Flight time from New York to Los Angeles
A nonstop flight from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes about 6 h 15 min. Flying back from Los Angeles to New York takes about 5 h 25 min. The two airports are 2,469 miles (3,974 km) apart.
| Route | Typical nonstop time | Leave 9:00 AM, land (local time) |
|---|---|---|
| JFK → LAX | 6h 15m | New York → 12:15 PM |
| LAX → JFK | 5h 25m | Los Angeles → 5:25 PM |
Example arrival times are for a departure on November 18, 2026. Times are estimates of gate-to-gate block time, from the great-circle distance, typical jet cruising speeds, average upper-level winds and about 45 minutes for taxi, take-off, climb and landing. They are not airline schedules, and we don't track which airlines fly this route nonstop. Real flights vary by aircraft, routing, season and the day's wind; check your airline for the exact time.
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Time difference
Los Angeles is 3 hours behind of New York right now. Allow for it when you plan: the clock at your destination may show a very different time from the hours you spent in the air. See the time now in New York and Los Angeles, or compare them in the time zone converter.
The Los Angeles to New York flight is usually quicker than New York to Los Angeles. High-altitude winds, led by the jet stream, mostly blow from west to east, so planes heading east ride a tailwind and planes heading west fight a headwind. On busy routes the difference shows up in airline timetables every day.
Questions people ask
How long is the flight from New York to Los Angeles?
A nonstop flight from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes about 6 h 15 min, gate to gate. The return flight takes about 5 h 25 min.
How far is Los Angeles from New York?
2,469 miles (3,974 km) along the great-circle route, the shortest path over the Earth between JFK and LAX airports.
What is the time difference between New York and Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is 3 hours behind of New York right now. The difference can change by an hour during the year when one city changes its clocks for daylight saving time and the other does not.
If I leave New York at 9 a.m., when do I arrive in Los Angeles?
Leaving New York at 9:00 AM on November 18, 2026, you would land in Los Angeles at about 12:15 PM local time.
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Last updated October 21, 2026. Airport locations: OurAirports via airportsdata; time zones: IANA time zone database 2026.