Introduction
Van Nuys Airport is the main base for business aviation on the West Coast of the United States. Located in the San Fernando Valley, northwest of Los Angeles, it handles only private flights and corporate operations. Its strategic location, about thirty minutes from Beverly Hills or Downtown LA, makes it the preferred access point for travelers seeking speed and efficiency.
Unlike LAX, Van Nuys receives no commercial airline traffic: passengers benefit from a quiet environment, dedicated lounges, and direct boarding. To plan a flight or a business trip in California, you can book a private jet from Los Angeles — Van Nuys.
Location and access
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is about twenty kilometers from downtown Los Angeles. Access is fast via the 405 or 101 freeways: private car, limousine, or rideshare transfers reach business terminals directly.
Helicopters provide frequent links with Santa Monica, Malibu, Long Beach, and Downtown Heliport. The airport is also connected to the studios in Burbank and to corporate offices in the San Fernando Valley, facilitating movements between production sites, meetings, or hotels. This proximity to residential and business districts makes Van Nuys unique in the U.S. landscape.
Business terminal and FBOs
Van Nuys hosts several leading FBOs (Fixed Base Operators) offering tailored services: private lounges, on-demand dining, simplified formalities, maintenance, and crew assistance. The terminals are designed to keep waiting time to a minimum. For official terminal and airport information, see Van Nuys Airport (official site).
Main FBOs:
Signature Flight Support VNY: large hangar, VIP lounges, U.S. Customs service, car parking.
Jet Aviation VNY: heavy maintenance and long-haul flights.
Clay Lacy Aviation: historical operator based on the field since 1968, with a complete fleet.
Atlantic Aviation VNY: quick turnarounds and 24/7 services.
All FBOs coordinate with the FAA and the City of Los Angeles Department of Aviation to keep operations smooth. Terminals are open 24/7, with continuous support for domestic and international flights.
Infrastructure and technical characteristics
Van Nuys has two parallel runways:
16R/34L: 2,438 m (8,001 ft), suitable for midsize and heavy jets.
16L/34R: 1,524 m (5,001 ft), for light aircraft.
Taxiways and hangars support extended parking, with more than 200 stands available. The field provides CAT I ILS on 16R and PAPI lighting. The airport is certified for IFR and VFR, day and night.
Full maintenance (avionics, airframe, engines) is available on site through FAA Part 145 facilities. Jet-A and AVGAS are available 24/7 via truck or fixed base.
Aircraft types accommodated
Van Nuys handles the full range of business jets:
Very Light Jets: HondaJet, Phenom 100, Citation M2 — regional trips to Las Vegas or San Diego.
Light Jets: CJ4, Learjet 45 — California–Nevada–Arizona links.
Midsize Jets: Citation Excel, Hawker 900XP — transcontinental flights to Dallas or Chicago.
Super Midsize Jets: Challenger 350, Praetor 600 — Los Angeles–New York or Miami.
Heavy Jets: Gulfstream G500, Global 6000, Falcon 7X — international routes to London, Paris, or Tokyo.
Open airspace around the airport and two runways allow fluid operations even during peak demand.
Procedures and formalities
Private flights at Van Nuys operate under FAA Part 91 or Part 135. FBOs handle slot coordination, flight plans, and liaison with LA Center. Passengers can board 10 to 15 minutes after arrival. U.S. Customs & Border Protection services are available on request for inbound international flights.
Night departures are permitted but subject to local noise restrictions set by the City of Los Angeles Noise Abatement Office.
Frequent routes and flight durations
Short trips:
Las Vegas (HND) — 45 min
San Diego (SAN) — 40 min
Palm Springs (PSP) — 35 min
San Francisco (SFO) — 1 h 10
Longer links:
New York (TEB) — 4 h 50
Miami (OPF) — 5 h 10
Dallas (DAL) — 3 h 00
Vancouver (YVR) — 2 h 30
Honolulu (HNL) — 5 h 30
The airport is also a hub for transfers to Burbank, Santa Monica, or Ontario Intl depending on parking availability.
Operational data
Elevation: 802 ft (245 m) MSL.
Frequencies: Tower 119.3 MHz / Ground 121.7 MHz / ATIS 126.0 MHz.
Fire service: ARFF Category 7, 24/7.
Parking stands: 200+ positions.
Maintenance: Clay Lacy Aviation, Jet Aviation VNY, Air 7, Aeroplex.
Ground services include GPU, lavatory service, VIP catering, exterior wash, engine pre-heat, and contract fuel management.
Passenger experience
FBO terminals provide high-speed Wi-Fi lounges, meeting rooms, private dining, and concierge services. Passengers can drive directly to the aircraft: parking sits adjacent to the ramp. Check-in, security, and boarding occur in a private setting, without lines or crowds. Additional services (hotel booking, chauffeured transfer, helicopter to Santa Monica or Downtown) are available through FBO partners.
Crew services
Crews have dedicated lounges, briefing rooms, showers, and 24/7 catering. Corporate hotel rates are available in Van Nuys and Burbank. Flight plans and weather briefings are provided on site by the FAA Flight Service. Maintenance support is available for immediate pre-departure needs.
Regulations and noise
Van Nuys enforces a strict noise policy to protect nearby residential areas. Departures between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. are permitted under a specific Noise Abatement Departure Procedure. Stage 2 aircraft are prohibited; Stage 3 and 4 jets may operate with published procedures. The noise office publishes monthly data on sound levels and tracks.
Environmental impact and local initiatives
The airport runs a program to reduce carbon emissions and promote SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). Clay Lacy and Signature Flight Support supply SAF and use electric ground vehicles. A water recovery and glycol treatment system is active on site. Van Nuys is accredited at Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 2 (Reduction) by ACI North America.
Advantages and specifics
Airport fully dedicated to business aviation.
Fast access to Los Angeles districts (Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Downtown).
Top-tier FBOs and 24/7 services.
Car parking at the aircraft side.
Helicopter links to Santa Monica and Downtown.
These strengths make Van Nuys the reference center for private aviation on the U.S. West Coast.
Conclusion
Van Nuys offers infrastructure entirely devoted to business and private travel in California. Its location, high-end FBOs, and flexible procedures make it the most efficient choice for private flights in Los Angeles. Every mission is prepared with the same principles: safety, efficiency, and discretion.
To plan your next trip, you can book a private jet from Los Angeles — Van Nuys.
