Los Angeles seen from the hills, with the city skyline in the distance. Flights from New York to Los Angeles

Route guide

Cheap Flights from New York to Los Angeles

Search New York to Los Angeles flights from JFK, pick the right expressway for your terminal, and know where taxis and ride apps meet you at LAX.

JFK to LAX · 2,464 mi · 6h 15m est.

JFK to LAX
2,464 miles
6h 15m nonstop (estimated)
6 airlines in our fare results

Photo: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

New York to Los Angeles flight insights

Average flight time

6h 15m

JFK → LAX

Cheapest month

February

Based on cached fare history

Cheapest cached price

$164

Checking live fares…

Last checked Nov 6, 2026

Planning a trip from New York to Los Angeles? The average flight time on this route is 6h 15m. The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $164 (last checked Nov 6, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ. February is the cheapest month recorded for this route in our cached fare data.

New York to Los Angeles covers a straight-line distance of about 2,464 miles. Based on that distance, a nonstop flight would take approximately ~5h 48m (estimated). Actual flight time varies by airline, aircraft and routing.

New York to Los Angeles at a glance

JFK to LAX is about 2,464 miles in a straight line. The curved line is an illustration; the route your airline flies may differ.

Route Quick Facts

Quick facts for flights from New York to Los Angeles on Eazair
Origin	New York (JFK)
Destination	Los Angeles (LAX)
Average Flight Time	6h 15m
Cheapest Month to Fly	February
Current Lowest Fare	$164
Fares Last Checked	Nov 6, 2026
Distance	2,464 miles
Time in Los Angeles	3 hours behind New York
Airlines in our fare results	6

Local time in Los Angeles is 3 hours behind New York. New York is on Eastern Time, Los Angeles on Pacific Time.

Flight deals from New York to Los Angeles

This page compares partner results from John F. Kennedy International (JFK) to Los Angeles International (LAX). Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA) are different airports, as are Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), Ontario (ONT) and Orange County (SNA) in Southern California, so read each code. Delta, Southwest, United, American, Sun Country and JetBlue have appeared in EazAir's fare checks for this route. Southwest and JetBlue arrive at LAX Terminal 1, American at Terminal 4 and United at Terminals 7 and 8.

Driving to JFK, the airport says to use the Van Wyck Expressway for Terminals 1 and 4 and the JFK Expressway for Terminals 5, 7 and 8, so Delta passengers (Terminal 4) and JetBlue or American passengers (Terminals 5 and 8) take different roads. Curbsides are for active drop-offs only. Another option is the free drop-off lot at the AirTrain JFK Lefferts Blvd station, then the free AirTrain to the terminals. JFK says redevelopment may bring detours throughout 2026.

Taxis and ride apps at LAX pick up at LAX-it, a lot next to Terminal 1. LAX says the walk takes 8 minutes from Terminal 1, and a free shuttle runs 24 hours from outside baggage claim on the first level of each terminal. For Metro C and K Line trains, a free shuttle links every terminal with the LAX/Metro Transit Center at Bus Bays 1 and 2. LAX says the SkyLink people mover is in final testing and gives no opening date.

EazAir's first 22 fare checks for JFK to LAX covered 3 Sep to 11 Oct 2026, each asking partners for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days later. At the top end, a result was at least double the lowest. Across 22 checks there were 18 different results, and the lowest result came on 24 Sep. Sun Country's base fare includes only a personal item. Search your own dates, and check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

Airports for New York to Los Angeles flights

Departure · New York

John F. Kennedy International (JFK)

Eastern Time

Other airports near New York: LaGuardia (LGA), Newark Liberty International (EWR), Stewart International (SWF)

Arrival · Los Angeles

Los Angeles International (LAX)

Pacific Time

Other airports near Los Angeles: Long Beach (LGB), John Wayne (SNA), Ontario International (ONT), Hollywood Burbank (BUR)

About Los Angeles

Areas to know in Los Angeles

Santa Monica
Downtown LA
Silver Lake

Weather in Los Angeles

A Mediterranean climate: mild and generally dry year-round, with slightly cooler, wetter weather in the winter months.

New York to Los Angeles: airport and fare guide

Checked on 17 Oct 2026 against the airport, airline and transit pages listed under Sources. Airports and airlines change these details, so confirm them with your airline before you fly.

EazAir searches New York with the JFK code, and the New York area has more than one airport, so check the airport code on every result.

Hollywood Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), Ontario International (ONT) and John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) are separate Southern California airports, so check the airport code on every result.

LaGuardia (LGA) in Queens and Newark Liberty (EWR) are separate airports, so check the airport code on every result.

