Lower Manhattan skyline seen from Upper New York Bay. Flights from Sacramento to New York

Route guide

Cheap Flights from Sacramento to New York

Search Sacramento to New York fares from partner sites, SMF to JFK, with American, Delta and United all listed in SMF Terminal A.

SMF to JFK · 2,515 mi · 5h 54m est.

SMF to JFK
2,515 miles
5h 54m nonstop (estimated)
3 airlines in our fare results

Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sacramento to New York flight insights

Average flight time

~5h 54m (estimated)

SMF → JFK

Cheapest cached price

$149

Checking live fares…

Prices shown may not be current. Last checked: Oct 14, 2026.

Planning a trip from Sacramento to New York? The average flight time on this route is ~5h 54m (estimated). The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $149 (last checked Oct 14, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ.

Sacramento to New York covers a straight-line distance of about 2,515 miles. Based on that distance, a nonstop flight would take approximately ~5h 54m (estimated). Actual flight time varies by airline, aircraft and routing.

Sacramento to New York at a glance

SMF to JFK is about 2,515 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 Sacramento to New York on Eazair
Origin	Sacramento (SMF)
Destination	New York (JFK)
Average Flight Time	~5h 54m (estimated)
Current Lowest Fare	$149
Fares Last Checked	Oct 14, 2026
Distance	2,515 miles (SMF to JFK)
Time in New York	3 hours ahead of Sacramento
Airlines in our fare results	3

Local time in New York is 3 hours ahead of Sacramento. Sacramento is on Pacific Time, New York on Eastern Time.

Flight deals from Sacramento to New York

This route page covers Sacramento International (SMF) to New York's JFK. The SMF site also lists Sacramento Executive (SAC) and Mather (MHR), and LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty (EWR) are separate from JFK, so the code on each result matters. American, Delta and United have appeared in EazAir's fare checks for this route, and SMF lists all of them in Terminal A. In New York, Delta uses JFK Terminal 4 and American uses Terminal 8, while United travelers should check the boarding pass or airline app.

SMF says its TSA checkpoints open at 4 a.m. and close at 12:30 a.m., depending on flight schedules. Its rule of thumb is to arrive two and a half hours before a domestic flight, and it warns that arriving less than 45 minutes before departure can mean being denied check-in. SacRT Route 142 runs to both terminals from downtown Sacramento, and Yolobus 42A and 42B serve riders from Davis, Woodland or West Sacramento.

AirTrain JFK connects the terminals at no charge, and JFK says a terminal-to-terminal trip takes under 10 minutes. If someone is collecting you by car, they can use the free drop-off and pick-up lot at the Lefferts Blvd AirTrain station, since terminal curbsides are for active pick-ups only. Taxis to Manhattan charge a flat fare plus tolls, surcharges that vary by time and destination, and an optional tip. Drivers for Terminal 4 should take the Van Wyck Expressway, JFK says.

EazAir's first 3 fare checks for SMF to JFK covered 28 Sep to 14 Oct 2026, each asking for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days later. The highest of the 3 was at least one and a half times the lowest; with so few checks, this cannot show a pattern. American and Delta basic fares include a carry-on, whereas United Basic Economy limits domestic travelers to 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 Sacramento to New York flights

Departure · Sacramento

Sacramento International (SMF)

Pacific Time

Arrival · New York

John F. Kennedy International (JFK)

Eastern Time

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

About New York

Areas to know in New York

Greenwich Village
SoHo
Williamsburg

Weather in New York

Four distinct seasons, with hot, humid summers and cold winters that bring occasional snow.

Sacramento to New York: 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.

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

The SMF website also lists Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC) and Mather Airport (MHR). The flights in this guide use Sacramento International (SMF).

