Find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to New York in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Los Angeles (LAX) → New York (JFK)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 8 h – 12 h
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | $280 | low |
| February | $290 | low |
| March | $320 | medium |
| April | $340 | medium |
| May | $360 | medium |
| June | $450 | high |
| July | $520 | high |
| August | $480 | high |
| September | $380 | medium |
| October | $350 | medium |
| November | $320 | low |
| December | $460 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- United Airlines (direct): from $350 — United’s Basic Economy is restrictive but often cheapest. Check ‘Economy Plus’ at booking for extra legroom (LAX-JFK has narrow 3-3 seating). Book 3-4 weeks ahead for best deals.
- Delta Air Lines (direct): from $380 — Delta typically has the newest aircraft on this route. Their app shows real-time gate changes which is useful for LAX-JFK where delays are common in bad weather.
- American Airlines (direct): from $340 — AA often runs flash sales on LAX-JFK. Set fare alerts for this specific route. Their AA.com sometimes shows lower prices than OTAs.
- JetBlue (direct): from $320 — JetBlue has the most legroom in coach (32-34 inches) on this route. Their ‘Even More Space’ seats are worth the upgrade for the 5.5-hour flight.
- Spirit Airlines (direct): from $180 — Spirit is cheapest if you travel light with just a personal item. Book 6+ weeks ahead and always add Spirit’s ‘Free Spirit’ loyalty program for reduced bag fees.
- Southwest Airlines (direct): from $290 — Southwest’s open seating means check in exactly 24 hours before departure to get best boarding position. Their free checked bags make it great for luggage-heavy travelers.
Booking Strategy
The LAX-JFK route is one of the busiest in the US, with dozens of daily flights from all major carriers. For the cheapest fares, book 3-6 weeks ahead and fly midweek (Tuesday-Wednesday). January and February see the lowest demand with average prices around $280-290. Avoid June-August when prices spike to $450-520. Spirit and Frontier often undercut legacy carriers by $100+ if you’re willing to pay for bags separately. Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to compare all carriers simultaneously. Set price alerts specifically for LAX to JFK (not just LAX to NYC area) to capture the best deals. If flying Spirit, book bags at initial purchase to avoid higher counter fees. Southwest offers the best value if you need checked luggage, as two free bags often outweigh slightly higher ticket prices.
Route Tips
- JFK’s Terminal 1 (Delta, Air France, Korean Air) and Terminal 4 (JetBlue, many international carriers) are typically the most modern and comfortable for departures—arrive 2 hours early for domestic flights.
- LAX Terminal 7 (British Airways, Alaska) and Terminal B (American, Southwest) have undergone recent renovations with better dining options—Terminal B’s theme is ‘Hollywood’,’JetBlue offers the most legroom in economy (32-34 inches) on this route—worth the small premium over Spirit/Frontier for the 5+ hour flight.
- If arriving at JFK and heading to Midtown Manhattan, the AirTrain to Howard Beach then A train is cheapest ($10.20) but slowest (60+ min)—Yellow Cab flat rate ($70) is fixed price regardless of traffic.
- This route frequently experiences weather delays (LA fog in summer, NYC winter storms)—download your airline’s app and consider flight insurance for winter travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to New York?
The direct flight from LAX to JFK takes approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes, depending on wind conditions. This is one of the longest domestic routes in the US. If booking a connecting flight (typically through Chicago, Denver, or Dallas), expect 8-12 hours total travel time. United, Delta, American, JetBlue, and Spirit all operate direct flights on this route with multiple daily departures (15+ flights per day combined). Summer months may see slightly longer flight times due to stronger headwinds.
How much does it cost to fly from Los Angeles to New York?
Basic economy round-trip flights start around $180-250 on budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier. Mainline carriers (United, Delta, American) typically charge $300-450 for basic economy. Peak season (June-August) sees prices soar to $450-600, while winter months (January-February) offer the best deals at $250-320. Business class runs $800-2000 depending on carrier and fare class. JetBlue and Southwest often provide the best balance of price and service for this route.
Are there direct flights from Los Angeles to New York?
Yes, direct flights are abundant on this route. United, American, Delta, JetBlue, Alaska, Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier all operate non-stop LAX-JFK flights. There are approximately 15-20 direct flights daily, making this one of the most frequently served routes in the world. Flight times range from 5h30m to 6h30m depending on airline and weather. No need to connect unless you specifically seek lower fares through hub cities like Chicago ORD, Denver DEN, or Dallas DFW.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Los Angeles to New York?
January and February are the cheapest months, with average prices around $280-290. This is the post-holiday travel lull when demand drops significantly. November also offers good deals (around $320) before Thanksgiving travel spikes. The most expensive period is summer (June-August) when families travel and prices reach $450-520 on average. To maximize savings, avoid booking during major holidays and school vacation periods.
Which airlines fly from Los Angeles to New York?
Eight airlines operate direct LAX-JFK flights: United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. United, Delta, and American offer premium cabins (business/first class) with lie-flat seats. JetBlue provides the most legroom in coach. Spirit and Frontier offer the lowest base fares but charge extra for bags. Southwest includes two free checked bags, making them popular for travelers with luggage.
What airport do I fly into in New York?
Most flights from LAX arrive at JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport), located in Queens, approximately 15-20 miles from Manhattan. JFK has 6 terminals connected by the AirTrain ($8.25). Alternatives include Newark (EWR) in New Jersey and LaGuardia (LGA) in Queens. From JFK to Manhattan: AirTrain + Subway ($10.20, 50-60 min), Yellow Cab (flat rate $70 + tolls, 40-60 min), or rideshare ($50-80). LGA is closer to Manhattan but has fewer LAX arrivals; EWR is often cheaper but farther from Manhattan.
How far in advance should I book Los Angeles to New York flights?
For domestic LAX-JFK flights, book 3-6 weeks ahead for optimal prices. This route doesn’t require the 2-3 month advance booking typical of international travel. However, avoid booking less than 7 days before departure as prices spike significantly. January-February bookings can be made 2-3 weeks ahead for best deals. Summer travelers should book 6-8 weeks ahead as prices climb steadily closer to departure. Use fare tracking tools to monitor price drops.
Is it cheaper to fly from Los Angeles to New York on weekdays?
Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the cheapest days to fly LAX-JFK, with savings of $30-80 compared to Friday-Sunday departures. Monday and Thursday are moderate, while Friday evening and Sunday afternoon are most expensive due to business and leisure traveler overlap. If your schedule is flexible, shifting a Saturday departure to Sunday can sometimes save money. The time of day also matters—early morning flights (6-9am) are usually cheapest, while afternoon business-travel peaks are most expensive.
Data updated: 2026-03
