Last updated November 4, 2026 · By Seth Semilof
Los Cabos is one of the easiest international trips by private jet from the western United States. It is about 800 nm from Los Angeles and under 900 nm from Dallas and Houston. Most private flights land at Los Cabos International in San José del Cabo, which serves both San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. This guide covers the 2026–27 winter dates that matter, distances from major US cities, which airport to use, Mexico’s arrival rules for private and charter flights and the return to the United States.
Haute Jets is a private jet charter broker, not an operator. We arrange flights with Wyvern- and ARGUS-rated FAA Part 135 operators, with access to 3,500+ vetted aircraft. No jet cards and no membership fees. Most quotes arrive within 60 minutes.
2026–27 winter dates for private flights
| Date | What happens | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| November 25–29, 2026 | Thanksgiving week (Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26) | One of the busiest weeks of the winter for US travelers; book early |
| November 30, 2026 | Eastern Pacific hurricane season ends | NOAA’s eastern Pacific season runs May 15 to November 30 |
| December through April | Whale season | Visit Los Cabos says gray and humpback whales and whale sharks are seen December through April; tours fill up |
| December 24, 2026 – January 3, 2027 | Christmas and New Year’s | The peak stretch; December 25 and January 1 are holidays, so confirm customs arrangements for your arrival time |
| January 18, 2027 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | A popular US long weekend |
| February 15, 2027 | Presidents’ Day | A popular US long weekend |
Sources: NOAA National Hurricane Center; Visit Los Cabos. US holiday dates are federal holidays.
Holidays matter for more than demand. AOPA advises that arrivals outside normal business hours, on weekends or on Mexican holidays need arrangements made in advance with the airport or FBO for customs. We build that into the plan before you fly.
How far is Cabo by private jet?
| From | Great-circle distance to Los Cabos (SJD) | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale (SDL) | 639 nm | See our Cabo to Phoenix route |
| San Diego (SAN) | 698 nm | See our Cabo to San Diego route |
| Austin (AUS) | 772 nm | Similar to Southern California |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 793 nm | See our Cabo to Los Angeles route |
| Van Nuys (VNY) | 808 nm | Similar to LAX |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 826 nm | Similar to Los Angeles |
| Houston Hobby (HOU) | 868 nm | Operator confirms nonstop for the aircraft |
| Dallas Love (DAL) | 896 nm | Operator confirms nonstop for the aircraft |
| Denver Centennial (APA) | 1,016 nm | Operator confirms nonstop for the aircraft |
| San Jose (SJC) | 1,060 nm | Operator confirms nonstop for the aircraft |
| Chicago Executive (PWK) | 1,576 nm | A longer trip; midsize jets and up, or a fuel stop |
| Seattle Boeing Field (BFI) | 1,583 nm | A longer trip; midsize jets and up, or a fuel stop |
| Miami-Opa Locka (OPF) | 1,613 nm | A longer trip; midsize jets and up, or a fuel stop |
| Teterboro (TEB) | 2,083 nm | See our Cabo to New York route |
Distances calculated from OurAirports coordinates. Published aircraft range is not trip range: the operator confirms every leg against passengers, bags, winds, runway and reserves.
From California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas, Cabo is a short international trip that light and midsize jets can cover. From Chicago, Seattle and South Florida, distances of about 1,600 nm mean the choice of jet matters more. From the New York area, about 2,100 nm each way, a super-midsize or larger jet gives the most margin for a nonstop. Request a Cabo quote and we will show which aircraft can fly nonstop each way.
Which Cabo airport?
| Airport (IATA / ICAO) | Location | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Los Cabos International (SJD / MMSD) | 11 km from San José del Cabo | The main gateway, serving San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Runway 16/34 is 9,843 ft. The PrimeSky Premium Private FBO operates inside the airport |
| Cabo San Lucas International (MMSL) | About 17 nm southwest of SJD, closer to Cabo San Lucas | A smaller field with a 6,998 ft runway. The operator confirms the aircraft, runway and customs arrangements before choosing it |
Sources: Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (Los Cabos airport and private aviation pages); OurAirports runway and coordinate data.
Los Cabos International is the right airport for most trips. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, which runs it, says the airport serves the whole area from San José del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas, and that PrimeSky has provided private aviation services there since 2009. Cabo San Lucas International can save time on the drive to Cabo San Lucas, but its shorter runway does not suit every jet. The operator makes that call for your aircraft and payload.
Los Cabos is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC−7) all year, with no daylight saving time. In winter that is two hours behind New York and one hour ahead of Los Angeles.
Arriving in Mexico by private jet
- First landing at an airport of entry. Aircraft entering Mexico must make their first landing at a designated airport of entry and notify Mexican customs and immigration, per AOPA.
- Charter permits. AOPA says commercial operators need advance permits, requested in writing at least five working days before the trip. For charter flights, the operator also carries its Air Operator Certificate. Book early so the operator has time.
- Private flights. Since January 1, 2024, Mexico issues a Single International Authorization (AIU), valid for 180 days, in place of the old single and multiple entry permits. AOPA advises requesting it at least two days before arrival.
- Passenger lists. Since September 17, 2025, private and charter operators send Mexico’s immigration institute the passenger and crew list in two steps: within two hours before departure, then a confirmation once the doors close and before takeoff.
