$114 Find Cheap Flights from North Carolina to California - Compare and Save

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Good to know

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$114
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 15% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 4% increase in price.
Flight from Raleigh to San Diego

Flights from North Carolina to California: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from North Carolina to California 
ManishFlew with Air New Zealand-Apr 2026
Long haul so make sure to get up and move around a bit.
HartajFlew with United Airlines-Dec 2024
RDU long-term parking can add 30-70 mins to your departure time. At terminal 2 in RDU, getting a taxi can take 2-5 mins, vs. waiting 10-30 mins for a car app pickup. :)

FAQs for booking flights from North Carolina to California

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from North Carolina 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 North Carolina to California.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from North Carolina to California?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina to California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • Which airlines fly most frequently to California?

    North Carolina and California are connected by different airlines. The airlines that fly that route the most regularly are American Airlines (165 flights per week), Alaska Airlines (56 flights per week), and Air Tahiti Nui (55 flights per week).

  • How many airports are there in California?

    There are 28 airports in California. The busiest airport is Los Angeles Airport (LAX), with 42% of all flights arriving there.

  • Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in California?

    Prices will differ depending on the departure airport, but generally, the cheapest airport to fly to in California is San Diego Airport (SAN), with an average flight price of $231.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to California?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to California is Thursday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as $539. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Sunday, where round-trip prices are $1,043 on average.

  • 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 $523 on average. Morning departures are around 59% 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 $1,267.

  • What is the cheapest flight to California?

    The cheapest ticket to California from North Carolina found in the last 5 days was to San Diego, at $133 round-trip. The most popular route is Charlotte (CLT) to Los Angeles (LAX) and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 5 days was $336.

  • What is the cheapest month to fly from North Carolina to California?

    The cheapest month for flights from North Carolina to California is August, when tickets cost $247 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are March and December, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $312 and $292 respectively.

  • How far in advance should I book a flight from North Carolina to California?

    To get a below average price on the flight from North Carolina to California, you should book around 5 weeks before departure, which saves you about 19% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 21 weeks before departure.

  • How many cities have direct flights to California?

    From North Carolina, there are direct flights to California from 2 cities. The city with the most direct flights is Charlotte, with 314 direct flights each week.

  • How many direct flights to California are there each day?

    There are around 68 direct flights from within North Carolina to California every day. Most flights (38%) depart in the morning.

  • How many direct flights to California are there each week?

    Each week there are around 475 direct flights from within North Carolina to California. The most common day for departures is Sunday, with 23% of flights taking off on this day.

  • How long is the flight to California?

    An average nonstop flight from North Carolina to California takes 6h 39m, covering a distance of 2129 miles. The shortest route is Knoxville (TYS) to Las Vegas (LAS) with an average flight time of 4h 15m.

  • How many long-haul flights are there to California each week?

    There are not any long-haul (6-12 hour flight duration) or short-haul (up to 3 hour flight duration) flights to California. Instead, there are 475 medium-haul flights (3-6 hour flight duration), with the most arriving from Charlotte.

  • What are the most popular destinations in California?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Las Vegas (37% of total searches to California). The next most popular destinations are Los Angeles (22%) and San Francisco (12%). Searches for flights to San Diego (8%), to Ontario (7%) and to John Wayne (Santa Ana) (3%) are also popular.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from North Carolina to California

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from North Carolina 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
SouthwestOverall score based on 4224 reviews
8.1Boarding
8.0Comfort
7.4Entertainment
8.6Crew
7.0Food
Airline reviews

Overall good experience...exception: very cold temp in teh cabin.

8.0 ExcellentMukesh, Oct 2026
Read more Southwest reviews

Overall good experience...exception: very cold temp in teh cabin.

I liked how it boarded fast. I do not like how the seats are just too narrow, and I’m not a big person.

