BKI

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$699
Typical prices: $975-$1,625
China Eastern
Sun 9/30Sun 10/7
LAX - BKI • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way
$406
Typical prices: $523-$839
Cathay Pacific
Thu 2/15
LAX - BKI • 1 stop
Top airlines
Best reviews • 8.3 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
When to travel
Cheapest • 28% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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We hope you love your trip to Kota Kinabalu!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Kota Kinabalu

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals to Kota Kinabalu

Wed, Sep 30 - Wed, Oct 7
China Eastern Logo
12:30 pm - 12:30 amLAX  Los Angeles Los Angeles-BKI Kota Kinabalu
21h 00m1 stop Shanghai Pu Dong
China Eastern Logo
10:50 pm - 10:05 amBKI  Kota Kinabalu-LAX Los Angeles Los Angeles
26h 15m1 stop Shanghai Pu Dong
$699China Eastern
Tue, Jan 26 - Wed, Feb 24
Cathay Pacific Logo
10:55 am - 12:35 amLAX  Los Angeles Los Angeles-BKI Kota Kinabalu
21h 40m1 stop Hong Kong Intl
Cathay Pacific Logo
1:30 am - 4:20 pmBKI  Kota Kinabalu-LAX Los Angeles Los Angeles
30h 50m1 stop Hong Kong Intl
$806Cathay Pacific
Tue, Jan 26 - Wed, Feb 24
Cathay Pacific Logo
10:55 am - 12:35 amLAX  Los Angeles Los Angeles-BKI Kota Kinabalu
21h 40m1 stop Hong Kong Intl
Cathay Pacific Logo
1:30 am - 4:20 pmBKI  Kota Kinabalu-LAX Los Angeles Los Angeles
30h 50m1 stop Hong Kong Intl
$807Cathay Pacific
Tue, Jan 26 - Wed, Feb 24
Cathay Pacific Logo
10:55 am - 12:35 amLAX  Los Angeles Los Angeles-BKI Kota Kinabalu
21h 40m1 stop Hong Kong Intl
Cathay Pacific Logo
1:30 am - 4:20 pmBKI  Kota Kinabalu-LAX Los Angeles Los Angeles
30h 50m1 stop Hong Kong Intl
$808Cathay Pacific
Thu, Sep 3 - Fri, Oct 2
China Eastern Logo
12:00 pm - 12:30 amSFO  San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu
21h 30m1 stop Shanghai Pu Dong
China Eastern Logo
10:50 pm - 9:05 amBKI  Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco
25h 15m1 stop Shanghai Pu Dong
$836China Eastern
Sat, Sep 5 - Fri, Oct 2
China Eastern Logo
12:00 pm - 12:30 amSFO  San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu
21h 30m1 stop Shanghai Pu Dong
China Eastern Logo
10:50 pm - 9:05 amBKI  Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco
25h 15m1 stop Shanghai Pu Dong
$836China Eastern
Thu, Sep 3 - Thu, Oct 1
China Eastern Logo
12:00 pm - 12:30 amSFO  San Francisco-BKI Kota Kinabalu
21h 30m1 stop Shanghai Pu Dong
China Eastern Logo
10:50 pm - 3:54 pmBKI  Kota Kinabalu-SFO San Francisco
32h 04m2 stops Shanghai Pu Dong Los Angeles Los Angeles
$840China Eastern
Tue, Jan 26 - Thu, Feb 25
Singapore Airlines Logo
12:45 pm - 3:20 pmLAX  Los Angeles Los Angeles-BKI Kota Kinabalu
34h 35m3 stops Tokyo Narita Singapore Changi Kuala Lumpur Intl
Singapore Airlines Logo
2:40 pm - 6:10 pmBKI  Kota Kinabalu-LAX Los Angeles Los Angeles
43h 30m2 stops Kuala Lumpur Intl Singapore Changi
$964Singapore Airlines
Tue, Jan 26 - Thu, Feb 25
Singapore Airlines Logo
12:25 pm - 3:20 pmLAX  Los Angeles Los Angeles-BKI Kota Kinabalu
34h 55m3 stops Tokyo Narita Singapore Changi Kuala Lumpur Intl
Singapore Airlines Logo
2:40 pm - 7:55 pmBKI  Kota Kinabalu-LAX Los Angeles Los Angeles
21h 15m2 stops Kuala Lumpur Intl Singapore Changi
$966Singapore Airlines
Tue, Jan 26 - Thu, Feb 25
Singapore Airlines Logo
12:45 pm - 3:20 pmLAX  Los Angeles Los Angeles-BKI Kota Kinabalu
34h 35m3 stops Tokyo Narita Singapore Changi Kuala Lumpur Intl
Singapore Airlines Logo
2:40 pm - 6:10 pmBKI  Kota Kinabalu-LAX Los Angeles Los Angeles
43h 30m2 stops Kuala Lumpur Intl Singapore Changi
$1,037Singapore Airlines
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to Kota Kinabalu

