Making Aviation History

Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in the San Fernando Valley has been making headlines since it opened in 1928.

Today, as the busiest general aviation airport in the nation, and the 25th busiest in the world--it sees 400,000 take-offs and landings annually--VNY is popular for private jet charters and is the airport of choice for Hollywood celebrities, politicians, and Fortune 500 CEOs. It's also popular among visitors to the area due to its rich history and Public Observation Area, with permanent displays, children's exhibits and continuous live broadcast of air traffic controllers in the VNY control tower. Guided 90-minute tours are offered on weekdays; they include a visit with Vinny, the airport mascot, and SoCal's first kid-friendly, hands-on airplane educational experience.  

From the beginning, VNY has played a key role in aviation history. Amelia Earhart set a speed record here in 1929, it was the base for Florence "Pancho" Barnes' 1930 women's speed record, and was the departure point for Bob Hope's last USO Tour in 1987. Located just 15 minutes from Hollywood, VNY is a popular backdrop for filmmakers. Among the countless movies, TV series and videos filmed at VNY were "Casablanca," "True Lies," "Lethal Weapon" and "Pearl Harbor." The airport is also home to the Van Nuys FlyAway Bus non-stop service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).