Private jet charter flying from Los Angeles to San Francisco

Private Jet Charter Los Angeles to San Francisco

Private jet charter from Los Angeles to San Francisco typically departs from Van Nuys Airport (KVNY/VNY), with a 4,011-foot runway 20 miles from central LA, and arrives at San Francisco International Airport (KSFO/SFO), with a 7,500-foot runway 15 miles from downtown San Francisco. At 347 miles (301 nm), this is the shortest major California corridor and one of the most frequently chartered short-haul routes in the western United States, with nonstop flight times from approximately 51 minutes in a heavy jet to 1 hour 1 minute in a light jet. IMPORTANT: Van Nuys Airport's 4,011-foot runway limits departures to turboprops, VLJs, and light jets. For midsize jets or larger departing the LA area for San Francisco, Hollywood Burbank Airport (KBUR) or Los Angeles International (KLAX) are the correct departure points. Hogani Jets coordinates every charter through licensed Part 135 operators.

Flight Time

~51min to 1h 40min

Distance

347 mi (301 nm)

Airports

KVNY to KSFO

Charter From

$6,500+

Best For

Tech, media, entertainment, same-day Bay Area meetings

Note: The hourly rate does not equal total trip cost. Final pricing reflects aircraft positioning, crew, taxes, landing fees, and demand. Contact Hogani Jets for an accurate all-in quote.

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Los Angeles and San Francisco anchor the two ends of California's tech-media-entertainment corridor. Venture capital firms in Menlo Park and Sand Hill Road, tech companies in SoMa, and Bay Area media groups maintain constant interaction with LA entertainment studios, production companies, and content platforms. At 347 miles, the drive is 6 to 8 hours; a light jet covers it in just over an hour.

The LA to SF corridor is one of the most efficiently served by turboprop and light jet charter in the country. At this distance, the economics of a turboprop or VLJ are genuinely competitive: a turboprop departs, climbs, and descends for a total trip time only marginally longer than a light jet, at a meaningfully lower cost.

Flight times by aircraft category from KVNY or KBUR to KSFO:

Aircraft CategoryFlight TimeNotes
Executive Turboprop
~1h 40min
Most economical for 5 to 9 passengers
Very Light Jet
~1h 08min
Best value for small parties of 2 to 5
Light Jet
~1h 01min
Most popular; arrives in about 1 hour
Midsize Jet
~58min
Require KBUR or KLAX departure; not KVNY
Super Midsize Jet
~55min
Require KBUR or KLAX departure; not KVNY
Heavy Jet
~51min
Require KLAX or longer-runway LA airport

Note: Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) has a 4,011-foot runway and is limited to turboprops, VLJs, and light jets. Clients departing on midsize or larger jets from the LA area for San Francisco should depart from Hollywood Burbank Airport (KBUR, 5,801 ft) or Los Angeles International (KLAX, 12,091 ft). Hogani Jets will confirm the correct departure airport at booking.

One-way charter pricing for the LA to San Francisco corridor by aircraft category, based on July 2026 market data. Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573 for a current quote.

CategoryExample AircraftDepartureOne-Way FromPassengersFlight Time
Executive Turboprop
Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350
KVNY
$6,500+
4–10
~1h 40min
Very Light Jet
Phenom 100, HondaJet
KVNY
$7,500+
4–6
~1h 08min
Light Jet
Citation CJ3, Phenom 300
KVNY
$9,000+
6–9
~1h 01min
Midsize Jet
Citation XLS+, Hawker 800XP
KBUR / KLAX
$9,500+
8–9
~58min
Super Midsize Jet
Challenger 300,Challenger 350
KBUR / KLAX
$11,000+
8–10
~55min
Heavy Jet
Gulfstream G450, Challenger 605
KLAX
$17,000+
12–19
~51min

For most groups, a turboprop or light jet is the best value on this 347-mile corridor. At under 400 miles, a midsize or heavy jet adds significant cost without proportional benefit in cabin time or comfort.