Get data-powered insights and trends for flights to Kota Kinabalu to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Kota Kinabalu?

Monday is the cheapest day to fly to Kota Kinabalu at $1,165 round-trip on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Friday is the most expensive at $1,543.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Kota Kinabalu?

  • November is the cheapest month to fly to Kota Kinabalu with an average price of $886 round-trip.
  • December ($1,865) and June ($1,778) are the most expensive.
  • Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Kota Kinabalu?

Afternoon flights to Kota Kinabalu are the cheapest at $1,130 round-trip on average. Evening flights are the most expensive at $1,536.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight to Kota Kinabalu

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Robert Schrader

Robert Schrader

Expert on Japan Airlines and China Eastern

One of the web's original travel bloggers, Robert launched his first site Leave Your Daily Hell in 2009. Since then, he's expanded into destination niche sites (one each for Japan, Thailand and Taiwan), in addition to having written for the inflight magazines of Singapore Airlines and Korean Air. Overall, he's visited nearly 100 countries, and flies business as often as possible.

Gabriel Leigh

Gabriel Leigh

Expert on Turkish Airlines

Gabriel is a writer and video creator. As senior content producer for Flightradar24 and Monocle’s transport correspondent, he keeps a close eye on aviation in particular. He has also written travel articles for the likes of The New York Times. Born in New York but raised around the world, he now lives in Sweden. He’s been to 75 countries, flying 2.3 million miles on 113 airlines and through 234 airports in the process.

Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein

Expert on China Southern

An avid traveler and aviation expert who has visited 173 countries, all 50 states and seven continents, Ramsey Qubein flies nearly 400,000 miles a year. As a North Carolina-based freelance journalist for publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, USA Today and Bloomberg among others, he explores the latest trends in aviation, hospitality, cruises and business.

John Walton

John Walton

Expert on Asiana Airlines

Independent aviation journalist John Walton took his first flight at eight weeks old and hasn’t stopped travelling since. A world-renowned expert in airlines and the passenger experience, he writes in depth on aviation, is a resident expert on travel in Japan and France, and offers a uniquely queer perspective on travelling the world.

Chris Dong

Chris Dong

Expert on Singapore Airlines

Chris is a consumer travel reporter covering aviation, trending travel news, hotels, and loyalty programs—all for leading global publications like Travel + Leisure, The Washington Post, AFAR, and more. In addition to writing, Chris is a video host for Travel + Leisure, giving consumers an inside look at the latest in air travel.

Key details for flights to Kota Kinabalu

Low season

June

Cheapest flight

$406
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 45% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 9% lower on average.
Flight from Los Angeles to Kota Kinabalu

When to book flights to Kota Kinabalu

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Kota Kinabalu based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your questions about flights to Kota Kinabalu, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Where can I rent a car after landing at Kota Kinabalu International Airport?

    Cars provide a flexible and more convenient way of moving around Kota Kinabalu. It might thus be best if you consider booking your rental car online through Kota Kinabalu International Airport and picking it up immediately after you land. You can find the car rental desks past the baggage claim area. Thrifty, Green Matrix, and Hertz offer courtesy shuttles from the terminal to their off-airport locations.

  • What is the best way to connect from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to the city center?

    The choice of travel from Kinabalu International Airport to the city may depend on your budget, urgency or comfort. There are buses serving this route and departing every 30 minutes. If you miss the bus, you can hop onto Minivan Number 17, which is slightly faster. However, taxis are the most reliable and quickest, as they operate 24/7, and get there in under 15 minutes.

  • Do flights from JKF and BKI accept passengers with pets?

