Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is the main private jet airport for Los Angeles: it has no airline service, an 8,001-foot runway, several FBOs and user-fee US Customs, about 11 miles from Beverly Hills in a straight line. Hollywood Burbank (BUR) suits Hollywood and Pasadena, Long Beach (LGB) and John Wayne (SNA) the South Bay and Orange County. Santa Monica (SMO) is closing at the end of 2028.
Key takeaways
- Van Nuys is the default for most of Los Angeles, especially the Westside, the Valley and Malibu. Since March 2026 it charges a landing fee.
- Burbank is the closest airport to Hollywood, Studio City and Pasadena, with two FBOs alongside airline service.
- LAX accepts private jets and handles international arrivals, but airline traffic makes it a second choice for most charters.
- Long Beach and John Wayne serve the South Bay and Orange County. Both have strict noise rules.
- Santa Monica has a 3,500-foot runway and will close permanently on December 31, 2028.
Which airports serve Los Angeles by private jet?
Six airports matter for private flights to Los Angeles: Van Nuys, Burbank, LAX, Long Beach, John Wayne and Santa Monica. Which one is right depends on where you are going, the size of the aircraft and whether you are arriving from abroad.
| Airport | Main runway | Customs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Nuys (VNY) | 8,001 x 150 ft | Yes, user fee | Beverly Hills, Bel Air, the Valley, Malibu |
| Hollywood Burbank (BUR) | 6,886 x 150 ft | No customs listed | Hollywood, Studio City, Pasadena, Glendale |
| Los Angeles International (LAX) | Four long airline runways | Yes | International arrivals, Westside, South Bay |
| Long Beach (LGB) | 10,000 x 200 ft | No customs listed | Long Beach, Palos Verdes, the South Bay |
| John Wayne (SNA), Orange County | 5,700 x 150 ft | Yes, user fee | Newport Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach |
| Santa Monica (SMO) | 3,500 x 150 ft | No | Small aircraft only, until it closes in 2028 |
Runway and customs details are from the FAA airport data published on AirNav, for example Van Nuys's listing, and from CBP's list of user-fee airports.
Why is Van Nuys the main private jet airport for LA?
Van Nuys is built for business aviation: it is closed to airline flights, has an 8,001-foot runway and hosts a wide choice of FBOs. It is owned by the City of Los Angeles and run by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), which also runs LAX. LAWA says the airport covers 730 acres and contributes about $1.3 billion a year to the Southern California economy.
What to know about Van Nuys:
- Location: in the San Fernando Valley, about 11 miles from Beverly Hills, 13 from Santa Monica and 18 from downtown Los Angeles in a straight line. The drive over the Sepulveda Pass on the 405 is the main route to the Westside.
- FBOs: Signature Aviation has several locations, and Jet Aviation, Clay Lacy Aviation and The Park VNY also operate there. The operator picks the FBO, and you can ask for a preference.
- Customs: Van Nuys is a CBP user-fee airport, so international flights can clear on arrival for a fee.
- Runway: 8,001 feet is long enough for heavy jets and most ultra long range jets on typical trips.
The Van Nuys landing fee
Since March 1, 2026, Van Nuys has charged a landing fee of $6.44 per 1,000 lb of maximum landing weight. According to the airport's landing fee page, the Board of Airport Commissioners approved the fee in January 2026 and kept the same rate for fiscal year 2026–27. Vector Airport Systems bills it monthly, separately from FBO fees. Based aircraft, air ambulances, government flights and a few other categories are exempt.
For a jet with a maximum landing weight of 30,000 lb, that works out to about $193 per landing. On a charter, the operator pays it and passes it through on the invoice. Aviation groups, including NBAA and AOPA, opposed the fee, and AOPA reported in January 2026 that the debate was continuing, so check the rate before you budget for a trip.
Van Nuys noise rules
Van Nuys has some of the strictest noise rules of any US business aviation airport. The FAA airport data lists:
- A noise limit for all flights: no aircraft may arrive or depart if its certificated takeoff noise level is 77 dBA or more.
- A nighttime departure curfew for louder jets: from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., no aircraft louder than 74 dBA may take off.
- A request to avoid night flights: jets are asked to avoid all departures and arrivals between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Most modern business jets meet these limits, but some older types do not. The operator checks the aircraft against the rules when it quotes, which is one reason to choose an operator that flies Van Nuys regularly.
Van Nuys vs Burbank: which is better for private flights?
For most private flights, Van Nuys is the better choice: it has no airline traffic, a longer 8,001-foot runway, a wider choice of FBOs and CBP user-fee customs. Burbank wins when you are going to Hollywood, Studio City, Glendale or Pasadena, but it lists no customs for private flights, so international arrivals clear elsewhere first.
| Van Nuys (VNY) | Hollywood Burbank (BUR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Runways | 8,001 x 150 ft and 4,013 x 75 ft | 6,886 x 150 ft and 5,802 x 150 ft |
| US Customs | Yes, CBP user-fee airport | None listed for private flights |
| Airline service | None | Yes |
| FBOs | Signature Aviation (several), Jet Aviation, Clay Lacy Aviation, The Park VNY | Hollywood Burbank Jet Center, Atlantic Aviation |
| Night and noise rules | No aircraft at or above 77 dBA takeoff noise at any time; no takeoffs above 74 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; jets asked to avoid 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. | Restrictions and fines from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. for Stage 2 jets and certain propeller aircraft |
| Typical use | Westside, the Valley, Malibu, international arrivals, large jets | Hollywood, Studio City, Glendale, Pasadena |
Runway, FBO and noise details are from the FAA data on AirNav for Van Nuys and Burbank, as of October 2026; customs status is from CBP's user-fee airport list, which includes Van Nuys but not Burbank. Both airports' noise rules change from time to time, so the operator confirms them for your arrival time. To compare the cost of the trip into either airport, use the private jet charter cost calculator.
