Flying from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): What you need to know
Your travel plans take shape at one of Washington DC's main airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Explore your options for booking a flight from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) taking off from either of these.
5 hours 45 minutes is the average journey time for a direct Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport flight.
The timezone in Los Angeles is UTC-7, which is three hours behind Washington DC. Los Angeles International Airport is located in Los Angeles.
The busiest route is from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with 27 direct weekly services. If you're eager to be on your way, the earliest flight from DCA to LAX is the 8:01am American Airlines service. If a later start suits your schedule, the final departure is at 5:35pm with American Airlines.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Washington DC to LAX. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid any last-minute rush.
Peak season means busier airports, so plan to arrive even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for an international journey to stay on schedule.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is a convenient option for travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can be booked from this terminal.
At DCA, you can choose from various carriers offering direct flights from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport, including:
The preferred airline for passengers flying between DCA and LAX is American Airlines.
American Airlines is the top performer for punctuality on this route.
DCA is around 8 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 45 minutes.
Want an easy start to your travels? Stay near Ronald Reagan National Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just what you're after:
Of all flights leaving Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% arrive on time at their destination.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Consider flying out of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). You can book a direct Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) plane ticket from this hub.
The most popular airlines that offer direct flights from Washington DC to LAX taking off from IAD include:
United Airlines is the most frequently booked airline flying from IAD to LAX.
Air China is the most punctual carrier operating flights between Washington Dulles International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.
IAD is about 56 kilometres from central Washington DC. It takes 50 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Kick off your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Washington DC to LAX flight, unwind in one of these hotels near Washington Dulles International Airport:
Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 74.39%. This figure shows how frequently flights that depart from this airport arrive on time.
You'll find IAD at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Start your trip at Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and fly straight to your destination without layovers. You can book direct flights from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport out of here.
Soar above the clouds with one of these airlines that offer direct Washington DC to LAX plane tickets from BWI:
Most travellers choose to book seats with United Airlines from BWI to LAX.
Among carriers on this route, Spirit Airlines leads the way for on-time arrivals.
BWI is around 48 kilometres from central Washington DC. Driving from the city centre to the terminal takes about 50 minutes. If you're planning to use public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Make catching an early Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport flight one of the easiest parts of your trip. Stay at one of these hotels near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and get to the check-in counter feeling relaxed and unhurried:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that monitors how often flights arrive without delays. At BWI, that figure is 77.13%.
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport. Stay at one of these accommodation options near LAX instead:
Grab a Los Angeles International Airport rental car and discover Los Angeles and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are well-known companies you can book with here.
Booking your ride around one week ahead of your Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport flight can help you score a better rate.
LAX is located at One World Way.
Getting from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport to central Los Angeles is around 19 kilometres. If you're getting a cab or renting a car, plan ahead to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times can vary based on traffic and the time of day.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey of roughly 55 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
At the moment, 34 € is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is 69 €. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book one month before travelling. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Washington DC to LAX.
The best month for picking up cheap Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from Washington DC to LAX is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when prices go down.
Nail down a great price on a flight from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
It's time to decide your travel dates for your flight from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). July is when most people travel to Los Angeles. If you're all about a more relaxed kind of trip, head there in May.
Before locking in your Washington DC to LAX plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. August is the warmest month in Los Angeles, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport in February when temperatures are between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
More about Los Angeles
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Los Angeles right here. Explore these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Los Angeles International Airport:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be hard to work out where to begin. Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Bowl are major attractions which should be on any well-planned Los Angeles itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Los Angeles has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of the United States you should also see. About 177 kilometres south-east of Los Angeles, a visit to San Diego will fill your itinerary to the brim. Don't miss top attractions like San Diego Zoo, San Diego Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum.
Bakersfield is another standout destination in the United States and is around 161 kilometres north of Los Angeles. No journey is complete without dropping by Kern County Museum, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.