New York to Los Angeles
5h 21m The flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) covers 3,974 km (2,469 miles) and takes approximately 5h 21m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads west on an initial great-circle bearing of 274°, passing near 39.5° N, 97.1° 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 | 7h 14m | 7h 39m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 5h 06m | 5h 31m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 4h 25m | 4h 50m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 4h 41m | 5h 06m |
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
| JFK | LAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | John F. Kennedy International Airport | Los Angeles International Airport |
| City | New York | Los Angeles |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KJFK | KLAX |
| Coordinates | 40.6394, -73.7793 | 33.9425, -118.408 |
| Elevation | 13 ft | 125 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from New York to Los Angeles?
A non-stop flight from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes about 5h 21m. The great-circle distance is 3,974 km (2,469 miles, 2,146 nautical miles), flying west on an initial bearing of 274°.
How far is New York from Los Angeles?
3,974 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 2,469 miles or 2,146 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 JFK and LAX?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 3,974 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.