Despite paying for an ‘upgraded’ seat in row 1, I had to put my luggage in the middle of the plane. Snacks were bleh and seat was small and uncomfortable and I am not large. Attendants were fine but not super helpful. Plane just seemed outdated.

Delayed for no reason at all originally. Then they said it was due to weather conditions. Communication between kayak and Southwest was terrible because both displayed different delays and departure times for HOURS throughout the day. The plane then had technical issues which delayed us from taking off even longer. Didn’t actually take off until 11:45pm when the original departure time was 7:35pm. I didn’t get home until 1:30am the next day. I was exhausted and pissed off. I am not confident if I’ll fly southwest in the future or use kayak to book.

Flight was fine. Only thing was flight was delayed nearly 2 hours. Flight was originally scheduled to depart at 7:50pm but didn't depart until 9:50pm. I got home around midnight. It was later than desired and I had to get up early next day to take kids to practice. I have noticed that last flight of day on West Coast for Southwest always tend to have delays.

Terrible delay today. also, waited 90 minutes for baggage to unload in Seattle earlier in the week.

Seated at front bulkhead for a smidge extra leg room away from home and on flight back home. Away crew was very proactive about assuring our carryons had space close behind us (because no seat in front of us our personal items had to be in a small bin overhead). They actively required passengers place overhead luggage on its side so more items could fit in bins. Home crew made no such efforts. I had to struggle back rows to get overhead bags upon landing, no crew help then either, and some disgruntled passengers as I and others retrieved our bags. There was a system that worked pretty well. The home bound crew just didn't feel like working.

Flight left on time and was early landing. Seats not comfortable and not enough space…

It would have been better if the flight was on time

No wifi, seems to be very common with Southwest currently. Everything else was normal.

The cabin and bathroom experience was poor as the cabin and bathroom were dirty and showed signs of an older plane that had not been updated for Customer’s, comfort and health. There was gum on my seat when I arrived and dirt spots around the fan and light controls. The flight was almost entirely full, so there was no way I could be moved from my seat. Th bathroom had the peeling paint.

Great crew. Comfortable seating. Nice overhead bin space. My app didn't allow me to check in for my flight to BOS. When I called Support, they didn't fix it, but just told me to check in at the airport. Seat back entertainment was great. Could be better if the audio could connect to Bluetooth.

I'm 6' 2" and even in economy plenty of leg room

great! appreciated the last minute upgrade to Comfort+ exit row, as well

My seat was changed without my consent. It wasn’t a major deal but annoying.

The Airline Attendant found us in flight and moved us to seats in the front of economy due to the short time we would have to make our connecting flight. We really appreciated it.

DL486 could not get to the gate due to jet bridge malfunction. We moved gates. The connecting flight of LAX to MCO was not communicated with. Even though we were in the same terminal, DL482 left without about 10 of us, including a mother and her 3 children. I got to the gate at 7:34 am which is past the 7:20 am last call for a 7:35 am departure. Had they waited 5 minutes, all of us would have made it on board.

Delta has joint the nickel and diming airlines. The experience is getting worst by the day. 1,000,000 miles for a trip to Asia in Business Class where I got the same thing for just under 90,000 miles through an Asian airline. Where is Richard Anderson? Please come back!

Very bad multiple confusion and miscommunication which i ended up missing my flight.

The experience was bad. Flight was delayed to handle maintenance (understandable) but still there was some dew forming and dropping as droplets on few seats. Internet at best was allowing some browsing but at a snail pace.

The flight was for my mom in wheelchair the staff in Newark wer not friendly took a long time to even get a wheelchair she almost missed her flight because they finally got a chair few minutes before boarding they had to rush her to the gate. They took her carryon and checked it as a bag told her don’t worry free of charge but they charge the credit card anyway. She also told me the seats are not comfortable at all as if they were broken she could feel the bars in the seat SFO staff was much better overall she had the worst experience

First class flight crew was barely available. They came through 3 times while we were on the plane for nearly 4 hours.

