Private Jet Charter at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), California

Private jet charter at Van Nuys Airport (ICAO: KVNY, IATA/FAA: VNY) lands in the San Fernando Valley within the City of Los Angeles, widely recognized as the world's busiest general aviation airport by aircraft operations. Two asphalt runways, led by the 8,001-foot Runway 16R/34L, support aircraft from turboprops through ultra-long-range jets at a field with no scheduled airline service. Hogani Jets coordinates each Van Nuys charter through licensed Part 135 operators. Hogani Jets does not operate the aircraft directly; every charter is conducted through a licensed Part 135 operator whose crew, maintenance, and operations remain under that operator's independent control, with certifications and safety records reviewed as part of every booking. Van Nuys sits at 802 feet elevation, notably higher than most coastal gateways in our network, a detail worth factoring into hot-weather performance planning for smaller aircraft. The airport is a U.S. Customs User Fee facility, supporting international arrivals with CBP service available.

Skip LAX's Commercial Congestion: Los Angeles International handles heavy scheduled airline traffic and some of the busiest airspace in the country. Van Nuys carries no airline service, giving private jets faster ramp access without competing with commercial schedules.
The Center of the Industry, Literally: Van Nuys sits minutes from Warner Bros., Universal, and Paramount Pictures, and a short drive from Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and the Hollywood Sign, a genuine operational advantage for entertainment industry and production travel, not just a marketing line.
Highest-Volume GA Field in the World: With roughly 230,000 annual aircraft operations, Van Nuys has the ground infrastructure, FBO capacity, and operational experience to handle high-tempo private aviation traffic reliably.

Runway	Length	Surface	Notes
16R/34L	8,001 ft x 150 ft (2,439 m)	Asphalt, good condition	Primary runway for all charter jet operations. ILS on Runway 16R with MALSR approach lighting; PAPI on both ends. Supports the full range of aircraft including heavy and ultra-long-range jets.
16L/34R	4,013 ft x 75 ft (1,223 m)	Asphalt, good condition	Secondary runway, notably narrower than standard. Closes and goes unlit when the tower is closed. Used primarily for lighter aircraft and training; virtually all charter jet traffic uses 16R/34L instead.

Elevation 802 ft. International operations: U.S. Customs User Fee Airport. Control tower staffed 6:00 AM to 10:45 PM local time.

Van Nuys remains our default recommendation for Los Angeles private aviation, but your final destination within the metro area may make a nearby alternate more efficient:

Airport	ICAO / IATA	Best For
Hollywood Burbank Airport	KBUR / BUR	Studio access and Burbank-area destinations; a common alternate when VNY ramp space is tight.
Santa Monica Municipal Airport	KSMO / SMO	Westside Los Angeles and coastal destinations.
Long Beach Airport	KLGB / LGB	Orange County and South Bay travel.

Yes, from virtually any domestic or international origin, with an important correction to how this airport is often described elsewhere: Van Nuys is not a true 24/7 controlled-tower operation.

Tower Hours: The control tower operates 6:00 AM to 10:45 PM local time. Outside those hours, aircraft may still operate on Runway 16R/34L using self-announce procedures on the CTAF frequency, but this is uncontrolled operation, not tower-directed traffic.
Secondary Runway Overnight: Runway 16L/34R closes entirely and goes unlit whenever the tower is closed.
From Domestic U.S. Origins: Light through ultra-long-range jets fly nonstop into Van Nuys from virtually any U.S. airport during normal operating hours.
From International Origins: Van Nuys is a U.S. Customs User Fee Airport, with CBP service available to support international arrivals; your operator coordinates this in advance.
Noise Ordinance Impact on Scheduling: Even though the field is technically accessible outside tower hours, the noise ordinance discussed below functionally discourages jet operations between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM, and your operator will factor this into any late-night routing request.

Van Nuys is designated an extreme noise-sensitive area, and its noise rules are more layered than a simple curfew. This is worth understanding in detail before booking a late-night or early-morning flight.

Jet Operations Window: Jets should avoid departures and arrivals between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
Repetitive Operations Ban: Touch-and-go and other repetitive jet or fan-powered aircraft operations are prohibited at all times, not just at night.
Propeller Aircraft Curfew: Repetitive propeller aircraft operations are barred between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM from June 21 to September 15, and between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM the rest of the year.
Noise-Level Takeoff Restriction: Any takeoff exceeding 74 dBA (per AC 36-3 measurement) is prohibited between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM, with exceptions only for military, mercy, and law enforcement flights.
Friendly Flyer Recognition: Van Nuys recognizes quieter jet operators through its Friendly Flyer Award program, a positive-incentive counterpart to the restrictions above.
Landing Fees: Landing fees have been in effect at Van Nuys since March 1, 2026; your operator factors these into your quote.

