Concord Buchanan Airport (CCR) – Private Jet Charter Guide by Jettly

Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, California, offers private jet travelers a faster, quieter alternative to the major Bay Area hubs. This guide is designed for private jet travelers, business executives, and families in the East Bay seeking a convenient and efficient alternative to crowded Bay Area airports. Buchanan Field offers significant time savings and direct access to regional and national destinations. For business executives and families based in the East Bay, Concord Buchanan Airport provides direct access to regional and cross-country flights without the delays of SFO or OAK. This guide covers everything travelers need to know about CCR—from runway layout and ground transportation to booking a private charter through Jettly.

Key Takeaways

• Buchanan Field Airport (CCR) is a busy general and business aviation hub in Contra Costa County, designed to alleviate congestion for major hubs like San Francisco International Airport.

• In the year ending April 30, 2022, Buchanan Field Airport had 119,598 aircraft operations, averaging 327 operations per day, with 95 percent being general aviation and 5 percent air taxi.

• Jettly connects travelers to on-demand private jet charter services using CCR as a departure or arrival point, with instant pricing and digital booking.

• The airport features four runways, an FAA Air Traffic Control Tower operating daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and sits approximately 30 miles northeast of downtown San Francisco.

• This article covers history, current charter service, operations, facilities, and how to book a private flight through Jettly at Buchanan Field.

Overview of Buchanan Field Airport (CCR)

Buchanan Field Airport—also called Concord Buchanan Airport or simply Buchanan Field—is a public airport owned by Contra Costa County, located in Concord, California. The airport primarily serves private, corporate, and some charter flights, offering limited scheduled services. It is primarily a general and business aviation airport. A general and business aviation airport primarily serves private, corporate, and charter flights, rather than large commercial airlines.

Key facts about CCR:

• FAA/IATA code: CCR

• Elevation: \~26 feet above sea level

• Location: Roughly 2 miles west of downtown Concord and about 30–35 miles northeast of downtown San Francisco

• Covers 495 acres (200 hectares)

Buchanan Field sits outside San Francisco International’s Class B airspace, making it attractive for private and training operations. Pilots can avoid complex airspace procedures that add time at SFO, OAK, and SJC. The airport is home to multiple flight schools, charter operators, maintenance services, and Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), creating a diverse mix of itinerant, local, and student traffic.

Location, Access, and Ground Transportation

CCR anchors East Bay aviation access just off Interstate 680 and State Route 4. The site serves communities including Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, and Pittsburg.

Approximate drive times in normal traffic:

• Walnut Creek: 10–15 minutes

• Oakland: 30–40 minutes

• Downtown San Francisco: 45–60 minutes

Ground transportation options include:

• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Local taxis

• Rental cars available nearby on Clayton Road

• Pre-arranged executive car or limo services

A notable intersection near the airport is Concord Avenue and John Glenn Drive, which serves as a key access point and landmark for visitors.

Public transportation access includes the County Connection bus line, which stops near the airport entrances. A playground featuring a control tower play structure and views of the runways is located at the airport—useful for families with children.

Jettly can coordinate ground transfers on request as part of a door-to-door private travel solution for flights using Buchanan Field, and travelers can use its airport locator tool to plan routes through CCR and other nearby airports.

Airport Facilities and Runway Layout

Buchanan Field Airport is a medium-sized general and business aviation airport with four paved runways and a Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Tower. The airport covers 495 acres (200 hectares) and handles high-volume training alongside business traffic.

Runway configuration:

Runway	Dimensions	Surface
1L/19R	5,001 × 150 feet	Asphalt
1R/19L	2,770 × 75 feet	Asphalt
14L/32R	4,602 × 150 feet	Asphalt
14R/32L	2,798 × 75 feet	Asphalt

The parallel north–south runways (1L/19R and 1R/19L) and diagonal runways (14L/32R and 14R/32L) support simultaneous operations for training and business traffic. Pilots should be aware of areas of concern such as hot spots or complex taxiway systems when operating at Buchanan Field.

Runways accommodate turboprops, light jets, and midsize jets. Some heavier aircraft may face performance limits depending on weight and weather conditions.

