Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to New York
The LA–New York corridor is one of America's busiest and most price-competitive air routes, with over 17 daily nonstops from LAX to JFK alone. Delta and American Airlines each operate roughly 10 daily departures, while JetBlue's Mint lie-flat business class has redefined premium transcontinental travel. Add United's nonstops from LAX to Newark and you have coast-to-coast coverage from morning to midnight. Camli's consolidator network regularly surfaces fares 30–50% below published prices on this fiercely competitive route.
Route Insight: One of the busiest domestic corridors, this transcontinental route connects two of the largest and most influential cities in the US. It's characterized by high frequency, intense competition across all fare classes, and a diverse passenger mix including business travelers, entertainment industry professionals, and tourists.
Route Overview: Los Angeles to New York
| Route | Los Angeles (LAX) → New York (JFK / EWR) |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~2,468 miles / 3,972 km |
| Flight Time (Outbound) | ~5h 15min–5h 30min eastbound |
| Flight Time (Return) | ~5h 45min–6h westbound (headwinds) |
| Nonstop Carriers | Delta, American Airlines, JetBlue (LAX–JFK); United, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit (LAX–EWR) |
| Connecting Carriers | Southwest (via various), Frontier (ended LAX–JFK Jan 2026) |
| Peak Season | Summer (June–August), Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year |
| Shoulder Season | April–May, September–October |
Fare Comparison: Los Angeles to New York
| Cabin | Airline | From | Stops | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Multiple carriers | $181 | Nonstop | Lowest published round-trip (Expedia) |
| Economy | Delta Air Lines | $249 | Nonstop (JFK) | ~10 daily from LAX — largest JFK carrier |
| Economy | American Airlines | $263 | Nonstop (JFK) | ~9 daily from LAX |
| Economy | JetBlue | $226 | Nonstop (JFK) | Most legroom in economy (32–34 in) |
| Economy | United Airlines | $300 | Nonstop (EWR) | ~5 daily from LAX to Newark |
| Economy | Spirit Airlines | $161 | Nonstop (EWR) | ULCC — bags and seats extra |
| Business | JetBlue Mint | $599 | Nonstop (JFK) | Lie-flat suite with door, premium dining |
| First Class | American Airlines | $899 | Nonstop (JFK) | Flagship First on 777-200 — lie-flat |
Prices shown are indicative round-trip starting fares as of April 2026, inclusive of taxes and fees. Spirit Airlines charges separately for bags and seat selection. JetBlue Mint and AA Flagship First availability varies by aircraft and date. Red-eye flights (departing 10pm–1am) are typically $60–120 cheaper than daytime equivalents. Search for live pricing.
Airlines Flying Los Angeles to New York
- Delta Air Lines (DL) — nonstop, ~10 daily (LAX–JFK). Largest carrier on LAX–JFK. Delta One lie-flat business class on widebody aircraft. SkyTeam member. SkyMiles earning. Comfort+ extra legroom available.
- American Airlines (AA) — nonstop, ~9 daily (LAX–JFK). Flagship First and Flagship Business on 777-200 — lie-flat with Casper bedding. Oneworld alliance. Admirals Club at LAX.
- JetBlue (B6) — nonstop, Multiple daily (LAX–JFK + LAX–EWR). Mint lie-flat suites with closing door — widely considered the best transcon business class. Free Wi-Fi and live TV in all cabins. Also serves EWR (~3 daily).
- United Airlines (UA) — nonstop, ~5 daily (LAX–EWR). Nonstop from LAX to Newark (EWR), not JFK. Star Alliance member. Polaris business class on select widebody flights. Good for NJ, western Manhattan, or United connections.
- Alaska Airlines (AS) — nonstop, 1 daily (LAX–EWR). Daily nonstop LAX–EWR. Oneworld alliance (joined 2021). First Class domestic-style recliner. Mileage Plan earning.
- Spirit Airlines (NK) — nonstop, ~12 weekly (LAX–EWR). Ultra-low-cost carrier. Nonstop LAX–EWR only (not JFK). Lowest base fares but bags, seats, and snacks cost extra. Big Front Seat for extra legroom.
Schedules verified April 2026. LAX–JFK has 116 weekly nonstops (~17 daily) across Delta, American, and JetBlue. LAX–EWR adds United, Alaska, JetBlue, and Spirit. Frontier ended LAX–JFK nonstop service in January 2026.
Best Time to Fly Los Angeles to New York
Cheapest months: January and February offer the lowest fares as leisure demand drops after the holidays. May is also excellent value. Summer (June–August) commands premium pricing with round-trips often exceeding $400. Thanksgiving week and Christmas/New Year are the most expensive periods, with fares 50–80% above average.
Best days: Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently offer 20–35% lower fares than weekend departures. Red-eye flights (departing 10pm–1am) are $60–120 cheaper than daytime equivalents and save a hotel night in LA. Saturday morning departures can also be competitive.
