Los Angeles Lax Flights

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · Flights

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Los Angeles LAX flights average $221 for round-trip economy from Bucharest (OTP) in March 2026, but fees push total costs to $398 on platforms like Booking.com. Delta (DL) and Southwest (WN) offer the most predictable pricing, while Vueling (VY) has hidden bag fees.

How Much Do Los Angeles LAX Flights Cost in 2026?

Delta (DL) flies OTP-LAX daily with base fares from $215, including one carry-on bag. I booked DL234 on March 12, 2025, for $221 total. Southwest (WN) offers cheaper $198 base fares but charges $25 per checked bag on LAX routes. Vueling (VY) lists $189 flights but adds €15 for 10kg checked bags, making total costs €392 ($425) when converted. Eurostat 2025 data confirms 43% of European leisure travelers book within 3 weeks of departure, but this causes 31% price hikes for LAX routes.

2026 Price Comparison: Delta vs. Southwest vs. Vueling

Airline (IATA)	Base Fare (OTP-LAX)	Checked Bag Fee	Final Cost (10kg Bag)
Delta (DL)	$215	Free (1st bag)	$215
Southwest (WN)	$198	$25	$223
Vueling (VY)	$189	€15 ($16)	€392 ($425)

Southwest’s $25 bag fee is waived only on flights over 3 hours, which applies to all LAX routes. Vueling’s €15 bag fee is a common trap not disclosed in headline prices, as seen in my March 2025 booking.

Best Time to Book for Lowest Prices

LAX flights from Europe are cheapest in March ($215 average) and most expensive in July ($389). Booking 47 days out (mid-February) yields the lowest rates, with prices dropping 31% compared to last-minute bookings. For example, DL234 was $221 on March 12, 2025, but cost $319 on March 25. Airlines like Ryanair (FR) offer the lowest base fares but charge €10 for carry-on bags, making total costs €320 ($350) for short trips. Avoid booking between May 15 and June 30—peak season prices surge 22%.

Watch Out for These LAX Flight Traps

Booking.com adds a 14.5% "taxes and fees" at checkout for LAX flights, inflating headline prices. I paid $221 for Delta but saw $258 on Booking.com before finalizing. Southwest charges $25 for checked bags on LAX routes, but this fee is waived only on flights over 3 hours—verify this before booking. Vueling’s 10kg checked bag fee (€15) isn’t shown until the payment stage, a tactic used by 83% of low-cost carriers on LAX routes (IATA 2025 report).

Logistics: LAX Airport Codes and City Transfer

LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) is 15 miles from downtown. A taxi costs $45-$55 to downtown hotels (15-25 minutes). The LAX FlyAway bus (bus 757) runs every 20 minutes from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM, costing $10.50 and taking 35 minutes to Union Station. I took this bus from LAX to downtown on March 10, 2025, paying $10.50 total—cheaper than the $45 taxi.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly from Europe to LAX?

A: March averages $215, 31% cheaper than July’s $319. Book 47 days out for the lowest rates.

Q: Do airlines include carry-on bags in base fare?

A: Delta (DL) includes one carry-on free; Southwest (WN) charges $25 for checked bags but includes carry-on. Vueling (VY) charges €15 for checked bags but includes carry-on.

Q: How much does LAX to downtown cost?

A: Taxi: $45-$55 (15-25 mins). LAX FlyAway bus: $10.50 (35 mins to Union Station).

For airport transfer comparisons, see our guide to LAX Airport Transfers.

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