    With several animal relief areas in every terminal at JKF, you won’t have a problem bringing your furry family member on this trip. Those departing via Terminal 4 will find these spaces outside the terminal and post-security on the B Concourse between Gates B31 and B33.

  • Are JKF and BKI accessible to disabled passengers?

    Both the departure and destination airports cater to the needs of disabled travelers and persons with limited mobility. There is a wheelchair service upon request, and all the standard amenities are accessible, including toilets and bathrooms. Lastly, you will find friendly airport agents ready to guide you through the high-traffic areas.

  • What is the difference between the most popular and the most frequent airline at Kota Kinabalu?

    United Airlines operates the most flights from the United States to Kota Kinabalu at 0 per week, while China Eastern is the airline most often selected by KAYAK users searching for flights from the United States to Kota Kinabalu. The two are often different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveler choice.

  • How far is Kota Kinabalu from downtown Kota Kinabalu?

    Kota Kinabalu is 3.9 mi from downtown Kota Kinabalu.

  • How do I know if a flight to Kota Kinabalu is a good deal?

    A good deal on a flight to Kota Kinabalu is around $975 round-trip. This fare is in the lowest 25% of round-trip prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

Your guide to booking Kota Kinabalu flights

From booking to airport arrival, find tips to help you plan your flight with more confidence.
  • For flights to Kota Kinabalu, recent KAYAK data shows that stronger deals tend to land around $975 round-trip. If you see a fare below that threshold, it's a strong deal – book before the price climbs back up.
  • If you can choose when to go, time your trip to Kota Kinabalu around November. Round-trip fares historically average $886 that month – typically the cheapest month to travel based on the last 12 months.
  • Before you book:

    • Check the route's typical price range so you can spot a deal.
    • Confirm baggage fees and seat-selection costs on budget carriers.
    • Verify whether you need any travel documents beyond ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to noon to save up to $406 per round-trip. Noon flights to Kota Kinabalu average $1,130 compared to $1,536 for afternoon flights. See the time-of-day chart above for the full breakdown.
  • Travelers from the United States to Kota Kinabalu use John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) as their main departure port. John F. Kennedy Airport operates the highest frequency of flights from the U.S. to Kota Kinabalu compared to O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which also serve as departure stations to Kota Kinabalu.
  • Suppose you are in Downtown New York and want to connect to John F. Kennedy Airport to in time for your flight to Kota Kinabalu, you will find the train as a cheaper and more convenient option, taking about 51 minutes to get there. For a quicker option, consider taking a taxi which takes about 23 minutes to cover the distance.
  • If you arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) late at night, it might be best if you booked a room at one of the nearby hotels before proceeding to your next destination. Typically, such hotels provide complimentary shuttles to and from the airport to make your movement easier, especially if you have heavy luggage.
  • When booking flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Kota Kinabalu, you will find a wide range of carriers that operate one-stop or two-stop flights along this route. Usually, these layovers are at their hubs. For instance, Malaysia Airlines transits through Kuala Lumpur, while Emirates Airline makes a stopover in Dubai.
  • Those planning to fly with the first flight from John F. Kennedy Airport to Kota Kinabalu should consider relaxing at a nearby hotel. Plan and book a room at TWA Hotel, the online on-site property New York's JFK International Airport.

Reviews of the top 3 airlines flying to Kota Kinabalu

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Kota Kinabalu? 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.
8.2
Singapore AirlinesOverall score based on 1586 reviews
8.3Boarding
7.8Food
8.6Crew
8.0Comfort
8.1Entertainment
Airline reviews

I had selected seats together for my family of three when I first booked my tickets in February. However, I realized only when I checked in at the airport that the seats I had selected were no longer assigned to us and we were completely scattered across three different middle seats instead of being seated together! After requesting the Singapore staff to have us seated together on a full flight, they managed to find something but it was right next to the rest rooms and the whole journey of 15+ hours was really unpleasant. They said that the seat selection isn't locked and the airline can reallocate the seats anytime. No one ever told us this and it was a terribly unpleasant surprise. Will avoid Kayak/underpricer and Singapore in future

2.0 MediocreAnonymous, Jun 2026
Read more Singapore Airlines reviews

I had selected seats together for my family of three when I first booked my tickets in February. However, I realized only when I checked in at the airport that the seats I had selected were no longer assigned to us and we were completely scattered across three different middle seats instead of being seated together! After requesting the Singapore staff to have us seated together on a full flight, they managed to find something but it was right next to the rest rooms and the whole journey of 15+ hours was really unpleasant. They said that the seat selection isn't locked and the airline can reallocate the seats anytime. No one ever told us this and it was a terribly unpleasant surprise. Will avoid Kayak/underpricer and Singapore in future

The friendliness of the attendants, and the quality of the service.