Leaving from Sacramento International (SMF)

Airline	SMF terminal
American	Terminal A
Delta	Terminal A
United	Terminal A
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

From downtown Sacramento, SacRT Route 142 serves Terminals A and B. SacRT lists it daily from 5:15 a.m. to 10:33 p.m.
From Davis, Woodland or West Sacramento, Yolobus 42A and 42B stop at both terminals.
SMF says the curb is only for active loading and unloading. Drivers can wait at the Free Waiting Area near the Interstate 5 entrance and exit, with a three-hour limit.
SMF says TSA checkpoints open at 4 a.m. daily and close at 12:30 a.m., depending on flight schedules.
SMF's rule of thumb is to arrive two and a half hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Check your airline's own advice too.
SMF says you may be denied check-in if you arrive less than 45 minutes before your flight.

Arriving at John F. Kennedy International (JFK)

Airline	JFK terminal
Delta	Terminal 4
American	Terminal 8
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

American says it celebrated the grand opening of a newly transformed customer experience at JFK Terminal 8 on 21 Apr 2026.

AirTrain JFK links the terminals for free, every 5 to 15 minutes, and JFK says terminal-to-terminal trips take under 10 minutes.
JFK says redevelopment construction may cause detours and closures on airport roads throughout 2026.
Ride-app pickups for Terminals 5 and 7 moved to the Howard Beach AirTrain station.

Getting from JFK	Where to board	Where it goes
AirTrain JFK	Free between terminals, every 5 to 15 minutes. You pay the AirTrain fare when you enter or leave at Jamaica or Howard Beach.	Jamaica for the LIRR and subway; Howard Beach for the subway.
LIRR from Jamaica	Ride AirTrain to Jamaica. See MTA TrainTime for LIRR times.	Penn Station or Grand Central Madison, in about 20 minutes, according to the Port Authority.
Ride apps at Terminals 5 and 7	Pickups moved to the Howard Beach AirTrain station; the AirTrain ride there is free. Accessible rides can still be picked up at the terminal.	Wherever you booked.
Taxis	Official taxi stands only; ignore anyone offering rides inside the terminal.	A flat fare to Manhattan, plus tolls, surcharges that vary by time and destination, and an optional tip.

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.

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 3 fare checks from Sacramento to New York ran from 28 Sep to 14 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 one and a half times the lowest. With only 3 checks, this cannot show a pattern. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

SMF: Airlines (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
SMF: Security information (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
SMF: FAQ (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
SMF: Free Waiting Area (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
SacRT: Airport Express (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Yolobus: Travel to SMF on the 42 (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
LaGuardia Airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Newark Liberty International Airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
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: Terminal 5 and 7 ride-app pickup relocation (from 2 May 2025, ongoing, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: AirTrain (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Public transport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Taxi service (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
JFK: Alerts and advisories (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)
EazAir fare checks for SMF to JFK, 28 Sep 2026 to 14 Oct 2026

Frequently asked questions

Which terminal at Sacramento airport do American, Delta and United use?

SMF lists all of them in Terminal A. Terminal B, a separate building, is for Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue and Southwest, so head to Terminal A for these airlines.

How early should I get to SMF for a flight to New York?

SMF's rule of thumb is two and a half hours before domestic flights. It also says you may be denied check-in if you arrive less than 45 minutes before your flight.

Can someone pick me up at JFK without stopping at the terminal curb?

Yes. JFK says drivers can use the free drop-off and pick-up lot at the AirTrain JFK Lefferts Blvd station, and you ride the free AirTrain there. Terminal curbsides are for active pick-ups only.

How do taxis from JFK to Manhattan charge?

They charge a flat fare plus tolls, surcharges that vary by time and destination, and an optional tip. Use the official taxi stands only, and ignore anyone offering rides inside the terminal.

Do the lowest fares on American, Delta and United include a carry-on?

American Basic Economy and Delta Main Basic include a carry-on and a personal item. United Basic Economy allows a personal item only on domestic flights, unless you are a MileagePlus Premier member, travel with one, or hold a qualifying MileagePlus card.

How far is Sacramento from New York?

SMF and JFK are about 2515 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.