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Cheap Flights from John F Kennedy Intl to California

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
Los Angeles
Los Angeles2 stops$341
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stop$329
San Diego
San Diego1 stop$315
San Jose
San Jose1 stop$353
Palm Springs
Palm Springs1 stop$422
Fresno
Fresno1 stop$316
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo1 stop$397
Bakersfield
Bakersfield1 stop$340
Reno
Reno1 stop$345
Los Angeles
Los Angeles2 stops$341
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stop$329
San Diego
San Diego1 stop$315
San Jose
San Jose1 stop$353
Palm Springs
Palm Springs1 stop$422
Fresno
Fresno1 stop$316
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo1 stop$397
Bakersfield
Bakersfield1 stop$340
Reno
Reno1 stop$345
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for John F Kennedy Intl to California flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from John F Kennedy Intl to California to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

How much is a round-trip flight from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport to California?

Flight prices are typical for this route right now.

Flights to California from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport usually cost between $295 and $471 in September.
The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $341 on Frontier (Sep 22-Sep 29).

What is the cheapest New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport to California flight route?

The cheapest ticket to California from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport found in the last 5 days was to Burbank, at $223 round-trip. The most popular route is from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX), and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 5 days was $335.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to California?

The cheapest time of day to fly to California is generally in the morning, when round-trip flights cost $434 on average. Morning departures are around 33% cheaper than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to California is generally in the evening, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $650.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport to California?

No, with an average price for the route of $475, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

What is the cheapest month to fly from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport to California?

The cheapest month for flights from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport to California is January, when tickets cost $298 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and December, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $482 and $479 respectively.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from New York John F Kennedy Airport to California?

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to California on a Thursday and more expensive on a Sunday. On your return trip to New York John F Kennedy Airport, you should consider flying back on a Wednesday, and avoid Sundays for better deals.

How far in advance should I book a flight from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport to California?

To get a below average price on the flight from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport to California, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 36% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 12 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$152
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 33% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 19% increase in price.
Flight from New York John F Kennedy Airport to Las Vegas

Flights from John F Kennedy Intl to California: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from John F Kennedy Intl to California 
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jun 2026
Expect to leave for JFK 3 hrs prior to flight if traveling by car from Upper West Side. You will want to arrive 1.5 H prior to departure
JeanieFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jun 2026
Bring your own food and entertainment. The buy-on-board program may require advance ordering, and it can be expensive. Also, the on-board wifi may not work.
KathleenFlew with Alaska Airlines-Feb 2026
allow plenty of time to get to the airport and through security. Take the plane train if you can. Terminal eight has good food options
BeverlyFlew with JetBlue-Dec 2025
Wear support socks which helps when you sit for a long time.
LuisFlew with Delta-Mar 2025
It’s a long flight, come prepared to either watch movies, read or sleep.
HowardFlew with Alaska Airlines-May 2025
Must have a tablet to watch videos. Bring a seat cushion.
Verified travelerFlew with American Airlines-Jan 2025
Be there on time it really need two hours for security checkups
Verified travelerFlew with Qantas Airways-Nov 2024
there was an instance where a non speaking couple didnt know when to board. people cut in front of them and the crew didnt respond. it would be nice if there were translators available to assist when needed. i get that you want people on board as quickly as possible. sometimes, it's like herding cats. but do assist the people who dont understand the language.
JulieFlew with Alaska Airlines-Oct 2024
Leave early. JFK can be messy. I couldn’t find healthy food choices so eat before you arrive.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Oct 2024
Landing in La Guardia or Newark (New Jersey) is more convenient for commuting to Manhattan.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jun 2024
SFO is one of the most convenient and pleasant airports. When flying Alaska Air make sure to bring your food and a larger water bottle that usual (you get only two drink services (one small cup each) for a 6 hour flight.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Mar 2024
Bring an iPad with lots of shows downloaded. The terminal at jfk is nice and small, easy to go thru security. Palm Springs airport is amazing. You step out and feel like you’re on vacation.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-May 2024
The airport food was limited and expensive. Best to bring a sandwich from outside…
LaurenFlew with JetBlue-Dec 2023
Be very careful that you don’t misplace anything. If you have to go through TSA multiple times, be sure to retrieve ALL your things even if it means you have to hold up the line unfortunately. Otherwise, there will be zero help to retrieve your things afterwards even though there are so many cameras.

FAQs - booking California flights

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from New York John F Kennedy Airport to California?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from New York John F Kennedy Airport to California.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from New York John F Kennedy Airport to California?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from New York John F Kennedy Airport to California is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from New York John F Kennedy Airport to California?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly from New York John F Kennedy Airport to California with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from New York John F Kennedy Airport to California?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying from New York John F Kennedy Airport to California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to California

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found tickets from New York John F Kennedy Airport to the following destinations at these prices or less: Las Vegas $206 one-way - $365 round-trip; Los Angeles $282 one-way - $414 round-trip; San Francisco $263 one-way - $437 round-trip

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from John F Kennedy Intl to California

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from John F Kennedy Intl to California? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.9
Alaska AirlinesOverall score based on 12864 reviews
7.0Food
8.1Boarding
8.5Crew
7.0Entertainment
7.8Comfort
Airline reviews

Alaska Airlines cancelled my flight the night before and then waited hours to let me know that they rebooked me on a flight 2 days later

2.0 MediocreAnonymous, Jul 2026
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

Alaska Airlines cancelled my flight the night before and then waited hours to let me know that they rebooked me on a flight 2 days later

I was very impressed at how Alaska Airlines handles people with medical needs.

