Spring brings warmer weather and high energy for the biggest musical festivals of the year. This April, thousands of eager music fans will arrive in Southern California for two consecutive weekends of relaxation and world-class performances.

Featuring iconic artists like Lady Gaga, Missy Elliot, Charli xcx, and Post Malone, the weekends of April 11-13 and 18-20 promise a fantastic experience for festival-goers from around the world.

Desert music festivals bring a significant amount of private aviation travel, and Signature Aviation is aware of the need to keep our guests prepared for flight planning in high-traffic scenarios. If you’re traveling to Southern California with clients for this year’s musical festival season, keep reading for details about where to land and how to create the smoothest trip for your crew and passengers.

Festival Timeline

Traveling with Signature Aviation as your choice private aviation terminal provider means a wide variety of options for landing in Southern California. Each location is fully outfitted and equipped to support pilots, flight crews, and passengers with elevated services to ensure seamless arrivals and departures during high traffic between flights amid potential desert music festival traffic.

Where to Land

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)

Fly into Palm Springs, the closest airport to the festival. Only 35 minutes from prime music festival locations, Signature PSP offers simple transportation to the main event venue and the closest access.

Here are important guidelines for pilots and crews to be aware of at Signature PSP for the upcoming desert music festivals:

• An event fee will be in place during the following dates: 4/10/2025 - 4/14/2025, 4/18/2025 - 4/21/2025, and, 4/25/2025 - 4/28/2025.

• No slot reservations are required at this terminal.

• 3rd party vehicles will be allowed on the ramp during this event. 

• Amenities offered for travelers include: transportation to and from the on-site hotel, crew cars, pilot lounge, and booking assistance for lodging and rental vehicles.

Van Nuys Airport (VNY) 

VNY is the perfect location for travelers who want to experience all that Southern California has to offer before they head into the desert for a music festival weekend. Your passengers will enjoy a 4-hour desert road trip from Signature VNY to their music festival destination, so this is the perfect location for travelers seeking a longer vacation.

• No slot restrictions are required at this terminal.

• 3rd party vehicles will be allowed on the ramp during this event. 

• Taxiway construction from 4/3/2025 - 6/12/2025 will decrease the main Signature VNY runway length from 8,000ft to 5,000ft. 

• Enjoy complimentary shoe-shine service M-F while you await transportation from our terminal.  

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 

Help your passengers start their music festival weekends off right with a flight into iconic LAX. Easy access to Los Angeles, before you head to the desert, is the best way to kick off a weekend of music and exhilaration—and coming in at only a 2-hour drive from the venue, LAX is a great location to get a full-fledged Southern California experience. Some of the world-class services and important points to note at Signature LAX during this event include: 

• No slot restrictions are required at this terminal.

• 3rd party vehicles will be allowed on the ramp during this event. 

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel is available at this Signature terminal.

• This terminal can support Super Mid-Size aircraft.

• Ramp space can be constricted during events, but our team works to keep flight operations as efficient and safe as possible. 

Long Beach Airport (LGB) 

Land between Los Angeles and Orange County for a unique experience of Southern California’s coast. A 2-hour drive from LGB to the desert will ensure you stay reasonably close to the venue. If your aircraft is landing at LGB for this spring’s biggest music festival, here are a few tips to keep in mind: 

• No slot restrictions are required at this terminal.

• 3rd party vehicles will be allowed on the ramp during this event. 

• Complimentary Signature Aviation items will be available for your crew and passengers.

   

Planning and Logistics

The more aware your team can be of the logistics of the private aviation terminal they’re flying into, the smoother and easier their arrival and departure experiences will be. No matter which terminal your passengers or flight planners have chosen, Signature is prepared to ensure a seamless, enjoyable, and safe experience for every traveler flying on a private plane to Southern California for the 2025 Desert Music Festival.

Traffic, Parking, and Fueling

Ramp traffic can create a challenge for private aviation terminals during peak travel times. Signature Aviation recommends early communication and ramp parking reservations to ensure seamless parking flows.

Festival weekends also mean significant traffic increases on major highways. PSP will see the highest congestion, while travelers flying into VNY or LAX may experience more flexibility with transportation. Signature Aviation offers efficient fueling options at all locations to ensure a quick turnaround for departing flights.

Communication, Safety, and Security

Our terminals prioritize safety and efficiency for all arriving and departing flights. We recommend that flight crews prioritize proactive coordination with their terminal through email, phone calls, and flight bridge services. Additionally, our team will be available to provide real-time updates on air traffic and ground conditions.

The Signature Aviation Experience

Our goal is to provide a world-class experience for pilots, crews, and passengers. Our terminals are equipped with all of the needed amenities for a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Hotels and Transportation

While the desert venue offers ample lodging and camping options during the festival, your clients may need recommendations for car or hotel accommodations before they get to their destination. Signature is happy to share our list of recommended hotels in Southern California, as well as rental car booking in partnership with Go Rentals.

What Guests Can Expect

With decades of experience managing high-profile events, Signature Aviation is a trusted partner for private aviation travel during festival season. Let us handle the logistics so your crew and passengers can focus on enjoying the music and their experience. 

FAQs 

What are the best airports to fly into for the 2025 desert music festival? 

The biggest desert music festivals of 2025 are located in Southern California. Signature Aviation recommends Palm Springs International Airport, Van Nuys Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Long Beach Airport.

what ground handling services are available for jet traffic in Southern California?

Every Signature Aviation location at the airports listed above provides comprehensive ground handling services for private jets arriving in Southern California, from ramp parking to refueling and maintenance. 

Are there any flight restrictions for private jets during 2025's largest desert music festival?

No flight restrictions are in place for private jets during these events.

What are the peak arrival and departure times for private flights during the festival?

Most festival-goers aim to secure parking, a good campsite (if they are staying on-site), and need time to scout out which stage their favorite artists are performing at. With all of those factors in mind, peak arrival and departure times for when you are flight planning for a trip to Southern California will likely occur from Thursday evening (3/10 and 3/17) to Friday morning (3/11 and 3/18).