DFW to LAX - ?$

[MARCIAKAZ]

Hello folks - I need flights for first week of October - I have never flown this route before. 5 people, so hoping to catch a good fare - any advice of when I should buy, and what price point should I expect to be "typical"? Not interested in a budget airline (Spirit, for example) or basic economy - we want to choose our seats! Thanks in advance.

 

[OKC Disney Fan]

Does it have to be to LAX? We fly OKC-DFW-SNA (Santa Ana) airport. It's only a 20 min drive to Disney. DFW is a hub for American Airlines so you'll have more options with them, but we also fly Southwest through there. We usually book about 3 months out.

 

[matt98378]

We have flown from Dallas Love Field to LAX for under $150 per person via Southwest. Of course, it all depends on timing. You can go to the Southwest low fare calendar and it will show you the lowest fare for every day in a month.

 

[twodogs]

We live in Dallas and we always fly into SNA (John Wayne, Orange County). It is such a small, quaint airport with short security lines and no craziness that can be LAX. It is also much closer to DLR, about a 20-25 minute Lyft ride in low traffic. We are happy if it is under $400 per person, and we always fly AA. I don’t find much in the way of cheap fares out of DFW on non-basic carriers. Mid $300’s is good.

 

[twodogs]

LAX may be cheaper, but you have to factor in the increased transportation costs both ways to and from the airport, and the increased time that it takes to do that (can be 2+ hours each way in bad traffic).

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

We have no plans on our travel days, so time is not a big issue. I originally checked SNA (because I do love the idea of closer and less crazy), but I just can't see paying that much more ($230 x 5) for convenience. As of today, AA fare via SNA = $457, via DFW = $227. My dilemma: go ahead and grab the $227 LAX fare, or wait to see if a substantially lower SNA fare comes around later?

 

[pharmama]

I know you said you're not interested in budget carriers because you want to pick your seats but Southwest is around $200 nonstop to SNA from Love Field. If you pay an extra $25 each way for Earlybird check in then you will be one of the first few on the plane and will have no problem picking out the seats you want at that time. And 2 bags are included for each person.

 

[3DisMunchkins]

Are you truly in Dallas? For me it’s anout a 2 hour drive to Dfw from my parents where we’ll be visiting prior to our Disney trip. I found southwest flights from Austin to SNA are much cheaper and our drive is about the same. Might check it out.

 

[Elle23]

I would go with Southwest through Dallas Love Field. I just booked a flight for September to LAX for less than $200 round trip per person. There were several fares for as little as $79 each way.

 

[Budzooka]

Leaving next Friday out of Dallas Love Field to LAX for $225/person RT on Southwest

 

[Midnightred]

I would definitely go with Southwest Airlines to LAX, I have used the Landsky Car Service, they will meet you and carry your bags for you. They include a stop at the store if you want. My brother rents a car at LAX, no problems. In short, I don’t think you are going to find a cheaper price than Southwest. Good luck!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

We have no plans on our travel days, so time is not a big issue. I originally checked SNA (because I do love the idea of closer and less crazy), but I just can't see paying that much more ($230 x 5) for convenience. As of today, AA fare via SNA = $457, via DFW = $227. My dilemma: go ahead and grab the $227 LAX fare, or wait to see if a substantially lower SNA fare comes around later?

You need to look at all the overall value, not just the price. I used to live in Allen and Arlington, so I'm familiar with the fares into LAX. Those are fair prices and I'd be okay with paying $227 for a round-trip, if the schedule were good. If LAX's schedule is inconvenient and SNA's times are ideal, then watch and wait on SNA's fares. There's little benefit to flying cheaper if the flights are going to be a headache. I mean, cheap is good but I'm not about to board a return flight at 6:30 a.m. if there is a much better schedule for a few dollars more.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

I would definitely go with Southwest Airlines to LAX, I have used the Landsky Car Service, they will meet you and carry your bags for you. They include a stop at the store if you want. My brother rents a car at LAX, no problems. In short, I don’t think you are going to find a cheaper price than Southwest. Good luck!

So far, AA price is comparable to SW, but with more convenient flight times. I will check into Landsky - thanks.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

You need to look at all the overall value, not just the price. I used to live in Allen and Arlington, so I'm familiar with the fares into LAX. Those are fair prices and I'd be okay with paying $227 for a round-trip, if the schedule were good. If LAX's schedule is inconvenient and SNA's times are ideal, then watch and wait on SNA's fares. There's little benefit to flying cheaper if the flights are going to be a headache. I mean, cheap is good but I'm not about to board a return flight at 6:30 a.m. if there is a much better schedule for a few dollars more.

Yep, for sure. Fares to LAX, so far, are lots cheaper, and there are more flight options than to SNA.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

Are you truly in Dallas? For me it’s anout a 2 hour drive to Dfw from my parents where we’ll be visiting prior to our Disney trip. I found southwest flights from Austin to SNA are much cheaper and our drive is about the same. Might check it out.

I'm in Fort Worth, and can take the train straight to DFW airport, so Love Field is really my only other practical airport option.

Leaving next Friday out of Dallas Love Field to LAX for $225/person RT on Southwest

That's comparable to AA out of DFW, and DFW is a more convenient airport for me. I'd be happy to go with SW, if they had good fares to SNA, but...

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

I would go with Southwest through Dallas Love Field. I just booked a flight for September to LAX for less than $200 round trip per person. There were several fares for as little as $79 each way.

I'll keep my eye on SW, but they will have to come down quite a bit from where they are now.

 

[LaurieRL]

I usually watch fares using google flights. There is a nearby airport option so you can compare prices and your dates.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

I know you said you're not interested in budget carriers because you want to pick your seats but Southwest is around $200 nonstop to SNA from Love Field. If you pay an extra $25 each way for Earlybird check in then you will be one of the first few on the plane and will have no problem picking out the seats you want at that time. And 2 bags are included for each person.

Currently, DAL to SNA is almost $400pp, if I pick the cheapest flights which are before 7 am, both directions. And there are no non-stop flights. I dont see SW working out for my situation, at least not to SNA.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

I usually watch fares using google flights. There is a nearby airport option so you can compare prices and your dates.

Thanks, will check that out.

 

[gottalovepluto]

You can also look into an app called Hopper. Might give you an idea if fares are good right now.