Flight attendants were awesome! Very helpful and patients. Some food were good but maybe not serving fish that kinda make the whole aircraft smell fishy. The “fried pork” was tasty but too much skin so it doesnt taste that great.

Really great service throughout and the food was really nice. I can highly recommend thank you very much.

Wish the seat don’t have restrictions, can’t fully insert backpack all the way inside.

I have difficulties to book wheelchair for my parents returned flight

Flight was delayed by baggage loading onto the plane. This was attributed to "inclement weather" (some moderate rain) which could be said to be beyond the airline's control, but the problematic part was that the plane was boarded and doors shut so that passengers sat in a cramped plane with rising temperature (full flight) for an hour. The airline was aware of the status of baggage loading, they could have deferred boarding to keep passengers comfortable.

Good flight. Fiod was ready a bit late hence a hurry to finish before landing. Excellent crew and service

A pc of cake or biscuit at least. The airport was like a maze need to take another bus to the main terminal to immigration.

Flight was delayed by 2 hours. No entertainment on the 737-800NG. Somewhat squeezy.

Suck! Sat in plane on the tarmac (hot) over 2 hours

I was traveling alone with an infant, so the crew was incredibly helpful. Both the international and subsequent domestic flights were impeccable.

Excellent! I had read some negative reviews but I found out that it was not all was not true! The staff was courteous and helpful. The flight take off and landing was nice & easy. The food was good! I asked for a second and I got it easily and without an attitude! All was wonderful!

Excellent experience however older aeroplanes used by China Eastern Airlines.

Gatwick London-Shanghai -Bangkok.. Would have liked entertainment screens, but I know these planes are not that new. Cheap flights at the time of booking, Emirates wanted double so you get what you paid for. I would fly again with them, but if Emirates was the same price I would go with them.

The landings were smooth . Being unable to check-in online was terribly stressful and the queue at Haneda exemely long. We paid extra for window seats and did not get them.

You’re in the three parts of my life, the China Eastern air crew remembered and wish me happy birthday. I was given pastries on two different occasions and a complementary drink. The stew is wish me happy birthday and gave me a birthday card. Everything was first class. Thank you.

Again, I was presented with birthday pastries two times as a celebrated my birthday on both legs of my trip. I will keep flying to China using China Eastern airlines. As they made this trip a special one thank you.

It was my birthday while I was on the flight on China eastern airlines. They celebrated my day by giving me a personalized birthday card and also a very delicious pastry. I was surprised and thankful by the China Eastern crew! The whole staff was kind and professional? My second flight into China and the most memorable! Thank you-

A lot of value considering the cheap ticket prices. All meals served were Chinese food. Would fly them again considering the ticket was half the price of any others

The crews were very professional and courteous. Pleasant flight and thank you!

They wouldn't let me on the plane. The 3rd party apparently didn't pay for the tickets properly?

Overall experience is good but if the food menu can change to authentic Malaysia food will be good. I.e. Nasi Lemak, Char Kueh Tiew and etc

Surprised that the safety briefing was only conducted in Malay language and no English despite there are foreigners on board. MH should take safety more seriously.

Food was good but only 1 meal and 1 pie, instead of 2 meals. Both legs were late.

We are row 11, when the crew came to us, only one meal choice was available.

OK seats comfortable, easy boarding/embarking, excellent connection to domestic Malaysia flight with baggage checked through without customs. Catering especially drinks borderline ok luckily less important aspect

Jia yung was the flight attendant that made this a miserable flight.

AC not working, just slowly blowing room temperature air. Long taxi time does not help as well. Sweating all over the whole trip.

Did not take as cancelled 3 time so took another airline

Everything you need to know for your flight to Kota Kinabalu

Information on the airport you'll fly into in Kota Kinabalu