Cheap Flights To La: Best Strategies for 2026

The short answer is: you can find flights to Los Angeles for as low as $99 one-way, but timing and strategy matter most. Budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier often offer the lowest fares, while major carriers like American or Delta may have better deals during off-peak seasons.

Book 3-4 months in advance for the best prices—flights from New York to LAX average $180 during shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October), but surge to $350+ during summer. Use Google Flights’ price tracking to monitor trends; a recent search showed a $112 fare from Chicago to LAX on Spirit, booked 90 days out, while the same route on United cost $220 on the same day.

Don’t assume all “cheap” flights are equal: Spirit and Frontier charge $60 for carry-on bags and $30 for checked luggage, which can double your total cost. Always factor in baggage fees when comparing prices—some “$99” deals end up costing $200+ once you add essentials.

A common misconception is that flying midweek is always cheaper, but data from 2023 shows LAX flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are only 5-10% cheaper than weekends, while Monday flights can be 15% more expensive due to business travel. Instead, target the first week of the month—flights from Dallas to LAX averaged $145 on the first Monday of June, compared to $180 on the last Monday.

Use find cheap flights to compare airlines and set alerts, but avoid booking directly on airline sites during peak times—third-party aggregators often have better deals. For example, a $160 Spirit flight from Denver to LAX found via Kayak was $30 cheaper than booking directly.

Another tip: avoid flying into LAX on holidays. The week before Thanksgiving sees a 40% price spike, with flights from Seattle jumping from $120 to $170. Instead, fly the week after Thanksgiving for 20% lower rates, as seen in 2022 data from Skyscanner.

Finally, don’t overlook nearby airports. Long Beach (LGB) and Ontario (ONT) often have 10-15% cheaper flights than LAX, with shuttle services taking 30-45 minutes to downtown LA. A recent search showed a $105 Spirit flight to LGB vs. $125 to LAX, saving $20 for a slightly longer commute.

For the best balance of price and convenience, book a Spirit flight to Long Beach on a Tuesday in early October, when average fares hover around $110, and use the shuttle service to reach your destination. This strategy avoids LAX’s peak congestion and keeps your total cost under $150, including baggage fees.