Aircraft Category	Feasibility at VNY	Operational Notes
Turboprop	Fully feasible	Comfortably supported on Runway 16R/34L at any hour tower or self-announce operations are in effect.
Light / Midsize Jet	Fully feasible	Standard operations on Runway 16R/34L; subject to the noise ordinance window above for late-night scheduling.
Super Midsize / Heavy Jet	Fully feasible	Full support on the 8,001 ft primary runway; most heavy jets used in our network operate here without restriction.
Ultra Long Range Jet	Fully feasible	Runway length and weight-bearing capacity on 16R/34L support ULR aircraft for transcontinental and transoceanic missions.
Any Category on Runway 16L/34R	Not recommended for charter jets	The secondary runway is narrower than standard (75 ft) and has a far lower weight-bearing rating; virtually all charter traffic uses the primary runway instead.

FBO	Notes
Clay Lacy Aviation	Serving Van Nuys for over 50 years; open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; Sustainable Aviation Fuel available.
Castle & Cooke Aviation	Full-service FBO with 24-hour staffed service and recent ramp and hangar expansions.
Jet Aviation Van Nuys	Full-service FBO undergoing ongoing facility upgrades.
Signature Aviation (East)	120,000 sq ft hangar space and 160,000 sq ft ramp space; located near Warner Bros., Universal, and Paramount Pictures.
Signature Aviation (West)	Second Signature location on the field; Sustainable Aviation Fuel available.

Aircraft Category	Hourly Rate	Example Aircraft
Turboprop	$1,100 to $1,900 / hr	King Air 350, Pilatus PC-12
Very Light Jet	$1,600 to $2,800 / hr	Citation Mustang, Phenom 100
Light Jet	$2,500 to $3,500 / hr	Citation CJ3, Phenom 300
Midsize Jet	$3,500 to $5,000 / hr	Citation XLS+, Hawker 800XP
Super Midsize Jet	$4,500 to $7,000 / hr	Challenger 300/350
Heavy Jet	$5,500 to $8,000 / hr	Gulfstream G450, Challenger 605
Ultra Long Range	$9,500 to $20,000 / hr	Global 7500, Gulfstream G650
Airliner (BBJ/ACJ)	$15,000 to $35,000 / hr	Boeing Business Jet, Airbus ACJ

Category	Example Aircraft	Passengers	Cruise Speed	Range	Baggage Capacity	Best For
Midsize Jet	Hawker 900XP	Up to 8	~516 mph	~2,930 nm	~53 cu ft	Efficient West Coast regional travel with solid cabin comfort.
Super Midsize	Citation X	Up to 8	~606 mph	~3,460 nm	~82 cu ft	One of the fastest aircraft in the category, useful for tight-turnaround entertainment industry travel.
Heavy Jet	Falcon 900LX	Up to 14	~552 mph	~4,750 nm	~139 cu ft	Tri-engine redundancy and long range for transcontinental and international departures from VNY.
Heavy Jet	Gulfstream GIV-SP	Up to 14	~548 mph	~4,220 nm	~169 cu ft	Established long-range heavy jet with strong cabin space for larger groups.

Van Nuys connects to destinations nationwide and internationally, including several already featured elsewhere in the Hogani Jets network.

Route	Distance	Flight Time (approx.)
Van Nuys (VNY) to Belize City (BZE)	~2,188 mi / 1,902 nm	~4h 30m
Van Nuys (VNY) to Teterboro (TEB)	~2,450 mi / 2,129 nm	~5h 00m to 5h 30m
Van Nuys (VNY) to Las Vegas (LAS)	~229 mi / 199 nm	~0h 50m to 1h 00m
Van Nuys (VNY) to Aspen (ASE)	~730 mi / 634 nm	~1h 45m to 2h 00m
Van Nuys (VNY) to San Francisco (SFO)	~321 mi / 279 nm	~1h 00m to 1h 15m

Awards Season (January to March): The Golden Globes, the Oscars, and related industry events drive some of the highest-demand weeks of the year at VNY. Book well ahead.
Summer Heat and Density Altitude: Van Nuys sits at 802 feet elevation; hot summer afternoons can meaningfully affect takeoff performance for smaller turboprops and light jets. Your operator factors this into aircraft selection and fuel planning.
Holiday Travel Weeks: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's bring the tightest ramp and parking availability of the year.

