LA's Top Private Jet Airports: Van Nuys, Burbank, and Santa Monica

Overview

Los Angeles is the entertainment and business capital of the West Coast, and its private aviation market reflects that status. The greater LA area generates an enormous volume of business jet traffic — from studio executives commuting to Silicon Valley, to athletes, musicians, and tech founders crisscrossing the country. Unlike most cities where one airport dominates, LA's sprawling geography means several airports compete for private jet traffic depending on the passenger's final destination.

The three airports that matter most for private jet passengers are Van Nuys (KVNY) in the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood Burbank (KBUR) adjacent to the studios, and Santa Monica (KSMO) on the Westside. Each serves a different slice of the LA map, and choosing correctly can save an hour of driving on the 405 or 101.

Van Nuys Airport (KVNY)

Van Nuys is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world. Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, it handles nearly 200,000 aircraft operations per year, with business jets accounting for a major share. The airport has two parallel runways — 16R/34L at 8,001 feet and 16L/34R at 4,000 feet. The longer runway accommodates every business jet in production, including ultra-long-range aircraft and VIP airliners.

Van Nuys is home to more FBOs than almost any airport in the US: Signature Flight Support, Atlantic Aviation, Castle & Cooke Aviation, and Clay Lacy Aviation among them. Clay Lacy, in particular, is legendary in the charter industry — founded by the pioneering aviator Clay Lacy himself, the FBO is both an operator and a service facility with a reputation for excellence. The concentration of FBOs means competitive pricing and extensive hangar availability.

Pros: Busiest GA airport with unmatched FBO selection. 8,001-foot runway handles all aircraft sizes. Central to the San Fernando Valley, Bel Air, and the Hollywood Hills. Massive hangar and maintenance infrastructure. 24-hour operations. The sheer volume means operators, crew, and support services are always available.

Cons: Traffic from Van Nuys to Westside destinations (Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Malibu) crosses the Sepulveda Pass on the 405 — one of the most congested stretches of freeway in America. Expect 30–60 minutes to Beverly Hills and longer during rush hour. The airport's popularity means ramp congestion during peak periods, particularly Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. Noise abatement procedures may affect scheduling.

Hollywood Burbank Airport (KBUR)

Burbank Airport — officially Hollywood Burbank — sits in the eastern San Fernando Valley, adjacent to the Warner Bros., Disney, and Universal Studios lots. For entertainment industry travelers, this proximity is hard to beat. The airport has two runways: 15/33 at 6,886 feet and 8/26 at 5,802 feet. Most midsize, super-midsize, and some heavy jets operate comfortably from the longer runway.

Atlantic Aviation operates the primary FBO at Burbank, offering a full range of private aviation services. The airport also handles scheduled commercial flights, so private jets share the airfield with Southwest, Delta, and other carriers. However, commercial volume is far lower than LAX, and taxi times rarely exceed a few minutes.

Pros: Closest airport to Hollywood studios, Pasadena, Glendale, and the eastern Valley. Lower congestion than Van Nuys. Easy access to Downtown LA via the 5 Freeway (20–30 minutes). Good runway length for most charter aircraft. Less noise-sensitive than Santa Monica.

Cons: Fewer FBO options than Van Nuys. The 6,886-foot main runway limits ultra-long-range aircraft at max takeoff weight. Commercial airline traffic adds some complexity. Further from Westside destinations. Less infrastructure for aircraft maintenance and long-term hangaring compared to Van Nuys.

Santa Monica Airport (KSMO)

Santa Monica Airport is the Westside option, located less than 3 miles from the beach and within 15 minutes of Beverly Hills, Century City, and Brentwood. It is a small, single-runway airport (21/03 at 4,987 feet) that primarily serves light jets, turboprops, and pistons. The runway length restricts most midsize and all large-cabin aircraft.

Atlantic Aviation operates the sole FBO. The experience is intimate and low-key — a far cry from the scale of Van Nuys. For passengers flying light jets like the Citation CJ series, Phenom 300, or HondaJet on short-haul routes (LA to Las Vegas, San Francisco, or Scottsdale), Santa Monica provides unbeatable convenience for Westside residents.

Pros: Closest airport to Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and the Westside. Minimal ground transit for Westside-based passengers. Quiet, uncongested, and intimate FBO experience. Ideal for light jet short-haul charters.

Cons: 4,987-foot runway limits operations to light jets and small turboprops. Cannot accommodate midsize or larger aircraft. Limited FBO infrastructure. The airport has faced political pressure regarding noise and environmental concerns, leading to operational restrictions. Not suitable for long-range missions requiring larger aircraft.

Which Airport Should You Choose?

LA airport selection is almost entirely about geography. If you live or work in the Valley, Bel Air, or Hollywood Hills, Van Nuys is your home base — it handles any aircraft and offers the most FBO options. If you are heading to the studios, Pasadena, or Downtown, Burbank cuts your drive time significantly. And if you are based on the Westside and flying a light jet, Santa Monica is unmatched for convenience.

For flights requiring large-cabin or ultra-long-range aircraft, Van Nuys is the only LA airport with an 8,000+ foot runway and full heavy-jet infrastructure. Burbank works for most super-midsize jets, and Santa Monica should only be considered for light jets on short routes.

Booking Through VOLO

VOLO works with FBOs across all three LA airports. When you request a charter quote, we consider your LA-side pickup address, aircraft type, and trip duration to recommend the airport that minimizes your total door-to-door travel time. In a city where traffic dictates everything, the right airport choice can save your entire schedule. Start your quote at flyvolo.ai/quote — airport optimization is always included.