New York to San Francisco is one of the busiest transcontinental routes in the United States, and it’s an easy one: you can fly non-stop coast to coast in about six and a half hours, with dozens of departures a day. Checking every return fare on sale, the non-stops cluster tightly at $334–$369 on Alaska from JFK. This guide covers who really flies it non-stop, what a round trip actually costs in dollars, and when to book.
Route: New York (JFK / EWR / LGA) → San Francisco (SFO)
Distance: approximately 4,150 km (2,580 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 6h 15m – 6h 35m westbound (a little quicker coming back with the jet stream)
Direct flights: Yes — JetBlue, Delta, American and Alaska Airlines fly non-stop from JFK, and United flies non-stop from Newark (EWR). There are more than a hundred non-stops a week.
Fares from New York to San Francisco (USD)
This is a competitive route with year-round service, so fares move mostly with demand rather than weather. Late winter and early autumn are the cheapest windows; summer and the December holidays are the priciest. The figures below are typical round-trip economy fares in dollars — sale fares and last-minute business trips sit at opposite ends of each range.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | medium |
| February | — | low (cheapest) |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | medium-high |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | high (summer) |
| August | — | medium |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | medium-high (Thanksgiving) |
| December | — | very high (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, a typical round trip runs about $350–$450 — and the non-stop median of $348 sits right at the bottom of that band, so around $345 is the going rate rather than a find. Alaska from JFK holds the cheap end at $334–$369; United’s Newark non-stops run $469 and up. A non-stop under about $340 is as good as this route gets. The only cheaper fare we found was a basic-economy Frontier connection at $267 — $67 saved for a stop on a route where everyone else flies direct.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 6½ hours):
- JetBlue — non-stop from JFK; roomy economy and free seat-back screens and Wi-Fi.
- Delta — frequent non-stops from JFK, including premium transcon cabins on the wider jets.
- American Airlines — non-stop from JFK, several times a day.
- Alaska Airlines — non-stop from JFK; a strong option for West Coast connections and mileage collectors.
- United — the non-stop choice from Newark (EWR), with the most frequencies of any single carrier on the New York–SFO pairing.
One-stop (occasionally cheaper):
- Budget and connecting fares via hubs such as Chicago, Denver or Las Vegas can undercut the non-stops on a quiet day, but they add three to five hours — on a route with this many non-stops, the direct flight is almost always the better buy.
Because five airlines compete head-to-head, fares stay keen. Set a price alert and book the non-stop when it drops into the $250–$350 band; a connection rarely saves enough to be worth the extra hours.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–8 weeks ahead for the best balance of price and choice; on this route, fares tend to be lowest a few weeks out and climb in the final ten days.
- Fly midweek. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually the cheapest; Thursday, Friday and Sunday are the busiest and dearest.
- Consider a red-eye back to New York — overnight eastbound flights are often cheaper and land you in the city first thing.
- Watch the low months. February and September consistently see the lowest fares; June and December the highest.
- Check the bag rules. The lowest “basic economy” fares limit or exclude a checked bag and seat selection, so compare the all-in price, not just the headline.
Arriving in San Francisco
Non-stops land at San Francisco International (SFO), about 13 miles (21 km) south of downtown. The cheapest way in is BART, the regional rail line, straight from the International Terminal to downtown and the Mission in roughly 30 minutes for about $10. A taxi or ride-hail to the city runs about $55–$70 depending on traffic. If SFO fares look high, it’s worth pricing Oakland (OAK) across the bay, which is also on BART.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from New York to San Francisco?
Non-stop flights take about 6 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 35 minutes westbound (New York to San Francisco). The return to New York is usually a bit quicker — often just under six hours — because it rides the jet stream eastbound.
Are there direct flights from New York to San Francisco?
Yes. JetBlue, Delta, American and Alaska Airlines all fly non-stop from JFK, and United flies non-stop from Newark (EWR). Between them there are well over a hundred non-stops a week, so you rarely need to connect.
How much does it cost to fly from New York to San Francisco?
A typical round-trip economy fare runs about $334–$370 non-stop, median $348, on Alaska from JFK; United’s Newark non-stops start at $469. The cheapest fare of any kind was a Frontier connection at $267. Summer and the December holidays push everything higher.
What is the cheapest month to fly from New York to San Francisco?
February and September are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, non-stop returns started at $334 and the cheapest connecting fare was $267. The most expensive months are June, July and December, when summer travel and the holidays drive fares up.
Which airlines fly from New York to San Francisco?
From JFK: JetBlue, Delta, American and Alaska Airlines. From Newark: United. All five operate non-stop. In our fare data Alaska carried the great majority of the cheap directs at $334–$369, with United at $469 and up; JetBlue, Delta and American did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. Connecting fares exist — a Frontier routing came in at $267 — but saving $67 rarely justifies the extra hours on this route.
Which airport do I fly into in San Francisco?
You arrive at San Francisco International (SFO), about 13 miles south of downtown and directly on the BART rail line. If you’re heading to the East Bay or find SFO pricey, Oakland (OAK) is a handy alternative, also served by BART.
How far in advance should I book?
Aim for 3 to 8 weeks ahead. Unlike long-haul routes, transcon fares here are often lowest a few weeks out rather than months ahead, but they climb sharply in the final week or two — so book once you see a fare you like, and avoid leaving it to the last minute.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes. Tuesday and Wednesday departures tend to be the cheapest, while Thursday, Friday and Sunday are the busiest and most expensive. Flying out and back midweek, or taking a red-eye home, can save $50–$120 on a round trip.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