Leaving from John F. Kennedy International (JFK)

Airline	JFK terminal
Delta	Terminal 4
JetBlue	Terminal 5 (some international arrivals use Terminal 4 overnight)
American	Terminal 8
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

Take the LIRR from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison to Jamaica, about 20 minutes according to the Port Authority, or the subway to Jamaica or Howard Beach, then AirTrain JFK. The AirTrain fare applies there.
JFK curbsides are for active drop-offs only. JFK says drivers for Terminals 1 and 4 should use the Van Wyck Expressway, and for Terminals 5, 7 and 8 the JFK Expressway.
Drivers can also use the free drop-off lot at the AirTrain JFK Lefferts Blvd station, then ride the free AirTrain to the terminals.
JetBlue's JFK page lists TSA checkpoint hours of 3 a.m. to midnight.
TSA PreCheck lets you keep shoes, belts and light jackets on and leave laptops and travel-size liquids (the 3-1-1 rule) in your bag. TSA says no traveler is assured expedited screening.
JFK says redevelopment construction may cause road detours and closures throughout 2026 and encourages travelers to use mass transit.

Arriving at Los Angeles International (LAX)

Airline	LAX terminal
Southwest	Terminal 1
JetBlue	Terminal 1
Delta	Check-in at Terminal 3; gates in Terminal 3 or Terminal 2
American	Terminal 4
United	Terminals 7 and 8
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

LAX's airline location map is dated 1 Jul 2026. Terminal 5 closed for rebuilding in October 2025, when JetBlue moved to Terminal 1 and American to Terminal 4.

Terminal 5 closed for rebuilding in October 2025. LAWA expects the new Terminal 5 just before the 2028 Olympics.
Taxis and ride apps pick up at LAX-it, a lot next to Terminal 1, reached on foot or by a free shuttle from outside baggage claim on the first level of each terminal.
The SkyLink people mover is not open yet. LAWA calls it forthcoming and gives no opening date.
LAWA warned in July 2026 of detours and longer shuttle times from work at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B), Terminal 4 and the future Terminal 5.

Getting from LAX	Where to board	Where it goes
LAX-it (taxis and rideshare)	A pickup lot next to Terminal 1. Walk there along the signed path, or take the free LAX-it shuttle from outside baggage claim on the first level of each terminal, at the green LAX-it bus stop signs. LAX says it runs 24 hours.	Wherever you booked.
SkyLink people mover	Not open yet. LAWA calls it forthcoming and gives no opening date. LAWA says it will run 24 hours a day and be free for ticketed passengers.	Not running yet.
Metro C and K Lines	A free shuttle links every terminal with the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where it uses Bus Bays 1 and 2.	The Metro rail network.
FlyAway bus	Blue FlyAway columns on the Lower/Arrivals level in front of each terminal, 7 days a week.	Union Station and Van Nuys.

What the lowest fares include

Fare	Carry-on	Checked bag	Seat	Changes
Delta Main Basic	Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on and one personal item free.	Delta charges for checked bags on domestic flights unless you qualify for a waiver, such as Medallion status or an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card.	Assigned after check-in. You may be able to buy a seat ahead of time for a fee.	Refunds are not allowed after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window. Delta says a change or cancellation may be possible for a fee, with any value left as an eCredit.
American Basic Economy	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included, except for some AAdvantage status members and eligible cardmembers.	A free seat is assigned at check-in, or you can pay to choose one.	Generally not allowed. American describes a 24-hour window and some credit options on its Basic Economy page.
United Basic Economy	Not included on domestic flights. One personal item only, unless you are a MileagePlus Premier member, travel with one, or hold a qualifying MileagePlus card.	Not included; check United's bag fee calculator.	Assigned by United before boarding.	Changes may not be allowed. Refund if cancelled within 24 hours of booking, under United's 24-hour policy; after that, partial travel credit.
Southwest Basic	Southwest's policy allows one carry-on and one personal item.	Checked bag fees apply to Basic fares.	A free Standard seat is assigned at check-in. Preferred and Extra Legroom seats cost extra.	Only by upgrading to a Choice fare or higher. Cancelling at least 10 minutes before departure gives a flight credit, which for Basic expires 6 months from booking.
JetBlue Main Base (bookings made after 29 Jul 2026)	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included.	Costs extra.	Change fee plus any fare difference. Cancelling gives travel credit minus a fee.
Sun Country base fare	Not included. The base fare includes a personal item.	Not included.	Costs extra to choose, or a seat is assigned at check-in.	A change fee and any fare difference may apply. Sun Country says to cancel the original reservation before departure to change the ticket.

