A discovery flight in Los Angeles costs between roughly $189 and $500, depending on how long you fly, which airplane you fly, and whether a second person comes along. Here's how to read the prices you'll see, and what actually changes between a $150 flight and a $400 one.
The short answer
| What you're buying | Typical Los Angeles price | You Fly LA |
|---|---|---|
| Full-motion simulator session, 60 min | $150 to $250 | $189 |
| Discovery flight, 30 min, one person | $150 to $220 | not offered (see why below) |
| Discovery flight, 60 min, one person | $220 to $300 | $229 |
| Discovery flight for two, 60 min | $280 to $400 | $299 |
| Discovery flight for two, 90 min, coast | $380 to $550 | $399 |
| Premium aircraft (Cirrus SR22), 60 min for two | $400 to $700 | $399 |
What the price is made of
Three things set the cost of a discovery flight, and they're the same three things that set the cost of any flying lesson:
- The airplane, by the hour. A two- or four-seat trainer like a Piper Warrior costs a school roughly $150 to $180 an hour to fly, including fuel and maintenance. A Cirrus SR22 costs two to three times that.
- The instructor, by the hour. An FAA-certificated flight instructor is with you from the briefing to the logbook, usually two hours for a one-hour flight.
- Time in the air. This is where cheap flights get cheap. A "$149 discovery flight" is almost always 20 to 30 minutes of flying, of which perhaps 10 to 15 minutes is you on the controls. It's a taste, not a lesson.
Why we don't sell a 30-minute flight
Because thirty minutes is not enough time to fly. By the time you've climbed out of Van Nuys and cleared the airport's airspace you're ten minutes in; you'd get a few turns over the Valley and come straight back. Sixty minutes is enough to reach the Hollywood Sign and downtown, or the coast, with 35 to 45 minutes of you flying. It costs more, and the difference is the whole experience.
What should be included
At any reputable school the price should cover the aircraft, fuel, instructor, briefing, headset and a signed logbook entry. Ask about these before booking elsewhere:
- Fuel surcharges. Some schools add one at the counter. Ours are all-in.
- Passenger fees. A "for two" flight should be one price. Check whether the second person costs extra.
- Landing or airport fees. Not a thing at Van Nuys for training flights, but ask if you're flying from elsewhere.
- Weather cancellation. A weather cancellation should never cost you anything. Read the policy before you pay.
- Gift-card expiry. California law gives gift cards a minimum five-year life; if a certificate says twelve months, that's a red flag.
Is a discovery flight worth it?
If you've ever wondered whether you'd like to fly, yes: it's the cheapest possible way to find out, and the hour is logged toward a pilot license if you continue. As an experience gift, it costs about the same as a nice dinner for two and lasts considerably longer in the memory. And unlike an airplane tour at a similar price, you're the one flying.
Ways to pay less
- Book a weekday morning; some schools discount off-peak slots. (We don't vary prices, but mornings are smoother and the light is better.)
- If you're choosing between two 60-minute flights, the "for two" version is usually only $70 more and brings a witness.
- If you decide to train, ask whether the discovery flight is credited toward your course. Most schools, including the one we recommend, will.
Ready to compare the flights themselves? See all You Fly LA discovery flights or read what to expect on the day.