October 28, 2026
The Best Scenic Flights Over Los Angeles
The Hollywood Sign, the Malibu coastline and the downtown skyline, seen from a small airplane departing Van Nuys.
Los Angeles is huge, and from the ground you only ever see one piece of it at a time. From a few thousand feet up, the whole thing finally makes sense: mountains, freeways, beaches and skyline, all in one view.
Fly LA Experience flies one standard scenic route over the city's best-known landmarks. You can take that same route three ways. The only difference is the time of day.
Why see LA from a small airplane?
A small airplane flies lower and slower than an airliner, with big windows and a front-row seat. With Fly LA, you can do more than watch: your instructor handles the first takeoff and landing, and in between you can fly as much as you like. No experience is needed.
Every flight departs Van Nuys Airport in the San Fernando Valley, already close to the Hollywood Hills.
One scenic route
The route passes Universal Studios, the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, Dodger Stadium, Downtown LA, Hollywood, the Hollywood Bowl, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Malibu, and the Getty Museum. Airspace and weather shape how much of that you see on a given day. The Discovery Flight Los Angeles page lists each stop.
The Hollywood Sign is the view you can't get from a hiking trail: the letters set against the hills, with Griffith Observatory and the city behind them. Farther along the same route are the Hollywood Bowl, Universal Studios, downtown, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, and the Malibu coastline.
Day, sunset, or night
It is the same route each time. Choose when you want to fly it.
- Discovery Flight Los Angeles is the daytime flight, in a Cessna 172 or Piper Archer. The flight is $230.
- Sunset flight is that route at sunset. It departs about 45 minutes before sunset, so you are up for the last of the daylight.
- Night Discovery Flight is that route after dark, in an aircraft certified for night flight. The same landmarks look completely different once the city lights come on.
Looking for something besides the scenic route?
Adrenaline seekers can book the Pitts aerobatic flight.
For a freeing, low-and-slow ride with the windows and doors open, book the Piper Cub flight.
What a flight looks like, start to finish
Booking
Book online at /book/ or call (818) 683-3404. Choose Discovery Flight Los Angeles by day, the Sunset flight, or the Night Discovery Flight, then pick a date. Confirmation comes by email, usually within 4 hours.
Arrival and briefing
Arrive no more than 10 minutes early and no later than 10 minutes after your booked time, since we run back-to-back flights. You'll meet your instructor at our hangar at 7900 Balboa Blvd, Unit Juliet 5, and get a short guest briefing of about 5 minutes: how the headset works, what you'll see, and how to exchange the controls.
In the air
After departing Van Nuys, your instructor works with air traffic control the whole way. LA has some of the busiest airspace in the country, so you'll hear how pilots share the sky. Once you're up, you can just enjoy the view or take the controls. Either way, it's your flight.
Back on the ground
Your instructor lands at Van Nuys and debriefs with you. If you flew on a discovery flight, the time can be logged as real flight training.
Who scenic flights are great for
- Visitors who want one unforgettable LA memory instead of another traffic jam.
- Locals who've lived here for years and never seen the whole city at once.
- Photographers chasing coastline and skyline shots.
- Couples and friends: add an extra passenger on the Cessna 172 or Piper Archer for $50, weight and conditions permitting.
- Future pilots who want to feel the controls. Many people start here and keep going.
Choosing your flight
| Flight | When you fly |
|---|---|
| Discovery Flight Los Angeles | By day |
| Sunset flight | At sunset |
| Night Discovery Flight | At night |
The daytime Discovery Flight is $230. Add a photo and video package for $50, or an extra passenger for $50, weight and conditions permitting.
Tips for the best views
Timing and weather
Southern California has a morning marine layer that can bring low clouds, especially in late spring and early summer. If the weather isn't safe, we cancel or reschedule at no cost to you. We make that call the morning of your flight. More on those calls is on the safety page.
Photos
- Wear dark clothing to cut window reflections, and turn off your flash.
- Secure phones and cameras with a strap.
- Or skip the juggling and add the photo and video package.
What to wear
Comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes and sunglasses. What to expect on flight day has the short packing list.
Safety, every flight
Every flight gets a weather and airspace briefing, weight and balance, and TFR (temporary flight restriction) checks. Our in-house FAA-certified mechanics maintain the fleet above standard. We carry $1M insurance and have had zero incidents since 2017 over thousands of flights. The guest weight limit is 230 lb in the Pipers and Cessna.
Meet the instructors
Your flight is led by a certified flight instructor. Our team includes founder and chief flight instructor Moe Tarakji, an FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor and commercial helicopter pilot; Nirvan Raymond, an FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor who trained with Moe from age 18 and became a CFI at 20; and Lo Decibel, a CFI who moved from Belgium to become a pilot. Every Fly LA Experience instructor has thousands of hours of flight experience.
FAQ
How long is a scenic flight?
Fly LA flies one scenic route, offered as a 1-hour experience. Discovery Flight Los Angeles, the Sunset flight, and the Night Discovery Flight are that same route. The only difference is the time of day.
Will we fly over the Hollywood Sign?
Yes. The Hollywood Sign is on the standard scenic route, along with the other well-known LA landmarks. Airspace and weather shape how much of the route you see on a given day.
Can I bring a friend?
On the Cessna 172 or Piper Archer, an extra passenger is $50, weight and conditions permitting. The Cub takes one guest.
Is there a minimum age?
12, with parent or guardian consent for anyone under 18.
What if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first. If the weather isn't safe, we cancel or reschedule at no cost to you. We make that call on the morning of your flight.
Can I fly at night?
Yes. The Night Discovery Flight is the same scenic route after dark, in an aircraft certified for night flight.
See LA from above
Same landmarks, day, sunset, or night. See the city the way pilots do.
Confirmation comes by email, usually within 4 hours. First time? Read what to expect on your first discovery flight.