When is Burbank the better choice?
Burbank is the better choice for Hollywood, Studio City, Glendale and Pasadena. In a straight line, it is about 13 miles from Pasadena, against 20 from Van Nuys, and about 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
Hollywood Burbank Airport is an airline airport, but private flights use their own FBOs: Hollywood Burbank Jet Center and Atlantic Aviation. Its main runway is 6,886 feet. The FAA data notes nighttime restrictions and fines from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. for older Stage 2 jets and some other aircraft, so ask the operator if you plan a late arrival. No customs service is listed for general aviation at Burbank, so international arrivals usually clear at Van Nuys or LAX first.
Can you fly a private jet into LAX?
Yes, and it is the main option besides Van Nuys for international arrivals, but most charter passengers do better elsewhere. LAX is one of the busiest airline airports in the country, so private flights share runways and taxiways with heavy airline traffic. LAWA publishes separate general aviation fees at LAX.
LAX makes sense when you are connecting to an international airline flight, staying near the airport or in the South Bay, or arriving from abroad at an hour when Van Nuys customs is not available. For most other trips, Van Nuys or Burbank is simpler.
What about Long Beach and Orange County?
Long Beach (LGB) serves the South Bay and Palos Verdes, and John Wayne (SNA) serves Newport Beach, Irvine and Laguna Beach.
- Long Beach has a 10,000-foot main runway, Atlantic Aviation and Signature Aviation, and detailed noise limits that are much stricter at night. Its other runways close from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and non-Stage 3 jets need 24 hours' notice. It is about 4 miles from downtown Long Beach.
- John Wayne is about 5 miles from Newport Beach. Its main runway is 5,700 feet, it is a CBP user-fee airport, and it has several FBOs, including ACI Jet and Clay Lacy Aviation. It is known for strict noise abatement procedures, so the operator plans departure times carefully.
For a weekend in Newport or Laguna, John Wayne saves a long drive from Van Nuys. For a large jet on a long flight, the operator may prefer Long Beach's longer runway.
What is happening to Santa Monica Airport?
Santa Monica Airport (SMO) will close permanently at midnight on December 31, 2028. The city and the FAA agreed on that date in a 2017 settlement, according to the City of Santa Monica. The city reaffirmed the date in 2025.
The same agreement shortened the runway to 3,500 feet, a change completed in December 2017. That rules out most charter jets, which need more runway. Strict noise limits and a curfew from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays (8 a.m. on weekends) also apply. For the Westside, Van Nuys is the practical alternative today and will be the main option after 2028.
Which LA airport is closest to where you are staying?
Pick the airport by neighborhood: Los Angeles traffic matters more than miles. Straight-line distances, in statute miles:
| Destination | VNY | BUR | LAX | LGB | SNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beverly Hills | 11 | 9 | 9 | 23 | 41 |
| Santa Monica | 13 | 15 | 7 | 24 | 43 |
| Downtown LA | 18 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 34 |
| Malibu | 21 | 27 | 22 | 39 | 58 |
| Pasadena | 20 | 13 | 21 | 23 | 36 |
| Newport Beach | 52 | 47 | 35 | 19 | 5 |
Arrange a car to meet you at the FBO, and allow extra time at rush hour. If you need to cross the city quickly, a helicopter transfer can sometimes connect an airport with a helipad near your destination. For how private terminals work, see what is an FBO?, and for the wider picture, our guide to the top private jet airports in the US.
How much does a private jet from Los Angeles cost?
The cost depends on the aircraft class and flight time. Straight-line distances from Van Nuys: about 200 nm to Las Vegas, 630 nm to Aspen, 810 nm to Los Cabos, 2,130 nm to Teterboro and 2,160 nm to Maui.
| Class | Typical hourly rate | Typical LA trips |
|---|---|---|
| Light jet | $4,000–5,900 | Las Vegas, Scottsdale, San Francisco, Cabo |
| Midsize jet | $5,000–7,200 | Aspen, Sun Valley, Texas |
| Super midsize jet | $6,500–9,800 | New York and Hawaii nonstop |
| Heavy jet | $8,500–13,000 | Large groups, Europe with a stop |
Rates are typical US on-demand ranges per flight hour, before taxes and fees; quotes vary with season, availability and positioning. Landing fees, FBO handling and customs charges are added to the quote. Use the flight time calculator and the charter cost calculator for your trip, and ask about empty legs on busy routes like Los Angeles to Las Vegas or New York. Our guides to New York private jet airports and private jets to Aspen cover the other end of two popular routes.
Planning your trip
For most Los Angeles trips, Van Nuys is the right answer, with Burbank for Hollywood and Pasadena, and Long Beach or John Wayne for the coast south of the city. Tell us where you are going, how many people are traveling and when, and request a quote. We will match you with an operator, aircraft and airport that fit the trip.