New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) is about 2,470 miles and typically takes 5 h 30 min by air. Some carriers have hubs at both ends, which makes frequent nonstops more likely. Call (800) 490-3234 for live fares.
JFK to LAX at a glance
| Route | New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) |
|---|---|
| Distance | about 2,470 miles / 3,970 km |
| Typical flight time | 5 h 30 min (estimate) |
| Time difference | 3 hours behind |
| Route type | Domestic (U.S.) |
| Airlines with hubs here | American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Alaska Airlines |
About the New York to Los Angeles route
Covering around 2,470 miles, the trip from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) is one of the longer domestic routes. Expect several hours in the air and a noticeable shift in local time.
Flight time and distance
A typical flight takes about 5 h 30 min gate to gate, with a realistic range of 5 h 10 min to 5 h 55 min depending on wind, routing and aircraft. That is an estimate based on the distance of roughly 2,470 miles (3,970 km), not a published schedule. Flights heading west usually take noticeably longer than flights heading east because of prevailing winds aloft, so the return flight can differ by 30 minutes or more.
Los Angeles is 3 hours behind New York on standard time, so the arrival time on your ticket will look different from the flight duration.
Among the 200 routes in our guides, JFK to LAX is longer than about 78% of them.
For comparison, New York to Seattle (JFK to SEA) is about 2,420 miles, so Los Angeles is a bit farther out from JFK.
The airports
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK sits in southeast Queens and is the New York area's biggest door to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Full JFK guide.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX is the West Coast's largest gateway, with heavy service to Asia, Australia, Latin America and every major U.S. market. Full LAX guide.
Nearby alternatives: around New York, LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty (EWR); and around Los Angeles, Hollywood Burbank and San Diego (SAN). Price all of them before you commit, especially if you have flexible dates.
Airlines on this route
American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have a hub at both ends, so they are the most likely to offer frequent nonstop service and easy rebooking on this route.
United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Alaska Airlines also have a major presence at one of the two airports.
Airlines add and drop frequencies throughout the year. Our agents can check what is actually scheduled on your dates.
Common connection points
A one-stop trip would most naturally connect through a hub such as JetBlue Airways via Boston (BOS), which adds about 320 miles (13% beyond the direct distance) or Alaska Airlines via San Francisco (SFO), which adds about 450 miles (18% beyond the direct distance). Choose the connection with the best weather odds for your travel month and leave a comfortable layover; our layover guide explains how much time is realistic.
Best time to fly
For this trip, keep in mind that at LAX, marine-layer fog can slow early-morning operations from late spring through summer. At JFK, summer and the weeks around Thanksgiving and Christmas bring the heaviest crowds; winter nor'easters are the main disruption risk.
Ground transport
Getting to and from JFK
The AirTrain links the terminals to the subway and the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica and Howard Beach; allow extra time for road traffic on the Van Wyck Expressway.
Getting to and from LAX
Rideshare pickup happens at the LAX-it lot outside the terminal loop, and a shuttle connects to the Metro rail network; road traffic on the 405 and 105 can be unpredictable.
Booking tips
If you are flying to Los Angeles for a vacation, compare the fare with bags included, since leisure travelers often check luggage. Our fare-type guide shows what low fares leave out.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from New York to Los Angeles?
A typical JFK to LAX flight takes about 5 h 30 min, with a likely range of 5 h 10 min to 5 h 55 min. Actual time depends on wind, routing, aircraft and whether you connect.
How far is Los Angeles from New York by air?
The great-circle distance between JFK and LAX is about 2,470 miles (3,970 km).
Which airlines fly from New York to Los Angeles?
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Alaska Airlines have a major presence at JFK or LAX, and service varies by season. Ask us to check current nonstop and connecting options.
What is the time difference between New York and Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is 3 hours behind New York on standard time. Daylight saving time can change the gap for part of the year.
Are there other airports near New York?
Yes. Nearby alternatives include LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty (EWR). Comparing them can change both fare and travel time.
When is the best time to book JFK to LAX?
For leisure routes like this, book early for school holidays and peak seasons. Domestic fares are often competitive one to three months ahead, while international trips benefit from more lead time. Compare several dates, since fares are priced flight by flight.
Explore related routes
More flights involving New York (JFK)
- Austin to New YorkAUS to JFK
- Cancun to New YorkCUN to JFK
- Delhi to New YorkDEL to JFK
- Fort Lauderdale to New YorkFLL to JFK
- Mumbai to New YorkBOM to JFK
- New York to AtlantaJFK to ATL
More flights involving Los Angeles (LAX)
- Anchorage to Los AngelesANC to LAX
- Austin to Los AngelesAUS to LAX
- Boston to Los AngelesBOS to LAX
- Charlotte to Los AngelesCLT to LAX
- Cleveland to Los AngelesCLE to LAX
- Detroit to Los AngelesDTW to LAX
Last reviewed October 22, 2026. FlighTicketHub provides general information; confirm details with the airline before you travel.