Airport amenities:

• FBO-style terminals with pilot and passenger lounges

• 100LL and Jet-A fuel available, including after-hours refueling options

• Aircraft maintenance providers

• Hangar space and parking ramps

Air Traffic Control, Operations, and Noise Management

The Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Tower at Buchanan Field operates daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM (0700–2200), while administrative offices are open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. The tower manages aircraft within a several-mile radius of the field.

Preferred runway usage:

• Arrivals: 19L and 19R

• Departures: 32L and 32R

• Touch-and-Go: Preferred on runways 32L and 19L

Touch-and-Go operations at Buchanan Field are not permitted from 10 PM to 7 AM to help manage noise levels during nighttime hours.

Buchanan Field Airport has a Noise Management Program that pilots are encouraged to utilize to minimize noise impact on surrounding communities. The Federal Aviation Administration has established guidelines for noise management that airports like Buchanan Field are expected to follow to mitigate noise pollution.

Jettly-arranged charter flights operate with certified air carriers that follow applicable FAA procedures and local noise abatement guidelines when using CCR, whether they are operating regional jets like the Canadair CRJ-200 or smaller business aircraft.

Airline, Public Charter, and Past Airline Service

Buchanan Field Airport is primarily a general and business aviation airport but has hosted public charter and commuter airline services over the decades.

Notable service history:

• JSX started commercial airline service at Buchanan Field on April 19, 2016, using Embraer 135 aircraft, offering regional flights on a semi-private public charter model to destinations like Burbank and Las Vegas

• From 1969 to 1979, Buchanan Field hosted commuter airline flights to San Francisco International Airport, utilizing various aircraft types including the Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders

• In 1986, Pacific Southwest Airlines operated BAe 146-200 regional jets from CCR to Los Angeles International Airport

Many airlines left Buchanan Field as scheduled service declined in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Regular scheduled airline service has been intermittent and limited. Private aviation, flight training, and charter operations—such as those accessible through Jettly—remain the airport’s core activity, reflecting broader trends described in the ultimate list of charter airlines and private flight options.

Safety, Incidents, and Regulatory Environment

Buchanan Field operates under FAA regulations for Part 91 and Part 135 operations, with oversight on safety, maintenance, and pilot qualifications for charter flights. The airport’s long history and high traffic volume have prompted ongoing reviews of procedures and training.

Modern charter flights arranged through Jettly are conducted by certified air carriers meeting FAA safety standards, similar to partner operators such as Dexter Air Taxi. Aircraft are maintained to regulatory requirements and flown by experienced crews. Operational data and safety guidelines are available from county aviation departments and the FAA for pilots planning flights into CCR.

Private Jet Charter at Buchanan Field with Jettly

Buchanan Field Airport’s location and infrastructure make it ideal for private jet charter. Executives and families based in the East Bay can avoid SFO and OAK congestion while departing from a convenient site closer to home.

Jettly’s digital platform provides access to more than 20,000 private charter aircraft worldwide, including turboprops, light jets, midsize jets, and larger cabins capable of operating into CCR. The platform offers instant pricing on many routes.

Typical charter use cases from Concord:

• Same-day business trips to Los Angeles, San Diego, or Las Vegas, or international departures via private jet charter in Mumbai, Maharashtra

• Family getaways to Tahoe-area airports or connecting itineraries that include private jet charter in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

• Connections to longer-range flights via West Coast hubs or direct onward segments using private jet charter in New Delhi, Delhi or onward international legs such as private jet charter in Bangalore, Karnataka

Jettly advantages, including flexible private jet memberships:

• Use of a private jet charter cost estimator for transparent, up-front pricing

• On-demand booking without long-term commitments

• Optional jet card membership tiers

• Coordination of in-flight catering and ground transportation

Private travel from CCR saves significant time. While commercial travelers face 2–3-hour check-in processes at SFO, private jet passengers can board in under 30 minutes.

Typical Aircraft Types Using Buchanan Field

Buchanan Field’s runway lengths accommodate a variety of aircraft types commonly used for private charter.

