LAX Flight Deals: Why Prices Move So Much (and how to catch the dips)
Flying out of Los Angeles is different than most U.S. cities. LAX has heavy competition on international routes,
strong domestic coverage, and a huge mix of airlines—from legacy carriers to international flag airlines.
That competition can create great deals, but it also means prices can jump around depending on season, day of week,
and even which terminal-heavy airlines are running promotions.
✔ Routes where LAX tends to be especially competitive
- Mexico & Latin America: Cancun (CUN), Mexico City (MEX), Guadalajara (GDL)
- Asia: Tokyo (HND/NRT), Seoul (ICN), select Southeast Asia connections
- Hawaii: Honolulu (HNL), Maui (OGG) — watch shoulder-season weeks
- Major U.S. hubs: New York (NYC), Chicago (CHI), Seattle (SEA)
- Europe gateways: London (LHR), plus seasonal nonstop options
✔ Cheapest times to fly from Los Angeles
- Late January–March: strong value after holiday demand drops
- Late September–October: shoulder season for many routes
- Early December: good window before peak holiday travel starts
✔ LAX vs nearby airports (when “not LAX” wins)
LAX is usually best for international and nonstop options. But if you care more about simplicity (or a lower fare on short routes),
check these airports too:
- Burbank (BUR): great for domestic trips—often easier than driving to LAX
- Long Beach (LGB): smaller airport feel; can be good for specific low-cost routes
- Orange County (SNA): useful for travelers closer to Irvine/Anaheim
- Ontario (ONT): worth checking for inland travelers and certain domestic deals
- San Diego (SAN): sometimes wins on pricing for specific West Coast routes
✔ LAX savings tips that work in real life
- Start with Tue/Wed departures if you’re flexible — weekends usually cost more.
- Compare nonstop vs one-stop for long-haul trips — one stop can drop the fare a lot.
- Watch “positioning flights”: sometimes a cheap LAX→hub flight unlocks a cheaper international ticket.
- Re-run searches with flexible dates — LAX deals come in waves.
Use the search box above to compare flight options from LAX. If the fare looks high or traffic makes LAX painful,
try the nearby airports below—this keeps your options local and often saves money.