Cheapest SLC to LAX Flights? Expert Comparison & Money-Saving Tips
Planning a trip from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles? The route between SLC and LAX is one of the most popular in the western United States, offering competitive pricing and frequent flight options. Whether you’re heading to beaches, business meetings, or family visits, finding the cheapest flights requires strategy, timing, and knowing where to look. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about securing the best deals on SLC to LAX flights.
The 1-hour flight time makes this a convenient corridor for both leisure and business travelers. However, prices fluctuate significantly based on season, day of week, and booking timing. We’ve analyzed industry data, airline pricing patterns, and traveler feedback to provide you with actionable strategies that can save you hundreds of dollars on your next booking.
Best Airlines for SLC to LAX Routes
Several airlines operate the Salt Lake City to Los Angeles corridor, each offering different price points and service levels. Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines dominate this route with multiple daily departures, making them reliable choices for frequent travelers. Delta typically offers premium cabin options and consistent scheduling, while Southwest provides free checked bags and flexible rebooking policies.
United Airlines also maintains a strong presence on this route, particularly for early morning and evening flights. Their partnership with regional carriers means you’ll often find competitive pricing, especially if you’re a frequent flyer member. Alaska Airlines has increased service on western routes and frequently offers promotional fares for this specific corridor.
For budget-conscious travelers, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines occasionally undercut traditional carriers, though their basic economy fares come with strict baggage allowances and seat selection fees. These budget carriers work best if you’re traveling light and willing to forgo amenities. Check the official Southwest Airlines website and Delta Air Lines for direct bookings and flash sales.
American Airlines operates this route with good afternoon and evening options, making them suitable for travelers with flexible schedules. Their frequent flyer program integration with partner airlines provides additional redemption opportunities.
Pricing Patterns & Seasonal Trends
Understanding when prices are lowest is crucial for booking affordable flights from SLC to LAX. Historically, prices peak during summer months (June-August) when families travel and ski season winds down in Utah. Winter holiday periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s) also see elevated fares as people visit family and escape cold weather.
The cheapest booking windows typically fall in September through early November and January through February. Spring break (mid-March to early April) shows moderate increases, while May remains relatively affordable. Tuesdays and Wednesdays generally offer lower fares than weekend flights, with early morning departures (6-8 AM) and late evening flights (after 8 PM) commanding lower prices than midday options.
Tuesday and Wednesday departures can save you 15-30% compared to Friday-Sunday flights. Booking 3-6 weeks in advance provides the sweet spot for this route—too early and you miss flash sales, too late and prices spike dramatically. Learn about the best times to book airline tickets for more detailed strategies.
Midweek departures in shoulder seasons represent the optimal combination of low prices and reasonable flight schedules. Monitor fare trends on Google Flights and Hopper, which use historical data to predict price movements and recommend ideal booking dates.
Booking Strategies to Save Money
Successful budget flyers employ multiple strategies when searching for cheapest SLC to LAX flights. First, use Google Flights’ price graph feature to visualize fares across an entire month, allowing you to identify the lowest-priced days. Set up price alerts on multiple platforms (Google Flights, Kayak, Hopper) to receive notifications when fares drop.
Clear your browser cookies before searching for flights, as airlines sometimes track previous searches and increase prices accordingly. Use incognito/private browsing mode for all flight searches. Consider flying from alternate Salt Lake City airports if available, though SLC is the primary regional hub.
Flexible date searching often reveals hidden savings—adjusting your travel dates by just one day can result in 20-40% price reductions. If you’re traveling to Los Angeles for specific dates, arrive a day earlier or depart a day later to find cheaper flights. Visit our blog for more travel hacks and insider tips.
Booking directly with airlines sometimes reveals exclusive fares unavailable on third-party sites. However, compare prices on Expedia, Kayak, and Skyscanner before purchasing—these aggregators occasionally offer package deals combining flights with hotels for additional savings. Set your airline website to your home airport to access regional promotions.
Avoid booking Friday afternoons through Sunday evenings, when prices peak. Instead, book Tuesday mornings or Wednesday evenings for the best availability of low-priced inventory. Most airlines release their lowest fares early in the week.
Budget Airlines vs. Full-Service Carriers
The SLC-LAX route presents a genuine choice between budget and traditional carriers. Southwest Airlines occupies a middle ground, offering free checked bags and reasonable pricing without the bare-bones restrictions of ultra-low-cost carriers. For many travelers, Southwest’s value proposition beats both budget airlines and premium carriers.
Budget carriers like Frontier charge $35-50 per carry-on bag and $40-60 per checked bag, plus fees for seat selection and priority boarding. A family of four can easily spend $200+ in ancillary fees, eliminating the initial price savings. If you’re traveling with baggage, calculate total cost including fees before selecting a budget carrier.
