Private Jet to Las Vegas: LAS vs Henderson and What It Costs

Vegas is one of the most popular private jet trips in the country, and from Southern California it's barely an hour. It's also a place where ramp space and aircraft disappear fast on big weekends. We fly alot of private jet to Las Vegas trips, so here's how to pick the airport and when to book.

Harry Reid (LAS) vs Henderson Executive (HND)

• Harry Reid International (LAS): the main option. Open 24 hours with customs on site, and the private side runs through FBOs like Signature and Atlantic. Closest to the Strip, about 10 to 15 minutes.

• Henderson Executive (HND): a quieter, easier option about 20 minutes south of the Strip. The longest runway is 6,501 feet, so light and midsize jets fit fine and bigger jets sometimes with limits. No customs, so international arrivals clear somewhere else first.

• North Las Vegas (VGT): works for smaller airplanes, but most of our clients land at LAS or Henderson.

Big Event Weekends

Vegas is easy most weeks and a different story on others. The Las Vegas Grand Prix in November, the National Finals Rodeo in December, CES in January, big fight nights and Super Bowl weekends all pack the ramps. FBOs can run out of parking, and some airplanes have to drop off and reposition. Book early, and ask about a drop-and-go if you're staying more than a night or two, it can save on parking and crew costs.

What It Costs to Fly Private to Vegas

From Los Angeles, Orange County or San Diego it's about an hour, which is perfect for a light jet at about $6,000 to $7,000 an hour. From the Bay Area or Phoenix it's a bit longer, and from Texas or the East Coast you'll want a midsize or super midsize at about $7,000 to $9,000 an hour. Vegas is one of the best empty leg markets in the country, especially the morning after a big weekend when everyone's flying home at once.

Things to Do in Las Vegas

Shows and fights are the obvious ones. For dinner, Carbone at Aria, Bavette's and Delilah at Wynn are tough reservations for a reason. If you want to get out of the casinos, Red Rock Canyon is 30 minutes away, a helicopter over the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam is a great half day, and Lake Las Vegas is a nice quiet change of pace.

Headed to Vegas? Request a quote and we'll lock in the airplane and the parking before the big weekends sell out.