Compare flight prices from JetBlue, Delta, United and more. Direct flights from $99 round trip. The New York to Los Angeles flight takes 5h 30m direct.
| Route | New York (JFK) → Los Angeles (LAX) |
|---|---|
| Distance | 3,980 km (2,471 miles) |
| Flight time | 5h 30m |
| Direct flights | Yes |
| Prices from | $99 round trip |
| Best months to fly | Jan-Mar, Sep-Nov |
The New York to Los Angeles route is one of the most popular air corridors connecting JFK and LAX. With 6 airlines competing on this route, travelers can find competitive fares starting from $99 for a round trip. Direct flights take approximately 5h 30m, covering a distance of 3,980 km.
Average round-trip prices from New York to Los Angeles by month. Highlighted months typically offer the best deals.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $98 | $140 | $89 | $130 | $115 | $116 | $112 | $117 | $101 | $122 | $99 | $112 |
Prices are estimates based on historical data and may vary. Use the search widget above for current fares.
The following airlines operate direct flights on this route:
One of the most competitive domestic routes — sub-$100 fares appear regularly. JetBlue Mint offers lie-flat business class at a fraction of international business class prices. Red-eyes are cheapest. Burbank is more convenient for Hollywood/Valley areas.
For the best prices, we recommend comparing across multiple booking platforms:
Near New York: EWR (Newark), LGA (LaGuardia). Budget carriers frequently use these airports, so checking them can uncover lower-priced alternatives.
Near Los Angeles: BUR (Burbank), SNA (John Wayne/Orange County). Secondary airports are popular with budget airlines. Factor in taxi or shuttle costs before assuming the cheaper fare is actually cheaper overall.
Once you've booked your flight from New York to Los Angeles:
Read more about flights to Los Angeles or flights to New York.
With 6 airlines competing on New York–Los Angeles, price wars work in your favor — particularly when low-cost carriers force full-service airlines to match base fares on the same corridor.
Demand on New York–Los Angeles follows predictable cycles tied to holidays, school breaks, and business travel patterns. Booking during the low-demand months in our table above is the easiest way to cut costs.
For a long-haul flight like New York–Los Angeles, 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. Start on Google Flights to find the cheapest dates, then cross-reference on Skyscanner and the Kiwi.com widget above. No single engine wins every time, so checking two or three is worth the extra minute.
Consider whether a connecting flight through a nearby hub could cut costs. One-stop itineraries on New York–Los Angeles sometimes save 20–40% — the question is whether the extra travel time is worth it.
On a flight this long, the difference between a 31-inch and 33-inch seat pitch is noticeable. Full-service carriers on New York–Los Angeles generally include meals and entertainment, while budget options charge extra — factor those costs into your comparison.
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.
Competition between JetBlue, Delta, United and American Airlines 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 New York to Los Angeles, the fare difference between a full-service and a budget carrier after extras can shrink to almost nothing.
Search New York to Los Angeles fares using the widget above, which pulls live prices from Kiwi.com. For a second opinion, check Skyscanner's "whole month" view — it shows you the cheapest day to fly at a glance.
If the price you see today looks reasonable compared to the monthly averages in our table above, book it. Waiting for a further drop is a gamble that more often results in paying more, not less.
Flights from New York to Los Angeles start from $99 round trip. Prices vary by season — the cheapest months are typically Jan-Mar, Sep-Nov. Use the search widget above to compare current prices.
A direct flight from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes approximately 5h 30m. The distance is 3,980 km (2,471 miles).
Airlines operating flights from New York to Los Angeles include JetBlue, Delta, United, American Airlines, Spirit, Alaska Airlines.
The cheapest months to fly from New York to Los Angeles are Jan-Mar, Sep-Nov. Booking 6-8 weeks in advance and being flexible with travel dates will help you find the lowest fares.
Yes, alternative airports near Los Angeles include BUR (Burbank), SNA (John Wayne/Orange County). Flying into a secondary airport trades convenience for savings. Make sure the fare difference covers your extra travel time and cost.
Compare prices from 6 airlines and find the best deal.
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