Traditionally the Thanksgiving holiday week is considered one of the busiest travel times of the year, and that fact isn’t lost on those who deal with gridlocked Los Angeles traffic and lines at SoCal airports. What if you could cut hours off your travel time? We can shorten your trip to the airport or even your SoCal destination with a helicopter charter.
Helicopter Charter to the Airport
Group 3 Helicopters’ airport shuttle service is the most affordable in the Los Angeles basin. Using cost-effective and highly maintained Robinson R44 Raven II helicopters, we offer flights directly to SoCal’s major commercial airports, including LAX, Burbank, Ontario, Orange County, Santa Barbara, and Long Beach.
While our home base is in Van Nuys, we offer pickup service from most regional airports in the Southland, and in some cases can even arrange private pickup from your private property.
And we’ll get you there so much faster. A flight from Van Nuys to LAX is only 20 minutes. Going to Long Beach? It’s only 25 minutes door to door. Orange County is a quick 40-minute flight, as opposed to hours on the freeway.
And our shuttle prices are per flight, not per seat, so go alone or bring along two others. It’s the same cost.
Helicopter Charter to your Destination
Let’s face it, simply crossing the Southland over Thanksgiving can take hours you’d rather spend with friends, family and food. Whether you’re headed to Santa Barbara or San Diego, we can get you there faster without the crowds, lines, and security pat-downs. Our helicopter charter service is the least expensive from our base of Van Nuys, but we’re willing to come to a small airport near you as well. Our popular charter destinations include Santa Barbara (55-minute flight), San Diego (90-minute flight), and Palm Springs (80-minute flight). John Wayne in Orange County (40-minute flight)
Fly in comfort and security
Group 3 Helicopter and all of our highly-qualified pilots are FAA Part 135 certified, meaning the FAA maintains an extra vigilant stance on our operations, requiring pilots, maintenance, and operations to perform to a high standard for your safety. When you fly with us, you fly knowing you’re in the best hands, flying with a 30-year, family-owned helicopter company dedicated to service.
What you need to know before chartering
Other than sit back, relax, and leave the work to us, here are a few quick things to know when chartering:
Helicopters by design are not suited for large amounts of luggage, but a duffle bag or small suitcase is easily accommodated if two or fewer passengers are flying.
All prices are round-trip helicopter prices as the aircraft must return to base, but quoted times are one-way travel times. Should you require a return trip, the price is double.
If an airport charges facility and landing fees, they’ll apply to the cost. Don’t worry; we’ll always inform you before hand.
So what are you waiting for? If you’re looking to get above the Thanksgiving travel mess, give us a call today, and we’ll get you there with time to spare. We’re standing by to book your flight at 818-994-9376 or by email
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is booking a helicopter charter the best way to beat Thanksgiving gridlock in Southern California?
Answer: Southern California experiences some of the worst highway traffic in the country during Thanksgiving week, with major arterial routes like the I-5, 405, and 101 seeing gridlock that can easily triple standard driving times. A private helicopter charter allows travelers to bypass highway congestion completely by taking to the skies. What would take 2 to 4 hours in gridlocked holiday traffic on the ground can typically be accomplished in a smooth 15 to 30 minutes in the air, transforming a stressful holiday travel ordeal into a fast, comfortable, and memorable journey.
2. Which regional airports and destinations in Southern California can I fly to with a helicopter charter?
Answer: Private helicopter charters offer point-to-point air travel flexibility that commercial airlines cannot match. Departing from Group 3 Aviation’s hub at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), charters can service major international hubs, regional airports, and heliports across SoCal. Common Thanksgiving charter destinations include:
- Regional Hubs: Orange County (SNA), Palm Springs (PSP), Santa Barbara (SBA), San Diego, and Catalina Island.
- Major Airports: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), and Long Beach Airport (LGB).
- Private Landing Locations: Depending on regulatory approval and site safety, charters can even fly directly to private estates, golf resorts, or rural properties equipped with suitable landing pads.
3. How does a helicopter charter simplify connecting to major airports like LAX during holiday travel?
Answer: Driving to LAX during peak Thanksgiving travel days often means facing heavy freeway traffic and intense curbside gridlock at the terminal loops. A helicopter charter streamlines this process through an airport-to-airport transfer. Passengers depart from a private terminal (FBO) at Van Nuys or another regional airfield—avoiding long TSA security lines and crowded public terminals—and fly directly into a private aviation area adjacent to LAX or BUR. From there, ground transport brings you directly to your terminal or connecting private jet, drastically reducing travel time and pre-flight stress.
4. How far in advance should I book a helicopter charter for Thanksgiving week?
Answer: Because Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Southern California, private charter availability fills up rapidly. It is highly recommended to reserve your flight 2 to 4 weeks in advance to secure your preferred departure times and aircraft availability. While Group 3 Aviation accepts last-minute charter requests subject to aircraft and pilot schedules, booking early guarantees your slot during high-demand holiday travel windows (such as the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving and the Sunday following the holiday).
5. What safety standards and fleet options does Group 3 Aviation maintain for holiday charter flights?
Answer: Group 3 Aviation has operated safely in Southern California for over 30 years under strict FAA FAA Part 135 air charter regulations. Every charter flight is operated by experienced, commercially licensed pilots and maintained by certified aviation technicians. For charter missions, Group 3 Aviation utilizes comfortable, well-maintained aircraft such as the Robinson R44 (ideal for smaller parties of up to 3 passengers with high visibility) alongside larger charter aircraft options, ensuring every passenger receives a safe, smooth, and luxury-grade air travel experience.
