A private jet charter from Los Angeles typically costs $4,000 to $5,900 per flight hour in a light jet, $5,000 to $7,200 in a midsize jet and $6,500 to $9,800 in a super midsize jet, before taxes and fees. A one-way light jet trip to Las Vegas estimates at about $7,500 to $13,500 all-in. Most charters leave from Van Nuys (VNY), the city's main business aviation airport.
Key takeaways
- Short trips are shaped by minimums. Operators commonly bill at least about two flight hours per day, so a 47-minute hop to Las Vegas is billed like a longer flight.
- One-way trips include the empty return. Unless the aircraft has an onward booking, you pay for it to fly home.
- Match the jet to the route: light jets for Las Vegas, Scottsdale, the Bay Area and Cabo; midsize for Aspen, Sun Valley and Jackson Hole; super midsize or larger for New York and Hawaii.
- Van Nuys is the default airport, with Burbank, LAX, Long Beach and John Wayne for specific neighborhoods and trips.
- Fees add up. Van Nuys has charged a landing fee since March 2026, and US excise tax applies to domestic trips.
How much does a private jet charter in Los Angeles cost?
The price depends on the aircraft class, the flight time and whether the aircraft has to fly back empty. Los Angeles operators charge the same typical ranges as the rest of the US. Per flight hour, before taxes and fees:
| Class | Typical hourly rate | Seats | Best LA routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light jet | $4,000–5,900 | Up to 7 | Las Vegas, Scottsdale, Bay Area, Cabo |
| Midsize jet | $5,000–7,200 | Up to 8 | Aspen, Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Texas |
| Super midsize jet | $6,500–9,800 | 8 to 10 | New York, Miami, Hawaii |
| Heavy jet | $8,500–13,000 | 10 or more | Large groups, Europe with a stop |
These are typical ranges; quotes vary with season, availability and positioning. To price your own trip, use the charter flight cost estimator, which adds repositioning, daily minimums, fees and taxes to the hourly rate. For a full breakdown of what goes into a quote, see our guide to private jet charter costs in 2026.
Popular private jet routes from Los Angeles
The estimates below come from the same model as our calculator, using typical class speeds and rates from Van Nuys with four passengers. They include repositioning on one-way trips, a two-hour daily minimum, landing and handling fees and US taxes. They do not include extras such as catering, de-icing or foreign landing and permit fees.
| Route from Van Nuys | Distance | Class | Est. flight time | Est. one way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 200 nm | Light jet | 47 min | $7,500–13,500 |
| San Jose (SJC) | 250 nm | Light jet | 54 min | $7,500–13,500 |
| Scottsdale (SDL) | 330 nm | Light jet | 1 h 05 min | $8,000–15,000 |
| Sun Valley (SUN) | 590 nm | Midsize jet | 1 h 42 min | $15,000–27,500 |
| Aspen (ASE) | 630 nm | Midsize jet | 1 h 48 min | $16,000–29,000 |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 670 nm | Midsize jet | 1 h 53 min | $17,000–30,500 |
| Cabo San Lucas (SJD) | 810 nm | Light jet | 2 h 14 min | $15,000–27,500 |
| Teterboro (TEB) | 2,130 nm | Super midsize | 5 h 07 min | $58,000–109,500 |
| Maui (OGG) | 2,160 nm | Super midsize | 5 h 11 min | $58,500–111,000 |
Distances are straight-line and flight times are calculated in still air. In practice, prevailing westerly winds usually shorten eastbound flights such as Los Angeles to New York and lengthen westbound ones, including the return from the East Coast. A real quote from an operator replaces these estimates.
Two things stand out. First, Las Vegas and San Jose estimate the same, because a sub-one-hour flight is billed at the daily minimum. Second, Cabo is close to Aspen in price despite being farther away: the light jet's lower hourly rate offsets the extra distance, and international trips pay a per-passenger US fee instead of the 7.5% domestic excise tax. Mexico adds its own permit and landing fees, which the operator quotes separately; see our guide to flying a private jet internationally.