- Insurance. AOPA says FAA Part 135 operators must carry worldwide insurance and a Mexican insurance policy issued in Mexico.
- Passports. Every passenger needs a current passport. AOPA notes that children traveling with only one parent need a notarized letter of approval from the absent parent stating the dates of the trip.
- Fees. AOPA reports higher Mexican immigration and service fees from January 1, 2026. These are set by the government, airports and FBOs, and appear in the operator’s quote.
AOPA also notes that Mexico’s military now operates the country’s civil airports and that procedures can vary from airport to airport. The operator and its handler confirm the latest rules for Los Cabos before every trip. Your job is simple: send accurate passport details for everyone on board when we ask.
Flying back to the United States
The return has one rule that surprises people. Under 19 CFR 122.23 and 122.24, most private and charter aircraft arriving from Mexico must give CBP notice of arrival and make their first US landing at a designated airport near the point where they cross the border or coastline. The list includes San Diego’s Brown Field, Calexico, Yuma, Tucson, Nogales, El Paso, San Antonio and Houston Hobby. The rule does not apply to aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats or 7,500 lb of payload flying on demand.
Operators can apply for a CBP Border Overflight Exemption, made through eAPIS, which lets them skip that first stop and fly on to another CBP airport. Whether your flight has one depends on the operator. Either way, the operator files the passenger manifest with CBP before departure, and you clear customs at the first US airport. We tell you on the quote where that first landing will be.
What winter in Cabo looks like
Winter is when most travelers go to Cabo. Hurricane season ends November 30, and whale season runs December through April, according to Visit Los Cabos. Gray and humpback whales are seen along the coast with their young, and whale sharks arrive in the same months. Visit Los Cabos advises booking tours early because they fill up quickly.
For the trip itself, the biggest planning question is timing. Thanksgiving week and the Christmas–New Year stretch are the busiest periods, and holiday arrivals need customs arranged ahead of time. If your dates are flexible, a few days either side of the peaks can make planning easier.
Planning tips
- Book early for the holidays. Charter permits need lead time, and the peak weeks fill fast.
- Send passport details early. Mexico and CBP both need accurate passenger lists before departure.
- Name your hotel area. It helps decide between Los Cabos International and Cabo San Lucas International.
- Ask where the first US landing is. It may be a border airport unless the operator holds an overflight exemption.
- Read the latest guidance. See our Los Cabos travel advisory guide and our Cabo San Lucas private jet charter page.
Get a Cabo quote
Tell us your city, dates, passengers and bags, and we will line up options from Wyvern- and ARGUS-rated operators. Most quotes arrive within 60 minutes. Request a quote or call (800) 257-5661.
FAQs
Which airport do private jets use in Cabo?
Most use Los Cabos International (SJD), 11 km from San José del Cabo, which serves both San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas and has a 9,843 ft runway. Cabo San Lucas International (MMSL) is a smaller field with a 6,998 ft runway, closer to Cabo San Lucas.
How long is a private jet flight to Cabo from Los Angeles?
Los Angeles to Los Cabos is about 793 nm in a straight line. Flight time depends on the aircraft and winds, and the operator gives you the schedule on your quote. Light and midsize jets commonly fly this distance nonstop.
Can I fly private from New York to Cabo nonstop?
Teterboro to Los Cabos is about 2,083 nm. That is a long leg, so a super-midsize or larger jet gives the most margin. The operator confirms nonstop with your passengers, bags and the season’s winds, and we show which aircraft on your quote can do it.
What documents do I need to fly private to Cabo?
Bring a current passport. AOPA notes that a child traveling with only one parent needs a notarized letter from the absent parent stating the trip dates. The operator handles the permits, insurance and passenger lists Mexico requires.
How much notice does a charter flight to Cabo need?
AOPA says commercial operators need advance permits, requested in writing at least five working days before the trip. For holiday weeks, book as early as you can.
When is the best time to fly private to Cabo?
Winter. The eastern Pacific hurricane season ends November 30, and Visit Los Cabos says whale season runs December through April. Thanksgiving and the Christmas–New Year stretch are the busiest weeks.
Do I have to stop at the border when flying back from Cabo?
Often, yes. US rules require most private and charter aircraft arriving from Mexico to land first at a designated airport near the border or coast, such as San Diego’s Brown Field or Tucson, unless the operator holds a CBP overflight exemption.
How do I get a quote for a private jet to Cabo?
Request a quote at https://www.hautejets.com/request-a-quote or call (800) 257-5661. Most quotes arrive within 60 minutes. No jet cards and no membership fees.
Sources
- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, Los Cabos International Airport: aeropuertosgap.com.mx
- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, Los Cabos private aviation (PrimeSky FBO): aeropuertosgap.com.mx
- AOPA, flying to Mexico (entry, permits, passenger lists, insurance and fees): aopa.org
- eCFR, 19 CFR 122.23 (aircraft arriving from areas south of the US): ecfr.gov
- eCFR, 19 CFR 122.24 (landing requirements and designated airports): ecfr.gov
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, General Aviation Processing (eAPIS and Border Overflight Exemption): cbp.gov
- NOAA National Hurricane Center, tropical cyclone climatology: nhc.noaa.gov
- Visit Los Cabos, whale watching: visitloscabos.travel
- timeanddate.com, Cabo San Lucas time zone: timeanddate.com
- OurAirports, airport coordinates and runway data: ourairports.com