Airport Overview & History
Van Nuys Airport (ICAO: KVNY, FAA: VNY) is the busiest general aviation airport in the world. Located in the San Fernando Valley, 20 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, VNY handles over 230,000 flight operations annually. No commercial airline service operates here. Every movement is general aviation: private jets, turboprops, helicopters, and piston aircraft. For official FAA data, visit the FAA Airport Data portal or AirNav VNY.
The airport opened in 1928 as Metropolitan Airport and served as a U.S. Army Air Corps base during World War II. Post-war, it transitioned to civilian use and became the epicenter of Los Angeles private aviation. Today, VNY is owned by the City of Los Angeles and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the same entity that manages LAX. The airport sits on 730 acres with two parallel runways, three FBOs, and over 800 based aircraft.
VNY's traffic volume exceeds that of many commercial airports. On peak days, the tower handles 700+ operations. The airport serves as the primary base for film industry charters, entertainment executives, tech founders flying from the Bay Area, and real estate investors shuttling between LA and Las Vegas. If you're flying private into Los Angeles, VNY is where the industry lands.
Location & Address
Van Nuys Airport is located at 16461 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406. The airport sits at coordinates 34.2098° N, 118.4899° W, at an elevation of 802 feet above mean sea level.
Driving distances from VNY to key Los Angeles destinations: Beverly Hills (14 miles, 25 min), Hollywood (12 miles, 20 min), Downtown LA (18 miles, 30 min), Malibu (22 miles, 35 min), Santa Monica (16 miles, 30 min), Calabasas (10 miles, 15 min). Traffic on the 405 and 101 freeways can double these times during peak hours, which is precisely why private aviation clients choose VNY over LAX.
Ground transportation options include luxury car services (most FBOs maintain preferred vendor lists), helicopter transfers to downtown LA or beach cities (8-12 min), and rideshare. The 16R/34L runway's 8,001-foot length accommodates every private jet in production, eliminating the need to use LAX for heavy iron.
Runways & Facilities
Van Nuys Airport operates two parallel runways oriented north-south:
Runway 16R/34L is the primary instrument runway at 8,001 feet, serving all jet traffic including ultra-long-range aircraft. The runway is equipped with ILS Category I approach, RNAV (GPS) approaches, and high-intensity runway lighting (HIRL) for night operations. MALSR approach lighting on Runway 16R provides guidance in low-visibility conditions.
Runway 16L/34R is the shorter runway at 4,000 feet, primarily used for light piston and turboprop traffic, pattern work, and student training. This runway separation keeps training traffic clear of jet operations, reducing taxi delays for charter and corporate flights.
The parallel runway configuration allows simultaneous operations, which is how VNY sustains its 230,000+ annual movements without gridlock. Tower operates on 120.2 MHz.
FBOs & Ground Services
Van Nuys Airport is served by 3 Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), each offering ground handling, fueling, and passenger services.
Signature Flight Support
Full-service FBO on the east side of the field. Signature operates the largest facility at VNY with executive lounges, conference rooms, crew rest areas, and covered hangar parking for aircraft up to Global 7500 size. Contract fuel available. Ground transportation desk coordinates luxury car services.
View details on AirNav →Castle & Cooke Aviation
Premium FBO on the west side. Castle & Cooke operates a modern 12,000 sq ft terminal with heated hangar space, a passenger lounge, shower facilities, and catering coordination. Known for competitive fuel pricing and attentive line service. Handles aircraft up to Boeing BBJ.
View details on AirNav →Clay Lacy Aviation
The original VNY-based operator, founded by legendary pilot Clay Lacy in 1968. Full-service FBO, aircraft management, charter (Part 135), and maintenance. Their facility includes a pilot shop, crew lounge, and direct ramp access. One of the most recognized names in West Coast private aviation.
View details on AirNav →Charter a Jet from Van Nuys Airport
Whether you're departing Van Nuys for business in New York, a weekend in Las Vegas, or a ski trip to Aspen, The Jet Finder provides access to over 15,000 private aircraft worldwide. VNY's position as LA's primary private jet airport means aircraft availability is typically strong, with dozens of operators basing fleet at the field.
The most popular charter routes from VNY include: TEB/HPN (New York, 4.5 hrs on a midsize jet), LAS (Las Vegas, 55 min on a light jet), SDL (Scottsdale, 1 hr 10 min), ASE (Aspen, 1 hr 50 min), SFO/SJC (Bay Area, 1 hr on a turboprop), and SJD (Cabo San Lucas, 2 hrs 30 min). Empty leg availability is high on the VNY-LAS corridor due to weekend leisure demand.
Contact our team for aircraft selection and pricing from VNY. We coordinate everything from the right aircraft type to FBO selection and ground transportation at both ends.
Charter a Jet from VNY
Ready to fly from Van Nuys Airport? The Jet Finder has access to over 15,000 aircraft worldwide. Whether you need a light jet for a quick regional trip or an ultra-long-range aircraft for international travel, we'll find the right aircraft for your mission.
Contact UsWeather & Operations
Van Nuys benefits from Southern California's famously flyable weather. VFR conditions prevail approximately 340 days per year. The marine layer (May Gray / June Gloom) occasionally pushes inland from the coast, reducing ceilings to 800-1,200 feet in the morning hours, but typically burns off by 10-11 AM.
Santa Ana wind events (October through March) can create gusty crosswind conditions from the northeast at 25-45 knots. During these events, the north-south runway alignment at VNY is favorable compared to east-west oriented airports. Density altitude is a consideration during summer months: at 802 feet elevation and temperatures exceeding 100°F, density altitude can reach 3,500-4,000 feet, affecting takeoff performance on shorter-range light jets.
Landing Fee Estimates
Approximate landing fees at Van Nuys Airport by aircraft category. Fees vary by FBO and may change. Contact the FBO directly for current rates.
| Aircraft Category | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Light Jet (up to 12,500 lbs) | $75 – $150 |
| Midsize Jet (12,500 – 25,000 lbs) | $150 – $350 |
| Super-Mid (25,000 – 40,000 lbs) | $350 – $500 |
| Heavy / Ultra-Long Range (40,000+ lbs) | $500 – $800 |
Fuel Availability at VNY
Approximate Jet-A fuel pricing at Van Nuys Airport. Prices fluctuate with market conditions. Contact each FBO for current rates. View national fuel price trends \u2192
| FBO | Jet-A Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Signature Flight Support | $6.50 – $7.80/gal | Contract fuel available |
| Castle & Cooke Aviation | $5.90 – $7.20/gal | Competitive pricing |
| Clay Lacy Aviation | $6.20 – $7.50/gal | Volume discounts |
Aircraft Registered in VAN NUYS (164)
164 aircraft are registered to owners in VAN NUYS, CA according to the FAA Aircraft Registry. Showing 20 of 164. Track live flights from VNY →