Book Flights to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles -- the entertainment capital of the world, California's largest city, and the gateway to 80 miles of Pacific Coast beaches -- is served by one of the world's busiest and most competitive airports. LAX connects to 90+ countries on 80+ airlines; the transcontinental JFK-LAX and BOS-LAX corridors are among the most competitive in the US, with Delta, United, American, JetBlue (Mint), and Alaska all competing for passengers. Beyond the industry, Los Angeles has the Getty Center (free, world-class), Griffith Observatory (free), Griffith Park (one of America's largest urban parks), and a food scene that rivals any in the country.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is served by all major US carriers and 80+ international airlines. FareOptic compares all carriers to find the cheapest LAX fare.
Cheap Flight Deals to Los Angeles
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Why Visit Los Angeles, California?
Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice, LACMA, studio tours, world-class food scene
Getty Center
World-Class Art Collection, Richard Meier Architecture, and Panoramic ViewsThe Getty Center -- on a 110-acre campus in the Santa Monica Mountains above Brentwood, designed by Richard Meier (opened 1997) -- is one of the most visited art museums in the world and among the finest in the United States. The collection (Van Gogh's Irises, Rembrandt self-portraits, Monet, Degas, Cézanne, and exceptional decorative arts) is matched by the architecture itself: Meier's travertine and aluminum campus is a work of art in its own right, with gardens designed by Robert Irwin and panoramic views of Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean, and the San Gabriel Mountains. Admission is free (parking fee applies).
Van Gogh's Irises at the Getty
Van Gogh's Irises (1889) -- painted at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence one month before his release -- is one of the most celebrated paintings in the Getty collection and among the most recognizable works by Vincent van Gogh. The painting shows irises in a garden bed; the composition's unusual viewpoint (looking down at the flowers rather than across a field), the vivid blue-violet against orange earth, and the energetic brushwork are quintessential Van Gogh. When Irises was sold at Sotheby's in 1987 for $53.9 million (then the highest price ever paid at auction for a painting), the sale prompted international debate about the commodification of art; the Getty acquired Irises from the purchaser two years later.
Hollywood and the Film Industry
TCL Chinese Theatre, Walk of Fame, Studio Tours -- the Capital of American CinemaHollywood -- the neighborhood of Los Angeles that became synonymous with American cinema -- contains the iconic landmarks of the US film industry: TCL Chinese Theatre (1927, with celebrity handprints and footprints in cement), the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2,700+ stars along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street), the Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards), the Hollywood Sign (45 letters, visible from much of the LA Basin), and the Hollywood Hills homes of the entertainment industry. Studio tours (Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, Paramount) offer backstage access to working film and television production.
The Hollywood Sign -- 45 Feet Tall, Originally 'Hollywoodland'
The Hollywood Sign was erected in 1923 as a real estate advertisement for the Hollywoodland residential development in the Santa Monica Mountains, spelled out in 13 letters (each 30 feet wide and 45 feet tall, covered in lightbulbs). The 'land' portion was removed in 1949 when the City of Los Angeles assumed responsibility for the sign. The sign was completely rebuilt in 1978 (funded by donors including Hugh Hefner, Alice Cooper, and Andy Williams, each purchasing one letter for $27,777.77). The sign is protected by a 138-acre preserve and is the most photographed sign in the world, viewed from observation points at Griffith Observatory, the Hollyhock House, and Mulholland Drive.
Griffith Observatory
1935 Art Deco Observatory -- Free Stargazing and Hollywood Sign ViewsGriffith Observatory -- on the south slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, 300 meters above the Los Angeles Basin -- is one of the most visited observatories in the world: a 1935 Art Deco building offering free public telescope viewing, a Samuel Oschin Planetarium (ticketed), and the most iconic view of the Hollywood Sign and the Los Angeles Basin available to the public. The observatory has appeared in dozens of films (most famously James Dean's Rebel Without a Cause, 1955) and is one of the most photographed buildings in Los Angeles.
Griffith Park -- the Largest Municipal Park in the US with Mountain Terrain
Griffith Park -- 1,700 ha in the Santa Monica Mountains within the city of Los Angeles -- is the largest urban park in the US with mountainous terrain, donated by Griffith J. Griffith in 1896. The park contains the Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, Travel Town Museum (historic locomotives), the LA Live Steamers Railroad Museum, hiking trails with views across the basin, and the Greek Theatre (outdoor amphitheater). The Mulholland Highway runs along the park's northern ridge, offering panoramic views of both the San Fernando Valley and the Los Angeles Basin from a single vista.
Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach
Pacific Ocean Waterfront -- America's Most Famous Urban Beach SceneThe Santa Monica Pier (1909) -- the western terminus of Route 66 and home to the Pacific Park amusement park -- and Venice Beach (3 miles south) form the most iconic urban beach experience in the United States: the Pacific Ocean, the Strand cycling path, street performers, bodybuilders at Muscle Beach, a skate park, the Venice Canals (an Abbot Kinney residential development from 1905 using actual canals), and one of the most eclectic street scenes in America. Santa Monica itself is one of LA's most walkable neighborhoods, with Third Street Promenade pedestrian shopping.