Same-day round trips from LA to San Francisco and back are the standard itinerary on this route. A morning departure from Van Nuys lands in San Francisco by mid-morning, allowing a full business day in the Bay Area, with an evening return to LA. Depending on the length of your trip, a round trip with the same aircraft and crew can save 10% to 20% compared with booking two separate one-ways, though not always.

CategoryThree-Day Round Trip FromNotes
Executive Turboprop
$13,000+
Best per-seat economics for 5 to 9 passengers
Very Light Jet
$15,000+
Small-group value for 2 to 5
Light Jet
$17,000+
Most popular; under 1 hour each way
Midsize Jet
$19,000+
For groups needing stand-up headroom
Super Midsize
$22,000+
Premium option; requires KBUR or KLAX
Heavy Jet
$34,000+
For large groups; requires KLAX

Note: Prices shown are starting round-trip prices for a three-day trip, out on day one and back on day three. Longer stays, dates and demand change the price, and your quote is one all-in price.

Aircraft CategoryHourly RateExample Aircraft
Executive Turboprop
$1,300–$2,500/hr
Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350
Very Light Jet
$1,600–$2,800/hr
Phenom 100, HondaJet
Light Jet
$2,300–$3,800/hr
Citation CJ3, Phenom 300
Midsize Jet
$2,800–$5,500/hr
Citation XLS+, Hawker 800XP
Super Midsize Jet
$4,500–$7,500/hr
Challenger 300, Challenger 350
Heavy Jet
$5,500–$8,500/hr
Gulfstream G450, Challenger 605
Narrowbody VIP Airliner
$10,000–$29,000/hr
ACJ320neo, BBJ 737
Widebody VIP Airliner
$28,000–$60,000/hr
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What is the cheapest way to fly private from Los Angeles to San Francisco?

A turboprop (Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350) from $6,500+ one way is the lowest-cost option for this 347-mile route, with very light jets (Phenom 100, HondaJet) from $7,500+. A light jet at $9,000+ arrives in just over an hour and is the most popular choice for groups of 5 to 8. Midsize jets and above are available but significantly more expensive for a route this short.

Is it worth upgrading to a midsize jet on this route?

For most groups, no. At 347 miles and under an hour of flight time, the per-dollar value of a midsize cabin over a light jet is low. The extra $1,000 or so per trip buys only 3 additional minutes of flight time. Unless the group requires 7 or more passengers and stand-up headroom is essential, a light jet is the practical choice.

Are there peak pricing periods on the LA to SF route?

Yes. JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in January, Dreamforce in San Francisco in September, and major tech conference periods drive the strongest demand spikes. Silicon Valley company IPO and earnings windows also increase executive travel between the two cities.

  • Light Jet (Citation CJ3, Phenom 300): The most popular choice. Departing from KVNY (Van Nuys), arrives in just over an hour for 5 to 8 passengers. From $9,000+. Best balance of speed and cost.
  • Executive Turboprop (Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350): The best per-seat economics for groups of 5 to 9 at $6,500+. The 1h40m flight is longer than a jet but still significantly faster than driving.
  • Very Light Jet (Phenom 100, HondaJet): For small parties of 2 to 5. From $7,500+. Faster than a turboprop at 1h08m.
  • Midsize Jet and above: Available for groups requiring more seats or stand-up headroom, but not recommended for value on a 347-mile route. Must depart from KBUR or KLAX due to KVNY runway limitations.

AirportICAO / IATARunwayAircraft RestrictionNotes
Van Nuys Airport (PRIMARY LA)
KVNY / VNY
4,011 ft
Turboprop, VLJ, Light Jet only
20 miles from central LA; preferred for light aircraft. 4 FBOs. Midsize+ cannot use this airport.
KBUR / BUR
5,801 ft
Up to midsize
14 miles from KVNY; handles midsize jets for clients needing more cabin.
Los Angeles International
KLAX / LAX
12,091 ft
All aircraft
Full-capability; busier and higher fees; use for heavy and ULR jets.
San Francisco International (PRIMARY SF)
KSFO / SFO
7,500 ft
All aircraft
15 miles from downtown SF; handles all aircraft. Main SF arrival airport.
Oakland International
KOAK / OAK
10,000 ft
All aircraft
Closer to East Bay and Silicon Valley; alternative for tech corridor clients.
Hayward Executive Airport
KHWD / HWD
3,100 ft
Turboprop, VLJ, Light Jet only
Close to South Bay; light jets and turboprops only; minimal congestion.

