Medical travel guide
Private Jet Travel to the Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota — Land at RST, 10 minutes from campus. Direct flights for patients and families. No connections. No layovers.
- Medical Travel Expertise
- Same-Day Flights Available
- Safety-Obsessed Operations
- All Details Handled
Request a quoteAircraft options for many trips within hours.
Getting to Rochester Shouldn't Be the Hard Part
Rochester, Minnesota is home to the world's most respected medical institution — but it's not a major airline hub. For patients flying commercial, that means routing through Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP) followed by a 90-minute drive south, or booking a regional connection on a small turboprop with limited daily frequencies. For someone managing fatigue, pain, or post-surgical recovery, that routing turns a medical trip into a full-day ordeal.
A private jet lands directly at Rochester International Airport (RST), 10 minutes from the Mayo Clinic campus. No connections, no layovers, no crowded terminals. The difference is measured in hours saved and stress eliminated — both of which matter when health is the reason you're traveling.
Commercial vs. Private Charter to Rochester
Side-by-side comparison for patients flying to Mayo Clinic
Routing
Connect via MSP + 90-min drive or regional puddle-jumper
Direct to RST — no connections
Terminal experience
Crowded gates, TSA lines, shared jetbridges
Private FBO, walk from car to aircraft
Door-to-door (from LA)
8–10 hours on a good day
Under 5 hours total
Schedule flexibility
Fixed timetable, limited daily options
Depart when you're ready
Passengers
Separate bookings for each family member
Entire family on one aircraft
Exposure risk
Shared cabin air, crowded waiting areas
Private cabin, no public exposure
How It Works: Flying Private to Mayo Clinic
- 1
Tell Us About Your Trip
Share your appointment dates, how many passengers are traveling, and any mobility or comfort needs. We build the plan around your treatment schedule.
- 2
We Handle the Details
Our team selects the right aircraft, books the Rochester International FBO, and arranges ground transportation to get you from the ramp to the Mayo campus.
- 3
Fly Direct to Rochester
Board from a private terminal near your home. No TSA, no connections, no layovers. Arrive at RST rested and ready for your appointment.
- 4
10 Minutes to Mayo
Rochester International is a short drive from all three Mayo Clinic campuses. Ground transportation meets you on the ramp — no terminal walking, no baggage claim.
Rochester International Airport (RST)
Rochester International Airport serves as the gateway to Mayo Clinic for private aviation. The airport handles a mix of commercial and general aviation traffic, but private flights operate through a dedicated FBO with ramp-side access — you walk directly from your vehicle to the aircraft without entering the main terminal.
The FBO offers passenger lounges, ground-level boarding for most aircraft types, and vehicle access directly to the ramp. For patients with mobility limitations, this means no stairs, no elevators, and no long terminal corridors.
RST is approximately 10 minutes by car from Mayo Clinic's downtown campus (Gonda Building), St. Marys Hospital, and Methodist Hospital. Ground transportation — whether a private car, medical transport, or hotel shuttle — can be arranged in advance and timed to meet your aircraft on arrival.
Quick Reference
- Airport Code
- RST
- Runway
- 7,533 ft (paved)
- FBO
- Rochester Aviation
- To Mayo (downtown)
- ~10 min drive
- To St. Marys Hospital
- ~12 min drive
- Ground transport
- Arranged by TruNorth
Popular Routes to Mayo Clinic
Direct private flights from major metro areas — no connections, no layovers
Los AngelesRochester
~3.5 hours direct
Commercial routing through MSP adds 5+ hours and a connection. Private from Van Nuys (VNY) or Burbank (BUR) flies direct to RST with no stops.
Typical aircraftMidsize jet (Citation Latitude, Hawker 800XP)
San FranciscoRochester
~3.5 hours direct
No direct commercial flights exist from the Bay Area to RST. Private from San Carlos (SQL) or Oakland (OAK) eliminates the MSP layover entirely.
Typical aircraftMidsize jet (Citation Latitude, Learjet 60)
New YorkRochester
~2.5 hours direct
Commercial from NYC requires a connection through MSP or Chicago. Private from Teterboro (TEB) or Westchester (HPN) flies nonstop to RST.