One-way, same-day or round trip?
For short LA trips, a same-day round trip often costs only a little more than one way. On our calculator, a one-way light jet flight to Las Vegas estimates at about $7,500 to $13,500, and a same-day round trip at about $9,500 to $14,500. The reason: the one-way price already includes the aircraft flying home empty, and both are billed against the same daily minimum.
For longer stays, the arithmetic changes. A two-night round trip to Las Vegas estimates at about $28,500 to $43,500, because the operator bills a daily minimum for each day the aircraft and crew wait, plus crew hotel costs. That can make two one-way trips, or one-way trips on empty legs, the cheaper option. Our guide to one-way private jet charter explains how to find aircraft already heading your way, and how to save money when chartering a private jet covers the other levers.
Practical rule for LA trips:
- Back the same day? Book a round trip.
- Away one or two nights on a short route? Compare a round trip with two one-way quotes.
- Away several days? Two one-way trips usually win unless the aircraft is based at your destination.
Which LA airport should your charter use?
Van Nuys is the right answer for most of Los Angeles; the others suit specific neighborhoods. Our full guide to Los Angeles private jet airports compares them in detail. In brief:
- Van Nuys (VNY): closed to airlines, an 8,001-foot runway, several FBOs and CBP user-fee customs. Best for Beverly Hills, Bel Air, the Valley and Malibu.
- Hollywood Burbank (BUR): closest to Hollywood, Studio City and Pasadena.
- Long Beach (LGB) and John Wayne (SNA): the South Bay and Orange County. John Wayne is also a CBP user-fee airport.
- Santa Monica (SMO): its runway was shortened to 3,500 feet in 2017 and it is scheduled to close at the end of 2028, so it rarely suits charter jets.
Airport fees are part of the quote. Van Nuys has charged a landing fee of $6.44 per 1,000 lb of maximum landing weight since March 1, 2026, according to its landing fee page. Van Nuys and John Wayne appear on CBP's list of user-fee airports, so international arrivals can clear there for a fee. For more airports across the country, see the top private jet airports in the US.
Which jet is right for your LA trip?
Pick the smallest aircraft that carries your group and bags comfortably, with range to spare.
- Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Scottsdale, the Bay Area: a light jet such as the Phenom 300E is fast and economical. For four or fewer passengers with light bags, a very light jet can cost less.
- Mountain towns (Aspen, Sun Valley, Jackson Hole): a midsize jet gives more cabin room for a flight of nearly two hours, and the operator checks the aircraft's performance for each high-elevation airport. Aspen has strict size, curfew and weather rules; see our guide to private jet charter to Aspen.
- Cabo and Mexico: light jets reach Cabo nonstop; a midsize jet adds space for longer stays and more luggage.
- New York and the East Coast: a super midsize jet such as the Challenger 350 flies coast to coast nonstop in most conditions.
- Hawaii: a super midsize or larger jet. The overwater distance leaves no room for a fuel stop.
Luggage matters as much as seats. Golf bags, skis and large suitcases fill smaller jets quickly; check how much baggage fits by aircraft size.
How to book a private jet charter in Los Angeles
- Share the basics: departure area, destination, dates and times, passengers, luggage and any pets.
- Compare quotes on the same basis: aircraft type and year, operator, flight time, repositioning, fees, taxes and cancellation terms.
- Check the operator: a broker should confirm the operator's FAA Part 135 certificate and third-party audits; see is private jet charter safe? and the contract red flags to check before signing.
- Confirm the FBO and ground transport: arrange a car to meet you at the FBO, and allow for LA traffic.
- Lock the passenger list early for international trips, because the manifest must match who boards.
Plan your Los Angeles charter
Start with a number: run your route through the charter cost calculator, then request a quote with your dates, group size and luggage. We will compare operators and aircraft for you and send firm prices for the trip.