Venice Canals -- the Los Angeles Neighborhood Built on Real Canals
Venice was founded in 1905 by tobacco magnate Abbot Kinney as a planned resort community modeled on Venice, Italy: 1.6 miles of canals, a Grand Canal, bridges, and gondoliers imported from Italy to ferry residents and tourists. The original canal system was much larger; most were paved over for roads in 1929 as the automobile replaced gondolas. The surviving Venice Canals Historic District -- 6 blocks of residential canals in the Dell Avenue neighborhood, 2 blocks from Venice Beach -- is one of the most unusual and tranquil urban neighborhoods in any American city: private homes with docks, arched footbridges, and ducks as neighbors.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Largest Art Museum in the Western US -- 142,000 Works, 11 BuildingsThe Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) -- on Wilshire Boulevard in Mid-Wilshire/Miracle Mile -- is the largest art museum in the western United States: 142,000 works across 11 buildings, covering prehistoric through contemporary art from every culture on earth. LACMA's particular strengths include Japanese art (one of the finest collections outside Japan), ancient Iranian and South Asian art, Korean art, Pre-Columbian art, and Islamic art. The Urban Light installation (202 restored cast-iron street lamps from 1920s Los Angeles, arranged in a geometric grid outside the museum's entrance) is one of the most photographed artworks in the US.
Chris Burden's Urban Light -- 202 Street Lamps as Public Art
Urban Light (2008, Chris Burden) -- 202 restored antique cast-iron street lamps from the 1920s-1930s, originally used on Los Angeles streets, arranged in a geometric grid at the Wilshire Boulevard entrance to LACMA -- is one of the most visited public artworks in the United States. The lamps are lit nightly; photographed millions of times per year; and have become as iconic a Los Angeles landmark as the Hollywood Sign. Burden (1946-2015) was known for extreme performance art pieces in the 1970s (Shoot, 1971, in which he had an assistant shoot him in the arm with a rifle) before moving to large-scale kinetic and architectural works. Urban Light is the most visited work in LACMA's collection.
How to Find Cheap Flights to Los Angeles
LAX Is a Major International Hub -- Many Carriers Compete, Keeping Fares Down
Los Angeles International serves 80+ airlines connecting to 90+ countries, making it one of the world's most competitive aviation markets. The transcontinental JFK-LAX and BOS-LAX corridors are among the most-flown domestic routes in the US; carrier competition (Delta, United, American, JetBlue, Alaska) keeps fares competitive and business class prices lower than on many equivalent routes. Book 3-6 weeks ahead for the best economy fares on popular routes.
Consider Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), or Ontario (ONT) as LAX Alternatives
Los Angeles is served by five commercial airports: LAX, Burbank (BUR, 18 miles north -- closest to Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley), Long Beach (LGB, 20 miles south -- Southwest/Alaska, easy parking), Ontario (ONT, 35 miles east -- good for Inland Empire), and John Wayne Orange County (SNA, 35 miles south -- good for Disneyland/Orange County). For Southwest travel, check LGB and BUR before LAX.
Traffic Is Real -- Add 30-60 Minutes to All Journey Times
Los Angeles traffic is not a myth: the I-405 (San Diego Freeway) regularly ranks among the most congested highways in the US. Journey times that look reasonable on a map can double during peak hours (7-9am, 4-7pm weekdays). Plan accordingly: LAX to Hollywood takes 45-90 minutes depending on traffic. Use waze or Google Maps for real-time routing. The Flyaway bus connects LAX to Union Station, Westwood, and Van Nuys at low cost.
Visit October-November or March-May for Best Weather and Fewer Crowds
Los Angeles has excellent weather year-round, but the coastal June Gloom (morning marine layer, June through mid-August) reduces morning sunshine along the coast. October through November has the clearest skies, warm temperatures, and fewer summer crowds. March through May is pleasant with green hills before the summer dry season. Winter (December-February) is mild (18-22°C) and clear; the hills are green and occasionally snow-capped.
Airlines Serving Los Angeles (LAX)
Delta Air Lines
JFK and Atlanta Hub Connections -- Delta One TranscontinentalDelta Air Lines is one of the primary carriers on the New York-Los Angeles transcontinental route (JFK-LAX) -- historically the most profitable and competitive domestic route in the US. Delta One business class (lie-flat seats, premium dining, Peloton in-seat entertainment) is available on LAX transcontinental routes. Delta also connects LAX via Atlanta (ATL), Minneapolis (MSP), and Salt Lake City (SLC).
Key Routes
JFK to LAX (5h 30m nonstop); ATL to LAX (4h 30m nonstop); MSP to LAX (3h 30m nonstop); SLC to LAX (2h nonstop); Delta One business class on JFK-LAX; connections to all Delta domestic and international routes
American Airlines
Dallas, Miami, and Chicago Hub Connections -- Flagship BusinessAmerican Airlines connects Los Angeles from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL), and New York-JFK (JFK). American's Flagship Business class (lie-flat, fine dining, Flagship Lounge access) is available on select LAX transcontinental routes. LAX is a major American gateway for transpacific routes operated by Qantas and Cathay Pacific (Oneworld partners).
