Air Travel Information

Burner Express Air (BxA) is a charter air transportation service that will transport Burners from Southern California, the Bay Area, and Reno to Black Rock City (BRC) and back. The intent of BxA is to facilitate flight bookings for participants, reduce traffic on the roadways, and streamline operations at Black Rock City Municipal Airport. In 2024, flights to BRC will begin Wednesday, August 21, and will run through Monday September 2.

You must have a Burning Man ticket in order to travel on Burner Express Air — tickets or will-call order confirmations will be verified before passengers are allowed to board. BxA flights are operated by independent air carriers, and all BxA flights must be booked through the Burner Express Air website. For more information visit burnerexpress.burningman.org. Changes to BxA flight bookings are subject to a $150 change fee before August 15, and after August 15, no changes are allowed, so solidify your travel plans before you book your flights. Changes to the day or time of your flight will incur per person change fee.

On Saturday 8/24 your Burner Express Air ticket counts as your Setup Access pass. Passengers traveling to Burning Man prior to Saturday, August 24, also need to produce a valid bar-coded Setup Access Pass.

Luggage

Luggage is limited to the weight and size restrictions of the aircraft, as well as FAA regulations. One piece of luggage is included at no extra charge. Each passenger is allowed his/her own weight + one piece of luggage not to exceed 25 pounds. That baggage cannot exceed the size of a commercial airline carry-on with the maximum dimensions of 24 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches. Soft-sided and/or duffle bags are strongly recommended.

Additional bags and/or weight may be accommodated at extra charge, subject to aircraft weight and balance limitations. Any bags in excess of 30 pounds must be arranged in advance or your bag could be delayed or not allowed to fly. These are small aircraft, not 747s. Passengers weighing more than 250 pounds may be accommodated pursuant to weight and balance restrictions–BXA carriers will do their best to safely accommodate passengers. Extra charges may apply.

It is the responsibility of each individual passenger to abide by the combined weight and luggage limits or make other arrangements prior to traveling. Passengers and their baggage will be weighed prior to any flight. Air carriers reserve the right, without refund, to remove a passenger or their luggage from flight due to non-compliance with the weight guidelines.

Checking In for Your Flight

Passengers should arrive at the airport at least 45 minutes prior to their flight. If you miss your booked flight, BxA will do its best to accommodate you on a later flight, but there are no guarantees. If the next available flight is on another day, you are responsible for your own accommodations and expenses.

Passengers must check in at the Burner Express check-in location at least 45 minutes prior to their flight to be accommodated.

At check-in, you’ll need to provide your Burning Man ticket or order confirmation number, along with a photo ID. All passengers are required to present valid, legal, unexpired, government-issued photo identification. For US citizens, that usually means either a passport or a driver’s license. For non-US citizens, that usually means a passport.

Upon arrival at the Black Rock City Airport, if Burning Man Gate staff determine that you do not have a valid event ticket, Burning Man requires that a Burner Express Air flight transport you back to Reno.

Arriving in Black Rock City

Burner Express Air lands at the Black Rock City Municipal Airport in the Black Rock Desert. The BRC Airport is located at the edge of the City itself at the end of the 5:00 road. Upon arrival, passengers will exit the plane, collect their luggage, and be escorted by BxA staff to the arrivals area.  Newly arriving participants must pay a $60 Gate use fee at the AirBox and collect their Burning Man Tickets if they are being held at Will Call. Once participants have paid their Gate fee, they may proceed through the Gate where their tickets will be scanned and they’ll be welcomed into Black Rock City.

From the Airport, passengers will have the option to take BRC Airport shuttles that will transport Burners to various locations within Black Rock City. These buses will depart regularly during Airport operating hours with a schedule posted at the Airport. Mutant vehicles may also provide transportation, although they do not operate on a set schedule. Your best bet if traveling via mutant vehicle is to have your campmates arrange for one to collect you and your luggage from the BRC Airport. There is no driving in Black Rock city, so please refrain from asking your friends to pick you up!

Departing from Black Rock City

Make sure you have arranged a reliable way to get back to the Airport for your departing flight, particularly for early morning flights. BRC Airport shuttle buses will regularly pick up passengers at the same locations as the drop-off points. (Mutant vehicles can be scarce around dawn.) For departures after the Man burns, allow yourself some extra time to get to the Airport: there will be fewer landmarks to guide you at that point. Arrive at the Burner Express Air terminal at the BRC Airport at least 45 minutes before your scheduled departure to allow time for check in. You and your luggage will be weighed, and you’ll be checked in for your flight.

For Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, the terminal will be staffed early morning to check in for Exodus. The same check-in protocol applies. Bring your government-issued ID, make sure you have an ID tag on your baggage, check in, have yourself and your luggage weighed, and wait until your flight is called. An escort will take you to your aircraft for boarding.

Don’t forget to bring warm layers and water for the trip home — spending time on an air-conditioned plane can be a shock after acclimatizing to the desert heat.

Reno Airport

Burner Express Air operates out of Atlantic Aviation on the east side of Reno/Tahoe International Airport. Please look for the Burner Express Air signs to check in.

Atlantic Aviation is not at the main commercial airline terminal. All charter aviation is located on the opposite side of the airport at 655 South Rock Boulevard. We recommend using a taxi or rideshare service to travel from the commercial airline terminal to Atlantic Aviation.

Atlantic Aviation no longer allows Burning Man passengers into its facility, in part due to the dust tracked in over the years. All Burning Man flights will arrive and depart from the very large tent located adjacent and immediately to the south of their building.

Nonstop flight times from Reno to BRC are approximately 45 minutes.

Oakland, CA (East Bay)

In the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay area, Burner Express Air flights operate from the Signature Oakland FBO, located at 8433 Earhart Road. This is not the commercial airline terminal. Please look for the Burner Express Air signs to check in. More details about how to find Burner Express Air in Oakland are available on the flight-booking website.

Nonstop flight times from Oakland to BRC are approximately 90 minutes.

Burbank, CA (Southern California)

Just north of Los Angeles in Southern California, Burner Express Air flights operate from Burbank Airport at the Atlantic Aviation Charter terminal, located at 10750 Sherman Way. This is not the main commercial airline terminal.

Your departure from Burbank will be called by BXA ground crew, who will weigh you and your baggage, check you in, verify that you have Burning Man tickets or order confirmation numbers, and escort you to your flight.

Nonstop flight times from Burbank to BRC are approximately two to two and a half hours.

Volunteering or Camping

Are you interested in volunteering for the Burner Express Air Program? Do you have fabulous skills when it comes to the skies? Or are you interested in camping with the crew? We’d love to have you!

If you’re interested in volunteering with the Burner Express Air Team, please select “Burner Express Air” when you fill out the Volunteer Questionnaire. To fill out the Volunteer Questionnaire, you must first create a Burner Profile. Can’t wait to see you in the dust!

Air Carriers

If you are an Air Carrier who wishes to fly into Black Rock City, please contact  support@nullcamsamaviation.com to register.  All air carriers must register with the Burner Express Air program in order to land at 88NV. If you are not registered with BxA, you and your passengers will be asked to depart the event.

Other Questions?

Please visit the FAQ or check in with Burner Express Air staff on site.