Flying from New York to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Start planning your trip by checking out the ideal departure point for your flight from New York to Los Angeles. Explore the options for leaving from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), two of the city's main airports.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the major entry points to Los Angeles.
Jump on a direct New York to Los Angeles flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 6 hours 10 minutes.
The timezone in Los Angeles is UTC-7, which is three hours behind New York.
The most popular route for flights from New York to Los Angeles is John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to {"defaultCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","accusativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","nominativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","dativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport"} (LAX). You'll find 200 services connecting these two airports each week.
To ensure you make your New York to Los Angeles flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Popular months like July or high seasons such as Thanksgiving and Christmas will mean longer lines at security and check-in. Be on the safe side and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and four hours ahead of an international departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from New York to Los Angeles
Book two months before your departure date. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap New York to Los Angeles flights.
Plan your trip for May. That's the best month for landing the biggest deals on plane tickets from New York to Los Angeles. If your travel dates are not set in stone, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.
You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll tell you when there's a better deal on cheap flights from New York to Los Angeles.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' New York to Los Angeles flights.
Flying from New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
If you're searching for a direct flight from New York to Los Angeles, you can depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Get from JFK to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in one seamless journey.
Top carriers that offer direct New York to Los Angeles plane tickets departing from JFK include:
Located around 19 kilometres from the centre of New York, JFK can be reached in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
Have an early flight from New York to Los Angeles? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to John F. Kennedy International Airport:
Of all flights departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport, 74.1% land on time at their destination.
JFK's address is JFK Airport.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Rather fly from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)? This popular hub offers nonstop flights from New York to Los Angeles, seamlessly connecting to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
EWR has a range of airlines offering direct New York to Los Angeles plane tickets. Book your seat with any of these:
You can get to EWR from central New York in about 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to cover the 14 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from New York to Los Angeles? Check in to a hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport before your trip officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
73.3% of flights leaving Newark Liberty International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
You'll find EWR at Building 1, Conrad Road.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LGA is around 13 kilometres from central New York. Driving from the city centre to the terminal takes about 25 minutes. If you're thinking about using public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour.
Make taking an early New York to Los Angeles flight the easiest part of your journey. Book a room at one of these hotels near LaGuardia Airport and get to your boarding gate without rushing:
LGA has a stellar on-time arrivals rating of 80.0%, so there's a high chance your flight will stay on course and reach your final stop as expected.
The address of LaGuardia Airport is Hangar 7 Centre.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 19 kilometres from central Los Angeles. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 30 minutes.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 55 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from New York to Los Angeles, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near LAX:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and explore beyond Los Angeles's usual tourist stops.
Reserving your vehicle from Los Angeles International Airport around one week ahead can help you secure the lowest rate.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is about 29 kilometres from the centre of Los Angeles. Following your flight from New York to Los Angeles, it'll take you approximately 35 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
There are some great places to lay your head close to VNY. Unwind after your New York to Los Angeles flight at one of these perfectly located options:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Van Nuys Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Budget, Dollar or Hertz and make a speedy getaway.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from VNY ahead of time so you can just grab the keys and be on your way.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
May is the quietest month for flights from New York to Los Angeles, while July is the most popular. Work out the best time to go to Los Angeles based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
When booking your New York to Los Angeles tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Los Angeles, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
February sees average temperatures of between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Search for cheap flights from New York to Los Angeles around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from New York to Los Angeles, browse our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are top sights which should be on any well-planned Los Angeles itinerary.
Explore more of United States
San Diego is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometres to the south-east, check out popular attractions including San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego.
Around 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles, San Jose is another favourite stop in United States. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.
