Route guide
Cheap Flights from Boston to Los Angeles: Book Airline Tickets
- Distance
- about 2,610 mi
- Typical flight time
- 5 h 15 min – 6 h 15 min
- Airports
- 1 × 5
- Time difference
- 3 h behind
This page covers the practical side of flying between Boston and Los Angeles: which airports to compare, how long the trip takes, and when it is busy. It works for either direction. For a price on your dates, ask a specialist.
Airport pairs to compare
Boston's Logan airport is unusually close to downtown, separated from the center only by the harbor. Los Angeles spreads across a vast basin, so the best airport depends on where you are staying. LAX is the main gateway, but several smaller airports sit within driving distance.
| Pair | Departure airport | Arrival airport |
|---|---|---|
| BOS to LAX | Boston Logan International | Los Angeles International |
| BOS to BUR | Boston Logan International | Hollywood Burbank |
| BOS to SNA | Boston Logan International | John Wayne (Orange County) |
| BOS to LGB | Boston Logan International | Long Beach |
| BOS to ONT | Boston Logan International | Ontario International |
Airlines with a major base at either end
- At Boston: Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways
- At Los Angeles: United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines
Delta Air Lines has a base at both ends, which can make nonstop service more likely. Schedules change, so a specialist confirms what actually operates on your dates.
When to go and what to expect
Boston
Fall foliage season (late September through October) is popular and tends to be expensive. Winter storms can disrupt travel.
Los Angeles
Spring and fall are comfortable. May and June often bring a coastal marine layer of morning cloud, and summer is a busy season.
Getting between the airport and town
Boston: The Blue Line subway and the Silver Line bus connect Logan with downtown.
Los Angeles: Freeway traffic can turn a short distance into a long trip at rush hour, so allow generous time between the airport and your destination.
Planning ground transport too? See our car rental guide.
Good to know
- Book earlier for fall weekends and graduation season in late spring, when hotels and flights fill up.
- If you are flexible about airports, ask for prices into more than one of them. Fares and schedules can differ noticeably.
- Compare the total with bags included, not just the base fare. See baggage fees and taxes and fees.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Boston from Los Angeles?
The straight-line distance between the main airports is about 2,610 miles (4,190 km). Routes can be longer in practice because of air traffic and weather.
How long is a flight from Boston to Los Angeles?
A typical scheduled flight takes roughly 5 h 15 min to 6 h 15 min in the air, depending on winds, the aircraft and the airports. Connecting itineraries take longer, and nonstop availability depends on the airline and dates.
Which airports can I use?
At Boston: BOS (Boston Logan International). At Los Angeles: LAX (Los Angeles International), BUR (Hollywood Burbank), SNA (John Wayne (Orange County)), LGB (Long Beach), ONT (Ontario International). Ask for prices on more than one pairing.
Is there a time difference?
Los Angeles is 3 hours behind Boston.
Do you show fares on this page?
No. Fares change constantly, so we do not publish prices that might be out of date. A specialist checks live availability and confirms the full total, including taxes and bags, before you pay.