Empty leg Los Angeles to San Francisco
Empty leg Los Angeles to San Francisco seats fill aircraft that must fly the route anyway. The trip covers 279 nautical miles, under an hour in most jets. Quotes here are estimates, not published fares.
Los Angeles to San Francisco private jet prices by aircraft
From Los Angeles to San Francisco, a private jet covers 279 nautical miles in 1h 17m on a turboprop. One-way estimate: $3,000–$4,500.Five aircraft classes work on this short hop, and the spread between them is narrower than on longer routes. Times run from 0h 55m in a super-midsize jet to 1h 17m in a turboprop, and the estimated one-way price starts at $3,000. Use the table to see what each class costs before you call anyone.
| Aircraft class | Flight time | Estimate one-way | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 1h 17m | $3,000–$4,500 | Best fit |
| Light jet | 0h 59m | $4,000–$6,000 | Direct, no stops |
| Midsize jet | 0h 58m | $5,000–$8,000 | Direct, no stops |
| Super-midsize jet | 0h 55m | $7,000–$10,000 | Direct, no stops |
| Heavy jet | 0h 55m | $9,500–$14,500 | Direct, no stops |
Ballpark per aircraft, not per seat, before federal excise tax and segment fees. Duration covers taxi, climb and descent.
Why this trip suits a turboprop
A turboprop fits this distance better than anything else on the list. At 279 nautical miles the flight is short enough that a Beechcraft King Air 350i or Pilatus PC-12 NGX spends almost no time at altitude, so the speed gap to a jet barely shows up door to door, and the estimated $3,000 to $4,500 one-way range keeps the trip in proportion. A turboprop also opens smaller fields near San Francisco that a heavy jet cannot use comfortably on a short leg.
The alternatives are worth knowing. A light jet covers the route in about 0h 59m for an estimated $4,000 to $6,000, and a midsize jet saves you roughly a minute for $5,000 to $8,000. Super-midsize and heavy jets cut the air time to 0h 55m but cost $7,000 to $14,500, which is hard to justify when the block time is under an hour either way. If your group or baggage needs the cabin, the light jet is the sensible step up.
Beechcraft King Air 350i
- 8 seats
- 312 kt cruise
- 1,800 nm range
Cabin 4 ft 9 in tall, 16 ft 8 in long. Baggage 55 cu ft.
Pilatus PC-12 NGX
- 6 seats
- 290 kt cruise
- 1,800 nm range
Cabin 4 ft 10 in tall, 16 ft 11 in long. Baggage 40 cu ft.
Leaving Los Angeles
Van Nuys, Burbank and LAX all serve this route, and Van Nuys is usually the easiest of the three for a short hop north. Its longest runway runs 8,001 ft, Burbank gives you 6,886 ft, and LAX has 12,894 ft if your aircraft and operator prefer a major field. Most empty leg Los Angeles to San Francisco seats are priced from the airport where the inbound aircraft happens to land, so ask which one before you plan the drive. Traffic to the field matters more than the flight; the Sepulveda Pass or the 101 can eat the time you saved in the air.
Arriving in the Bay Area
San Francisco International and Oakland both work at this distance, and Oakland is often the quicker exit to the East Bay and the city. SFO's longest runway is 11,870 ft and Oakland's is 10,520 ft, so neither limits the classes listed above. On a flight this short, the airport you pick matters more than the aircraft type, because your ground time can exceed the air time. Fog season and bridge traffic are the two things that decide how fast you reach downtown.
| Airport | Code | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco International Airport | KSFO / SFO | 11,870 ft |
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport | KOAK / OAK | 10,520 ft |
| Van Nuys Airport | KVNY / VNY | 8,001 ft |
| Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport | KBUR / BUR | 6,886 ft |
| Los Angeles International Airport | KLAX / LAX | 12,894 ft |
When prices and demand peak
Empty leg pricing swings with repositioning demand rather than with the calendar alone, and the squeeze points on this route are Monday mornings northbound and Thursday and Friday afternoons southbound. Tech earnings weeks, major conferences and university move-in weekends tighten the market on both ends of the route. When a large event lands in San Francisco, the aircraft that would have flown an empty leg north get sold as full charters, and the cheap seats disappear first.
Book as early as you can once your dates are firm, and keep a full-charter quote beside the empty leg quote so you can compare. Empty legs are time-bound; if the aircraft moves without you, the price is gone. If your plans can shift by a day, then a midweek empty leg Los Angeles to San Francisco is far easier to find than a Friday afternoon one. Ask the broker how much notice the operator needs, and confirm the cancellation terms in writing before you pay.
Private jet routes similar to Los Angeles to San Francisco
These 6 private jet routes span 82 to 208 nautical miles; one-way turboprop estimates run $2,000 to $3,500.
Questions about this route
How long is the flight on an empty leg Los Angeles to San Francisco?
Block time runs 0h 55m in a super-midsize or heavy jet, 0h 58m to 0h 59m in a midsize or light jet, and 1h 17m in a turboprop. The distance is 279 nautical miles, or 321 statute miles. Those are air times; add taxi, boarding and your ground transfer at each end.
What does an empty leg Los Angeles to San Francisco cost?
Estimated one-way pricing starts at $3,000 to $4,500 in a turboprop, $4,000 to $6,000 in a light jet, and $5,000 to $8,000 in a midsize jet. Super-midsize runs $7,000 to $10,000 and heavy $9,500 to $14,500. Treat all of these as estimates; empty leg seats are priced to fill a specific flight, not per the schedule.
Which airport should I use in Los Angeles?
Van Nuys is the usual pick for this hop, with an 8,001 ft runway. Burbank offers 6,886 ft and sits closer to central Los Angeles for some travelers. LAX has 12,894 ft and more airline traffic around it. The right answer is whichever field the empty leg actually departs from, so confirm before booking ground transport.
Can I fly empty leg Los Angeles to San Francisco the same day and come back?
Sometimes, but the return is a separate problem. An empty leg exists because an aircraft needs to move, so your return flight is usually a full charter unless another empty leg lines up. Estimate the round trip against a standard charter quote before you commit. If your schedule is tight, book the return first.
Do empty legs have baggage or passenger limits?
They inherit the limits of the aircraft flying them. The Pilatus PC-12 NGX carries 6 passengers with 40 cu ft of baggage, and the Beechcraft King Air 350i carries 8 with 55 cu ft. Larger jets offer more, but on a short leg some operators cap bags to keep the flight light. Ask for the specific aircraft and its limits.
Who is responsible for safety and paperwork on these flights?
The flight is flown by an FAA Part 135 operator that holds operational control and the certificate. A broker arranging your seat acts as an agent under DOT Part 295 and does not operate the aircraft. Ask for the operator's name before you book. This route stays inside California, so no CBP or customs step applies.
When is the cheapest time to look for empty legs on this route?
Midweek departures, especially Tuesday and Wednesday, see less competition than Monday mornings or Friday afternoons. Start looking as soon as your dates are firm; the useful ones move within days. If a specific date matters more than the price, compare a full charter quote in the same call.