What is the Best Airline to Fly to California in the USA in 2026?

While planning your next trip to California, you must be thinking, “What is the best airline to fly to California in the USA?” Choosing the right airline can create a positive & stress-free travel experience. You should consider the cost, the flight length, seat comfort, the quality of the food, etc., when choosing an airline. California has a major international airport, so you have many options in airlines to choose from! Some passengers prefer to fly direct, while others want plenty of legroom & have access to great entertainment options. Readers of this post will get informed about some of the most popular airlines & help you know which airline would give you the best travel experience! So check out what’s best for you!

Which US Domestic Airlines Fly Best to California?

There are many domestic flights within the United States to California’s cities like Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), or San Diego (SAN).You will see all the domestic airlines that fly to California mentioned in the table below, & below that, you will find some of the top domestic airlines: 

Domestic Airlines that Fly to California
Southwest Airlines	Delta Air Lines
United Airlines	Alaska Airlines
JetBlue Airways	Spirit Airlines
Frontier Airlines	Allegiant Air
Hawaiian Airlines	Sun Country Airlines

Southwest Airlines

The best domestic airline for travel to California is Southwest Airlines. It came in first place overall in the airline scorecard. Among all of its great features, one of the best is its low fares & the number of flights to California. It is a low-cost option for families traveling to California sunshine & theme parks. Other features include two free checked bags & zero change fees.

Delta Airlines

Another great choice for traveling to California is Delta Airlines. Its customers have reported a high level of satisfaction with this airline, especially when traveling to LAX and SFO. The admiration comes from the exceptional service & on-time reliability. This airline has premium seat options & outstanding in-flight entertainment options. They also provide SkyMiles loyalty rewards that allow customers to use their miles for future travel.

Alaska Airlines

This one got much love from the customers because it has great access to several California destinations. Other things that Alaska does well are that they have very friendly & helpful flight crews, & they are always rated highly in categories. If you are looking for an airline that offers regional products & services & a strong on-time performance, you should fly Alaska Airlines.

United Airlines

With its vast route network & Star Alliance partners, United gives major coverage across California. Regular travelers can use this airline to earn miles. But many customer satisfaction surveys show it ranks in the middle.

Best International Airlines Flying to California

Thinking of making your way out to California from another country? There are many international airlines that have excellent services flying into California. All of these long-haul international routes have you traveling with a high level of comfort, having access to delicious meals, etc. Below the table, you will find some of the best international airlines to decide better:

All International Airlines that Fly to California
Aer Lingus	Asiana Airlines	Korean Air
AeroMexico	Austrian Airlines	LATAM Airlines
Air Canada	Avianca	Level Airlines
Air China	British Airways	LOT Polish Airlines
Air France	Cathay Pacific	Lufthansa
Air India	Condor	Philippine Airlines
Air New Zealand	Copa Airlines	Qantas
Air Premia	Emirates	Qatar Airways
Air Tahiti Nui	Etihad Airways	Singapore Airlines
All Nippon Airways (ANA)	Japan Airlines (JAL)	Virgin Atlantic
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Qatar Airways 

It has claimed more awards as one of the world’s best airlines than any other. It has luxurious cabin interiors, serves amazing food, & has excellent customer support. Qatar flights connect through Doha to Los Angeles and San Francisco, making them an ideal choice for travelers who want a premium experience and only short layovers.

Emirates 

It operates many across the globe with many of its routes. Emirates has some of the most spacious seating arrangements in the sky. Some aircraft on this airline have showers onboard! It connects through Los Angeles & San Francisco for travelers flying from Australia as well as many other countries. If you enjoy great food and being served by friendly cabin crew, this is a good choice for a long flight.

Cathay Pacific 

This airline is one of the best available for routes across Asia. They have a great seat and cabin design that provides comfort for passengers. The food is very good. The service provided by their in-flight crew is impeccable & smooth.

Singapore Airlines

Get excellent experience with great customer care & cleanliness of their aircraft, and the reliability of their operations. Flying direct from either SFO or LAX will make your flight easier, and they offer plenty of Premium Economy and Business Class cabins that feel like a true break.

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines provides extremely warm service, fantastic comfort in the form of large seats, & authentic Japanese foods as your meals. They have two routes to get to both SFO and LAX out of Tokyo. Customers can always trust this airline for good quality & on-time service.

What Makes an Airline the Best for a California Trip?

When choosing the best airline to get you from your location to California, many factors can determine whether you will have a good trip.  

• Ticket Prices and Discounts– Look for good deal tickets. Airlines like Southwest have cheaper base fares than other airlines. Use flight comparison websites to compare total prices, including taxes and fees. 
• Flight Times, Non-Stop/Connection Flights- A shorter flight will probably get more convenient than having a long layover. 
• Comfort Level of Seat and How Much Room is Provided– On long flights, seating and space are important. Many international airlines provide an option for the premium class, and these airplanes have the most comfortable seating. 
• Baggage Allowance and Fees- Avoid hidden fees. Most airlines now charge approximately $35–40 for the first checked bag & approximately $60 for the second checked bag. Many international airlines include notable baggage allowances of free checked bags.
• In-Flight Food, Snacks, and Entertainment- Good food & entertainment will make the hours you are in the air go by very quickly. The majority of the airlines in the Middle East are known for their excellent and tasty multi-course meals & their large television monitors. Delta Airlines has a solid number of snacks, and many of their flights have complimentary Wi-Fi.
• Crew Service and Overall Experience- Friendly & helpful crew members can greatly improve your overall experience when flying. 
• On-Time Performance and Reliability- Fewer delays mean less stress for you. Delta Airlines gets frequently ranked as the most reliable U.S. airline for on-time arrivals.
• Loyalty Programs and Rewards- You can collect miles to apply toward your next trip. Delta’s SkyMiles and United’s MileagePlus programs offer great value for flights from California.

Non-Stop Airlines to California

Check out the airlines that fly nonstop to major cities in California. Each of the airlines mentioned below offers frequent & dependable service.

Alaska Airlines	Air India
Delta Air Lines	Singapore Airlines
Southwest Airlines	British Airways
United Airlines	Lufthansa
Frontier Airlines	Emirates
Spirit Airlines	Qatar Airways
JetBlue Airways	Cathay Pacific
Hawaiian Airlines	Japan Airlines

Final Thoughts!

It’s always your preference that decides what’s best for you! If price, with some of the best- valued airlines offering free checked luggage and low fares, then consider booking your trip with Southwest. If comfort is a priority, then consider Qatar Airlines, Emirates Airlines, and Delta Airlines. If you dislike the wait time at airports & want to fly straightaway to your destination, then inquire about direct flights available. Now that you have selected an airline for your trip, book your reservation as early as possible!

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