The food was horrible. There was no. Wifi, and it was just terrible from bangkok to d. C

My flight got cancelled. Couldn’t get my luggage. It arrived at my destination ahead of me. I didn’t get my preordered meal. Had to spend the night in the airport.

United did nit provide any updated on flight crew not bein available until boarding time started. It was bad. Itws alate night flight and there no proactive communication and iha d an important meeting that i missed due to thus

Delayed too much. 1.5 hrs in the airport and another 1 hr in the runway. Got too late in the night. There was no proper food available.

Job well done, being treated for good and helping a lot . thanks you so much till will meet against.

Even though the incoming flight was delayed by 20 minutes they managed to get us to SFO 15 minutes early.

Boarding, time to take off, in flight offerings, and staff were all great. I recommend using UA for this short flight.

Good flight. On time. Boarding and seating was easy. Crew were really friendly, yet professional. Bathroom (by cockpit) was small but serviceable. Some the seats were showing some notable wear & tear, but were comfy. Very happy UA customer. TY! 🤛🏽💗

I have to sit in the middle for more than five hours because the first flight was delayed. Terrible experience. No more American Airlines.

The airplane I love and I love I came back safe thank you American airlines

Boarding was very efficient. Everyone got on board and we got on our way very quickly. It was frustrating that the entertainment app was not functioning properly. I was not able to activate some of the movies offered. The crew on this flight appears to be pretty grumpy. They had no smile on their faces. I felt like they were doing us a favor for being there.

Long 5 hour and 45 min flight and only one drink service and cookie snack

This flight didn’t happen because AA agents didn’t let us board the flight

Would have been good to have a meal since it was a 5.5 hour flight

Plane was good but was delayed. probably not AA fault but caused a 1 hour delay. Seating was cramped.

Poor availability of food. Cold cabin temperature. Extremely long waiting time for a flight attendant to respond to a call button signal.

Flflight crew were amazing, kind, and considerate. Fofood choices were limited, and didn’t have a variation.

I was hoping that the food would be a little bit more selection,, but I understand with the airlines what they are going through flight was excellent

My experience with Frontier was terrible. We were delayed for 2 hours. At one point during the wait at the gate I left to go get a sandwich - I was gone probably 15 minutes. In my absence, they decided to move our flight up, boarded and left. When I came back the two attendants were very rude and I unavoidably had to purchase another ticket on the next flight. During this whole time, the Frontier app did not update the departure time, so I was SOL.

Flight was delayed by about an hour, once we arrived at LAX we had to take a shuttle to the baggage claim - it was completely disorganized. The agents at the shuttles were rude and unable to provide any information. Frontier charges extra for everything from bags to drinks - at the end it ends up being more expensive than flying the better airlines

Tiny seats, no entertainment, no amenities, delays, they charge for carry on and their allowed personal item is smaller than in other airlines.

I really didn't like anything. Paid for my checked luggage online ($79) and then was told that I would have to paid another $79 for my carry on. Was not allowed to enter the terminal until 3 hours before my flight and when I finally was allowed to check my bag and enter, my flight was delayed 3 times. When I finally landed, we were all instructed to "run off the plane" as they had to do a quick turn around to Las Vegas. Me and several of my flying companions will never fly Frontier again.

Our flight was canceled. I will never use Kayak nor Frontier for travel again. The entire experience was a headache.

Terrible. The canceled my entire flight when I requested a refund for a trip frontier canceled trip one way.

i was unable to check in the flight. refund requested

I think Frontier was very good at communication. Their app worked very well. Loading was great and the flight was nice and easy.

Great for the price. No wifi or entertainment, but gate agents and crew were fantastic and we boarded quickly and left on time.

Decent clean onboard experience. Okay discount airline experience. Unfortunately, any customer service interactions are difficult and unhelpful. There is no service. Also, a premium seat only gets you premium boarding if you line up first. Once they start general boarding you must go to the back of the line. Not very premium

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