hanscom Field (BED) in Bedford is about 20 minutes from downtown Boston and has none of the terminal lines or ground congestion of Logan. Arrive at the FBO shortly before departure, walk to the aircraft, and leave on your schedule. We keep offices at both Atlantic Aviation and Signature at Hanscom, along with our own hangar and in-house maintenance team, so the people preparing your aircraft work on the same field you depart from.
Booking with the operator, not a middleman
Many charter websites are brokers: they take your request and resell a flight operated by another company. When we fly your trip on one of our aircraft, the certificate, crews, maintenance and dispatch are all ours, and you deal with the same team from quote to landing. If you do book through a broker, it is worth asking who the operating carrier is.
Waltzing Matilda Aviation has flown from Hanscom Field since 2008 and has held its FAA Part 135 air-carrier certificate (No. 6WZA614N) since April 2015. Our operation is ARGUS Gold rated and IS-BAO Stage 2 registered, and we are members of NBAA.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Boston to Washington Dulles?
About 1 hour 30 minutes from Hanscom Field (BED) to Dulles (IAD), depending on aircraft, winds and routing.
Can a private jet fly into Reagan National (DCA)?
Only under a TSA security program that requires advance approval and additional screening, so most private flights to Washington use Dulles or another nearby airport instead.
Which airport is best for downtown Washington, D.C.?
For most charter trips, Dulles (IAD) is the most practical. Manassas (HEF), Leesburg (JYO) and BWI are alternatives depending on your final destination.
Can I fly to Washington and back the same day?
Yes. Most of our Washington trips are same-day round trips, with the aircraft and crew waiting for your return.
Is Waltzing Matilda Aviation the operator or a broker?
We are the operator. Waltzing Matilda Aviation holds FAA Part 135 certificate No. 6WZA614N and flies its own aircraft from Hanscom Field.
Request a Boston to Washington Dulles quote
Tell us your dates, passengers and preferred airports and we'll build a tailored quote, typically within the hour during business hours.