Los Angeles LAX to Seattle SEA Flights: Nonstop Guide

Los Angeles to Seattle is a nonstop of about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours, with no time change because both cities are on Pacific time. As of recent schedules, Alaska, Delta, United and American fly LAX to Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) nonstop. Seattle is a hub for both Alaska and Delta, so those two carry the most flights. Schedules change by season, so check the airline's timetable for your dates.

Who flies LAX to Seattle nonstop

• Alaska is Seattle's home airline and flies the route through the day from LAX Terminal 6, which it shares with Hawaiian.
• Delta runs a Seattle hub as well and flies from LAX Terminals 2 and 3, useful if you connect onward to Asia or elsewhere on Delta at SEA.
• United flies from LAX Terminals 7 and 8, and American from Terminal 4.

With two Seattle hub airlines on the route, a missed flight is usually easy to rebook the same day.

Other airports: Burbank, Orange County and Paine Field

On the Los Angeles side, Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), Orange County (SNA) and Ontario (ONT) are often faster to reach than LAX; some have Seattle nonstops, mostly on Alaska, so compare them in the fare grid.

On the Seattle side, Paine Field (PAE) in Everett, about 25 miles north of downtown, has a small terminal with short lines. As of the airport's current destination list, Alaska flies from Paine Field to both LAX and Orange County. It suits Everett, Lynnwood, Mukilteo and the north end of the Seattle area; for downtown Seattle, Bellevue or anywhere south, SEA is closer.

Leaving from LAX

Alaska and Hawaiian use Terminal 6, Delta Terminals 2 and 3, American Terminal 4, and United Terminals 7 and 8. Terminal 5 closed in October 2025 for a rebuild, so check your boarding pass if your airline used to fly from it. Traffic on the terminal loop is heavy at most hours; being dropped at the LAX-it lot or taking the free shuttle from the LAX/Metro Transit Center can be faster than sitting in the loop. Our LAX airport guide has more.

Arriving at Seattle-Tacoma (SEA)

SEA has one main terminal with all ticketing and baggage claim, plus gates in Concourses A to D and two satellites, North (N) and South (S), reached by underground trains. Alaska and Delta, the two hub airlines, each spread their flights over several concourses and the satellites, and gates change by schedule, so check the arrivals screens and your airline app. Everyone collects bags in the main terminal.

Getting into the city:

• Link light rail (the 1 Line) runs from SEA Airport station, a covered walk from the terminal through the parking garage, to downtown Seattle in about 40 minutes, with stops in the Rainier Valley and at the stadiums.
• Taxis and rideshare pick up on the third floor of the parking garage.
• Many hotels near the airport run their own shuttles.

See our SEA airport guide for details.

What to show at TSA

No passport is needed and there is no customs on this flight. You do need a REAL ID-compliant license (enforced since May 7, 2025), a US passport or passport card, or another TSA-accepted ID. Forgot it? TSA ConfirmID is a paid identity check that can still get you through, but it takes time; see tsa.gov for the fee. For the trip home, SEA's checkpoints get long on summer mornings when cruise passengers head to the airport, so the REAL ID guide and an early start both help.

Connecting onward at Seattle

Many LAX-Seattle passengers are not stopping in Seattle. Alaska's SEA hub feeds Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks, and both Alaska and Delta fly long-haul from SEA, including to Asia. If Seattle is only your connection, book one ticket so the airline rebooks you if the first flight is late, and allow enough time to ride the train between satellites; our layover guide covers how long to leave.

Flying vs the train or the drive

The drive up Interstate 5 is well over 1,000 miles and takes the better part of two days. Amtrak's Coast Starlight runs between Los Angeles and Seattle once a day, a scenic trip of well over a day. Both make sense only if the journey is the point; for anyone short on time, the under-3-hour flight wins easily.

Bags and cheapest fares

• Alaska's Saver fare includes a carry-on, but seats are assigned at check-in and changes are limited.
• Delta and American basic economy fares include a carry-on and a personal item, with restricted seat choice.
• United Basic Economy on domestic routes includes only a personal item; a roller bag at the gate is checked and charged.

Pack for rain whatever the season and you can likely skip a checked bag; see our carry-on packing guide and basic economy explained.

Best time to fly to Seattle

Seattle's dry season runs from about July to September, with long days and mild temperatures, and that is also when the city is busiest: the Alaska cruise season fills hotels and Sunday flights. From November to March expect gray skies, frequent light rain and short days, along with the quietest travel weeks outside the holidays. Late spring and early fall are a good middle ground. Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays are busy in both directions.

Flying back: Seattle to Los Angeles

The southbound flight is about the same length. Morning fog in Seattle is common in fall and winter and can slow arrivals at SEA, which delays later departures on the same aircraft; an early flight from Seattle is the most reliable. If you live near Everett, Paine Field to LAX on Alaska is worth checking for the trip home as well.

Tips for this route

• Alaska and Delta both run Seattle hubs: compare their schedules first.
• Check Paine Field if you are staying north of Seattle.
• Use the fare grid on this page to compare days and airports; a midweek trip often changes the options.