Private Jet to Napa Valley
Napa Valley is California’s premier wine region, home to world-class estates, Michelin-starred restaurants, and curated tasting experiences set against rolling vineyard hills. From Southern California, a private charter flight to Napa Valley takes only around one hour.
Latitude 33 Aviation holds the ARGUS Platinum safety rating, placing the company in the top five percent of U.S. private jet charter operators. Light jets are ideally suited to Napa County Airport and deliver direct access to the valley’s wineries, restaurants, and accommodations.
Napa Valley Airport Guide for Private Charters
There are three airports for flights to Napa Valley. The team at Latitude 33 Aviation can help match the right airport to your specific routing and handle all ground coordination on your behalf.
- Napa County Airport (APC) is 5 nautical miles south of downtown Napa. It features three runways at an elevation of 35 feet, and the control tower operates from 0700 to 2000 local time. The primary runway measures 5,930 feet and is optimized for light jets and turboprops. Full-service ground support is available at APC.
- Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) is 30 nautical miles northwest of Napa. The main runway measures 6,000 feet and accommodates aircraft up to 184,000 pounds maximum gross certified takeoff weight. STS is the right choice for midsize jet arrivals, larger groups, and clients flying from Seattle or other longer-range western U.S. origins.
- Oakland International Airport (OAK) is 45 nautical miles south of Napa and accommodates aircraft of all sizes, including super-midsize and heavy jets. The ground transfer from OAK to Napa takes longer but is a manageable trade-off for the range advantage these aircraft provide.
Planning Your Napa Private Jet Charter
Flight times from major departure cities vary based on aircraft type and routing. Here are common routes for private jet charter to Napa:
| Route | Departing Airport | Flight Time | Aircraft Type | Arrival Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles to Napa Valley | Los Angeles Airport (LAX) | ~1 hour | Light jet | APC |
| Van Nuys to Napa Valley | Van Nuys Airport (VNY) | ~1 hour | Light jet | APC |
| San Diego to Napa Valley | San Diego International Airport (SAN) | ~1.25 hours | Light jet | APC |
| Las Vegas to Napa Valley | Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) | ~1.5 hours | Light jet | APC |
| Seattle to Napa Valley | Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | ~2 hours | Midsize jet | STS |
| New York to Napa Valley | Teterboro Airport (TEB) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | ~5-6 hours | Super-midsize | OAK |
A same-day round trip from Southern California is simple and enjoyable. Depart in the morning, spend a full day in wine country, and return the same evening. Charter costs vary by aircraft, routing, and passenger count. Latitude 33 Aviation handles routing details and provides transparent pricing for each flight.
Aircraft Selection for Your Charter
Latitude 33 Aviation operates three aircraft categories for charters. The right choice depends on your departure city, group size, and arrival airport.
- Light jets for APC: The light jet fleet accommodates four to seven passengers and includes the Cessna Citation CJ3/CJ3+ and Cessna Citation CJ4.
- Midsize jets for STS: Departures from distant western cities typically require midsize jets like the Cessna Citation XLS+ and Cessna Citation Latitude. These seat six to eight passengers.
- Super-midsize and larger aircraft for OAK: Super-midsize jets, such as the Cessna Citation Sovereign+, serve East Coast departures from TEB or JFK. These accommodate 8-10 passengers.
Napa Valley Events Worth Planning Around
Napa Valley is home to several events that can make your trip an even more memorable experience.
Harvest Season
Harvest season runs from August through October, with peak activity in September and October. This is the highest-demand charter period to Napa, so early booking is advised. Many wineries offer hands-on harvest events, private estate dinners, and crush experiences by appointment. Latitude 33 Aviation can coordinate ground logistics and arrange winery access during this season.
Auction Napa Valley
Auction Napa Valley is held annually on the first weekend of June. Organized by Napa Valley Vintners since 1981, the three-day event includes vintner-hosted estate dinners, the Napa Valley Barrel Auction featuring more than 100 producers, and the Saturday Live Auction. The event draws a high-net-worth audience from across the U.S. and internationally, and is one of the premier events on the global wine calendar.
BottleRock Napa Valley
BottleRock Napa Valley takes place annually on Memorial Day weekend. The festival features more than 75 bands across five music stages and a dedicated Culinary Stage with celebrity chefs and local winemakers. Held at the Napa Valley Expo, charter demand has grown steadily year over year for this event.
Winter
Winter is a quieter travel period with better one-way flight availability from APC. The Napa Truffle Festival is held each January and features Périgord black truffles, among the few domestically harvested black truffles in the U.S. The festival includes culinary experiences, truffle dog demonstrations, and a marketplace. Cooler months also offer a more intimate tasting room experience, and appointments are generally easier to secure.
