7 Best Private Jet Companies in Los Angeles: Luxury Travel at Your Fingertips

Los Angeles is one of the busiest private flying markets in the world. Executives fly to meetings across the country, studios move crews to shoots, and many people simply want to skip the lines at LAX. The right private jet company can save hours on every trip.

How we chose: We looked at each company's own website, its fleet or services, where it operates, and its record in our directory of 21,000+ aviation companies. The Flying Engineer has been online since 2012. Companies cannot pay to be on this list or for their position. Featured companies on our directory are always labelled.

LAX is one of the busiest airports on the planet, but most private flights in the area use Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Los Angeles World Airports has called Van Nuys the busiest general aviation airport in the U.S. Santa Monica Airport (SMO) is another option for now, but the city plans to close it at the end of 2028 under a 2017 deal with the FAA.

This guide looks at seven private jet companies that serve Los Angeles, what each one offers, and what has changed in 2026. Some of them have been sold, merged or reshaped since this list first ran, so the details below are updated to October 2026. You can also browse more operators on our Los Angeles aviation directory page.

What Makes a Top-Tier Private Jet Company?

Before the list, here is what separates strong operators from average ones.

Safety Standards and Certifications

Start with safety. Good operators hold audits such as ARG/US Platinum or Wyvern Wingman. These audits check the company's operating history, pilot experience and training, maintenance and safety management systems. Ask any operator which audits it holds and when they were last renewed.

Fleet Quality and Diversity

A mixed fleet lets a company match the plane to the trip: a light jet for a quick hop to Las Vegas, or a long-range jet for Europe or Asia. Aircraft age matters too. Newer planes tend to burn less fuel and have better cabins and connectivity.

Customer Service

Service is where good becomes great. Look for real 24/7 support, a team that handles cars and catering, and the ability to change plans at short notice without drama.

7 Best Private Jet Companies in Los Angeles

Here is a quick view of the seven companies before the details.

Company	Main model	Status in October 2026
Wheels Up	Membership, charter	Delta-backed; jet fleet now Phenom 300 and Challenger 300 only
NetJets	Fractional ownership, jet cards	Owned by Berkshire Hathaway; about 868 aircraft (July 2026)
Jet Edge International	Charter, management	Part of Vista since 2022, trades as Vista America
Clay Lacy Aviation	FBO, maintenance	Management and charter sold to Solairus, closed 1 Oct 2026
Surf Air	Regional membership flights	Part of Surf Air Mobility; some routes cut in 2025
XO	On-demand charter, membership	Vista's on-demand brand
flyExclusive	Jet Club, charter	Publicly listed; about 100 jets

1. Wheels Up

Headquarters: New York
Founded: 2013
Fleet: Embraer Phenom 300 and Bombardier Challenger 300 family jets, plus partner aircraft

Wheels Up made the private jet membership model popular. Delta Air Lines became its main backer in 2023, and Delta lent the company another US$100 million in 2026 to grow its fleet.

The fleet has changed a lot. Wheels Up retired its Citation, Hawker and older types and now flies only Phenom 300s and Challenger 300s in its own jet fleet. In March 2026 it said it plans to nearly double both types, citing demand for its Signature membership.

Key Services:

• Membership programs with several tiers
• On-demand charter
• Access to partner aircraft for larger cabins
• Empty leg flights

For LA travelers who fly often around the West Coast, Wheels Up is a strong option, especially for light and super-midsize trips.

2. NetJets

Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio
Founded: 1964
Fleet Size: about 868 aircraft (July 2026)

NetJets created fractional jet ownership and runs the largest private jet fleet in the world. It is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Its fleet grew from 826 jets at the end of 2025 to about 868 by mid-2026, and the company expects more than 80 new aircraft in 2026. The Citation Latitude, Phenom 300 and Challenger 350 make up most of the fleet.

The size of the fleet means good availability, even in busy weeks. For LA clients who fly overseas, NetJets also has operations in Europe. Owners buy a share of a specific aircraft type, and NetJets handles crews, maintenance and scheduling.

Key Services:

• Fractional jet ownership
• Jet card program
• Leasing options
• Global flight operations
• Full owner services

For executives who want reliability without owning a whole jet, NetJets is still the benchmark among Los Angeles private jet companies.

3. Jet Edge International

Headquarters: Los Angeles area, CA
Founded: 2007
Owner: Vista (since 2022)

Jet Edge grew up in Los Angeles and built its name on super-midsize and large-cabin jets, mostly Gulfstream and Bombardier. That made it a good fit for coast-to-coast and international trips from LA, and for the entertainment industry.

Things have changed. Vista Global bought Jet Edge in 2022. Since November 2023, Jet Edge has traded under the Vista America name with other Vista operators in the U.S. Its jets have been moving to the JetSelect Aviation certificate, and by 2025 the Jet Edge certificate itself held only about 10 aircraft. Its old Reserve program now sits within Vista's XO brand. If you book "Jet Edge" today, you are booking with Vista.

Key Services:

• Aircraft management
• On-demand charter
• Membership through Vista and XO
• Large-cabin aircraft
• Experience with entertainment clients

For LA clients who need larger jets, the old Jet Edge team now gives access to the wider Vista fleet.

