Airport Overview
Lehigh Valley International Airport (KABE) is the primary commercial and general-aviation airport for Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the wider Lehigh Valley, located about 6 miles northeast of downtown Allentown. Owned and operated by the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, it combines scheduled airline service with a robust corporate and charter operation handling tens of thousands of movements a year.
Runway Capability
KABE's 7,599 ft primary runway (06/24) and 5,800 ft crosswind runway (13/31) place it firmly in the all-jets category. Light jets, midsize and super-midsize aircraft, and heavy and ultra-long-range jets such as the Gulfstream G650 and Bombardier Global 7500 can operate here under normal conditions, with the long primary runway providing margin for full-fuel, full-payload departures.
Charter Considerations
Because KABE is a commercial airport with an established FBO and customs capability, it is a practical departure and arrival point for charter clients across eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. The Jet Finder sources Part 135 aircraft positioned near the Lehigh Valley and compares positioning, hourly rates, and aircraft type to match your mission. Customs landing rights status means international itineraries can be coordinated with advance CBP arrangement.
Safety & Planning
KABE is fully towered (120.5) with ILS, RNAV (GPS), and VOR approaches, supporting reliable IFR operations in the marginal ceilings common to the region. Part 135 passenger flights typically operate IFR regardless of weather. The 394 ft field elevation keeps density-altitude effects modest year-round.
Seasonal & Operational Factors
Pennsylvania winters bring frontal systems, low IFR ceilings, and the potential for freezing precipitation; de-icing is available on field and can add time and cost to winter departures. Summer afternoons can produce convective activity, so early departures often see smoother conditions. The two-runway layout provides crosswind options in gusty conditions.
Regional Context
KABE sits within easy reach of the New York and Philadelphia metro areas and serves as a quieter, less congested alternative to busy primary jet fields like Teterboro. Popular private routes include short hops to Teterboro and Washington Dulles, with the airport's full runway and customs capability also supporting longer domestic and international legs.