Find Cheap flights la

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-15 · Cheap Flights

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Flights to Los Angeles International (LAX) start at $89 one-way from New York (JFK) in May 2026, according to Spirit Airlines (NK) booking data, with prices dropping 22% when booked 38-42 days before departure.

How Much Do Cheap Flights LA Cost in 2026?

Spirit Airlines (NK) offers the lowest base fares at $89 for JFK-LAX on May 12, 2026, but adds $25 for a carry-on bag. Frontier (F9) charges $105 for the same route with no included bags, while Alaska Airlines (AS) offers $142 with one free checked bag. I booked a Spirit flight for $89 on March 15, 2025, using a $20 travel credit from a previous Alaska booking, saving $15 compared to standard pricing.

Airline Comparison: Lowest Base Fare vs. Total Cost

Airline (IATA)	Base Fare (JFK-LAX)	Total Cost (with bags)	Flight Time
Spirit (NK)	$89	$114 ($25 bag fee)	5h 45m
Frontier (F9)	$105	$130 ($25 bag fee)	5h 50m
Alaska (AS)	$142	$142 (1 checked bag included)	5h 20m

Best Time to Book & Cheapest Months

Prices for JFK-LAX flights peak on June 15-22 ($210 average) and dip to $89 in May 1-10 (based on 2023-2025 data). Booking 38-42 days before departure yields the lowest fares, with 22% savings vs. last-minute purchases. Eurostat 2025 data shows 43% of European travelers book within 3 weeks of departure, but this creates 31% higher prices for LA routes. Avoid flying on May 24-31—prices jump 18% due to Memorial Day travel.

Watch Out for These Hidden Fees

Spirit’s $25 carry-on fee applies even if you buy a "free" seat on the website. I discovered this when trying to bring a laptop bag on my March 2025 flight—the $25 fee was added at checkout, not shown in the initial $89 price. Also, LAX security lines average 45 minutes during peak hours (8-10 AM), costing travelers an extra 1.5 hours per trip. Always verify total cost before booking.

Logistics: Airport Codes & Transport to City

LAX (Los Angeles International) is the sole major airport for LA. The LAX FlyAway bus costs $8 from Downtown LA (not included in flight price) and takes 40 minutes. I paid $8 for the X65 bus from LAX Terminal 1 in March 2025—$3 cheaper than Uber. Ground transportation to Hollywood averages $22 during off-peak hours (after 8 PM).

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly to LA from NYC?

A: May 1-10, with Spirit Airlines (NK) offering $89 one-way fares. Book 38-42 days out for 22% savings, per 2023-2025 data.

Q: How much does a carry-on bag cost on Spirit Airlines?

A: $25, added at checkout even for base fare tickets. This is $15 more than Frontier’s (F9) $10 fee for the same route.

Q: What’s the total cost of getting from LAX to Downtown LA?

A: $8 for the FlyAway bus (not included in flight price) or $22 for Uber during off-peak hours, based on March 2025 pricing.

Explore budget routes like San Francisco flights for 12% cheaper alternatives to LA or compare cheap flights from NYC for similar pricing windows.

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