Tokyo to Los Angeles is one of the busiest trans-Pacific routes there is, and it is genuinely well served non-stop — ANA, Japan Airlines, United and Delta all fly straight through from Haneda, while ZIPAIR runs a low-cost non-stop from Narita. Crossing the Pacific takes around ten hours eastbound. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair economy return costs in yen, and how to time your booking.
Route: Tokyo (Haneda HND / Narita NRT) → Los Angeles (LAX)
Distance: approximately 8,800 km (5,470 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 10 hours eastbound to Los Angeles; roughly 11h 30m on the return against the jet stream
Direct flights: Yes — ANA, Japan Airlines, United and Delta fly non-stop from Haneda, and ZIPAIR flies non-stop from Narita. American Airlines also serves the route from Haneda.
Fares from Tokyo to Los Angeles (JPY)
Fares peak around Japan’s Golden Week (late April to early May), the summer O-Bon holidays in August, and the year-end New Year period — and the US Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks push prices up in the other direction too. The quietest, cheapest windows are the second half of January into February and the shoulder weeks of late spring and early autumn. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Typical return (economy) | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low (after New Year) |
| February | — | low |
| March | — | medium (spring break) |
| April | — | high (Golden Week nears) |
| May | — | medium |
| June | — | medium |
| July | — | high (summer holidays) |
| August | — | very high (O-Bon) |
| September | — | medium |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | medium-high (US Thanksgiving) |
| December | — | very high (year-end) |
We do not quote a target fare for this route. Our price tracking holds no recorded observations for it, so a “typical” or “good deal” figure here would be an estimate dressed up as a measurement — so this page leaves it out rather than guess. The seasonal pattern above is the part we can stand behind; check the live fare for the number.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 10 hours eastbound):
- ANA — non-stop Haneda → Los Angeles on the Boeing 787, multiple daily, with Economy, Premium Economy and Business.
- Japan Airlines (JAL) — non-stop from Haneda, wide-body service and a strong Economy hard product.
- United Airlines — non-stop Haneda → LAX, useful for onward connections across the US.
- Delta Air Lines — daily non-stop from Haneda into its LAX operation.
- ZIPAIR — low-cost non-stop from Narita on the Boeing 787; bare fares plus paid bags and seats, usually the cheapest way across.
One-stop (occasionally cheaper):
- Connecting itineraries via other US or Asian hubs occasionally undercut the non-stops, but on such a heavily flown route the direct flights are usually both faster and competitively priced — there is rarely a good reason to add a stop.
With five carriers flying non-stop from Tokyo, this is a route where the direct flight is almost always the right call. ZIPAIR is the value pick if you travel light; ANA and JAL lead on comfort and service.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the best fares; trans-Pacific prices rarely fall in the last few weeks and spike around holidays.
- Dodge the peaks: Golden Week (late April–early May), O-Bon (mid-August) and the New Year period are the priciest — shift by a week or two and save.
- Fly in late January–February for the lowest fares of the year, once the New Year rush has passed.
- Consider ZIPAIR if you pack light — its Narita non-stop is often the cheapest fare, but add the cost of a checked bag and seat before comparing.
- Check the bag allowance: ANA, JAL, United and Delta economy fares to the US usually include one or two checked bags; ZIPAIR charges for everything, so price the all-in figure.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Flights land at Los Angeles International (LAX), with most Tokyo arrivals using the Tom Bradley International Terminal. From there the free LAX Shuttle connects to the new automated people mover and the Metro C (Green) Line for rail into the wider network. The dedicated FlyAway bus runs non-stop to Union Station in about 45–60 minutes for roughly US$9.75. A taxi or rideshare to Downtown LA or Santa Monica runs around US$40–US$70 depending on traffic, which can be heavy. If you are heading further afield, LAX is a major hub for onward flights across California and the US.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles?
The non-stop takes about 10 hours flying east from Tokyo to Los Angeles, helped by the jet stream. The return leg against the wind is longer, usually around 11 hours 30 minutes. All the major carriers fly it non-stop, so there is no connection time to add.
Are there direct flights from Tokyo to Los Angeles?
Yes, plenty. ANA, Japan Airlines, United and Delta fly non-stop from Haneda, and ZIPAIR flies a low-cost non-stop from Narita; American Airlines also serves the route from Haneda. With several daily departures, Tokyo to Los Angeles is one of the best-connected trans-Pacific routes.
How much does it cost to fly from Tokyo to Los Angeles?
A typical economy return runs about ¥120,000–¥250,000 depending on the season. The best deals — often ZIPAIR or advance-purchase fares — dip to around ¥95,000–¥115,000 in the quiet winter weeks, while summer and year-end peaks sit at the top of the range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Tokyo to Los Angeles?
Late January and February are usually the cheapest, once the New Year holiday rush is over. Avoid Golden Week (late April–early May), the August O-Bon holidays and the December year-end period, which are the busiest and most expensive times to cross the Pacific.
Which airlines fly from Tokyo to Los Angeles?
Non-stop: ANA, Japan Airlines, United and Delta from Haneda, plus ZIPAIR from Narita and American Airlines from Haneda. ANA and JAL lead on comfort; ZIPAIR is the low-cost option if you are happy to pay separately for bags and seats.
Which airport do I fly into in Los Angeles?
You arrive at Los Angeles International (LAX), the city’s main gateway, with most flights from Tokyo using the Tom Bradley International Terminal. It is well connected to Downtown, Santa Monica and the wider Metro rail network, and is a major hub for onward US flights.
How far in advance should I book Tokyo to Los Angeles flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead. Trans-Pacific fares tend to climb as departure nears, especially around Golden Week, summer and the year-end holidays, so booking early almost always beats leaving it late on this route.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes. Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday-to-Sunday flights, and building a return around weekday travel can save ¥10,000–¥30,000. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the simplest ways to trim the fare.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
