1 hour · 1–2 guests
Discovery Flight Los Angeles
Your first real flying lesson — you take the controls.
From $230
Private flights · Van Nuys Airport
Fly Over Los Angeles.
Take the Controls.
Private scenic flights and real flying lessons over the Hollywood Sign, Downtown LA, Malibu, Santa Monica and every corner of LA County — with a certified flight instructor by your side.
★ 4.971,614 Airbnb ratings
Hands-onTake the controls yourself
CertifiedFAA-certificated instructors
LoggableCounts toward a pilot license
Signature Experiences
Every flight is private and instructor-led. Fly yourself, or sit back and enjoy the view.
Loved by Guests From Around the World
Real reviews from guests who booked our flight on Airbnb Experiences.
This was one of the best Airbnb Experiences I've done. The host explained how the plane operates clearly and patiently, and he let me take the controls myself. Flying it was thrilling yet easier than I expected. Seeing LA from above is spectacular. He was also friendly and easy to talk to, and we had a great conversation after the flight. Highly recommend.
First time flying in an airplane to tour LA. Took off at perfectly timing to witness sunset and golden hours of LA city as well as pacific ocean.
It’s a wonderful experience. We saw Hollywood sign. Santa Monica pier and a lot of iconic scenes. Pilot Dylan is very nice and welcoming. We enjoyed our time.
My girlfriend and I had an absolute blast flying with Lo. It has been truly one of the most memorable experience ever and I even got to actually fly and steer the plane. I’d 100% recommend anyone even remotely into aviation or flying to do this while in L.A.
Amazing experience - highly recommend this to any aviation geeks or those that just want to see LA from another POV! Nirvan, our pilot, was so calm and professional. We were able to see a lot of the spots that walked through in the city!
My wife and I flew with Lo. It was a fantastic experience, all as advertised. Everything went smoothly from start to finish. My wife was the co-pilot. It was a surprise for her, and she was quite nervous, but Lo made her feel very comfortable. I would definitely recommend this experience for first time visitors to LA.
Reviews shown verbatim from our Airbnb Experience listing, rating as of October 2026. Read more reviews →
Iconic LA Landmark Tours
Build your route around the sights you want to see.
Hollywood Hills
Hollywood Sign
The 45-foot letters on Mount Lee — the most recognizable sign on Earth.
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Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown LA Skyline
Wilshire Grand, U.S. Bank Tower and the towers of Bunker Hill.
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Chavez Ravine / Elysian Park
Dodger Stadium
Baseball's third-oldest ballpark, tucked into Chavez Ravine.
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Santa Monica
Santa Monica Pier
The Pacific Park Ferris wheel and the end of historic Route 66.
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Venice
Venice Beach
The Boardwalk, Muscle Beach and Abbot Kinney's canals.
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Malibu
Malibu Coastline
27 miles of beaches, coves and Point Dume.
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Griffith Park
Griffith Observatory
The Art Deco domes on Mount Hollywood.
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Inglewood
SoFi Stadium
The translucent-roofed home of the Rams and Chargers.
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Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills
Rodeo Drive, Greystone and estates of the hills.
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Pasadena
Rose Bowl & Pasadena
"The Granddaddy of Them All" in the Arroyo Seco.
View tourMore Than a Tour — Your First Flight Lesson
Most sightseeing flights put you in the back seat. We put you in the left seat. A Discovery Flight is a real introductory lesson: you'll help preflight the airplane, learn the controls on the ground, then fly over Los Angeles yourself while your instructor coaches you.
It's the most exciting way to see Los Angeles — and the hour can even be logged toward a pilot license if you catch the flying bug.
Meet the Fleet
From a classic Cessna to an aerobatic Pitts biplane — choose the airplane for your discovery flight.
Cessna 172
“Classic, smooth, perfect sightseeing ride.”
- Top speed
- 140 mph
- Range
- 740 mi
- Power
- 160 hp
Piper Archer
“Comfortable cross-city flying adventure.”
- Top speed
- 145 mph
- Range
- 630 mi
- Power
- 180 hp
Piper J-3 Cub
“Vintage doors-off, open-air joy.”
- Top speed
- 80 mph
- Range
- 200 mi
- Power
- 65 hp
Pitts S-2B Biplane
“Ultimate adrenaline rush, pure aerobatics.”
- Top speed
- 200 mph
- Range
- 275 mi
- Power
- 260 hp
How It Works
Choose
Pick an experience and the landmarks you'd like to see.
Book
Request your date and time online. We'll confirm quickly.
Brief
Meet your instructor at Van Nuys Airport for a relaxed briefing.
Fly
Take off, take the controls and see LA like never before.
We Fly Over All of LA County
From the beaches of Malibu to Pasadena, Long Beach to Santa Clarita.
- Los Angeles
- Hollywood
- Downtown Los Angeles
- West Hollywood
- Beverly Hills
- Santa Monica
- Venice
- Malibu
- Culver City
- Inglewood
- El Segundo
- Manhattan Beach
- Hermosa Beach
- Redondo Beach
- Torrance
- Palos Verdes Estates
- Rancho Palos Verdes
- Long Beach
- San Pedro
- Carson
- Pasadena
- South Pasadena
- Altadena
- Arcadia
- Monrovia
- Alhambra
- San Gabriel
- El Monte
- West Covina
- Pomona
- All cities →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a flight?
Choose your experience on the Book Now page, pick a preferred date and time, and send your request. We'll confirm availability by phone or email, usually within one business day.
Do I need any experience?
No. Discovery flights are designed for people who have never flown. Your instructor handles everything and you fly as much or as little as you like.
Can I really fly the airplane?
Yes. Our aircraft have dual controls, and with your instructor beside you, you'll take the controls once safely airborne.
How many people can come?
Most flights take one guest plus the instructor. The Cessna 172 and Piper Archer can sometimes take an additional passenger depending on weight and conditions. Groups can book back-to-back flights.
Are there weight limits?
Yes. Every flight has weight and balance limits that depend on the aircraft. We'll ask for approximate weights when booking so we can plan safely.