What to Do in Napa Valley
Activities range from hot air balloon rides over vineyard hills to culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, which provides cooking and wine classes, tastings, and guided tours. The Napa Valley Wine Train offers lunch, dinner, half-day tours, full-day tours, and special themed events. Additional activities include Napa Valley bike tours, art walks, and spa days at Calistoga.
During harvest season, many estates offer exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences. Private barrel tastings, estate dinners, and crush activities are available by appointment. Latitude 33 Aviation can coordinate ground transportation and logistics.
Sonoma Valley is a natural two-day itinerary extension for Napa charter clients. Sonoma Valley’s distinct wine appellations, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, and the charming town of Sonoma are accessible from STS or with a short drive from APC. Accommodations include:
- Milliken Creek Inn & Spa
- Carneros Resort and Spa
- White House – Napa Valley Inn
- Candlelight Inn Napa Valley
- The Westin Verasa Napa
- Meadowood Napa Valley
FAQs
Here are a few common questions about chartering private jets to Napa Valley.
APC is recommended for most clients and offers the closest access to the valley. For larger groups or midsize jets, STS is the preferred choice. For East Coast travelers on super-midsize or larger aircraft, OAK is the logical arrival point. Latitude 33 Aviation provides airport guidance as part of the booking process.
APC’s runway configuration is optimized for light jets and turboprops. Some midsize aircraft may be accommodated at APC, but STS is the preferred operational choice for midsize jets. Super-midsize and heavy jets are routed through OAK. Latitude 33 Aviation advises on aircraft-airport pairing for each client’s specific routing.
Flight times vary based on aircraft type and routing. LA to Napa Valley takes approximately one hour by light jet from VNY or LAX. Flights to Napa from San Diego run a little more than an hour, and departures from LAS take about one and a half hours.
The best time depends on your priorities. Harvest season offers the most immersive wine country experience. Auction Napa Valley takes place in June and draws high-net-worth wine collectors from across the globe. BottleRock Napa Valley runs in May and combines music with culinary experiences. Winter provides quieter tasting rooms, easier appointments, and better one-way flight availability.
Latitude 33 Aviation can coordinate ground transportation from any arrival airport. All ground logistics can be discussed as part of the charter flight planning process.
Charter a Private Jet With Latitude 33 Aviation
As one of the top five percent of U.S. operators holding the ARGUS Platinum safety rating, Latitude 33 Aviation delivers the highest standard of safety and service. From routing guidance to ground coordination, the team personalizes every detail of your flight. Request a quote today to begin planning your private charter.
What to Do in Napa
Set your sights high on a hot air balloon ride over Napa’s lush, rolling hills. Want to spend some quality time up in the clouds with a loved one? To accompany your private jet to Napa, rent a private hot air balloon flight for just the two of you. Learn all the dining tricks at the famous Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. They offer cooking and wine classes, as well as tastings and tours. Want a scenic view of the valley, but still want to incorporate the true essence of Napa? Take the Napa Valley Wine Train. There is a wide range of options for this unique form of transportation. Enjoy lunch, dinner, a half-day tour, full day-tour, or special themed event on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Other Napa must-dos include:
- Wine Tour
- Napa Valley Bike Tour
- Art Walk
- Spa Day at Calistoga
To find out more information on events and activities to do in Napa, visit the Napa Valley website.
- White House – Napa Valley Inn
- Candlelight Inn Napa Valley
- The Westin Verasa Napa
- Meadowood Napa Valley
Managing one of the newest and largest fleets of light, midsize, and super-midsize aircraft in North America, Latitude 33 Aviation is ready to accommodate your private flight to Napa, California. Listed below are a few favorites for you and your guests:
- 2020 Pilatus PC-12 NGX: 8 Passengers
- 2017 Embraer Phenom 300: 8 Passengers
- 2007 Cessna Citation CJ3: 6 Passengers
- 2004 Bombardier Challenger 300: 8 Passengers
View our entire fleet of private jets available for your next flight.
Napa County Airport (APC): Napa County Airport is known as the “Skyport to the Wine Country.” Because this airport is only five miles south of Napa County, it allows you to fly right into the center of all the action. Unlike commercial airlines, you can start your vacation onboard your private jet to Napa by opening a bottle of your favorite wine.
Sonoma Valley Airport (STS): A true depiction of the Napa countryside, Sonoma Valley Airport takes pride in its unique and rare aircraft that they operate. Fly your private jet to Napa by arriving at this airport, which is a short 13 miles southwest of Napa.