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Flights to Los Angeles (LAX) overview
Going searches for the best fares and sends members deals bookable 1-12 months in advance. Going members save approximately 39% compared to normal flight prices to Los Angeles (LAX).
Cheapest Going deal
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Best month to fly
Going found the most deals with travel dates in November.
Worst month to fly
Going found the least deals with travel dates in July.
Top tips for finding a cheap flight to Los Angeles (LAX)
Book your trip in the Goldilocks Window
Great deals on airfare crop up all the time, but there are certain periods in advance of a trip when ticket prices tend to be at their lowest. It’s 1-3 months ahead of a domestic trip and 2-8 months ahead of an international one, and it’s when we recommend you actually buy your plane tickets. We call this sweet spot the Goldilocks Window.
If you’re planning a trip that will fall during the peak travel season or your travel dates are written in stone, and you can’t be flexible, we recommend adding a few months to that equation. Anyone hoping to fly during the Christmas season should book around July, for instance, and if you’re taking a summer trip, you should book the summer before. And keep in mind that last-minute bargain basement fares are pretty uncommon. Airlines typically jack prices up 21, 14, and 7 days before a flight, so book before those times if at all possible.
Consider flying from a different airport
Most of us are used to scanning the deals on airfare from the airport closest to home, which makes perfect sense. It might seem odd for us to suggest looking for cheap fares at airports that aren’t close by, but sometimes that’s the very thing that can save you quite a bit of money on flights.
If you’re in Norfolk and you want to fly to LAX, you might see fares around $290 and just bite the bullet. But before you click that buy button, zoom out on the map a bit. Flights from DC into Los Angeles are frequently in the $110 range or lower—which means that even when you add a $50 roundtrip train ticket from Norfolk to DC, you’re still coming out way ahead.
Keep travel plans flexible
The best way to save money on a flight is to target the times of year when flights are generally cheaper. It sounds obvious, but it can be tougher than you’d think. Peak travel seasons are popular for a reason, and most of us end up being a little more restricted in terms of when we can take off on a trip. If you can stay flexible, though, looking for when fares are cheapest and letting that dictate when you travel, you could save big.
If you have no choice but to travel during the high season, though, or your travel dates are fixed, there are still a couple of things you can do to save a little bit of money. First, look at fares during the first two weeks of June and the last two weeks of August—that’s when prices are typically lower than the rest of the peak summer season. Second, avoid flying on the more expensive days (Fridays and Sundays) and aim for the less expensive days (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays).
Sign up for email airfare alerts
We have a team of experts constantly looking for the best deals on airfare, so we know how time-consuming it is. You don’t need to dedicate hours to your own search, though, because there are tools that automate the process with fare alerts. Once you sign up, you can focus on other things and wait for the email notification that airfare has dropped into the range you want. Just remember that if your travel plans are flexible, you’ll need to set up a fare alert for each potential itinerary—or join Going, which monitors all routes from your home airport.
LAX is the busiest airport in the Los Angeles area, with more than 68 airlines serving it. It’s a major hub for American, Alaska, Delta, and United, as well as a focus city for JetBlue and an operating base for Allegiant and Southwest. There are 109 airports around the United States with direct flights into LAX.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Los Angeles (LAX)
What is the airport code for Los Angeles International Airport?
The airport code for Los Angeles International Airport is LAX.
When is high season in Los Angeles?
LA’s famously sunny weather means it’s a popular tourist destination year-round, but the summer months of June-August are still the busiest. Some of the city’s big annual events happen during the summer—including LA Pride in June and Nisei Week Japanese Festival in August.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
The shoulder seasons of spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are some of the best times to be in LA since the weather is still reliably warm without being scorching. Crowds tend to be smaller, too, and hotel rates drop accordingly
Does Los Angeles International Airport have its own on-site hotel?
No, there is not a hotel inside or connected to LAX. There are, however, dozens of hotels a short drive from the airport, and most of them offer free shuttle service to and from the airport.
What lounges are available at Los Angeles International Airport?
LAX is huge, so there are lots of lounge options. Most terminals have at least one (excepting Terminals 1 and 8) and Terminal 2 is now considered part of Terminal 3, so those lounges are grouped under the Terminal 3 listing.
Terminal 3 There is a Delta Sky Club on level 4 that has a selection of food and drinks, shower facilities, and free WiFi. Sky Club members, Delta’s and Air France’s first-class or business-class ticketholders, SkyMiles Reserve cardholders, and AmEx Platinum cardholders with a Delta boarding pass get free entry.
Terminal 4 There are two American Airlines lounges in Terminal 4. Both are on level 3 near gate 40. The Flagship Lounge has premium drinks, menus created by award-winning chefs, shower facilities, and free WiFi. Flagship first and business passengers on specific routes, some AAdvantage and Mileage Plan members flying specific routes, some ConciergeKey members flying specific routes, and some oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members get free entry. Day passes are available for $150.
The Admirals Club has a selection of food and drinks, shower facilities, and free WiFi. Admirals Club members, American Airlines travelers flying first or business class, Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard cardholders with an AA boarding pass, ConciergeKey members with an AA boarding pass, and AirPass members with Admirals Club privileges get free entry. Day passes are available for $59.