Typical aircraftLight jet (Citation CJ3, Phenom 300)
DallasRochester
~2 hours direct
One of the shorter routes to Mayo, but commercial still requires a connection. Private from Addison (ADS) or Love Field (DAL) reaches RST nonstop.
Typical aircraftLight jet (Phenom 300, Citation CJ4)
Phoenix / ScottsdaleRochester
~2.5 hours direct
Popular winter route for snowbird patients. No direct commercial service — private from Scottsdale (SDL) reaches RST without touching a commercial terminal.
Typical aircraftLight or midsize jet
MiamiRochester
~3.5 hours direct
South Florida patients face multiple connections to reach RST commercially. Private from Opa-locka (OPF) or Fort Lauderdale (FXE) flies direct.
Typical aircraftMidsize jet (Hawker 800XP, Citation Latitude)
For Patients Making Multiple Trips to Mayo
Many Mayo Clinic patients aren't making a single visit — they're returning for multi-phase treatment plans, clinical trials, follow-up imaging, or ongoing specialist consultations. The logistics of repeated commercial travel compound quickly: rebooking flights, managing connections, and dealing with cancellation policies that don't account for medical unpredictability.
TruNorth Jets works with recurring Mayo patients to establish standing flight arrangements. Rather than rebooking from scratch each time, your route, aircraft preferences, FBO, and ground transportation are already configured. When your next appointment is set, one call puts the plan in motion.
This matters most for patients traveling with family. When a spouse, parent, or adult child is coordinating their own schedule around a patient's treatment calendar, the simplicity of a repeatable private travel plan reduces one more source of stress during a difficult period.
Other Medical Destinations
What our clients say
5.0 on Google
“I’ve had a great experience working with Sarah and TruNorth Jets. Sarah is professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable, making the entire process smooth from start to finish.”
“We have been working with TruNorth Jets now for 2 years and they are amazing. Very good at communicating with me and we are so happy. Will use them again.”
“Sarah’s attention to detail, industry expertise, and dedication to her clients truly set her apart. From the very beginning, she made the entire process seamless, taking the time to understand our needs, present the best options, and ensure every detail was handled flawlessly.”
Mayo Clinic Travel
Frequently Asked Questions
How close is Rochester International Airport to Mayo Clinic?
Rochester International Airport (RST) is approximately 10 minutes by car from Mayo Clinic's downtown campus, including the Gonda Building and Mayo Building. St. Marys Hospital and Methodist Hospital are each about 12 minutes from the airport. Ground transportation can be arranged to meet your aircraft directly on the FBO ramp.
Can I fly to Mayo Clinic and back in the same day?
Yes, same-day round trips are common for patients within a 2-3 hour flight radius — including Dallas, Chicago, and cities across the Midwest. For longer routes like Los Angeles or New York, same-day travel is possible but tight depending on appointment length. We build the return flight around your schedule so the aircraft is ready when you are.
What if my appointment or treatment runs late?
This is one of the primary advantages of private charter. Unlike commercial flights with fixed departure times, your aircraft departs when you're ready. If an appointment runs over, a test result takes longer than expected, or your physician wants to extend your visit, we adjust the flight plan. There are no rebooking fees or missed-connection consequences.
Does Rochester get weather delays in winter?
Rochester does experience winter weather, and RST can occasionally see delays due to snow or ice. However, private charter offers more flexibility than commercial in these situations. Our team monitors weather continuously and can adjust departure timing, route via an alternate airport, or reschedule proactively. Private aircraft also have priority access to de-icing services at the FBO.
Can you arrange flights for a multi-week treatment stay?
Absolutely. For patients staying in Rochester for extended treatment — whether a week-long diagnostic workup or a multi-week clinical trial — we coordinate the initial flight in, the return flight home, and any mid-stay travel needs. Standing arrangements simplify the logistics so you can focus entirely on treatment.
Where do families typically stay near Mayo Clinic?
Rochester has a range of hotels within walking distance of the downtown Mayo campus, including properties connected via the downtown pedestrian subway system. Many families prefer to stay at hotels along the 2nd Street corridor. While TruNorth Jets does not book accommodations directly, we can share local lodging guidance and arrange ground transportation between your hotel and the airport for departure.
White-Glove Concierge Service
Planning a Trip to Mayo Clinic?
Tell us about your travel needs — appointment dates, passengers, and any special requirements. We’ll build a flight plan around your schedule.