*One-way pricing. SFO fog may require Oakland (OAK) departure.
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The San Francisco to Los Angeles corridor is California's busiest private aviation route, connecting Silicon Valley tech executives with LA's entertainment industry. This high-frequency "tech shuttle" sees peak demand Tuesday through Thursday with massive day-trip traffic. SFO morning fog can delay departures until 10-11 AM—Oakland (OAK) is the standard "fog buster" alternative. Excellent empty leg opportunities Friday afternoons as LA-based jets return south.
Commercial flights from SFO to LAX involve TSA lines, boarding delays, and the nightmare of LAX traffic on arrival. Flying private from San Francisco (SFO) or Oakland (OAK) gets you to Van Nuys (VNY) in just 1 hour. VNY is the world's busiest general aviation airport and typically a faster drive to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, or the Westside than LAX. Skip the 2-hour commercial experience for a 1-hour private flight.
For solo executives or couples, a Very Light Jet like the Phenom 100 is perfect—fast, efficient, and significantly cheaper than larger jets. Small teams prefer a Light Jet like the Phenom 300 for its more spacious cabin and proper lavatory. Budget-conscious travelers choose a Turboprop like the King Air 350—only 15-20 minutes slower but saves $2,000-$3,000.
Demand peaks Tuesday through Thursday year-round as tech executives shuttle between the Bay Area and LA. Morning departures (7-9 AM) and evening returns (5-8 PM) see the tightest availability. California wildfire season (late summer/fall) can create TFRs and visibility issues. SFO fog is worst June through August mornings—consider Oakland as your backup.
Click any section below for insider tips on flying this route
You have three main options in the Bay Area, each with distinct advantages:
San Francisco International (SFO):
Oakland International (OAK) - The "Fog Buster":
San Jose International (SJC):
Van Nuys is the world's busiest general aviation airport and the standard arrival point for LA private traffic.
Top FBOs at VNY:
Peak Days: Tuesday through Thursday. This route sees massive day-trip traffic from tech executives shuttling between the Bay Area and LA.
SFO is notorious for morning fog, especially June through August:
During California wildfire season:
At 320 miles, this is a short hop where the time difference between aircraft types is minimal. Choose based on passenger count, luggage needs, and budget.
King Air 350 or Pilatus PC-12: Only 15-20 minutes slower than a jet but saves $2,000-$3,000 on the trip.
Phenom 100 or Citation Mustang: Perfect for 2-4 passengers. Gets you there just as fast as larger jets at significantly lower cost.
Phenom 300 or Citation CJ3: More spacious cabin and proper enclosed lavatory. The standard choice for small teams.
This route has such high traffic that empty legs appear almost weekly. The key is understanding the directional flow.
The "Tech Shuttle Return" Pattern:
SF-based jets fly down to LA Sunday night or Monday morning to pick up executives. Empty legs heading north are available at the start of the week.
Peak business days with maximum demand in both directions. Empty legs are rare and pricing is at standard rates.
When you find a true empty leg on Friday afternoon:
Oakland (OAK) is often the best balance of convenience and reliability—less fog than SFO and lower fees. San Jose (SJC) is best if you live in Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, Mountain View). SFO is only best if you live in Hillsborough or south SF, but it has the highest fees and worst fog delays.
You can, but you probably shouldn't. LAX is a nightmare of commercial traffic and delays. Van Nuys (VNY) is dedicated to private jets and is usually a faster drive to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, or the Westside than LAX. Only use LAX if you're connecting to an international commercial flight.
Burbank is a great alternative to VNY, especially if you're heading to Studio City, Pasadena, or downtown LA. It's closer to those areas than VNY but has fewer FBO options and some commercial traffic to contend with.
Usually, but confirm with your broker. On a 1-hour flight, you spend about 30 minutes climbing and descending when Wi-Fi may be spotty. If staying connected is critical, ensure your broker books a "Wi-Fi guaranteed" tail number.
On a VLJ (Phenom 100), luggage space is very limited. 4 passengers with carry-ons is fine, but 4 passengers with large checked bags simply won't fit. Upgrade to a Light Jet (Phenom 300) or Turboprop (Pilatus PC-12) for golf clubs or heavy bags.
Yes! Private jets are very pet-friendly. Just bring a leash for the FBO—no crates required on the plane unlike commercial flights. California routes see a high volume of pet travel, so crews are very accustomed to furry passengers.
Understanding private charter costs helps you budget accurately. Here's what you're paying for on this California corridor:
Turboprop (King Air 350, Pilatus PC-12):
Very Light Jet (Phenom 100, Citation Mustang):
Light Jet (Phenom 300, Citation CJ3):
On short routes like SFO→VNY, hourly calculations don't apply the same way. Charter operators have minimum billing regardless of actual flight time (typically 1-2 hours). That's why a 1-hour flight costs similar to flights elsewhere that take 1.5 hours.
Larger jets have 2-hour daily minimums that make them impractical for this route. You'd pay $18,000+ for a 1-hour flight. Turboprops, VLJs, and Light Jets are the only economical choices here.
Departure airport fees vary significantly:
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