Medical travel guide
Private Jet to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California — Land at Van Nuys, 20 minutes from campus. Direct flights for patients and families. Skip LAX entirely.
- Medical Travel Expertise
- Same-Day Flights Available
- Safety-Obsessed Operations
- All Details Handled
Request a quoteAircraft options for many trips within hours.
When You Need Cedars-Sinai, LAX Shouldn't Be Part of the Plan
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is the top-ranked hospital in California and one of the most respected institutions in the western United States — but patients flying commercial into Los Angeles face LAX, one of the busiest and most stressful airports in the country. Terminal crowds, long walks, and ground transport through LA traffic can turn a medical trip into an exhausting ordeal before you even reach the hospital.
A private jet lands at Van Nuys (VNY), Santa Monica (SMO), or Burbank (BUR) — all significantly closer to Cedars-Sinai than LAX and with none of the commercial terminal congestion. From VNY, ground transportation puts you at Cedars-Sinai in approximately 20 minutes.
Commercial vs. Private Charter to Los Angeles
Side-by-side comparison for patients flying to Cedars-Sinai
Routing
LAX — one of the busiest airports in the U.S.
Direct to VNY, SMO, or BUR — no LAX
Terminal experience
Massive terminals, long security lines, crowded gates
Private FBO, walk from car to aircraft
Door-to-door (from NYC)
8–10 hours including LAX ground transport
Under 6 hours total
Schedule flexibility
Fixed timetable, frequent LAX delays
Depart when you're ready
Passengers
Separate bookings for each family member
Entire family on one aircraft
Airport to Cedars-Sinai
45–75 min from LAX in LA traffic
~20 min from Van Nuys (VNY)
How It Works: Flying Private to Cedars-Sinai
- 1
Tell Us About Your Trip
Share your appointment dates, how many passengers are traveling, and any mobility or comfort needs. We build the plan around your treatment schedule at Cedars-Sinai.
- 2
We Coordinate the Details
Our team selects the right aircraft, books the closest LA-area FBO, and arranges ground transportation directly to the Cedars-Sinai campus on Beverly Boulevard.
- 3
Fly Direct to Los Angeles
Board from a private terminal near your home. No TSA, no connections, no LAX. Arrive at a dedicated general aviation airport with no commercial traffic.
- 4
20 Minutes to Cedars-Sinai
From Van Nuys Airport (VNY), ground transportation reaches Cedars-Sinai in approximately 20 minutes via the 405 or 101. No terminal walking, no baggage carousel, no LA freeway from LAX.
Los Angeles Airport Options for Cedars-Sinai
Los Angeles has several general aviation airports far more convenient than LAX for patients traveling to Cedars-Sinai. The key advantage is avoiding both the terminal experience at LAX and the notoriously long ground transport through LA's westside traffic.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is the most popular choice. It's the busiest general aviation airport in the world, with multiple FBOs offering ramp-side access, passenger lounges, and vehicle pickup directly at the aircraft. The drive from VNY to Cedars-Sinai takes approximately 20 minutes via the 405 or 101 freeways.
Santa Monica Airport (SMO) is closer geographically but has runway limitations that restrict larger aircraft. Burbank (BUR) is another strong option, particularly for patients coming from the east or north, with a 25-minute drive to Cedars-Sinai. All three airports eliminate the LAX experience entirely.
Quick Reference
- Primary FBO
- Van Nuys (VNY)
- VNY to Cedars-Sinai
- ~20 min drive
- Alt: Santa Monica
- SMO — ~15 min drive
- Alt: Burbank
- BUR — ~25 min drive
- Avoid
- LAX (45–75 min)
- Ground transport
- Arranged by TruNorth
Popular Routes to Cedars-Sinai
Direct private flights from major metro areas — no connections, no layovers
New YorkLos Angeles
~5 hours direct
Commercial from JFK lands at LAX — an hour from Cedars-Sinai in traffic. Private from Teterboro (TEB) lands at Van Nuys, 20 minutes from the hospital.
Typical aircraftSuper-midsize or heavy jet (Challenger 300, Gulfstream G200)
Phoenix / ScottsdaleLos Angeles
~1 hour direct
One of the shortest routes. Private from Scottsdale (SDL) reaches VNY in about an hour — door-to-door under 3 hours including ground transport to Cedars-Sinai.
Typical aircraftTurboprop (King Air 350) or light jet
San FranciscoLos Angeles
~1 hour direct
Frequent commercial flights exist, but they land at LAX. Private from San Carlos (SQL) or Oakland (OAK) reaches VNY in about an hour with no terminal exposure.
