Albany is the capital of New York State, set on the Hudson River about 150 miles north of New York City. Government defines its rhythm: the State Capitol and the Empire State Plaza dominate downtown, and the legislative session from January to early June brings lobbyists, lawyers and executives to the city each week. The wider Capital Region adds a technology base, with semiconductor manufacturing at GlobalFoundries in Malta, research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy and the Albany NanoTech complex. In summer the focus shifts north to Saratoga Springs, about 30 miles away, where the racing season at Saratoga Race Course runs from July to Labor Day and fills hotels and rental houses.
Private flights use Albany International Airport (ALB) in Colonie, about 6 miles (10 km) north-west of downtown and around 15 minutes from the Capitol. It is also the most practical airport for Saratoga, roughly 30 minutes to the north by car. Two long runways handle any business jet, and the airport avoids the congestion of the New York City area entirely. Flying privately makes a same-day visit to the legislature or a plant tour possible from most of the North-East and Midwest. Flight times are around 50 minutes from New York, about 1 hour 20 minutes from Washington and roughly 1 hour 15 minutes from Toronto. The Jet Collection arranges the aircraft, the handling at Albany and the car to the Capitol, the plants or the racecourse.
