*One-way pricing. Larger jets have 2-hour minimums on this route.
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The Los Angeles to Las Vegas corridor is America's ultimate weekend escape route. At just 235 miles, it's often faster to fly private than to drive across LA to reach the airport. This 45-minute flight connects Van Nuys—the world's busiest general aviation airport—with Harry Reid International, landing you 2 miles from the Strip. Empty legs are abundant on this high-frequency route, making it one of the best values in private aviation.
Commercial flights from LAX involve 2+ hours of check-in, security, and boarding for a 1-hour flight. Flying private from Van Nuys puts you wheels-up in 15 minutes from arrival. Land at the private terminal at Harry Reid, skip baggage claim entirely, and be poolside at your hotel within 30 minutes of touching down. For groups of 4-8 splitting the cost, it's surprisingly affordable.
For maximum value, a Turboprop like the King Air 350 is the smartest money move—only 15 minutes slower than a jet at significantly lower cost. Very Light Jets like the Phenom 100 are perfect for 4 passengers who want jet speed. Light Jets offer more cabin space for larger groups. Note: Larger jets often have 2-hour minimums that make them disproportionately expensive on this short hop.
Friday afternoons see the highest prices as Angelenos flood to Vegas for the weekend. Sunday returns are equally expensive. Mega-events like F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix (November), major boxing matches, and UFC cards can spike pricing 50%+ and fill parking at LAS. For best rates, fly midweek or catch an empty leg going against the weekend flow.
Click any section below for insider tips on flying this route
Located in the San Fernando Valley, VNY is the busiest general aviation airport in the world and the standard departure point for LA private traffic. It's the go-to for entertainment industry, corporate, and leisure travelers alike.
Top FBOs at VNY:
Formerly McCarran, this is the main airport located just 2 miles from the Strip. The private terminals are separate from commercial traffic, offering a seamless arrival experience.
Top FBOs at LAS:
Many savvy flyers prefer Henderson, located 15-20 minutes south of the Strip. Benefits include significantly cheaper landing fees, less congestion, and faster "wheels down to limo" transfers. Best if staying at M Resort or the south end of the Strip.
Primarily for smaller propeller planes and located further from the Strip. Generally not recommended for jet travelers unless you have business in downtown Las Vegas or the Fremont Street area.
This route has the most predictable weekly pricing pattern in private aviation:
F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix (November): This is the most expensive week of the year for this route. Landing slots at LAS require non-refundable deposits months in advance. Expect 50-100% premium pricing.
Super Bowl / Major Fights: During heavyweight boxing matches, UFC cards, or when Vegas hosts the Super Bowl, parking at LAS fills up. Aircraft may have to "drop and go," incurring repositioning fees that get passed to you.
March Madness / EDC / CES: Major conventions and events create demand spikes throughout the year.
This is critical to understand for this route. Because the flight is so short (45 minutes actual flight time), many aircraft—especially Midsize and Heavy jets—have a 2-hour daily minimum.
At just 235 miles, this is one of the shortest routes in private aviation. Aircraft selection here is all about value optimization—bigger isn't better when minimums apply.
King Air 350: The smartest money move on this route. A King Air takes about 1 hour 10 minutes—only 15-20 minutes slower than a jet—but costs significantly less with no minimum-hour penalties.
Phenom 100 or Citation Mustang: Perfect for smaller groups who want jet speed without overpaying for unused capacity.
Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3: If you have 6-7 passengers, the King Air might feel cramped. A Light Jet offers jet speed and a more comfortable cabin for the short hop.
This is arguably the easiest route in the world to find an empty leg. The high volume of weekend traffic creates constant repositioning opportunities. The key is understanding that timing is "backward" from what you'd expect.
Going TO Vegas? Fly Sunday.
Look for VNY → LAS empty legs on Sundays. Why? Planes are flying to Vegas empty to pick up weekenders returning home to LA. You're catching the positioning flight at a massive discount.
Going TO LA? Fly Friday.
Look for LAS → VNY empty legs on Fridays. Planes are returning to LA empty after dropping off weekenders in Vegas. Same concept, opposite direction.
Tuesday and Wednesday see the lowest overall demand. If your Vegas trip is flexible, midweek travel offers:
Empty legs on this route can be extraordinary deals:
If you're staying on the Strip (Bellagio, Aria, Wynn, Venetian), LAS is about 15 minutes closer and the most convenient. If you're staying at M Resort, want to save money on landing fees, or prefer a quieter arrival experience, Henderson (HND) is better. HND is also much faster for "wheels down to limo" transfers with less congestion.
Yes. Unlike commercial flights, you can bring your own alcohol on a private charter—champagne for the bachelorette party, whiskey for the guys' trip, whatever you want. However, if passengers are acting aggressively drunk, the pilot has the authority to deny boarding for safety reasons.
Yes, but it's primarily used for smaller propeller planes and flight training. It's located further from the Strip than both LAS and HND. Generally not recommended for jet travelers unless you have specific business in downtown Las Vegas or the Fremont Street area.
15 minutes prior to departure is standard—that's it. At Clay Lacy, Signature, or Castle & Cooke, your Uber can drop you right at the FBO lobby. You'll walk through the lounge and be at your plane in about 5 minutes. No security lines, no boarding groups, no overhead bin fights.
Not on a traditional charter—you rent the entire aircraft. However, "semi-private" carriers like JSX operate this route from private terminals selling per-seat tickets. That's a scheduled service experience, not true private charter, but it's a middle-ground option for solo travelers.
Usually, but don't count on it for streaming movies. On a 45-minute flight, you spend about 20 minutes climbing and descending (where Wi-Fi is often disabled or spotty). You'll barely have time to finish a TV episode. Download your entertainment beforehand and enjoy the views of the desert instead.
Understanding private jet charter costs on this short route requires awareness of minimum-hour policies. Here's exactly what you're paying for:
Turboprop (King Air 350): $2,800/hour
Very Light Jet (Phenom 100, Mustang): $4,500/hour
Light Jet (Phenom 300, CJ3): $6,500/hour
This is the critical cost factor on LA-Vegas:
This is why turboprops and VLJs dominate this route—you pay for what you use.
Day of week: Friday outbound and Sunday return = 20-30% premium
Major events: F1, Super Bowl, big fights = 50-100% premium
Booking window: Last-minute Friday requests = premium pricing and limited availability
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