Fly private between Los Angeles and Manhattan on the route favored by film industry executives, VC investors, and traveling athletes. Compare pricing from VNY, BUR, and SBA to TEB, MMU, and HPN.
The route between Van Nuys (VNY) and Teterboro (TEB) is one of the busiest private aviation corridors in the country, connecting Los Angeles’s entertainment and venture capital economy with the finance and media hubs of the New York metro area. Studio executives, agents, and touring artists fly this route to move between production meetings and East Coast deal-making, while venture investors use it to shuttle between Silicon Beach and Manhattan without losing a working day. Professional athletes and their teams also charter this route regularly during the season, valuing the ability to depart on short notice from a private terminal.
Flights typically depart from Van Nuys (VNY), the primary general aviation airport for the Los Angeles area, and land at Teterboro (TEB), the preferred private jet gateway to Manhattan. Travelers based in the San Fernando Valley, Burbank, or the Santa Barbara area also have direct charter access through nearby airports, and several Northern New Jersey and Westchester County airports serve as practical alternates on arrival.
This page covers current one–way charter pricing by aircraft category, how to choose the right departure and arrival airports for this route, aircraft best suited to the distance, time savings versus flying commercial, seasonal booking considerations, and answers to the questions we hear most often about this route.
| Aircraft Category | Estimated One–Way Price |
|---|---|
| Light Jet | $22,000 – $26,000 |
| Midsize Jet | $24,000 – $28,000 |
| Super–Midsize Jet | $25,000 – $32,000 |
| Large Jet | $32,000 – $45,000 |
Rates above are estimated one–way charter ranges for the VNY–TEB routing. Actual quotes depend on aircraft availability, fuel surcharges, positioning fees, and seasonal demand.
Los Angeles–area travelers have three practical departure options, and New York–area travelers have three arrival options depending on where the trip begins or ends.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
The primary departure airport for this route and the busiest general aviation airport in the country, with the deepest bench of charter aircraft and operators based on–field.
Closest major GA airport to Beverly Hills, Bel–Air, Brentwood, and the Studio City and Encino production corridor.
FBOs include Signature Flight Support, Clay Lacy Aviation, and Castle & Cooke Aviation.
Bob Hope Airport, Burbank (BUR)
An alternate departure point on the north side of the Los Angeles Basin, convenient for travelers based in Burbank, Glendale, and the studio lots along the Ventura Freeway corridor.
Slightly less GA traffic than VNY on peak departure days, which can mean a faster ramp–to–wheels–up time.
FBOs include Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation.
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
The practical departure point for travelers based in Montecito, Santa Barbara, and the coastal communities north of Malibu, avoiding the drive into the LA Basin entirely.
Popular with clients who keep a residence on the Central Coast but do business in both Los Angeles and New York.
FBO service is provided by Signature Flight Support.
Teterboro Airport (TEB)
The primary arrival airport for this route and the closest general aviation airport to Manhattan, roughly 12 miles from Midtown.
Subject to a curfew and slot restrictions during high–demand periods, so early booking matters most here.
FBOs include Signature Flight Support, Meridian, and Jet Aviation.
Morristown Municipal Airport (MMU)
A strong alternate when TEB slots are full or during TFR restrictions, and closer for travelers headed to Short Hills, Bernardsville, or the western New Jersey suburbs.
Typically sees lighter GA congestion than TEB, which can shorten ground handling time on arrival.
FBOs include Signature Flight Support and Meridian.
Westchester County Airport (HPN)
The preferred arrival point for travelers headed to Greenwich, Rye, Bedford, and the Westchester and lower Connecticut suburbs, and a common choice for finance and hedge fund clients.
Offers an alternative when weather or TFRs affect the New Jersey airports.
FBOs include Million Air, Signature Flight Support, and Ross Aviation.
At roughly 2,450 statute miles, VNY–TEB is a transcontinental routing that most light jets cannot fly nonstop westbound against the jet stream, so aircraft selection depends on direction of travel and passenger count.
Light Jet (e.g., Citation CJ3, Phenom 300): Can work eastbound with favorable winds and a light passenger load, but westbound VNY–TEB legs often require a fuel stop.
Midsize Jet (e.g., Citation XLS, Learjet 60): A common choice for smaller groups who want nonstop capability in both directions without paying for a larger cabin.
Super–Midsize Jet (e.g., Citation Longitude, Challenger 350): The workhorse of this route – reliable coast–to–coast range in both directions with a cabin comfortable enough for a full production or deal team.
Large Jet (e.g., Gulfstream G450, Challenger 604): The preferred category for larger groups, film crews, or clients who want a stand–up cabin and confirmed nonstop range regardless of headwinds.
Flying private on this route removes nearly every point of friction in the commercial coast–to–coast trip – the drive into LAX, security lines, boarding, and the taxi or car service into Manhattan on the other end.
Commercial path: Drive to LAX or Burbank, arrive two hours early for security, fly to JFK, EWR, or LGA (roughly 5.5 hours nonstop), then ground transport into Manhattan – typically 9 to 10 hours door to door.
Private path: Arrive at the VNY, BUR, or SBA FBO 15 to 20 minutes before departure, fly directly to TEB, MMU, or HPN, and step into a car curbside – typically 5.5 to 6 hours door to door depending on aircraft and winds.
Charter travelers on this route typically save 3.5 to 4.5 hours each way compared to flying commercial, along with the ability to work uninterrupted in the cabin for the full flight.
Late November through early January is the heaviest demand period on this route, driven by holiday travel and year–end closings; book at least two to three weeks ahead where possible.
Awards season (January through March) drives a spike in westbound demand into VNY and BUR as talent and executives travel to Los Angeles for industry events.
Winter storms in the New York area can affect TEB and HPN arrivals more than MMU; building in a flexible arrival airport during January and February reduces the risk of a diversion.
Summer weekends see high demand out of TEB toward the Hamptons and Nantucket, which can tighten Teterboro slot availability on Friday afternoons even for arriving aircraft.
Q: How far in advance should I book a VNY to TEB charter?
For most dates, 5 to 7 days of notice is sufficient. During peak periods like awards season, the December holidays, or major New York events, book 2 to 3 weeks ahead to secure the aircraft category and TEB arrival slot you want.
Q: Is the pricing shown one–way or round–trip?
The rates above are one–way estimates. Round–trip pricing depends on how long the aircraft waits on the ground and whether it can be repositioned for another charter in between.
Q: Can I bring pets and extra luggage?
Yes. Private charter has no size or breed restrictions for pets and no standard baggage limits, though very large items should be flagged in advance so the operator can confirm they fit the selected aircraft.
Q: Do TFRs or slot restrictions affect this route?
Teterboro operates under a nightly curfew and periodic slot restrictions during high–traffic periods; MMU and HPN are the standard workarounds when TEB is constrained. Presidential or VIP movement TFRs around the New York area can also affect arrival timing with little notice.
Q: Why is this route so popular with entertainment and finance travelers specifically?
VNY and BUR sit at the center of the film and television production industry, while TEB and HPN are the fastest way into Manhattan’s finance and venture capital corridor. The route lets executives, agents, and investors handle same–day meetings on both coasts without an overnight stay.
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