Key Routes
DFW to LAX (3h nonstop); MIA to LAX (5h nonstop); ORD to LAX (3h 45m nonstop); JFK to LAX (5h 30m nonstop); Flagship Business class on select LAX routes; connections to international routes via Oneworld partners
United Airlines
Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Newark Hub ConnectionsUnited Airlines connects Los Angeles from Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), Newark (EWR), and Washington Dulles (IAD). United's Polaris business class is available on select LAX routes. LAX is a major United hub for transpacific routes to Japan, Australia, and Southeast Asia. United's Star Alliance membership provides connections from LAX to virtually every major international airport.
Key Routes
ORD to LAX (3h 45m nonstop); DEN to LAX (2h 30m nonstop); EWR to LAX (5h 30m nonstop); IAH to LAX (3h 30m nonstop); Polaris business class on select routes; transpacific connections via Star Alliance
Alaska Airlines and JetBlue
Seattle and East Coast Nonstops -- Frequent Flyer ValueAlaska Airlines connects Los Angeles from Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), and Anchorage (ANC), with strong connections to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. JetBlue offers nonstop service from Boston (BOS), New York-JFK (JFK), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and other East Coast cities; JetBlue Mint business class (lie-flat seats, tapas service) is available on JFK-LAX -- one of the best domestic business class products in the US at competitive prices.
Key Routes
Alaska: SEA to LAX (2h 30m nonstop); PDX to LAX (2h 30m nonstop); JetBlue: BOS to LAX (5h 40m nonstop); JFK to LAX (5h 30m nonstop) with Mint business class; Fort Lauderdale FLL to LAX nonstop
Things to Do in Los Angeles, California
Essential Info for Your Los Angeles Trip
State
California (CA)
Currency
USD — US Dollar
Time Zone
PST (UTC-8) / PDT (UTC-7) in summer
Airport Code
LAX — Los Angeles International Airport (24 km southwest of downtown)
Population
~4 million city; ~13 million Los Angeles metro area (2nd largest in the US)
Top Attractions
Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, Hollywood, Santa Monica/Venice, LACMA, Universal Studios, Disneyland (30 miles)
Emergency Number
911
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Los Angeles
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Los Angeles, California
What airport serves Los Angeles?
Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX) is the primary airport serving Los Angeles, located approximately 24 km southwest of downtown LA near El Segundo and Inglewood. LAX is the second busiest airport in the US and the fourth busiest in the world, serving 80+ airlines. Alternative airports: Burbank (BUR, closest to Hollywood), Long Beach (LGB, Southwest/Alaska), Ontario (ONT, eastern suburbs), and John Wayne Orange County (SNA). The LAX Automated People Mover (APM) connects the terminals to the Metro rail station, opening 2024.
What is Los Angeles known for?
Los Angeles is the global center of the entertainment industry (film, television, music, streaming), home to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, and Malibu. Major attractions include the Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, LACMA, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, and 80+ miles of Pacific Ocean coastline. Los Angeles is the second most populous US city (after New York), with a population of 4 million in the city and 13 million in the metro area.
Do I need a car in Los Angeles?
A car is highly recommended for most Los Angeles travel. Public transit (Metro Rail and bus) connects key points but is slow and inconvenient for the distances involved. Metro Rail connects LAX to downtown LA (35-45 minutes via the K and A Lines), Hollywood, and Santa Monica. However, getting between neighborhoods -- Hollywood to Venice, Beverly Hills to Griffith Park, downtown to Malibu -- requires a car or rideshare. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) is widely available and practical for intra-city travel without a car.
What are the best neighborhoods to stay in Los Angeles?
Santa Monica and Venice are best for beach access and walkability; Beverly Hills and West Hollywood for upscale hotels and entertainment; Hollywood for proximity to classic sights; Silver Lake and Los Feliz for the most interesting independent restaurant and bar scenes; downtown LA for arts and business. Avoid staying near LAX (inconvenient and noisy) unless your schedule requires it. The neighborhoods most praised for walking and dining are Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and Larchmont Village.
What is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
October through December is the finest season: clear skies, warm temperatures (20-26°C), and the LA cultural calendar in full swing. Spring (March-May) is also excellent: green hills, comfortable temperatures, and fewer crowds than summer. Summer (June through mid-August) brings June Gloom (morning marine clouds, especially along the coast), heat in the inland valleys, and large crowds at beach and tourist attractions. December through February is mild and dry -- LA's 'winter' -- with the green season hills and crowd levels below summer peaks.
How long is the flight from New York to Los Angeles?
Nonstop flights from New York (JFK, LGA, or EWR) to Los Angeles (LAX) take approximately 5h 15m - 5h 45m eastbound and 5h 30m - 6h 15m westbound (due to jet stream). The JFK-LAX corridor is one of the most competitive domestic routes in the US, operated by Delta, United, American, JetBlue (with Mint business class), and Alaska Airlines. Business class options include Delta One, United Polaris, American Flagship Business, and JetBlue Mint -- the latter often priced significantly below the legacy carriers.
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