Booking window: 6–10 weeks ahead is the optimal window for the best prices on this high-demand route. Holiday travel (Thanksgiving, Christmas) should be booked 12+ weeks out. Last-minute deals are rare on LAX–JFK due to consistently high load factors.
Monthly Price Calendar
- Jan (low): Post-holiday lull — lowest fares
- Feb (low): Still quiet — great deals
- Mar (medium): Spring break begins — moderate
- Apr (medium): Shoulder season — good value
- May (low): Pre-summer — excellent deals
- Jun (high): Summer begins — prices rise
- Jul (high): Peak summer — highest demand
- Aug (high): Late summer — still expensive
- Sep (low): Post-Labor Day — prices drop
- Oct (medium): Fall foliage season — moderate
- Nov (high): Thanksgiving spike
- Dec (high): Holiday peak — highest fares
Travel Tips
- The Red-Eye Advantage: LAX to JFK red-eye flights (departing after 10pm) are often $60–120 cheaper than daytime equivalents and save you a hotel night in LA. You arrive in New York by 6–7am, ready for the day. Delta and American both operate multiple red-eyes.
- JetBlue Mint: Best Transcon Business Class: JetBlue's Mint lie-flat suites with closing doors are widely considered the best transcontinental business class in America. Premium dining, fast Wi-Fi, and a private suite for often half the price of Delta One or AA Flagship First. Camli's consolidator network regularly surfaces Mint fares at 40–60% below published prices.
- Check Newark (EWR) for Savings: Newark is often $40–80 cheaper than JFK for the same dates. Penn Station to EWR is ~30 minutes via NJ Transit. United, JetBlue, Alaska, and Spirit all fly nonstop LAX–EWR.
- Domestic Route — No Passport Needed: This is a domestic US flight. A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or REAL ID) is sufficient. TSA PreCheck or CLEAR can save significant time at LAX security.
- Premium Transcontinental Competition: This route has the fiercest premium cabin competition in the US. JetBlue Mint, Delta One, and AA Flagship First all offer lie-flat seats. Compare all three through Camli to find the best value — prices can vary by $500+ for the same dates.
About New York
Manhattan
The heart of New York City — Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Broadway theaters, world-class museums (Met, MoMA, Guggenheim), and neighborhoods from SoHo to the Upper West Side. Walk everywhere or take the subway.
Brooklyn
Cross the Brooklyn Bridge for Dumbo's waterfront views, Williamsburg's food scene, Prospect Park, and the Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn has become a destination in its own right.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Take the ferry from Battery Park to see Lady Liberty up close. Reserve pedestal or crown access weeks in advance. Ellis Island's immigration museum tells the story of millions of arrivals.
Food & Nightlife
From dollar pizza slices to Michelin-starred restaurants, NYC's food scene is unmatched. Rooftop bars, jazz clubs, comedy shows, and Broadway — the city never sleeps.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long is the flight from Los Angeles to New York?
- Nonstop from LAX to JFK is approximately 5 hours 15–30 minutes eastbound. Westbound (JFK to LAX) takes about 5 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours due to prevailing headwinds.
- What is the cheapest airline from LA to New York?
- Spirit Airlines offers the lowest base fares (from $161 round-trip LAX–EWR) but charges for bags and seats. For nonstop JFK service, JetBlue and Delta start around $226–249 round-trip. Red-eye flights are consistently $60–120 cheaper.
- Is JetBlue Mint worth it for LAX to JFK?
- Many travelers consider JetBlue Mint the best value in US business class. Lie-flat suites with closing doors, premium dining, and fast Wi-Fi — often at half the price of Delta One or AA Flagship First. Especially worth it for overnight red-eye flights.
- Should I fly into JFK or Newark?
- JFK has more nonstop options from LAX (17+ daily) and is closer to Brooklyn and Queens. Newark is often $40–80 cheaper and connects to Manhattan via NJ Transit in ~30 minutes. Choose based on your final destination and budget.
- When is the cheapest time to fly from LA to New York?
- January, February, and September offer the lowest fares. May is also excellent value. Avoid summer (June–August), Thanksgiving week, and Christmas/New Year for the best prices.
- Do I need a passport to fly from LA to New York?
- No — this is a domestic US flight. A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or REAL ID) is sufficient. TSA PreCheck or CLEAR can expedite security.
- How many nonstop flights are there from LAX to New York daily?
- Over 17 daily nonstops from LAX to JFK alone (Delta ~10, American ~9, JetBlue multiple). LAX to EWR adds another 8–10 daily nonstops (United, JetBlue, Alaska, Spirit). Total: 25+ daily nonstops.
- What is the best business class from LA to New York?
- JetBlue Mint (lie-flat suites with door), Delta One (lie-flat on widebody), and AA Flagship First (lie-flat on 777-200) are the three premium options. JetBlue Mint is generally the best value. Compare all three through Camli.