Are you planning to visit Los Angeles, the land of Hollywood, palm trees, and entertainment? Before you start imagining your trip about walking along Venice Beach or celebrity-watching in Beverly Hills, one major question that comes into your mind is, “How Long Does it take to fly to Los Angeles?”
The simple answer is a lot; it depends on where you begin. A short flight out of Las Vegas can be as little as an hour, whereas a trip as far as Sydney, Australia, can take more than 15 hours.
However, relax; we have compiled a straightforward guide that will enable you to understand flight times to L.A. from major cities in the U.S. and globally. We will also provide some insider secrets on what influences the flight time and how to make your flight easier.
Flying to Los Angeles out of U.S. Cities
The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is among the busiest airports globally, and flights are available to nearly every part of the U.S. This is how much time you will be in the air based on your departure city:
Quick Takeaways: The Majority of the flights to L.A. in the U.S. take 3 to 6 hours, depending on the distance you are covering across the U.S.
- New York to Los Angeles: This is one of the most popular flights in America. Allow 5.5 to 6 hours westbound. The flight back east is typically a bit quicker (5 hrs) due to tailwinds.
- Chicago to Los Angeles: 4 to 4.5 hours direct.
- Dallas to Los Angeles: A relatively fast 3-3.5 hours.
- Las Vegas to Los Angeles: It is basically a commuter flight—about an hour in the air.
International Flights to Los Angeles
And now, when you fly in, and you are not an American, you can expect longer flights. Below are average flight times to major cities around the world:
Quick takeaway: European flights are an average of 11-13 hours, Asian flights are 12-16 hours, and Pacific flights, such as Sydney to L.A., can take over 15 hours.
Popular Vacation Destinations: Hawaii and the Pacific Islands
Not all flights to Los Angeles are about continental crossings. There are some popular routes that are shorter and ideal for vacation travelers. When you fly between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Los Angeles, you will spend about five or five and a half hours in the air. It is not that long, but it is long enough to watch a good movie before landing.
The Los Angeles to Tahiti route is another interesting one. This Pacific destination is a tropical destination that takes approximately eight to eight and a half hours to fly to. A lot of tourists prefer this path in search of something exotic and not close to the noise of mainland America.
What May Influence Flight Times?
The time of the flight is not always precise; it may vary depending on various factors:
- Weather & Jet Streams—Headwinds will slow you down; tailwinds (especially eastbound) will accelerate you.
- Air Traffic—LAX is among the busiest airports worldwide, so there will be some delays.
- Aircraft Type Modern aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner or Airbus A350, may be capable of flying faster and more efficiently in some cases.
- Seasonal Routes—Airlines will change their flight routes according to the season and the weather.
- Runway Operations: It might seem unbelievable, but which runway you take off from can cost you a couple of minutes.
Flight Prices to Los Angeles as of 2025
The average fares are as follows compared to other popular routes in the U.S. (check the official website for accurate prices):
Takeaway: Los Angeles flights are relatively affordable in terms of other long flights in the United States. Transcontinental flights (such as NYC-LAX) are more expensive, although airlines compete to keep prices affordable
Top Tricks to a Successful Trip
- Shoulder Season Booking—Booking in September-November or January-March will likely have cheaper flights and less busy airports.
- LA Traffic Plan—The airport can be your biggest challenge, but Los Angeles traffic can be even worse. Give ample time for ground transport.
- Aircraft Check—On long-haul flights (such as to London or Tokyo), see whether your airline has newer planes with better comfort.
- Compensate for Jet Lag—Long-haul flights may imply significant time differences. Attempt to shift your sleep a little bit prior to traveling.
- Layovers—A 6-hour flight might end up taking 10+ hours, especially when you have a layover in a different city.
Conclusion
How long does it take to fly to Los Angeles? If you are traveling within the U.S., you can expect travel times of between 1 and 6 hours. In Europe or Asia, that would be 11 to 16 hours, depending on your city. And even on local Pacific destinations such as Hawaii or Tahiti, it takes 5-8 hours.
The wait is worth it as long as it takes to land in Los Angeles. Be it the beaches, the food, the Hollywood glitz, or just the California sunshine, the City of Angels has something memorable in store.
