Los Angeles has eight airports that handle private flights. On a one-hour trip to Vegas or San Francisco, choosing the right one can save more time than choosing a faster jet.
Private flights skip the terminal, so the real time cost of a trip is the drive to the airport. A 45-minute flight from the wrong side of town can take longer door to door than a two-hour one from around the corner. Runway length, noise rules and curfews also decide which aircraft can use each airport, and when.
Van Nuys is the default for most of the city. The rest are worth knowing — your advisor will suggest the best fit for where you’re starting, what you’re flying and when.
Best for Most private departures — the Westside, Beverly Hills, the Valley and Malibu
LA's dedicated business-aviation airport and one of the busiest in the country. Open 24 hours, with a deep choice of FBOs; noise rules limit some older jets at night.
Best for The studios, Glendale, Pasadena and the east Valley
A commercial airport with a quiet private side. A voluntary curfew applies overnight, so very late arrivals are worth checking with your advisor.
Best for El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and quick LAX-area access without LAX
Small and fast to get through. The runway length suits light and some midsize jets; larger aircraft usually use LAX or Van Nuys instead.
Best for Santa Monica, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades — when the aircraft fits
Short runway, jet restrictions and a curfew — and the city plans to close the airport at the end of 2028. Ask your advisor before planning around it.
Best for Heavy jets, international departures and same-day connections to airline flights
Private flights use dedicated FBO terminals away from the main terminals. Busy airspace can mean longer taxi times; most private flyers start at Van Nuys instead.
Best for Long Beach, Palos Verdes and north Orange County
A long runway and an easy ramp. Strict noise rules apply, especially at night, which can affect late departures in some aircraft.
Best for Newport Beach, Irvine and south Orange County
Among the strictest noise rules in the US, with a nightly curfew. The runway length can limit fuel on long trips in larger jets — your advisor plans around it.
Best for Torrance, Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes on short trips
Best suited to turboprops and light jets. Local noise limits apply; for larger aircraft, Long Beach or LAX is usually the better choice.
Drive times are typical ranges and depend heavily on traffic. Airport rules change; your advisor confirms current restrictions for your aircraft and time of day.
Tell us where you’re starting and when. We’ll match the airport to the aircraft — and to the traffic.