The check-in crew for Alaska was rude, unhelpful, and the opposite of customer-centric. We arrived 50 minutes before our flight and were told it was too late to check baggage. When I asked what the cutoff was, the agent started speaking in codes “D50” and yelling to their manager who also spoke in codes. They then tried to speak to me using these codes and all I wanted to know was the time of the cutoff, which they would not — or could not — articulate. They booked me and my family on the next flight while smirking.

The boarding process could be clearer, there's never a call for group f

good, no complaints but nothing to rave about. It was fine

I paid $168 each for myself and my daughter for an upgrade and we didn’t get any of the things mentioned by you/ site that comes with an upgrade. It was all just the same. One snack and one beverage. Nothing else. I don’t understand what the upgrade was.

I don’t think Alaska coordinates with Kayak. I did not get a “check-in” email inviting me to check in 24 hours in advance. Had to wait 20+ minutes to get a wheel chair.

Overall the flight was on-time and plane ride very comfortable. The free snacks not so good - only a small bag of pretzels and no milk. I wanted milk. There was not entertainment on the plane unless I wanted to download their APP. But I would consider flying with them again and be more prepared on my part with food and entertainment.

This time it is good, no delay and right on time

Miss bigger screens for movies Staff was friendly Seats comfortable Bathroom line long

Both of my flights to and from JFK experienced significant delays. Most notably, my first flight was delayed by six hours due to crew members being affected by delays on a previous flight. While I understand that disruptions can occur, Delta’s staffing and operational planning should include sufficient contingency measures to handle situations like this rather than placing the full burden of those delays on customers. Additionally, the $12 meal voucher offered as compensation was inadequate, particularly given the high cost of food and beverages at the airport. Considering the length of the delay and the substantial inconvenience caused, I believe more meaningful compensation would have been appropriate.

WiFi didn’t work most of the time. The usb chargers would work only occasionally for 5 mins and wouldn’t charge after that. Had to keep trying repeatedly at each of the seats in the row.

The crew bent over backwards to thank us for flying and make us comfortable. The food service was quick and efficient. The Captain communicated and said goodbye and thank you as we departed. They really stood out!

my mom urmila patel needed a wheelchair which was not available on the curbside. she needed to walk almost 50 meters inside (at the risk of falling) and then had to wait in line to get a wheelchair (this is not ok). Once obtained she had to seat in it for 30-45 minutes for someone to take her in thru the checkin process (which was fairly smooth and easy). the lady who helped her with her checkin process was very courteous and helpful

There’s not much to say about a one hour flight. This is a connection from LA to RNO that I missed the previous night due to a mechanical check delay on my originating flight from JFK to LAX. The short flight itself was fine. Instructions from the pilot and crew were per usual. The coffee was barely lukewarm, which possibly was purposeful so we would down it quickly. Bags were already on carousel upon reaching baggage claim, which was excellent.

They double booked seats, the gate staff changed my ticket as I was boarding she went over to the computer and changed it without telling me. She messed up an entire three row section for me and others. Other travelers were outraged but the gate staff were so rude, so condescending saying it wasn't their problem to solve. I would rate this a zero if I could. Will not fly Delta again I'll stick with United and American.

Not a "Delta" issue, but a JFK issue: We booked a connecting flight with 3 1/2 hours between to clearn immigration and customs. Our inbound flight (BCN to JFK) was on the taxiway 45 minutes which ate into our layover time. Immigtration was insanely quick with the CBP MPC app; however, clearing TSA (again, after we were ALREADY cleared in Spain on the inbound international flight) took over 95 minutes. This left us with 10 minutes before boarding the connecting flight (JFK to SAN) to walk to the far end of Terminal 4 and try to find food. We didn't find any food that could promise to serve us in under 10 minutes so we boarded the Delta flight after coming off a plance and an 8-hour flight knowing that we wouldn't be served any food on the next 5 1/2 hour flight. I feel like Delta needs to put pressure on the JFK TSA to open more screening stations (by our count, we saw only 5 scanners open and a line of - as we said - over 90 minutes. The insult is that we WERE ALREADY SCREENED through TSA, but as you come off one flight into the USA, you have to go through the whole process again. It seems like if you have a connecting flight, there should be a way to pass through immigration and customs without needing to return through TSA.

The entertainment and wifi mostly didn't work on this flight.

Terrible entertainment system - kept freezing and audio kept cutting out. Snacks were mediocre at best for a 5 hour flight.

