Charlotte to Los Angeles
4h 40m The flight from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) covers 3,413 km (2,120 miles) and takes approximately 4h 40m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads west on an initial great-circle bearing of 279°, passing near 36.0° N, 99.8° W at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 6h 12m | 6h 37m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 4h 23m | 4h 48m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 3h 48m | 4h 13m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 4h 01m | 4h 26m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| CLT | LAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Charlotte Douglas International Airport | Los Angeles International Airport |
| City | Charlotte | Los Angeles |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KCLT | KLAX |
| Coordinates | 35.214, -80.9431 | 33.9425, -118.408 |
| Elevation | 748 ft | 125 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles?
A non-stop flight from Charlotte (CLT) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes about 4h 40m. The great-circle distance is 3,413 km (2,120 miles, 1,843 nautical miles), flying west on an initial bearing of 279°.
How far is Charlotte from Los Angeles?
3,413 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 2,120 miles or 1,843 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between CLT and LAX?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 3,413 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.