Ground Transfer: Travel time to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, or Downtown LA depends heavily on traffic conditions on the 405 and connecting surface streets; build extra time into peak-hour transfers.
Customs and Immigration: Van Nuys is a U.S. Customs User Fee Airport; your operator coordinates CBP service in advance of an international arrival.
Noise Compliance: See the Noise Ordinance & Curfew section above; your operator manages all required noise abatement procedures as part of standard trip planning.
FlyAway Connection: Van Nuys hosts a public bus terminal connecting to LAX for travelers with mixed commercial and private itineraries, a detail unique to this airport in our network.

Hogani Jets coordinates charter service through Van Nuys as the primary Los Angeles gateway for entertainment industry, corporate, and leisure clients. As your broker, we do not own aircraft, operate FBOs, or hold Part 135 certificates ourselves.

Hogani Jets coordinates each Van Nuys charter through licensed Part 135 operators. Hogani Jets does not operate the aircraft directly; every charter is conducted through a licensed Part 135 operator whose crew, maintenance, and operations remain under that operator's independent control, with certifications and safety records reviewed as part of every booking.

Through Hogani Jets, your operator manages FBO selection, noise ordinance compliance, and scheduling around Van Nuys's tower hours and runway restrictions as part of standard trip planning.

To review available aircraft or request a route estimation, contact us at charter@hoganijets.com or call +1-855-660-0573.

Reviewed by Matt Hogan — Founder, Hogani Jets & Aviation Specialist.

What airport code is Van Nuys Airport?

Van Nuys Airport uses ICAO code KVNY and IATA/FAA code VNY. It sits in the Van Nuys neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley.

Is Van Nuys Airport open 24 hours?

Not in the way it's often described. The control tower operates 6:00 AM to 10:45 PM local time, not around the clock. Outside those hours, aircraft can still operate on the main runway using self-announce procedures, but the secondary runway closes and goes unlit when the tower closes, and noise ordinances functionally discourage jet departures and arrivals between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM regardless of technical availability.

Why do private jet travelers use Van Nuys instead of LAX?

LAX carries heavy commercial airline traffic and some of the busiest shared airspace in the country. Van Nuys is a dedicated general aviation field with no scheduled airline service at all, so private jets avoid LAX's runway queues and terminal congestion entirely by using VNY.

Can I use Burbank or Santa Monica instead of Van Nuys?

Yes. Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is a common alternate for studio and Burbank-area access, and Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) suits Westside Los Angeles trips. Your operator can recommend the best fit based on your final destination and same-day aircraft availability.

What is the longest runway at Van Nuys?

Runway 16R/34L measures 8,001 feet by 150 feet and supports the full range of business jets, including heavy and ultra-long-range aircraft. The secondary runway, 16L/34R, is only 4,013 feet by 75 feet, narrower than standard, closes overnight when the tower is closed, and is used primarily for lighter aircraft and training, not typical charter jet operations.

Does Van Nuys have noise restrictions?

Yes, and they are more layered than most airports. Jets should avoid arrivals and departures between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM; touch-and-go and repetitive jet operations are prohibited at all times; propeller aircraft carry a seasonal repetitive-operations curfew (10:00 PM to 7:00 AM in summer, 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM the rest of the year); and any takeoff exceeding 74 dBA is prohibited between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM except for military, mercy, and law enforcement flights.

Which FBOs operate at Van Nuys?

Van Nuys is served by Signature Aviation (with East and West locations), Castle & Cooke Aviation, Jet Aviation, and Clay Lacy Aviation, all confirmed current. Some third-party sites also list Maguire Aviation Group and Pentastar at VNY; we were not able to independently confirm these two through the airport's own site or current FAA-linked directories, so we've flagged rather than listed them as confirmed.

Can my car pick me up directly at the aircraft?

Yes, depending on the FBO and current security procedures, chauffeured vehicles are commonly permitted to meet passengers planeside for a direct transition from aircraft to car.

What is the fastest way from Van Nuys to Beverly Hills or Downtown LA?

Ground transport via chauffeured vehicle is standard; travel time depends heavily on traffic conditions on the 405 and surface streets. Helicopter transfer is available as a faster alternative during peak traffic periods, worth discussing with your operator if timing is tight.

Which annual events drive the highest demand at Van Nuys?

Awards season (the Golden Globes, the Oscars, the Emmys, and the Grammys) reliably tightens ramp and aircraft availability at VNY, along with major holiday travel weeks. Book well ahead of these windows.

Last Updated: 14 Sep 2026, 11:55 AM

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