Category	Examples	Best For
Turboprops	Pilatus PC-12, King Air 200	Short regional hops (1–2 hours)
Light Jets	Citation CJ series, Phenom 300	West Coast business trips
Midsize Jets	Learjet 60, Citation XLS	Cross-country flexibility
Super-midsize	Challenger 300 (when performance allows)	Longer routes with more passengers

Aircraft choice depends on route length, passenger count, baggage needs, and budget. Jettly’s platform helps compare these options side by side, and its jet card flight cost estimator can help frequent flyers evaluate predictable hourly pricing for common routes. Helicopters and smaller piston aircraft are also common at Buchanan Field for training, local business travel, and short-range missions, and cost-conscious travelers can sometimes take advantage of crowdsourced private jet flights and shared empty seats when routing via CCR.

Pilots and operators factor in CCR’s noise management expectations when executing takeoff and landing profiles in larger jets.

Planning a Private Flight from Concord Buchanan Airport

Buchanan Field Airport serves as a practical starting point for business trips across California and the western U.S., as well as connections to longer-range itineraries, including international leisure travel supported by services such as private jet charter in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Planning steps and understanding how Jettly offers affordable private jet charter:

1. Choose preferred departure time and date

2. Confirm passenger count and baggage requirements

3. Select aircraft category via Jettly’s platform

4. Arrange ground transfers to and from CCR

5. Click to confirm booking with instant pricing

Travelers should arrive at the private terminal 20–30 minutes before departure for domestic flights—a significant time savings versus commercial terminals.

Ancillary services Jettly can coordinate:

• Catering tailored to dietary preferences

• Wi-Fi equipped aircraft

• Ground transportation at destination

Explore real-time charter options for routes like Concord–LAX, Concord–LAS, or Concord–Seattle at jettly.com, and compare providers using this guide to the best private jet charter companies and top luxury options.

FAQ

Is Buchanan Field Airport the same as Concord Airport?

Yes. Buchanan Field Airport (CCR) is commonly referred to as Concord Airport or Concord Buchanan Airport. All these names describe the same public airport owned by Contra Costa County, located in Concord, California.

Can large private jets use Buchanan Field Airport?

Many turboprops, light jets, and midsize jets regularly operate at CCR. Some larger super-midsize or heavy jets may be able to use the airport depending on runway performance, weight, and weather conditions. Operators evaluate this on a case-by-case basis, and some may be unable to accommodate certain aircraft due to obstructions or runway markings requirements.

How early should I arrive for a private flight at CCR?

For most domestic private charter flights from Buchanan Field, arriving about 20–30 minutes before scheduled departure is usually sufficient. Security and boarding are handled through private facilities with updated processes, not commercial terminals.

Does Jettly operate the aircraft based at Buchanan Field?

Jettly is a charter marketplace and broker, not an aircraft operator. Flights are performed by licensed third-party air carriers meeting regulatory standards. Jettly provides the digital platform for search, pricing, and booking—giving travelers access to information on a wide variety of aircraft, and serving as a flexible NetJets alternative for flying private at lower cost.

Can Jettly arrange last-minute flights from Concord Buchanan Airport?

Same-day or next-day charters from CCR are often possible, depending on aircraft availability and crew duty limits. Travelers can check availability or request an urgent quote through jettly.com for time-sensitive trips, and can also explore broader strategies on how to get a seat on a private jet easily. GPS-based scheduling helps match travelers with available aircraft quickly.

Conclusion

Buchanan Field Airport (CCR) is a well-connected, general and business aviation-focused airport in Concord, CA, with a long history of commuter, training, and charter activity serving the broader San Francisco Bay Area. Its location in the East Bay, four-runway layout, and busy but manageable airspace make it an attractive base for private jet travelers who value flexibility and time savings.

Travelers can use Buchanan Field Airport—also known as Concord Buchanan Airport or Buchanan Field—as a convenient gateway when booking private flights. Issues like high-severity block cracking, transverse cracking, weathering, and patching on older runway surfaces are addressed through ongoing maintenance to keep operations safe.

Jettly simplifies private jet charter with transparent pricing, instant booking, and access to thousands of aircraft capable of operating in and out of CCR. Ready to experience private travel on your terms? Explore flight options or request a quote at jettly.com.