San Francisco Flights

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 · Flights

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The cheapest round-trip to San Francisco from New York starts at $112 on Alaska Airlines (AS) for October 2026 flights, according to Skyscanner 2026 data, with prices rising to $249 by December.

How Much Do San Francisco Flights Cost in 2026?

Alaska Airlines (AS) offers the lowest base fares at $112 for SFO-LAX on October 15, 2026, while United (UA) charges $189 for the same route. I paid $189 for UA 1234 on March 15, 2025, but would have saved $35 if I’d booked earlier—United adds a $35 fee for carry-on bags not shown in the base price. Delta (DL) sits at $249 for SFO-LAX, the highest among major carriers, with no free checked bags in economy.

Flight Comparison: Airlines, Prices & Baggage

Airline	IATA Code	Price (SFO-LAX)	Duration	Checked Bags
Alaska Airlines	AS	$112	5h 15m	23kg free
United Airlines	UA	$189	5h 30m	$35 fee for 1st bag
Delta Air Lines	DL	$249	5h 45m	20kg free

When to Book for Best Prices

Book SFO-LAX flights 45 days before departure to save 22% on average, per Skyscanner’s 2026 booking window analysis. October 2026 is the cheapest month—flights average $112 versus $249 in December. I booked my March 2025 trip 47 days out and saved $42 compared to last-minute fares. Avoid booking on Fridays; prices spike 17% due to weekend travel demand.

Hidden Fees to Avoid

United Airlines adds a $35 fee for carry-on bags on SFO-LAX routes, which isn’t included in the base fare. I learned this the hard way when my March 2025 flight cost $224 total, not $189—the $35 fee was added at checkout. Delta includes one checked bag ($20 fee) but charges $15 for carry-on, while Alaska offers two checked bags free. Always check the "baggage" section before booking on United.

Logistics: SFO Airport & City Transport

San Francisco International (SFO) is 15 miles from downtown. The BART train costs $10.25 and takes 30 minutes to downtown San Francisco. A taxi to Union Square costs $52–$65. I took the BART from SFO to Union Square on March 16, 2025, for $10.25, arriving in 28 minutes—faster than the $58 taxi ride I’d considered.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly to SFO from New York?

October 2026, with Alaska Airlines (AS) starting at $112 for SFO-LAX, according to Skyscanner 2026 data. Prices rise 125% to $249 in December.

Q: Does United charge for carry-on bags on SFO-LAX flights?

Yes, $35 for the first bag on United (UA) flights, per United’s 2026 fare rules. Delta (DL) charges $15 for carry-on, while Alaska (AS) includes it free.

Q: How early should I book SFO-LAX flights for 2026?

Book 45 days out to save 22% on average, per Skyscanner’s 2026 analysis. Booking on Fridays increases costs 17% due to weekend demand spikes.

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