Flying from Los Angeles to New York: what you need to know
All great adventures start at one of Los Angeles's main airports, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Explore your options for booking a flight from Los Angeles to New York setting off from either of these.
The major entry paths to New York are Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The average length of a direct flight from Los Angeles to New York is 5 hours 26 minutes. New York's timezone is UTC-4, making New York 3 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
The most popular route for flights from Los Angeles to New York is from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). You can choose from 240 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from LAX to JFK is the 00:29 American Airlines service. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the final departure is at 23:59 with Delta Air Lines.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably board your flight from Los Angeles to New York.
If you're heading away during a public holiday or other peak period, give yourself more time. A good general rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
When flying domestically within United States, you don't need a visa or passport. However, you'll have to bring some kind of identification, like a driver's license or ID card. Once you've booked cheap flights from Los Angeles to New York, make sure your ID is up to date.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Begin your journey at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which offers a range of direct flights from Los Angeles to New York. From LAX, you can fly without any stops to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Multiple airlines at LAX offer direct flights from Los Angeles to New York. They include:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your flight from Los Angeles to New York. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Los Angeles International Airport. Break up the journey at one of these airports:
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Located around 32 kilometers from central Los Angeles, LAX can be reached in about 32 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 54 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your vacation? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Los Angeles to New York or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Break up your flight from Los Angeles to New York with a stop so you can recharge or tick another place off your list. Some great stopovers between Los Angeles International Airport and New York include:
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
You can arrive at VNY from central Los Angeles in about 34 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour and 41 minutes to travel the 32 kilometers or so.
You're going on vacation, so why not enjoy an extra night away from home? Consider kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Van Nuys Airport the day before your flight from Los Angeles to New York:
Arriving in New York
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to central New York takes around 28 minutes by car. It's approximately 24 kilometers away.
It'll take around 1 hour and 11 minutes if you're traveling on public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Los Angeles to New York. Reserve one of these accommodation options near EWR instead:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
As soon as your flight from Los Angeles to New York has landed, you can reach the city center in about 48 minutes by car. Central New York is roughly 48 kilometers from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The trip will take roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes on public transport.
There are some cozy hotels where you can rest ahead of your adventure near JFK. Tuck yourself in after your flight from Los Angeles to New York at one of these well-located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to New York
$45 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to New York. Return flights start from $98. These fares may change depending on availability and demand.
To score cheap tickets from Los Angeles to New York, book your journey 9 months before your departure.
May is the cheapest month for tickets from Los Angeles to New York. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Finding a cheap ticket from Los Angeles to New York is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as the price has dropped.
Take advantage of filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Los Angeles to New York, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by departure and arrival times, airline, and journey duration.
Best time to go to New York
August is the most popular month for flights from Los Angeles to New York. To skip the crowds, head to New York in February.
Book your flight from Los Angeles to New York for July if you'd like to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in New York to range from 18ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from Los Angeles to New York in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -6ºC and 8ºC on average.
More about New York
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in New York right here. Browse these options once you've locked in your flight from Los Angeles to New York:
Statue of Liberty and Central Park are just two of the popular attractions to add to your New York to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Empire State Building.
Complete your New York trip with a car rental
Check out our range of car rentals once you've found your hotel and cheap flight from Los Angeles to New York. Whether you want an SUV, a compact ride or something in between, you can compare companies in one go to find the best deal.