  • SoMa and Mission Bay: San Francisco's tech hub; home to Salesforce, Twitter, and dozens of venture-funded startups; the primary destination for LA tech and media executives.
  • Sand Hill Road (Menlo Park): The global center of venture capital; a 45-minute drive from SFO; most LA entertainment tech executives head here for VC meetings.
  • Union Square: San Francisco's luxury retail and hotel district; the accommodation base for most visiting LA leisure travelers.
  • Ferry Building and Embarcadero: The food hall and waterfront destination most frequently recommended to visiting LA clients.
  • Leading hotels: Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero, The Ritz-Carlton, Fairmont San Francisco.

  • LA entertainment and media executives heading to San Francisco for tech and streaming meetings with Netflix, Apple, YouTube, and the broader Bay Area tech ecosystem.
  • LA venture-backed startup founders heading to Sand Hill Road or SoMa for investor meetings, board sessions, and Series funding rounds.
  • Law firm attorneys from Century City and DTLA making same-day trips to San Francisco for depositions, federal court appearances, or partner office visits.
  • Leisure travelers making weekend trips between the two cities for events, dining, or Bay Area family visits.

  • The LA to SF corridor generates frequent empty legs due to the high volume of one-directional event and conference traffic.
  • Northbound (LA to SF) empty legs appear before major SF conferences and tech events. Southbound legs appear after.
  • Savings of 30 to 50 percent off standard one-way pricing are typical. Contact Hogani Jets at +1-855-660-0573.

Hogani Jets coordinates all private jet charters through licensed Part 135 operators. Hogani Jets does not operate the aircraft directly. Every charter is conducted by a licensed Part 135 direct air carrier whose crew, maintenance, and operations remain under that carrier's independent operational control, with certifications and safety records reviewed as part of every booking.

Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573 to plan your Los Angeles to San Francisco charter.

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

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

One-way charter starts at $6,500+ for a turboprop, $7,500+ for a VLJ, $9,000+ for a light jet, $9,500+ midsize, $11,000+ super midsize, and $17,000+ heavy. Three-day round trips from $13,000+. For most groups, turboprop or light jet is the best value on this 347-mile route.

Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) has a 4,011-foot runway that accommodates turboprops, VLJs, and light jets but not midsize or larger aircraft. Clients departing on midsize jets from the LA area for San Francisco should use Hollywood Burbank Airport (KBUR, 5,801 ft) or Los Angeles International (KLAX).

Yes. At 347 miles, a turboprop (Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350) arrives in about 1 hour 40 minutes at $6,500+ one way. For groups of 5 to 9, the per-seat economics are the best of any category on this route.

Flight times range from approximately 51 minutes in a heavy jet to 1 hour 1 minute in a light jet. A turboprop covers the route in approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.

Yes, easily. Under 70 minutes each way for jet categories makes this one of the most practical same-day corridors in California. A morning departure from Van Nuys lands in San Francisco by mid-morning, with a full Bay Area day and an evening return to LA.

San Francisco International Airport (KSFO/SFO) is the primary arrival airport and handles all aircraft categories. Oakland International (KOAK) is a strong alternative for East Bay and Silicon Valley clients. Hayward Executive (KHWD) handles light jets and turboprops and is preferred for minimizing congestion.

Yes. The corridor generates frequent empty legs around major SF tech conferences and events. Savings of 30 to 50 percent are typical.

No. Hogani Jets is an air charter broker. All charters are facilitated through licensed Part 135 direct air carriers who maintain full operational control.

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Last Updated: 30 Oct 2026, 11:03 AM ET