Typical aircraftTurboprop or light jet
DallasLos Angeles
~3 hours direct
Commercial from DFW lands at LAX, adding significant ground transport time. Private from Addison (ADS) or Love Field (DAL) reaches VNY direct.
Typical aircraftMidsize jet (Citation Latitude, Hawker 800XP)
Las VegasLos Angeles
~45 min direct
Extremely short flight. Private from Henderson (HND) or North Las Vegas (VGT) reaches VNY in under an hour — faster than the LAX terminal experience alone.
Typical aircraftTurboprop (King Air 350, Pilatus PC-12)
SeattleLos Angeles
~2.5 hours direct
Commercial through SeaTac lands at LAX. Private from Boeing Field (BFI) reaches Van Nuys nonstop, cutting the door-to-door time in half.
Typical aircraftLight or midsize jet
For Patients on Ongoing Treatment at Cedars-Sinai
Cedars-Sinai treats patients from across the western U.S. and beyond — many of whom return for ongoing cardiology care, neurology follow-ups, gastroenterology programs, or cancer treatment protocols. For out-of-town patients, each trip through LAX compounds the physical toll of treatment.
TruNorth Jets works with recurring Cedars-Sinai patients to establish standing flight arrangements. Your preferred aircraft, LA-area FBO, and ground transportation to the Beverly Boulevard campus are pre-configured. When your next appointment is confirmed, one call activates the plan.
For patients flying in from Phoenix, Las Vegas, or the Bay Area on a regular basis, the time savings compound significantly. What would be a full-day commercial travel ordeal becomes a 2-3 hour private flight with door-to-door simplicity.
Other Medical Destinations
What our clients say
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“I’ve had a great experience working with Sarah and TruNorth Jets. Sarah is professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable, making the entire process smooth from start to finish.”
“We have been working with TruNorth Jets now for 2 years and they are amazing. Very good at communicating with me and we are so happy. Will use them again.”
“Sarah’s attention to detail, industry expertise, and dedication to her clients truly set her apart. From the very beginning, she made the entire process seamless, taking the time to understand our needs, present the best options, and ensure every detail was handled flawlessly.”
Cedars-Sinai Travel
Frequently Asked Questions
Which LA airport is closest to Cedars-Sinai?
Santa Monica Airport (SMO) is the closest geographically — about 15 minutes — but has runway length limitations for larger aircraft. Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is the most popular choice for private medical travel, approximately 20 minutes from Cedars-Sinai with full FBO services and no aircraft restrictions. Burbank (BUR) is about 25 minutes. All three are dramatically closer and less stressful than LAX.
How bad is LA traffic getting from the airport to Cedars-Sinai?
From LAX, the drive to Cedars-Sinai can take 45 minutes to well over an hour depending on the time of day. From Van Nuys (VNY), the drive is typically 20 minutes via the 405 or 101, and our drivers time departures to avoid peak congestion. The difference between landing at LAX versus VNY can be 30+ minutes of ground transport time — significant for a patient managing fatigue or discomfort.
Can I fly to Cedars-Sinai and back the same day?
Yes, same-day round trips are very common for patients within a 1-2 hour flight radius — including Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and cities across the western U.S. For longer routes like New York or Miami, same-day travel is possible but tight. We build the return flight around your schedule.
What if my appointment at Cedars-Sinai runs late?
Your private charter departs when you're ready — not on a fixed airline schedule. If a consultation runs over, imaging takes longer than expected, or your physician adds a follow-up, we adjust the flight plan. There are no rebooking fees or missed-connection consequences.
Can you accommodate patients with limited mobility?
Yes. Many aircraft in our network offer ground-level boarding or low-step entry at the FBO. We select aircraft that match the passenger's mobility needs and arrange ramp-side vehicle pickup so the walk from car to cabin is as short as possible. Van Nuys FBOs in particular offer excellent ramp access for mobility-limited passengers.
Where do families typically stay near Cedars-Sinai?
Cedars-Sinai is located in the Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles, near the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and La Cienega. Hotels in the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Mid-Wilshire areas are all within a short drive. For extended treatment stays, furnished short-term rentals in the surrounding neighborhoods are popular. While TruNorth Jets does not book accommodations, we arrange ground transportation between your lodging and the airport.
White-Glove Concierge Service
Planning a Trip to Cedars-Sinai?
Tell us about your appointment schedule, passengers, and any special requirements. We’ll build a flight plan that skips LAX entirely.