Find the cheapest flights from New York City to San Francisco in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: New York City (JFK) → San Francisco (SFO)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 7 h 30 m – 12 h
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | $320 | low |
| February | $300 | low |
| March | $340 | medium |
| April | $360 | medium |
| May | $400 | medium-high |
| June | $480 | high |
| July | $520 | high |
| August | $490 | high |
| September | $410 | medium-high |
| October | $370 | medium |
| November | $330 | low-medium |
| December | $460 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- United Airlines (direct): from $340 — United’s SFO hub means more flight options. Check their app for exclusive deals not shown on OTAs. MileagePlus members should use plus points for upgrades on this popular transcontinental route.
- JetBlue (direct): from $310 — JetBlue frequently offers the lowest fares on this route. Book Tuesday-Thursday for their best deals. Sign up for TrueBlue to earn points that never expire.
- Delta Air Lines (direct): from $350 — Delta typically has the best on-time performance on this route. Use the Delta app for free same-day changes. SkyMiles members get priority boarding and complimentary upgrades on this route.
- American Airlines (direct): from $330 — AA often matches JetBlue on price. Check for their ‘Basic Economy’ deals which can go below €300 but have restrictions. Book through aa.com for best seat selection.
- Alaska Airlines (direct): from $360 — Alaska is the smallest of the Big 4 on this route but often has the friendliest service. If you have Alaska MVP status, you’ll get free upgrades on this popular California route.
Booking Strategy
For the best deals on this major coast-to-coast route, book 4-8 weeks in advance for domestic fares. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically $40-60 cheaper than Friday-Sunday. January and February offer the lowest prices ($300-340), while summer months (June-August) see peak pricing of $450-520. JetBlue and American usually lead on base fares, while United offers the most flight flexibility. Set fare alerts for JFK-SFO specifically—prices fluctuate daily on this high-demand business route. If traveling for tech conferences or during Dreamforce (September), book 10+ weeks ahead as SFO hotels and flights fill quickly. Consider flying into Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC) if prices are significantly lower, though ground transportation costs may offset savings. Avoid booking 2-3 days before departure unless you’re willing to pay $500+ for last-minute travel.
Route Tips
- United operates the most frequent JFK-SFO service with departures every 1-2 hours throughout the day—useful for last-minute itinerary changes
- JetBlue’s mint cabin occasionally goes on sale for $299 each way, offering a premium experience at reasonable rates
- Consider BART from SFO to downtown ($10.50) rather than expensive rideshares during peak traffic hours
- If traveling to Silicon Valley, flying into SJO (San Jose) might save money and time—it takes 45 minutes to Palo Alto vs 1.5+ hours from SFO in traffic
- The SFO airportFog can cause delays in summer mornings—book morning flights for more reliable departures
- Check airline status before heading to airport—aircraft swaps and mechanical issues are common on this high-frequency route
- BART now runs 24/7 on weekends, making late-night arrivals more manageable without rental car concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from New York City to San Francisco?
The direct flight from New York City (JFK) to San Francisco (SFO) takes approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on winds and specific routing. United, Delta, American, JetBlue, and Alaska all operate non-stop services multiple times daily. If booking a connecting flight (typically through Chicago, Denver, or Los Angeles), expect 7.5 to 12 hours total travel time. The route is served by modern narrow-body aircraft like Boeing 737s, 757s, and Airbus A320 family planes, with some carriers deploying larger wide-body aircraft on peak business travel days. Westbound flights typically take longer due to headwinds.
How much does it cost to fly from New York City to San Francisco?
Round-trip prices range from $300 to $600 depending on season and booking class. The lowest fares around $300-340 are available in January, February, and November, the off-peak months. Summer peak season (June-August) sees prices climb to $450-520 for economy, while business class runs $1,200-2,500. JetBlue and American typically offer the cheapest base fares, while United and Delta command slight premiums for their schedule flexibility. Basic economy tickets can drop below $280 but come with no seat selection and no changes. One-way tickets cost roughly 60-70% of round-trip prices.
Are there direct flights from New York City to San Francisco?
Yes, direct flights are abundant on this route with over 30 daily non-stop options. Five major carriers operate direct service: United Airlines (most frequent, ~12 daily), Delta Air Lines (~10 daily), American Airlines (~8 daily), JetBlue (~6 daily), and Alaska Airlines (~4 daily). Flights depart primarily from JFK, though some also operate from Newark (EWR). SFO is a major hub for United, meaning they offer the most departure time options throughout the day. All direct flights are approximately 5h30m-6h00m. No airlines offer basic economy on this route anymore without significant restrictions.
What is the cheapest month to fly from New York City to San Francisco?
February is typically the cheapest month with average fares around $300, followed closely by January ($320) and November ($330). These winter months see reduced business travel demand after the holiday rush. Early March can also offer good deals before the spring tech conference season kicks in. The most expensive period is summer, particularly July when average prices hit $520 due to family vacation demand and tech internship relocation travel. September offers a sweet spot—summer tourist crowds have dispersed but business travel hasn’t fully picked up yet, with fares around $410. Shoulder season (April, May, October) offers a balance of decent weather and moderate pricing.
Which airlines fly from New York City to San Francisco?
Five major airlines operate this route with direct service: United Airlines (hub carrier, most frequency), Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Alaska Airlines. United and Delta are considered the ‘premium’ options with better business class products and more route flexibility. JetBlue typically undercuts on price and offers the most generous carry-on policy without hidden fees. Alaska Airlines, while smaller, provides a comfortable mid-tier option with excellent West Coast connections. Budget carriers like Spirit and Southwest operate the route with connections, making them less competitive for direct travel on this particular route.
What airport do I fly into in San Francisco?
You’ll arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located 14 miles (22 km) south of downtown San Francisco. SFO is a major international hub and the second-busiest airport in California. Ground transportation options include: BART train ($10.50, 30 minutes to downtown), ride-share (Uber/Lyft $35-50, 25-40 minutes depending on traffic), taxi flat-rate ($70-80), and rental cars available at the on-site facility. Note that SFO is notoriously foggy in summer months—known as ‘Karl the Fog’ locally—which can occasionally cause flight delays. The airport has excellent dining and amenities but can be crowded during peak travel times.
How far in advance should I book New York City to San Francisco flights?
For this business-heavy route, book 4-8 weeks ahead for the best domestic economy fares. The sweet spot is typically 6 weeks before departure when airlines have balanced their inventory between business travelers paying premium and leisure travelers seeking deals. During summer (June-August) or major tech events (Dreamforce in September, WWDC in June), book 10-12 weeks ahead as SFO-bound flights fill quickly with conference attendees. Last-minute bookings (within 3 days) rarely yield deals on this route—expect to pay $500+ for walk-up fares. Tuesday afternoons typically see the best availability for the following week.
Is it cheaper to fly from New York City to San Francisco on weekdays?
Yes, weekday flights are significantly cheaper than weekend departures on this route. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically $40-80 cheaper than Friday through Sunday. Monday and Thursday offer moderate savings of $20-40 versus weekend travel. This pricing reflects the route’s strong business travel component—business travelers typically fly Monday and return Thursday/Friday, leaving midweek with lower leisure demand. Red-eye flights (late evening departures) often save another $20-30. The cheapest total itinerary is typically a Tuesday or Wednesday departure with a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday return. Avoid Friday departures and Sunday returns for the best fares.
Data updated: 2026-03