Full-service carriers (Delta, United, American) include baggage and standard seat selection in base fares. Their frequent flyer programs provide better value for regular travelers. Comparing total cost including baggage, seat selection, and any applicable fees is essential—the cheapest base fare isn’t always the best deal.
For single travelers with carry-on luggage only, budget carriers can save $30-50. Business travelers and families should compare total itinerary costs, not just base fares. Check airline carry-on baggage restrictions to understand what you can bring without additional fees.
Southwest’s two free checked bags policy makes them exceptionally valuable for travelers with luggage. Their A-B-C boarding system and flight change flexibility add tangible value beyond the base fare.
Alternative Routes & Hidden Savings
While the direct SLC to LAX route dominates, exploring alternatives sometimes reveals cheaper options. Connecting through Las Vegas occasionally produces lower fares, particularly if you’re flexible with arrival times. Check flights from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas for pricing on this segment.
Similarly, flights from Denver to Las Vegas can be cheaper than direct SLC routes, especially if you’re willing to drive 4 hours to Denver. This strategy works only for price-conscious travelers with flexible schedules and time for layovers.
Flying into Long Beach Airport (LGB), Ontario International (ONT), or Burbank (BUR) instead of LAX sometimes costs less. Ground transportation costs must be factored in—these airports are 30-50 miles from downtown Los Angeles, requiring rental cars or ride-shares. Long Beach Airport is closest to beach destinations and downtown LA, making it worthwhile for some travelers.
Round-trip bookings often cost less than separate one-way tickets. If your plans change, purchasing flexibility becomes valuable. Investigating nearby airports takes 15 minutes but can reveal $40-80 savings on each leg.
Booking separate tickets for SLC-LAS-LAX (two one-way tickets) occasionally beats direct fares, though this carries risks if your first flight is delayed. Use this strategy only if you have a comfortable layover window (3+ hours) and understand the risks of missed connections.
Loyalty Programs & Credit Card Rewards
Frequent travelers should prioritize building loyalty with one airline ecosystem. Delta SkyMiles, Southwest Rapid Rewards, and United MileagePlus all offer valuable benefits on western routes. Elite status provides priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and lounge access, which meaningfully enhance the travel experience beyond price savings.
Co-branded airline credit cards offer sign-up bonuses worth $500-800 in travel value. The Chase Southwest card provides 50,000 bonus points ($500+ value) and free checked bags for cardholders. American Express Delta cards offer similar benefits with Delta-specific perks like free first checked bag and priority boarding.
Redeeming points strategically on this route saves money. SLC-LAX flights cost 7,500-12,500 miles depending on season and carrier. Booking premium cabin seats with points often provides better value than economy redemptions—business class upgrades are frequently available for 15,000-25,000 additional miles.
Transferable points programs (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards) offer flexibility across multiple airlines, allowing you to wait for optimal redemption opportunities. Building points through credit card spending and flight purchases accelerates your path to free travel.
Signing up for airline newsletters provides access to exclusive sales and limited-time promotions. Southwest’s “Fare of the Day” emails frequently feature SLC-LAX deals 20-30% below market rates.
For best airlines for long flights and premium cabin experiences, accumulating elite status or premium cabin points provides the most value.
FAQ
What’s the average price for SLC to LAX flights?
Average round-trip fares range from $150-300 depending on season and booking timing. Off-season (September-November, January-February) typically sees $120-180 fares, while summer and holidays average $250-400+. Direct booking on airline websites sometimes offers $10-20 savings compared to third-party sites.
How far in advance should I book SLC to LAX flights?
Book 3-6 weeks ahead for optimal pricing. Booking too early (8+ weeks) misses flash sales and dynamic pricing opportunities. Booking too late (1-2 weeks) locks in premium prices. Tuesday bookings for midweek departures provide the best value.
Which day of the week is cheapest to fly SLC to LAX?
Tuesday through Thursday departures are cheapest, with Wednesday typically offering the lowest fares. Friday-Sunday flights cost 20-40% more. Early morning (6-8 AM) and late evening (8 PM+) departures are cheaper than midday options.
Are connecting flights cheaper than direct flights?
Rarely. Direct flights on this route are competitive enough that connections rarely save money. Occasional LAS connections cost similarly but add 2-3 hours to your journey. Only consider connections if you’re visiting both cities or find extraordinary price differences (40%+ savings).
Can I get refundable fares on budget airlines?
Most budget carriers offer non-refundable basic economy fares. Full-service carriers provide refundable options at 50-100% premiums. Southwest’s free rebooking policy provides flexibility without premium pricing, making it valuable for uncertain travel plans.
What’s included in the base fare?
Southwest includes carry-on, checked bag, and seat selection. Delta, United, and American include carry-on and standard seat selection but charge $30-50 for first checked bag. Budget carriers charge separately for everything beyond a personal item. Always calculate total cost including fees.
