 | |
 FlyAway bus boarding passengers at Union Station, 2007 | |
| Parent | Los Angeles World Airports |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1975 |
| Locale | Los Angeles County, California |
| Service type | Airport shuttle |
| Routes | 2 |
| Annual ridership | 1.9 million (2024)[1] |
| Website | flylax |
FlyAway is anairport shuttle service providing non-stop connections to and fromLos Angeles International Airport (LAX). As of 2025, service operates between LAX and two bus terminals located nearVan Nuys Airport andLos Angeles Union Station. The service is managed byLos Angeles World Airports (LAWA), which also operates LAX and Van Nuys Airport, while daily operations are contracted to third-party bus operators. FlyAway is part of LAWA's ground transportation initiative to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions by promoting high-occupancy vehicle travel. In 2024, LAWA reported that the FlyAway network carried more than 1.9 million passengers, eliminating an estimated 1.45 million individual vehicle trips.[1][2]
Currently, FlyAway buses serve the LAX Central Terminal Area (CTA) at eight stops, covering Terminals 1 through 7 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.[3] With the planned opening of theLAX Automated People Mover in early 2026, FlyAway service will be shifted out of the CTA. Instead, buses will stop at dedicated bays on a new platform under construction by LAWA near theLAX/Metro Transit Center station. The change is intended to address recurring problems, such as buses reaching capacity before serving all terminals and delays caused by CTA traffic congestion. LAWA officials expect the new arrangement to improve service reliability, reduce travel times, and provide opportunities for future growth.[4][5]
FlyAway buses do not accept cash payments. Tickets can be purchased with acredit ordebit card at stations or online, and fares are also payable with aTAP card. Tickets for the Union Station route are additionally available atMetrolink ticket vending machines at all train stations, including Union Station.[6] Metrolink monthly pass holders may ride the Union Station route free of charge with a same-day airline ticket.[6][7]
The Van Nuys FlyAway provides direct service between LAX and the FlyAway terminal adjacent to the LAWA-ownedVan Nuys Airport. Service operates 24 hours a day, with hourly departures between midnight and 3 am, every 30 minutes between 3 am and 5 am, and every 20 minutes from 5 am to midnight.[8]
Van Nuys is the only FlyAway stop with a dedicated passenger terminal, located at 7610 Woodley Avenue.[8] When the route opened on July 10, 1975, it was served by a small terminal building.[9] In 2004, this was replaced with a larger US$34 million facility designed as a remote LAX terminal, including provisions for future airline ticketing and checked-baggage services.[10] The project also added a 2,000-space parking garage, improved drop-off facilities, and new landscaping, bringing total parking capacity to 3,020 spaces.[11]
Nearby public transit is provided byLos Angeles Metro Bus route169, which connects Saticoy Street toCanoga station, theWarner Center Transit Hub,Van Nuys station, andHollywood Burbank Airport, with stops at both theNorth andSouth stations and the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center, linking toAmtrak, theMetro G Line, andMetrolink.[12]
Van Nuys was the original FlyAway route and the only one for more than 30 years. In its first year it carried over 275,000 passengers, growing to nearly 988,000 annually by 2008.[citation needed]
The Van Nuys route is one of the few FlyAway services that operates at a profit, with fare and parking revenue covering operating costs. In 2013, LAWA projected a net operating profit of about $168,000.[6][13]
The Union Station FlyAway connects LAX with thePatsaouras Transit Plaza on the east side ofUnion Station in downtown Los Angeles. It is intended to serve passengers arriving bypublic transportation, though parking is available in a garage on Vignes Street at higher rates than at Van Nuys.[citation needed]
The service operates 24 hours a day, with buses running every 30 minutes for most of the day, every 20 minutes during peak hours, and hourly late at night. Buses depart from Bay 1 at the Patsaouras Transit Plaza and use the high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on theHarbor Freeway (I-110) and the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on theCentury Freeway (I-105). Tickets may be purchased from the staffed FlyAway kiosk at the plaza or from anyMetrolink ticket vending machine.[14]
The Union Station FlyAway began service on March 15, 2006, becoming the second FlyAway location. It was hailed as a success by city officials, carrying 250,000 passengers in its first year—more than three times the original forecast. By 2008, annual ridership had risen to over 433,000.[citation needed]
The Westwood FlyAway route operated between LAX and Parking Structure 32 near theUCLA campus inWestwood.[6] Service began on June 14, 2007, as the third FlyAway route, and was operated with compressed natural gas (CNG) buses beginning in 2008. In its first year, the Westwood FlyAway carried about 105,000 passengers, rising to 125,000 in 2008. Despite this, ridership remained relatively low compared to other routes, and the service was discontinued on July 1, 2019, due to low demand, high parking fees, and competition from ride-hailing services.[15]
The Irvine FlyAway operated from theIrvine Transportation Center, beginning November 16, 2009. It offered limited service—six trips per day with fares of $25. Passengers had access to free long-term parking. Following theChapter 11 bankruptcy of operatorCoach America, the route was discontinued on August 31, 2012.[16]
The Expo/La Brea FlyAway ran betweenExpo/La Brea station on theMetro Expo Line and LAX. Service began July 1, 2013, with lower fares than other routes, but was discontinued on September 2, 2014, replaced by the Hollywood FlyAway route.[6]
The Santa Monica FlyAway linked LAX withSanta Monica Place beginning July 15, 2014.[17] Intended to serve local residents and connect with theBig Blue Bus andExpo Line, it lacked dedicated parking and faced competition from existing Big Blue Bus route 3 to LAX.[18] The service ended September 5, 2016.[19]
The Hollywood FlyAway connected LAX with a stop on Vine Street near theHollywood/Vine station on theMetro B Line. Buses also made a stop at the Expo/La Brea station on the E Line, replacing the former Expo/La Brea route. Service began September 3, 2014,[20][21] and was intended to serve Metro riders and local residents. The route was criticized for reliability issues, with more than 75 complaints logged in its first months of operation.[22] The service was suspended March 28, 2020, and has not resumed.[23]
Beginning December 7, 2015, select Van Nuys FlyAway trips stopped atWoodley station on theMetro Orange Line (now G Line).[24] The stop was discontinued January 31, 2019, due to low ridership.[25]
The Long Beach FlyAway operated between LAX and Shelter A at the Long Beach Transit Gallery, near theDowntown Long Beach station on theMetro A Line. Service began December 30, 2015.[26] The service was suspended March 28, 2020, and has not resumed.[23]