Based on the airlines' own pages, checked on 17 Oct 2026. Fees are left out because they change often. Check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

How EazAir measured fares on this route

EazAir's first 22 fare checks from New York to Los Angeles ran from 3 Sep to 11 Oct 2026. For the return direction, Los Angeles to New York, EazAir's first 38 checks ran from 8 Sep to 17 Oct 2026. Each check asked partner travel sites for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days after the check. Results can include connecting flights. The highest result was at least double the lowest. The 22 checks returned 18 different results. The lowest result came on 24 Sep. That is a small sample, so it shows that prices move, not when they are lowest. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

JFK: Airlines (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Terminals (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: JFK Terminal 8 opening (21 Apr 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JetBlue: New York JFK airport information (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: AirTrain (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Public transport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Pick-up and drop-off areas (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Alerts and advisories (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
TSA: PreCheck (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Hollywood Burbank Airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Long Beach Airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Ontario International Airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
John Wayne Airport, Orange County (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: Airline list (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: Airline location map (as of 1 Jul 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAWA: Terminal 5 closure (20 Oct 2025, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: Terminal 1 (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Los Angeles airport map (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: LAX-it (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: SkyLink (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: Traffic and ground transportation (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAX: FlyAway bus (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LAWA: Summer travel tips (1 Jul 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LA Metro: LAX (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta Main Basic (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Fares and discounts (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Carry-on baggage (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Bags (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: Basic Economy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
United: Basic Economy FAQ (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Fare information (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Assigned seating (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Carry-on baggage policy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Fare types and benefits (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JetBlue: Fare options (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Sun Country Stories: Your first Sun Country flight? Here's what to expect from booking to boarding (Jul 10, 2025, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Sun Country: Contract of Carriage (Updated October 15, 2025, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
EazAir fare checks for JFK to LAX, 3 Sep 2026 to 11 Oct 2026; LAX to JFK, 8 Sep 2026 to 17 Oct 2026
LAWA: SkyLink (no date shown, accessed 26 Oct 2026)

Frequently asked questions

Which road should I take to my JFK terminal?

JFK says drivers for Terminals 1 and 4 should use the Van Wyck Expressway, and drivers for Terminals 5, 7 and 8 the JFK Expressway. Delta uses Terminal 4, JetBlue Terminal 5 and American Terminal 8.

Can someone drop me off without driving to the terminal?

Yes. Drivers can use the free drop-off and pick-up lot at the AirTrain JFK Lefferts Blvd station, then you ride the free AirTrain to the terminals. Terminal curbsides are for active drop-offs only, with no parking.

Where do I get a taxi or ride app at LAX?

Taxis and ride apps pick up at LAX-it, a lot next to Terminal 1. Walk along the signed path, or take the free LAX-it shuttle from the green bus stop signs outside baggage claim on the first level of each terminal.

Is the LAX SkyLink train open?

Not yet. LAX says the SkyLink people mover is in final testing and gives no opening date. When it opens, LAX says it will be free and run 24 hours.

Which of the lowest fares on this route include a carry-on?

American Basic Economy, JetBlue Main Base and Southwest Basic allow a carry-on plus a personal item, and Delta says Main Basic includes one free. Sun Country's base fare includes only a personal item, and United Basic Economy has no carry-on on domestic flights for most travelers.

How far is JFK from LAX?

JFK and LAX are about 2464 miles apart in a straight line. Flight times vary by airline, direction and routing, so check the scheduled time shown with each result.

Airline bag fees

Baggage allowances differ significantly between fare classes (Basic/Light vs. Standard/Flex) and can change over time. Always verify the exact allowance for your specific fare with the airline before you fly.

Checked bag fees from each airline's own website
Airline	Carry-on, basic economy	1st checked bag	2nd checked bag	Source
American Airlines	Included	$45	$55	aa.com, Sep 24, 2026
United Airlines	Not included	$40	$50	united.com, Sep 24, 2026
Delta Air Lines	Included	$45	$55	delta.com, Sep 24, 2026
Southwest Airlines	Included	$45	$55	southwest.com, Oct 27, 2026
JetBlue	Included	$45	$59	jetblue.com, Sep 24, 2026
Alaska Airlines	Included	$45	$55	alaskaair.com, Sep 24, 2026
Frontier Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	flyfrontier.com, Sep 24, 2026
Sun Country Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	suncountry.com, Sep 24, 2026

Domestic US fees per bag, each way, when paid online in advance. "Varies" means the airline prices bags by route and date.

Travel tips

Arrive early for domestic flights

TSA generally recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic departure, more at larger hub airports during peak travel periods.

Pack a mixed carry-on

Keep a change of clothes, chargers, and any essentials in your carry-on rather than only your checked bag, in case of a delay or a bag that doesn't arrive with you.

Ease jet lag on longer routes

On longer cross-country flights, adjusting your sleep schedule a day or two before departure and staying hydrated in flight can reduce jet lag on arrival.

Screenshot your confirmation

Save a screenshot or PDF of your booking confirmation and boarding pass before you travel, in case you lose signal or battery at the airport.

Check in online when it opens

Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure. Checking in early can help with seat selection and, on some airlines, boarding group assignment.