Cheap flights from Los Angeles to New York

Flights from Los Angeles to New York: Route Overview

Route	Los Angeles (LAX) → New York (JFK)
Distance	3,980 km (2,471 miles)
Flight time	5h
Direct flights	Yes
Prices from	$99 round trip
Best months to fly	Jan-Mar, Sep-Nov

The Los Angeles to New York route is one of the most popular air corridors connecting LAX and JFK. With 6 airlines competing on this route, travelers can find competitive fares starting from $99 for a round trip. Direct flights take approximately 5h, covering a distance of 3,980 km.

Monthly price guide

Average round-trip prices from Los Angeles to New York by month. Highlighted months typically offer the best deals.

Prices are estimates based on historical data and may vary. Use the search widget above for current fares.

Airlines flying Los Angeles to New York

The following airlines operate direct flights on this route:

• JetBlue
• Delta
• American Airlines
• United
• Alaska Airlines
• Spirit

Booking tips for Los Angeles to New York

Eastbound flights are ~30 min shorter than westbound due to jet stream. JetBlue Mint business class from LAX to JFK is one of the best domestic premium products. Spirit and Frontier run sub-$80 sales regularly. Newark and LaGuardia can be $20-50 cheaper than JFK.

For the best prices, we recommend comparing across multiple booking platforms:

Alternative airports

Near Los Angeles: BUR (Burbank), SNA (Orange County). Searching these airports alongside the main one often surfaces cheaper options from low-cost carriers.

Near New York: EWR (Newark), LGA (LaGuardia). Low-cost carriers often serve secondary airports. The fare savings can be substantial, though check the cost and time of getting to/from the city center.

Prepare for your trip

Once you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to New York:

• Get an eSIM to stay connected on arrival — compare plans on SimTravelGuide
• Pre-book your airport transfer in New York — compare services on AirportTransfersNow
• Rent a car at your destination — find the best rates on MyCarHireNow

Read more about flights to New York or flights to Los Angeles.

Related routes

Understanding pricing on the Los Angeles to New York route

With 6 airlines competing on Los Angeles–New York, price wars work in your favor — particularly when low-cost carriers force full-service airlines to match base fares on the same corridor.

Pricing on this route reacts to both leisure and business demand. When conferences and events drive up fares in one direction, flying the reverse — or shifting dates by a few days — can still find reasonable prices.

How to book Los Angeles to New York

For a long-haul flight like Los Angeles–New York, start searching 8–12 weeks before departure. International fares hit their cheapest window 2–3 months out — earlier bookings carry a premium, and last-minute prices are usually the highest. Google Flights shows the cheapest dates at a glance — start there, then check Skyscanner and the Kiwi.com search above to make sure you are seeing every available fare.

On long-haul routes like this, mixing carriers on different segments can produce lower total costs. Book the outbound with one airline and the return with another if the pricing works out.

What to expect flying Los Angeles to New York

A 5h flight from Los Angeles to New York means the onboard experience genuinely matters. Seat pitch, meal quality, and entertainment options vary significantly between carriers on this route — check SeatGuru for your specific aircraft before choosing.

On arrival, immigration processing times vary by airport and time of day. If you are connecting onward, allow generous buffer time — especially at large hubs where terminal transfers can take 30+ minutes.

Summary: flying from Los Angeles to New York

Competition between JetBlue, Delta, American Airlines and United on this route works in your favor. Use it: search the same dates across at least two booking platforms, because different aggregators have different deals with airlines and the cheapest option varies by the day.

Pay attention to what is included in the fare. Budget carriers may quote a lower headline price but charge separately for carry-on bags, seat assignments, and in-flight meals. On a route like Los Angeles to New York, the fare difference between a full-service and a budget carrier after extras can shrink to almost nothing.

Your next step

Use the search widget at the top of this page to check current Los Angeles–New York fares. Then cross-reference with Google Flights — its calendar view makes it easy to spot the cheapest departure dates at a glance.

Once you find a good fare, don't hesitate too long. On popular routes like this one, the best prices tend to disappear within 24–48 hours. Setting up a price alert takes 30 seconds and means you will not miss a fare drop.