Terminal 5 There is another American Airlines Admirals Club near gate 53B. See above for access information.
Terminal 6 There is an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge on level 4 near gate 64 that has a selection of food and drinks as well as free WiFi. Maple Leaf Club members, Air Canada Signature and Business Class passengers, Premium Rouge passengers, some Air Canada status levels (Altitude Super Elite, Aeroplan 75K, Aeroplan 50K), Star Alliance Gold members, Aeroplan business and Corporate credit cardholders, and Aeroplan Black card members get free entry. Day passes for Air Canada travelers are available for $25-50.
There is an Alaska Airlines Lounge on level 3 near gate 64B that has selected drinks, a rotating menu of fresh meals, and free WiFi. Alaska Lounge members, Club 49 members flying Alaska first class to/from Alaska, and Alaska first class passengers on flights of at least 2,100 miles get free entry. Day passes are available for $60.
Terminal 7 There are two United lounges in Terminal 7. The United Club is on level 3 near gate 71A and has selected snacks, a full-service bar, and free WiFi. United Club members, travelers flying first or business class on United or its Star Alliance partners, United Club Infinite cardholders, and some elite-status United or Star Alliance frequent flyers get free entry. Day Passes are also available for $59.
The Polaris Lounge is on level 3 near gate 73 and has a full buffet, a full-service bar, shower facilities, and free WiFi. United Polaris business class passengers on long-haul international flights and Star Alliance first and business class passengers on long-haul international flights get free entry.
Terminal B/Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) This is the terminal with the most lounges, including airline alliance lounges and non-airline lounges. The American Express Centurion Lounge is on level 4 near the great hall. It has premium food and drinks, some spa services, quiet workspaces, and free WiFi. Centurion members, AmEx global Platinum cardholders, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders get free entry.
The Emirates Lounge is on level 6. It has premium food and drinks and free WiFi. Emirates first and business class passengers and Emirates Skywards Platinum or Gold members get free entry. Day passes are available starting at $125.
The Korean Air/SkyTeam Lounge is on level 5. It has selected food and drinks, shower facilities, and free WiFi. International first and business-class passengers as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus Frequent Flyers on international flights on SkyTeam partner airlines (Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta, ITA Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Saudia, and XiamenAir) get free entry.
The Qantas International First Lounge is on level 5. It has Australian-inspired food and drinks, shower facilities, and free WiFi. Qantas International First passengers, as well as Platinum One Qantas frequent flyers and Platinum Qantas Frequent Flyers flying on Qantas, Emirates, Jetstar, or a oneworld Alliance partner get free entry.
The Star Alliance Lounge (Business Class) is on level 6. It has selected food and drinks, shower facilities, and free WiFi. International first and business-class passengers on a Star Alliance member airline get free entry.
The Star Alliance Lounge (First Class) is also on level 6. It has selected food and drinks, private rooms, shower facilities, and free WiFi. International first-class passengers on a Star Alliance member airline get free entry.
Regional Terminal There is an American Admirals Club on level 2 near gate 52D. It has selected food and drinks as well as free WiFi. See above for access information.
What are the rules for traveling with pets to Los Angeles International Airport?
The rules around animals brought into the state of California vary a bit, mostly by the kind of animal. Dogs and cats, for instance, must be “healthy,” but you don’t necessarily need to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for them. Dogs must have proof that they’re current on their rabies vaccines, but the same is not required for cats. For more details and information on other types of animals, see the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s website—and don’t forget that airlines set their own rules about flying with pets, so be sure to check with your airline as well.
When you’re with your service animal or pet at LAX, there are 12 pet relief areas located throughout the airport. Service animals must be leashed at all times at the airport, and non-service animals must be kenneled.
How far is Los Angeles International Airport to Los Angeles?
It’s only about 18 miles from LAX into downtown Los Angeles via the most direct route, but the travel time is longer than you’d think due to LA’s famous traffic.
What are the transportation options for getting from Los Angeles International Airport to Los Angeles?
As mentioned above, LA’s traffic notoriously makes the trip from the airport into the city at least an hour-long journey—but it’s also a city without great public transit options.
By rideshare or taxi: The drive time is typically at least an hour, if not more, depending on the time of day and where in the greater LA metro area you’re going. Luckily, there’s a flat taxi rate of $51.15 to downtown Los Angeles (plus an airport surcharge). Rideshare costs vary depending on traffic and demand but can range from $36-80.
By public transportation: The FlyAway bus runs from LAX’s Aviation Station into downtown LA’s Union Station. The travel time is still going to be an hour or more on most days, but a bus ticket only costs $9.75.
How long is the flight to Los Angeles?
With Los Angeles being tucked into the corner on the west coast of the vast expanse of the continental United States, it shouldn’t be surprising that flight times to LAX can vary considerably. Direct flights from the Northeast can be six hours or more, from the Southeast around five hours, from the Midwest around four hours, from the Northwest around three hours, and from the Southwest around 1.5 hours. And, of course, if your itinerary involves any layovers, that will add several hours to your travel day.
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* Prices are per person and include all taxes & fees in USD. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing, however, prices are not guaranteed, as airline pricing can change by the minute. Average Going fares are based on average prices of deals found by Going.