Van Nuys (KVNY) is the busiest general-aviation airport in the United States — over 220,000 movements a year, more than 50 % business jets and the rest a mix of training aircraft, helicopters and corporate turboprops. Located in the San Fernando Valley, 16 miles north-west of downtown LA and 12 miles from Hollywood, KVNY is the default arrival point for entertainment-industry travel, studio executives, and Pacific-bound transcontinental flights.
Five FBOs share the field, each with a distinct profile.
The Van Nuys field at a glance
- ICAO: KVNY · IATA: VNY
- Coordinates: 34.20980 N · 118.49000 W
- Runways: 16R/34L (8,001 ft) · 16L/34R (4,011 ft)
- Hours: 24/7 — but with a strict noise abatement programme including a Stage III curfew 22:00–07:00. Heavy fines for non-compliance.
- Customs: On-site CBP, generally weekday business hours. Outside-hours clearance available with 24h notice.
- Slot policy: No PPR for routine operations. PPR may apply for Oscars/Emmys/Coachella weekends.
The five FBOs at Van Nuys
Signature Flight Support VNY
Signature's flagship Pacific-coast FBO. SHOPP-certified for entertainment-industry handling (closed-set vehicle access, paparazzi-block lounges, blacked-out arrivals on 24-hour notice). The terminal is the largest at VNY and offers the deepest concierge programme in LA.
Best for: studio talent travel, multi-passenger arrivals, transcontinental redirects from cancelled LAX slots.
Castle & Cooke Aviation
The longest-established VNY FBO, founded 1962. The terminal is the iconic California-modern glass-and-steel building visible from Sherman Way. Reputation for proactive ops handling and family-owned discretion. Hangar capacity is among the widest at VNY.
Best for: based aircraft, long-term storage, white-glove discretion.
Clay Lacy Aviation
The OEM-trained FBO. Founded 1968 by famed test pilot Clay Lacy, the operation grew into a full-service FBO with on-site Part 145 maintenance covering Gulfstream, Falcon, Bombardier and Embraer. Charter and management programmes operate from the same campus.
Best for: maintenance during stay, charter operators, Gulfstream-fleet operators.
Jet Aviation Van Nuys
Jet Aviation's only US west-coast FBO, opened 2014. Smaller footprint than the four legacy operators but plugs into the global Jet Aviation network — useful for managed-fleet aircraft that bounce between Basel, Zurich, Singapore, TEB and VNY.
Best for: Jet Aviation managed fleet, transpacific arrivals, Asia ↔ LA itineraries.
The Park VNY
The newest FBO on the field, opened 2018 by a private investor group. Mid-size terminal with a curated "members-club" feel — wine cellar, art gallery walls, dedicated chef. Smaller hangar capacity than the four legacy operators.
Best for: discretion-first arrivals, art-and-luxury collector clientele, hangar-share programmes.
How to choose between the five
| If you prioritise… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Largest concierge / studio handling | Signature VNY |
| Family-owned, longest-tenured | Castle & Cooke |
| On-site maintenance | Clay Lacy |
| Global Jet Aviation network | Jet Aviation VNY |
| Private members-club feel | The Park |
For a one-off LA trip, Signature handles the broadest range of itineraries. For a multi-day stay with maintenance, Clay Lacy is the integrated choice.
Onward to LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills
From any VNY FBO:
- Ground transport — 25–45 min to Beverly Hills, 35–60 min to downtown LA, depending on the 405. The Sepulveda Pass is the main bottleneck.
- Helicopter — Heli-LA, Group3 and others run shuttle service to Santa Monica, Burbank, downtown helipads. ~$1,200 for the LA basin loop.
- Self-drive — Hertz, Enterprise on-airport. Useful for multi-day stays where ride-share doesn't make sense.
When KVNY matters most
VNY's traffic curve has three peaks:
- Awards season (January–March, Oscars/Globes/Grammys/SAG) — slot pressure, full hangar capacity, Stage III curfew compliance critical.
- Coachella (April, two weekends) — direct LAX/VNY traffic doubles, Las Vegas-Coachella shuttle traffic via VNY peaks.
- Pre-summer Aspen / Sun Valley repositioning (June) — VNY ↔ ASE / SUN/ MTJ adds a daily wave on weekends.
Common Van Nuys mistakes
- Filing for runway 16R with a south wind. VNY's noise procedures often dictate runway 16L for departures even with adverse wind. Trust ATC.
- Departing after 22:00 with a Stage III aircraft. Curfew fines are real and enforced. Confirm Stage IV certification before scheduling a late departure.
- Confusing VNY with Burbank (KBUR) or Long Beach (KLGB). Three LA-basin business-jet airports within 30 miles. KBUR is closer to studios in the Burbank/Glendale area; KLGB is closer to Long Beach harbour. KVNY is the catch-all for valley arrivals.
- Underestimating customs lead time. VNY's CBP is local and small. International arrivals after-hours need full 24-hour APIS lead. Without it, expect a 2-3 hour wait.
Frequently asked questions
Which FBO at Van Nuys is the most discreet? The Park VNY and Signature both offer fully blacked-out arrivals. Signature has more frequent celebrity handling experience; The Park is the more boutique-feeling environment.
Can I clear customs at Van Nuys after 18:00? Yes — but you must file APIS at least 4 hours ahead, and an overtime fee may apply. CBP staffing for after-hours arrivals is limited; multiple international arrivals on the same evening can stack up.
Is Van Nuys better than Burbank for Hollywood? For studio-lot work in Burbank/Glendale, Bob Hope Airport (KBUR) is closer (5–10 min). For Beverly Hills / west-side / valley meetings, VNY is closer (15–25 min). Most charter operators default to VNY because of the stronger FBO selection and 24/7 customs availability.
What's the difference between VNY and Santa Monica (KSMO)? KSMO is the smaller, single-runway field 12 miles south of VNY, closer to Santa Monica/Malibu. It has only one FBO (Atlantic Aviation), a 4,973-ft runway (no heavy aircraft), and an aggressive noise rule. Most operators prefer VNY's longer runway, more FBO options, and 24/7 customs.
Compare all five Van Nuys FBOs on the FBO Finder map. Or see the Teterboro and Le Bourget equivalents.