4. Clay Lacy Aviation

Headquarters: Van Nuys, CA
Founded: 1968
Today: FBO, maintenance and real estate business

Clay Lacy Aviation is one of the oldest names in LA private flying. Aviator Clay Lacy started it at Van Nuys in 1968 as the first jet charter company on the West Coast.

The big news is a sale. Solairus Aviation agreed in August 2026 to buy Clay Lacy's aircraft management and charter divisions, and the deal closed on 1 October 2026. More than 135 management clients are moving to Solairus in two stages, and charter aircraft are moving to the Solairus certificate. Clay Lacy keeps its FBO, maintenance and real estate businesses under its own name.

Key Services:

• FBO services at Van Nuys and other airports
• Aircraft maintenance and avionics
• Hangar and real estate
• Charter and management now through Solairus Aviation

For a Van Nuys base with deep local roots, Clay Lacy is still a key name. For charter or management, you will now deal with Solairus.

5. Surf Air

Headquarters: Los Angeles area, CA
Founded: 2013 (first flights)
Fleet: Turboprops such as the Pilatus PC-12, flown with partner operators

Surf Air took a different path. It launched the "all-you-can-fly" membership for short regional trips. Its planes are smaller than the jets on this list, but the model opened private-style flying to more people in California.

Surf Air now belongs to Surf Air Mobility, which merged with Southern Airways Express. Its LA flights use Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR) near LAX, which avoids the busy terminals. The company cut routes it saw as unprofitable in 2025, so check the current schedule before you sign up.

Key Services:

• Membership plans
• Scheduled flights between California cities
• Semi-private terminals
• Use of smaller airports

For frequent travelers inside California who want simple, predictable costs, Surf Air is worth a look.

6. XO

Owner: Vista
Founded: 2019 (after Vista bought XOJET and JetSmarter)
Fleet: Vista group fleet of 180+ aircraft plus an alliance fleet of 2,100+ jets

XO is Vista's on-demand brand. It uses an app to make booking quick. LA clients can price and book flights, find empty legs and see aircraft details before they pay.

Clients can book on demand with no commitment or join a membership, such as XO Reserve. In 2026 XO added more aircraft access and member events. Most XO flights now run on Vista operators and vetted partners, not on the old XOJET fleet, which Vista wound down in 2025.

Key Services:

• On-demand charter booking
• Shared flight options
• XO membership
• Empty leg flights
• Mobile app booking

For LA travelers who like to book on their phone and want flexible options, XO is a good fit.

7. flyExclusive

Headquarters: Kinston, NC
Founded: 2015
Fleet Size: about 100 jets

flyExclusive is newer to the LA market. It flies Citation jets in the light, midsize and super-midsize classes, and it has been adding Challenger 300 and 350 jets. Its campus in Kinston handles its own maintenance, paint, interiors and avionics.

In March 2025 it launched Jet Club, a membership with guaranteed access to its fleet, including its Challenger super-midsize jets.

Key Services:

• Jet Club membership
• On-demand charter
• Citation and Challenger fleet
• Aircraft management
• Guaranteed availability programs

For LA travelers who want good value and a consistent fleet, flyExclusive is a solid choice.

How to Choose the Right Private Jet Company for Your Needs

The right company depends on how you fly.

Travel Patterns and Frequency

If you mostly fly around California and the Western U.S., Surf Air or a light jet membership may be enough. For frequent coast-to-coast or international trips, look at operators with larger jets, such as NetJets or the Vista group.

Budget Considerations

Private flying runs from shared seats to full ownership. As a rough rule of thumb:

• On-demand charter: under 25 hours a year
• Jet cards: about 25 to 50 hours a year
• Membership programs: regular but not constant travel
• Fractional ownership: 50+ hours a year
• Full ownership: usually makes sense at 200+ hours a year

Special Needs

Think about the details:

• Do you often fly with pets?
• Do you need special catering or ground transport?
• Is privacy a big concern?
• Do you need a certain range or cabin layout?

The best private jet charter company for you is the one that fits these needs.

The Future of Private Aviation in Los Angeles

A few trends matter for anyone flying private from LA.

Consolidation. The market is merging. Vista absorbed Jet Edge and XOJET, Solairus took over Clay Lacy's management and charter work, and Delta now backs Wheels Up. Check who actually operates your flight.

Airport changes. Santa Monica Airport is set to close at the end of 2028, which will push more traffic to Van Nuys, Hawthorne and other fields.

Sustainability. Many companies offer carbon offset programs, and some now use sustainable aviation fuel.

Technology. Booking apps, live pricing and better Wi-Fi keep improving. NetJets, for example, is fitting Starlink to much of its fleet.

Final Thoughts

These companies take different routes to private flying, from fractional shares to app-based charter. Many clients use more than one: one company for business trips across the country and another for weekend getaways.

Ready to compare? Contact these companies directly, or work with a charter broker who can compare options across several providers.

Sources: Private Jet Card Comparisons (Wheels Up fleet, NetJets fleet counts, Vista America, Solairus and Clay Lacy deal), AIN (Vista's Jet Edge purchase), ch-aviation (Jet Edge and XOJET certificates, Solairus deal closing), Business Jet Traveler, flyXO.com and Vista press releases, flyExclusive press releases, City of Santa Monica and FAA agreement coverage (CBS Los Angeles, AVweb), LAWA presentation to Los Angeles City Council, Clay Lacy Aviation.