New York to Los Angeles
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Best Time To Fly Between New York And Los Angeles

Get to know when to book your flight from NYC to L.A. and have lower fares and smarter travel planning.

• You usually will get the lowest-priced ticket from New York when you book the flight 2-3 weeks before travel.
• The cheapest months to travel tend to be September/November, when demand for travel is the lowest.
• The high season and the most traffic booked are December, April, and the summer months.
• The best days to travel are midweek (Tuesday-Thursday) to get the best savings.

How Can I Find Cheap Flights From New York to Los Angeles?

Ready to find the best way to book flights to L.A. without having to pay an arm and a leg? Here are tips to easily find the lowest prices:

• Compare the Fare Calendar: Use a fare calendar tool to compare ticket prices across multiple days, and choose the day with the most affordable fare to fly. 
• Book Early: Airfares can increase closer to the travel date, so try to book your flight 2-4 weeks ahead of your travel date for the best chance at the lowest fare.
• Be Flexible: Look for off-peak days or red-eye flights, and you may discover hidden savings on your flight to L.A.
• Turn Fare Alerts On: Turn on fare alerts for NYC to L.A. so you will get an instant notification when the fare drops. 
• Compare Airlines: Check for budget carriers (e.g., Frontier) vs. premium carriers (American, Delta) to find the right balance between comfort vs. savings. 
• Check Nearby Airports: Unlike layovers, consider departing/arriving in alternative airports within the JFK or LAX area (if convenient)—sometimes the fares are cheaper.

Major Airlines Flying From/To This Route (One-Way Prices)

Before booking, you need to compare airline fares and services to find the best price.

American Airlines

The average ticket price for this airline on this route is just about $154. Free carry-on bags, snacks on most flights, and the option for premium seating are included as well. Passengers can also earn benefits and rewards through the American Airlines AAdvantage program.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue starts flights at just about $144. The airline is known for its additional legroom in coach and free Wi-Fi on almost all of its planes. Overall, it is a great airline at competitive prices.

Delta Air Lines

The average ticket price for this airline is just about $154. Passengers are able to have free carry-on bags, free snacks, and Wi-Fi on most flights. This airline also has great loyalty perks with the SkyMiles program and offers a lot of nonstop options on this route.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines offers some of the lowest fares, starting at about $63. The airline is structured on a completely customizable pricing model, with passengers paying separately for bags, seats, food, etc. This allows for a lower overall price for the traveler, especially if they only pack light.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines has fares beginning at about $65. As a lower-cost carrier, passengers do pay extra for carry-on luggage and seat assignments. It is best for budget-minded travelers who want the least expensive base fare and only pay for the things they want or need.

(Prices are based on Google Flights; you may find cheaper prices from third party.)