Los Angeles is the central hub for travel to the West Coast. Most long-haul travelers arrive via Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), one of the busiest airports in the world. However, the Greater Los Angeles area is served by five major commercial airports, each offering different advantages depending on your final destination in the basin. Whether you are coming for business in Silicon Beach or a vacation in Anaheim, choosing the right arrival point can save you hours of traffic. Finding flights to Los Angeles requires balancing price with proximity. This guide covers the logistics of booking and landing in the City of Angels.
Which airport should you fly into?
Selecting the right airport depends on where you plan to stay. Los Angeles traffic is a significant factor in travel time.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Located 18 miles southwest of Downtown LA. This is the primary gateway for international and long-haul domestic flights. It offers the most frequent options but deals with the highest congestion.
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): Located 12 miles north of Downtown LA. This is the most convenient option if you are staying in Hollywood, Glendale, or Pasadena. It is smaller, easier to navigate, and has a direct rail link.
- Long Beach Airport (LGB): Located 20 miles south of Downtown LA. A smaller, outdoor-concourse airport that is often less stressful than LAX. Ideal for travelers heading to Long Beach or south Orange County.
- John Wayne Airport (SNA): Located 35 miles south of Downtown LA in Santa Ana. This is the best choice for Disney California Adventure and Orange County beach towns.
- Ontario International Airport (ONT): Located 40 miles east of Downtown LA. Best for travelers visiting the Inland Empire or the San Bernardino area.
Best time to book flights to Los Angeles
Timing your booking is critical for securing the lowest fares. For domestic flights within the United States, the ideal booking window is between 1 to 3 months before departure. Data suggests that booking 21 to 35 days out often captures the best balance of price and availability.
For international travelers, the window is wider. You should look to book 4 to 6 months in advance. Prices for flights to Los Angeles tend to spike significantly within 14 days of departure. If you are traveling during peak seasons like July or late December, aim for the earlier side of these windows to avoid "sell-out" pricing.
Cheapest months to fly to Los Angeles
The cheapest month to fly to Los Angeles is typically January or February. Post-holiday travel demand drops sharply, and airlines lower fares to fill seats. While the weather is cooler and rain is more likely, you will find the lowest hotel rates and shorter lines at major attractions.
September and October are also "shoulder season" months where you can find competitive pricing. Schools are back in session, reducing domestic family travel. Avoid June, July, and August if you are looking for the cheapest flights to Los Angeles; these months see the highest demand and highest price points.
Direct flights vs connecting flights
Direct flights to LAX are available from almost every major global hub. If you fly from cities like New York, London, or Tokyo, you will have multiple non-stop options daily. Direct flights save time but usually carry a premium price.
Connecting flights can reduce the cost of your ticket by 15% to 30%. Common US connection hubs for Los Angeles include Denver (DEN), Phoenix (PHX), and Las Vegas (LAS). If you are flying internationally, connecting through a secondary gate city like San Francisco (SFO) or Seattle (SEA) can sometimes reveal the cheapest flights to Los Angeles, though it adds 3–5 hours to your total travel time.
Best airlines flying to Los Angeles
Several major carriers dominate the Los Angeles market. The "best" airline depends on your departure point and loyalty preferences.
- Delta Air Lines: Operates a major hub at LAX with high-frequency domestic and international routes.
- United Airlines: Maintains a strong presence at LAX with extensive connections to the Midwest and East Coast.
- American Airlines: Offers a wide variety of domestic routes and several transpacific long-haul flights.
- Southwest Airlines: The primary carrier for Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB), offering no-change-fee tickets.
- Alaska Airlines: A strong choice for West Coast regional travel and flights coming from the Pacific Northwest.
Getting from the airport to the city center
Getting into the city from LAX or BUR varies by cost and convenience.
From LAX:
- FlyAway Bus: A non-stop shuttle service to Union Station (Downtown) or Van Nuys. Cost: $9.75 one way.
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): You must take a shuttle or walk to the "LAX-it" lot next to Terminal 1. Cost to Downtown: $50–$80.
- Taxi: Flat rates don't exist; it is metered. Expect to pay $60–$90 depending on traffic.
- Metro: Take the free "C Line" shuttle to the Aviation/LAX Station. Cost: $1.75.
From Burbank (BUR):
- Train: The Metrolink Ventura County Line and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner stop at the airport. Cost: $5–$10.
- Rideshare: Pickup is directly outside the terminal. Cost to Hollywood: $25–$45.
Flight duration from major cities
Flight times to Los Angeles vary based on wind patterns and routes. Below are average non-stop durations.
- New York (JFK/EWR): 6 hours 15 minutes
- London (LHR): 11 hours 10 minutes
- San Francisco (SFO): 1 hour 25 minutes
- Sydney (SYD): 13 hours 50 minutes
- Tokyo (HND/NRT): 10 hours 05 minutes
- Dubai (DXB): 15 hours 50 minutes
Tips for finding cheap flights to Los Angeles
Finding the cheapest flights to Los Angeles requires a tactical approach. Use these steps to lower your fare.
- Use incognito mode or price tracking: Airlines use cookies to track your interest. Search in private windows and set price alerts on Google Flights or Oerno to catch sudden price drops.
- Toggle your airport: When searching, use the "LAX" code but also check "All Area Airports" (incorporating BUR, SNA, and LGB). A $50 saving on a flight to BUR might be better than a cheaper flight to LAX once you factor in the lower Uber cost to your hotel.
- Fly midweek: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are statistically the cheapest days to fly. Avoid Friday afternoon and Sunday evening departures, as these are peak times for business and weekend travelers.
- Check "Hidden City" opportunities: Sometimes a flight to a further destination with a layover in LAX is cheaper than a direct flight to LAX. Be aware of the risks regarding checked luggage with this method.
- Book the first flight of the day: These are less likely to be delayed and are often priced lower to incentivize travelers to arrive at the airport early.