I am still upset that my bag was lost on a recent trip to Rome ; we were inconvenienced and out €150 Euros ; delta has refused to reimburse us

Great. Clean. Seats comfortable. Food was free. Had new release movies.

The boarding crew was very helpful with a little special problem I had. The inflight crew - so-so.

They kept us on the tarmac for 6 hours after already delaying our flight by 2 hours. No one had any answers. They sent our gate checked stroller to baggage claim instead of giving it back at the gate.

I don’t like the music section but I believe it was a cost decision. I changed my flight last minute due to work issues and had to sit way in the back. The seats were way closer together than I would have preferred.

The flight attendant was very polite and attentive. The food was good.

Leave on time. We waited on the plane for hour hours and it was hot and smelly

Wifi was spotty. Tray table was very dirty when I sat down.

Great. Quick and quiet and east. The breakfast choices were a welcome surprise!

Extraordinary service in business class, and very good breakfast and snacks. A really lovely flight.

Nothing really nondescript, the flight attendants were friendly and helpful.

The plane was filthy and worn - the seat pockets were stuffed with tattered food and torn pamphlets. The cleaning crew that came on as we were deboarding were grabbing handfulls of trash and perfunctorily wiping down tables with dishrags. It's been a while since I flew Jetblue and it used to be a great experience. After this flight I will avoid flying Jetblue again if there is any alternative.

JFK is the worst airport and JetBlue is the worst airline

A more comfortable seat. Padding would be really helpful but I've read the airlines don't want customers to be satisfied with economy seats.

Everything was good except checking bags . I had paid for two bags but it didn’t show so we had to do it again while people waited and we were struggling to get to our flight

The security line at JFK was one of the longest I’ve ever experienced - probably 45 minutes. I don’t know if JetBlue has control over it, but it detracted from the overall experience. Entertainment had good options, but the volume control was a bit small to tap on and the screen had a fair amount of interference blips. Clearer picture would have been better.

Kayak sucked. You gave me a confirmation number that was not useable by the jet blue system. Nor did you send any check in emails. I’ll not be using your site again. Nice work.

Crew were fantastic and so catering and wonderful! Full score for the entire crew!

Communication with the customer and stay is important. Staff off with a minor inconvenience but it worked out of course. Also this was a very old Mint Class plane. They snuck this one in on us. The updated aircraft are much better.

The flight itself was fine, but the boarding process was extremely frustrating. There is no one scanning boarding passes - passengers just scan themselves and enter the jetway. By the time my husband and I got on the plane and were halfway to our seats they determined there were too many bags on the plane and everything at that point needed to be checked. This created a lot of unnecessary chaos. They should have alerted people before getting on the plane that they would need to start checking bags instead of waiting until people were already on the plane.

It took an hour to get my bag after landing. Not exaggerating

Flight was delayed but it was very smooth. Crew was very nice. Seats are uncomfortable but ok.

The crew acted like they had never done this and kept barking passive aggressive orders at people. + the security line + the delay + sitting on the tarmac for 2 hours + none of the apps or signage updating with correct times

The worst. They don’t follow procedure for boarding per group. Flight got delayed for no understandably reasons, they changed our destination from PR to Miami, left us inside a plane for more than 8 hours, then cancelled flight in Miami leaving us stranded. Poorly managed re-accommodation for a new flight and overnight stay so I have to spend in a new ticket and my own hotel room to been able to get to my office next day. Lost 2 days of work and as a doctor, patients loosing their appointments. to other flights and besides

I was 2 hr arrive in the airport and 45 min in the line . After take to my turn . The agent tell me I’m later . I can not board . So my vacation was going to the floor . Just for their bad customer service agent in the airline

Since they are a budget airline, I wasn’t expecting too much but they did some things well. They were on time, the plane was clean, boarding was fairly straightforward and the staff was cheerful and friendly. The only downside was comfort. The seats were fairly hard and after a 2 hour flight your rear end is not feeling so great. Maybe a little more cushion in the seats, Frontier!

The flight left over two hours late. They charged me $180 to bring a carry on. There was an error with the spelling of my name and Frontair agent lied that I would need to pay $200 for her to fix the spelling, and pressured me that if I don't do it quick I would lose the flight. I called back and another agent said it costs $75 to fix. All in all, this company is a complete scam.

I took my first and last flight with FRONTIER. The seats are not able to be reclined so it’s not a very comfortable experience when you take a flight of 3 hours or longer. You must pay for your luggage either carry on or check in, so taking all this in consideration at the end what you think you’re saving your paying in services that should be included. Not a beverage in sight. . You’re seriously better off getting on a proper airline such as Delta, AA, United, etc.

They never updated the boarding pass on their apps to show their delay

Flight was a little late taking off. Seats are too upright, no ports to charge devices, no wifi, no entertainment

Frontier system that tracts what you’ve paid for is horrible. I brought bags, tried to upgrade the weight of bag. Did it via the text service on their site. Got to the airport and they had no idea what was going on. Ended up paying way more than I was supposed to

Everything you need to know for your flight from John F Kennedy Intl to California

Information on your arrival and departure airports