VAN NUYS AIRPORT TO LAX FLYAWAY® CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
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LOS ANGELES – Today marks the 50th anniversary of the FlyAway® Bus, which began operations and nonstop service from Van Nuys Airport (VNY) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in 1975. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) hosted a celebration commemorating the milestone with members of the community at the FlyAway® Terminal. The Van Nuys route has provided guests with more than 24 million rides to LAX since its opening.
"Since starting 50 years ago with just a single shuttle, the Van Nuys FlyAway® has become the go-to commuting choice for millions of guests seeking convenient and reliable nonstop trips from the San Fernando Valley to LAX," said David Reich, Deputy Executive Director of Mobility Strategy, Los Angeles World Airports. "The Van Nuys FlyAway® has been a model of transportation innovation and sustainability for our region, and it will continue to be for years to come."
As part of the celebratory event, guests and FlyAway® patrons had the opportunity to meet with LAWA staff and volunteers from the LAX Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPs) program.
The FlyAway® served 141 passengers on its first day of service on July 10, 1975 and grew to carry more than 275,000 riders just one year later in 1976. For the following three decades, it remained the sole FlyAway® route, becoming a trusted transportation lifeline between the San Fernando Valley and LAX.
Over the years, LAWA has invested in the service and worked with regional partners to improve connectivity and enhance regional mobility. In December 2004, LAWA invested $34 million to open a full-service bus terminal serving the Van Nuys route, located at 7610 Woodley Avenue, which also provides more than 3,000 parking spaces. Additionally, LA Metro bus line 169 connects the Van Nuys FlyAway® route with Amtrak/Metrolink operations at the Van Nuys Metrolink Station.
In November 2022, LAWA began the implementation of new technologies for FlyAway® service, including an electronic ticketing system allowing guests to purchase fares through the FlyAway® app, which is available on iOS and Android devices. In 2024, inclusive of the Union Station route, the service saved 3,521 metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions and reduced personal vehicle travel by 29.5 million vehicle miles traveled.
The FlyAway® served more than 1.8 million passengers in 2024 between its Van Nuys and Union Station routes, a 5.6 percent increase from 2023. For more information about the service, including purchasing tickets, please visit https://www.flylax.com/flyaway-bus.
Click here for additional photos. Credit all assets as "Courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports."
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is the City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates Los Angeles International (LAX) and Van Nuys (VNY) airports. Both airports play an integral role in helping to meet the Southern California regional demand for passenger, cargo and general aviation services, and provide high levels of safety, security and service for its customers, communities and stakeholders. More information can be found at lawa.org.
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.