Burbank to Aspen Private Jet Charter

Every December through March, the ramp at Aspen’s Sardy Field fills with tail numbers from Los Angeles faster than almost any other West Coast route. The pull is simple: Aspen Mountain, Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass sit closer to LA in flight time than they do in mileage, and a charter from Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) gets a family from the studio lot to the gondola line in under two hours.

This is one of the more schedule-sensitive routes ECS arranges. Aspen’s single runway, high field elevation, and mountain-driven weather mean the operator and aircraft selection matter as much as the departure time – especially in ski season, when conditions at the destination can shift between wheels-up and wheels-down. Departures from Burbank, Van Nuys, or Santa Barbara all work for this trip; which one makes sense depends on where in the LA area the trip originates and how much baggage – ski bags included – needs to come along.

This page covers current one-way charter pricing by aircraft category, how to choose between Aspen and its backup airports, which aircraft fit the mission, the time saved over flying commercial through Denver, and the seasonal realities of flying into a mountain airport in winter.

Rates above are estimated one-way charter ranges. Actual quotes depend on aircraft availability, fuel surcharges, positioning fees, and seasonal demand – pricing during peak ski weeks (Christmas through New Year’s, and Presidents’ Day week) runs at the top of these ranges or above.

Choosing Your Arrival Airport

Aspen’s Sardy Field is the destination nearly every charter passenger wants, but it is also one of the more operationally restrictive airports in the country. Knowing the backup options – and having ground transportation on standby for them – is part of planning this route correctly.

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport – Sardy Field (ASE)

• Sits at 7,820 feet field elevation with a single runway (15/33) framed by terrain on both sides, which limits the aircraft that can operate there and rules out landings for many large-cabin and heavy jets.
• Subject to a nighttime curfew and visual-only approach procedures on one runway direction, so low ceilings, snow, or high winds can trigger diversions with little notice.
• Atlantic Aviation operates the FBO at ASE and is well practiced at handling ski-season peak traffic, but ramp space is tight during holiday weeks and slot planning matters.

Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)

• Serves the Vail and Beaver Creek side of the valley but is the most common fallback for Aspen-bound travelers when ASE is fogged or snowed in, with a longer runway that accepts a wider range of aircraft.
• Vail Valley Jet Center handles the FBO side; ground transfer to Aspen from EGE runs roughly 1.5 to 2 hours depending on Independence Pass or I-70/Highway 82 conditions.
• Often the better choice outright for larger-cabin aircraft that cannot land at Sardy Field regardless of weather.

Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)

• Located on the western side of the Elk Mountains, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Aspen, and generally sees fewer weather holds than ASE because it sits at lower elevation with a longer runway.
• A common backup for larger jets and for days when Aspen’s approach is closed to inbound traffic entirely.

Garfield County Regional Airport (RIL)

• The closest alternate to Aspen by ground – about 45 minutes to an hour – and frequently used as the default diversion airport when ASE closes on short notice.
• Runway length and lower field elevation make it accessible to a broader range of aircraft than Sardy Field.

On the departure side, Los Angeles-area passengers have three solid options. Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is the closest general aviation-friendly field to the studios, Toluca Lake, and the eastern San Fernando Valley. Van Nuys Airport (VNY), the busiest general aviation airport in the country, is the default for passengers coming from Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, and Encino, with Signature Flight Support and Clay Lacy Aviation both operating full-service FBOs there. Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is the better starting point for travelers based in Montecito or coming down from the Central Coast, avoiding the drive into the LA basin entirely.

Popular Aircraft for This Route

At roughly 700 statute miles, Burbank to Aspen sits comfortably within range for light jets, though aircraft selection is driven as much by Aspen’s runway limits and ski luggage as it is by distance.

• Light Jet (e.g., Phenom 300, Citation CJ3): Efficient for smaller groups, but limited baggage volume can be tight with a full set of ski bags for four or more passengers.
• Midsize Jet (e.g., Citation XLS+, Learjet 60): The most common choice for this route – enough cabin and baggage room for a family ski trip without paying for capacity that goes unused.
• Supermid Jet (e.g., Citation Sovereign, Challenger 300): A strong fit for larger groups or when extra baggage and equipment space matters, with performance that handles Aspen’s high-elevation runway comfortably.
• Large Jet (e.g., Challenger 604, Gulfstream G200): Best reserved for larger parties or when the mission may need to divert to Eagle County or Montrose, since not every large-cabin aircraft is approved to land at Sardy Field.

Time Savings vs. Commercial

Commercial service between Los Angeles and Aspen is limited and highly seasonal, which makes the time comparison lopsided even by charter standards.

• Commercial path: Drive to LAX, clear security, fly LAX to Denver, connect to a regional flight into Aspen (or drive up from Denver when ASE connections are sold out or weathered out), then transfer to lodging – typically 6 to 8 hours door to door, more if the connection is missed.
• Private path: Drive to BUR, VNY, or SBA, board with a 15 to 30 minute arrival window, and fly direct to ASE (or its backup) in under two hours – door to door typically runs 2.5 to 3.5 hours.

Net time saved typically runs 4 to 5 hours each way, and the difference is larger on the return leg, when Sunday commercial connections through Denver during ski season are frequently sold out or delayed.

Seasonal Travel Tips

• Book as early as possible for Christmas through New Year’s and Presidents’ Day week – aircraft availability in and out of Aspen tightens weeks in advance during peak ski season.
• Always confirm a backup airport and ground transportation plan before departure. Aspen’s weather can close the field with little warning in winter, and having Eagle County, Montrose, or Rifle already arranged prevents a diversion from becoming a scramble.
• Morning departures from LA tend to see fewer Aspen weather holds than afternoon arrivals, when valley winds and afternoon snow showers are more likely to build.
• If the trip includes Snowmass Village, Woody Creek, or Old Snowmass, note that ground transfer time from ASE is short (10 to 20 minutes), but transfers from EGE, MTJ, or RIL run 45 minutes to 2 hours – worth factoring into a same-day return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How far in advance should I book this route?

For ski season travel, 2 to 4 weeks is recommended; for Christmas week or Presidents’ Day week, book as soon as dates are set, since aircraft based near LA and Aspen alike get committed early.

Q: Is this a one-way or round-trip price?

The rates above reflect one-way charter pricing. Round-trip cost depends on whether the aircraft remains in Aspen between legs or repositions, which your ECS advisor will quote based on your itinerary.

Q: Can my aircraft always land at Aspen, or should I plan for a backup airport?

Not every aircraft type is approved for Sardy Field’s runway and approach, and even approved aircraft can be diverted by weather. Your ECS advisor will confirm aircraft approval for ASE and keep Eagle County, Montrose, or Rifle on standby as a contingency for the entire trip.

Q: Can I bring ski equipment and luggage?

Yes. Let your advisor know passenger count and ski bag count in advance so the aircraft category matches baggage volume – this is the main reason midsize and supermid jets are more common than light jets on this route in winter.

Q: What is the flight time between Burbank and Aspen?

Roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes direct, depending on aircraft type, winds, and the specific arrival airport used.