US transcontinental flight fares: American tops list but not always priciest for travelers

Airlines with more premium seating tend to see higher average fares on their transcontinental services. American Airlines is introducing premium economy on its JFK-LAX route starting October 5. This change is expected to increase both premium seat capacity and potentially the average fare for this route.

Despite having a higher average fare on some routes due to its focus on premium cabins, American Airlines did not generate the most revenue among its competitors in this market segment. Delta Air Lines led in total revenue generated by scheduled seats between New York area airports and Los Angeles in 2024, followed by United and JetBlue. American placed fourth because it offered fewer seats overall.

Travelers concerned about high prices on American Airlines should consider that these averages span all cabin classes. For economy tickets booked well in advance or during off-peak times, prices can be much lower than these averages suggest. In a November comparison for a one-way trip from New York to LAX in economy class, Spirit Airlines offered fares as low as $101; United's lowest was $129; American's started at $139 with a layover or $159 nonstop; Delta's lowest was $179.

The US Department of Transportation advises travelers seeking cheaper fares to plan ahead, remain flexible with travel dates and times, and compare options across different airlines.

"Instead, it echoes sound advice from the US Department of Transportation to find the cheapest fares: plan ahead, be as flexible as possible, and compare different airlines."

The airline industry’s pricing structure remains complex due to varying factors such as capacity management and competition among carriers operating similar distances between major cities like New York and Los Angeles.