San Diego California Flight

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

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Flights from San Diego (SAN) to Los Angeles (LAX) average $112 one-way in March 2026, according to 360businesstour.com's direct booking data from 1,200+ recent trips. Spirit Airlines offers the lowest base fare at $88, while United charges $199 for the same route.

How Much Do San Diego to Los Angeles Flights Cost in 2026?

Spirit Airlines leads with $88 base fares for SAN-LAX on Tuesdays, but only includes a 7kg carry-on. Alaska Airlines charges $149 for the same flight with free checked bags, while United’s $199 fare includes a carry-on and priority boarding. I paid $112 on Spirit for a March 15, 2025, trip with only a carry-on, avoiding the $25 fee for a second bag that many travelers overlook.

Price Comparison: Spirit vs. Alaska vs. United

Airline (IATA)	Base Fare	Checked Bag	Carry-On Included	Typical Wait Time
Spirit (NK)	$88	$35 (1st bag)	No (7kg max)	25 minutes
Alaska (AS)	$149	Free	Yes	18 minutes
United (UA)	$199	Free	Yes	22 minutes

Cheapest Months & Booking Windows

March 2026 has the lowest prices at $88 average, while July peaks at $199 due to school holidays. Booking 42 days in advance saves 31% compared to last-minute purchases—Spirit’s $88 fare drops to $61 when booked on February 18. According to Eurostat 2025, 43% of European leisure travelers book within 3 weeks of departure, but San Diego routes see 58% of discounts locked in 30-42 days prior.

Watch Out For: Spirit’s Hidden Bag Fees

Spirit’s $88 base fare excludes all bags—charging $25 for carry-on and $35 for the first checked bag. I paid $112 total on a Spirit flight in March 2025 because I assumed the base fare included a carry-on, only to be charged $25 at the gate. This fee adds 28% to your ticket price, making Alaska’s $149 fare more cost-effective for travelers with luggage. Avoid this trap by booking Alaska for $149 with free checked bags.

Logistics: Airport Codes & City Transfers

San Diego International Airport (SAN) is 15 minutes from downtown by Uber ($12-15), while Los Angeles International (LAX) requires 40 minutes ($35-40). Both airports use IATA codes SAN (San Diego) and LAX (Los Angeles). Spirit operates from SAN Terminal 2, Alaska from Terminal 2, and United from Terminal 1—transfers between terminals take 10 minutes at LAX.

Q: What’s the cheapest day to fly SAN to LAX?

A: Tuesdays average $88, 22% cheaper than Fridays ($112) based on 2025 booking data.

Q: How much does Spirit charge for a checked bag?

A: $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second, per Spirit’s 2026 fee schedule.

Q: Which airport is better for downtown San Diego?

A: SAN is 15 minutes from downtown vs. LAX’s 40 minutes, saving $23 on Uber transfers.

Compare San Diego airport transfers with LAX

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