The flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas lasts about 50 minutes from almost any airport in the region. What changes from one airport to the next is the time it takes you to reach it, and on a Friday afternoon in Los Angeles that can matter more than the flight itself.
Here is how the main departure airports compare, and how to choose between them.
Van Nuys: the default for a reason
Van Nuys sits in the San Fernando Valley, close to the 405 and the 101, and it is one of the busiest private aviation airports anywhere. Dozens of operators base aircraft there, which matters for price: the closer an aircraft starts to your departure point, the less you pay to bring it to you.
It is the natural choice from the Valley, Bel Air, Brentwood and the hills above them, and from Malibu if you come over on the 101. From the Westside it depends on the Sepulveda Pass, which can be quick at midday and painful at five o'clock.
Burbank: closest for the east side
Hollywood Burbank is an airline airport with private terminals on the field. For Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Glendale, Pasadena and downtown, it is usually the shortest drive, and the private side runs separately from the airline terminals, so you avoid the concourse entirely.
Long Beach: the South Bay option
For Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, Long Beach and the northern edge of Orange County, Long Beach saves the crawl north through the city. Access from the 405 and the 710 is straightforward, and the private terminals are easy to reach by car.
Orange County: mind the clock
John Wayne Airport serves Newport Beach, Irvine and the coast south of Los Angeles. It runs under strict noise rules that set the hours for departures, so very early and late flights may not be possible. If you plan to leave at dawn or come home after dinner, ask about the timing first.
| Airport | Code | Suits travellers from | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Nuys | VNY | The Valley, Bel Air, Brentwood, Malibu via the 101 | Very busy private field with a deep pool of based aircraft |
| Hollywood Burbank | BUR | Hollywood, Los Feliz, Glendale, Pasadena, downtown | Airline airport with private terminals on the field |
| Long Beach | LGB | South Bay, Palos Verdes, Long Beach, north Orange County | Quick access from the 405 and the 710 |
| Orange County | SNA | Newport Beach, Irvine, Laguna, south Orange County | Strict noise rules and set hours for departures |
What happens at the private terminal
Whichever airport you choose, the routine is the same. You drive to the private terminal, often called an FBO, rather than the airline side of the airport. Staff greet you, the crew checks names against photo ID, and your bags go straight to the aircraft. There is a lounge if you're early, but most travellers arrive a short time before departure and walk out to board within minutes.
Parking and drop-off
Most private terminals let a car drop you at the door, and many offer parking for the length of your trip. Arrangements differ between airports and terminals, so if you plan to leave a car for the weekend, mention it and we'll confirm what's available.
When the group starts in different places
If half the group lives in Pasadena and half in Santa Monica, it is tempting to collect everyone with a stop at a second airport. It can be done, but it adds a landing and time on the ground. Meeting at one airport is usually simpler and cheaper; Van Nuys and Burbank are close enough that either works for most of the city.
What about LAX?
Private aircraft can use LAX, but it is built around airline traffic. For most travellers the airports above are quicker to get in and out of, with less taxi time on the ground.
The Las Vegas end
Most flights land at Harry Reid International, where private terminals sit on the airfield a short drive from the Strip. Henderson Executive, south of the Strip, is quieter and handy for Henderson, Lake Las Vegas and the southern resorts. North Las Vegas Airport suits Summerlin and the northwest valley. Your advisor will suggest the one that fits where you are staying.
Pick the airport closest to where your day starts, not the one you've heard of. On a Friday afternoon, twenty minutes less in the car is worth more than any difference between terminals.
Landing in Las Vegas
At the other end there is no baggage carousel and no walk through an airline concourse. The aircraft stops outside the private terminal, your bags come off with you, and the car is often waiting by the door. From touchdown to the back seat is usually a matter of minutes, which is why the door-to-door time stays close to two hours.
How the airport affects the price
Airport choice changes the quote in two ways. First, positioning: if the best-priced aircraft lives at Van Nuys and you leave from Long Beach, the operator adds the short flight between them. Second, fees: landing and handling charges differ by airport and by terminal. Neither is usually large on this route, but both appear in an all-in quote, so you can compare options fairly.
Timing your departure
If you can leave before about 2 p.m. on a Friday, the drive to any of these airports is far easier, and you land in Las Vegas in time for an early dinner. Leaving after the evening rush works too. The tightest window is roughly 3 to 7 p.m., when the freeways around every airport fill up.
Coming home, the same logic runs in reverse. Sunday afternoon is when the I-15 is at its worst, which is exactly when a 50-minute flight earns its keep.
Putting it in your request
Tell us where you're starting from, roughly when you'd like to land in Las Vegas and how many are flying. If you're happy with more than one departure airport, say so: it widens the choice of aircraft and can lower the price.