$592 Find Cheap Flights to California – Compare and Save

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from New Zealand to California departing on 1/9. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Cheap Flights to California

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stop$1,185
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stop$1,303
San Diego
San Diego2 stops$2,201
San Jose
San Jose2 stops$1,524
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stop$1,185
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stop$1,303
San Diego
San Diego2 stops$2,201
San Jose
San Jose2 stops$1,524

Book Cheap California Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights to California that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to California

Wed, 16 Sep - Wed, 23 Sep
Qantas Airways Logo
15:40 - 17:05-
20h 25m
Qantas Airways Logo
23:30 - 14:45-
20h 15m
$1,185Qantas Airways
Wed, 27 Jan - Wed, 10 Feb
Air Canada Logo
14:00 - 11:40-
18h 40m
Air Canada Logo
18:10 - 11:00-
19h 50m
$1,199Air Canada
Fri, 23 Oct - Mon, 26 Oct
Fiji Airways Logo
07:00 - 13:05-
26h 05m
Fiji Airways Logo
23:35 - 13:35-
18h 00m
$1,211Fiji Airways
Mon, 26 Oct - Sun, 8 Nov
Fiji Airways Logo
08:00 - 13:00-
25h 00m
Fiji Airways Logo
22:35 - 13:35-
18h 00m
$1,211Fiji Airways
Thu, 21 Jan - Thu, 4 Feb
Qantas Airways Logo
06:00 - 06:20-
21h 20m
Qantas Airways Logo
21:45 - 14:55-
20h 10m
$1,214Qantas Airways
Thu, 21 Jan - Thu, 4 Feb
American Airlines Logo
09:55 - 11:12-
22h 17m
American Airlines Logo
20:25 - 23:59-
30h 34m
$1,262American Airlines
Mon, 7 Dec - Mon, 11 Jan
Air Canada Logo
14:00 - 14:21-
21h 21m
Air Canada Logo
15:15 - 11:00-
22h 45m
$1,272Air Canada
Mon, 25 Jan - Mon, 8 Feb
Delta Logo
14:35 - 05:50-
12h 15mdirect
Delta Logo
22:10 - 08:15-
13h 05mdirect
$1,274Delta
Thu, 12 Nov - Mon, 30 Nov
Delta Logo
14:35 - 05:55-
12h 20mdirect
Delta Logo
22:05 - 08:15-
13h 10mdirect
$1,274Delta
Wed, 27 Jan - Sun, 31 Jan
American Airlines Logo
13:20 - 10:10-
41h 50m
American Airlines Logo
07:00 - 09:25-
29h 25m
$1,359American Airlines
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to California

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights to California to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest flight to California?

These are the best return prices found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 5 days.

The cheapest ticket to California from New Zealand found in the last 5 days was to Los Angeles, at $1,230 return. The most popular route is Auckland (AKL) to Los Angeles (LAX) and the cheapest return ticket found on this route in the last 5 days was $1,230.

How much is a flight to California?

The average and cheapest price for all round-trip flights to California from each origin found by users searching on KAYAK in the last month.

A flight to California costs $1,624 on average. The cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $747 for the route Auckland (AKL) to Los Angeles (LAX). The most popular routes on KAYAK are Auckland to Los Angeles which costs $2,045 on average, and Christchurch to San Francisco, which costs $2,312 on average.

See prices from:

What is the cheapest month to fly from New Zealand to California?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for flights from New Zealand to California, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from New Zealand to California is February, when tickets cost $786 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are January and July, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $1,158 and $1,043 respectively.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to California?

The average price for all round-trip flights from New Zealand to California depending on the time of departure, clicked by users on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

The cheapest time of day to fly to California is generally in the afternoon, when retur flights cost $1,998 on average. Morning departures are around 100% cheaper than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to California is generally at night, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $2,010.

How far in advance should I book a flight from New Zealand to California?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights to California, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below-average price on a flight from New Zealand to California, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 24% compared to booking last-minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 26 weeks before departure.

Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in California?

Prices will differ depending on the departure airport, but generally, the cheapest airport to fly to in California is Los Angeles Airport (LAX), with an average flight price of $1,134.

Good to know

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$592
Best time to beat the crowds (10% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 7% lower on average.
Flight from Auckland to Los Angeles

Flights to California: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew to California 
Verified travelerFlew with Air New Zealand-Nov 2024
If you can, and you’re a grown adult, pay the few extra dollars for premium economy. You won’t regret it
SidFlew with United Airlines-Jan 2024
wear layers as our flight over was freezing and return flight back was back sweat hot

FAQs - booking California flights

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from New Zealand to California?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from New Zealand to California.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from New Zealand to California?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from New Zealand to California is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from New Zealand to California?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly from New Zealand to California with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from New Zealand to California?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying from New Zealand to California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to California?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to California is Tuesday when return tickets can be as cheap as $2,005. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Saturday, when return prices are $2,248 on average.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to California

  • Looking for cheap airfare to California? 25% of our users found return tickets to California for the following prices or less: From Auckland $3,342, from Christchurch $6,197
  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest California flight deals.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to California

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying to California. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline from New Zealand to California. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from New Zealand to California? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
Fiji AirwaysOverall score based on 249 reviews
7.5Food
7.5Entertainment
8.0Comfort
8.1Boarding
8.5Crew
Airline reviews

Left on time , arrived on time. Staff was awesome!!!!! Great flight!!!!

10.0 ExcellentNick, Mar 2026
Read more Fiji Airways reviews

Left on time , arrived on time. Staff was awesome!!!!! Great flight!!!!

A bit cramped in economy and the people in front wouldn’t put their seats up during meal service, crew did not help with that and I felt they could have done more about it.

The airline is ok, but it needs to improve it schedules.

In-flight entertainment options could use a refresh, Consider a tie-up with Spotify for more current music and with IMDB or other service for newer selections/movie ratings.

6 hour delay and they didnt try to make up any time during an over 10 hour flight

Entertainment was not good. Seems like liquor should’ve been advertised only beer and wine was even though I saw others getting liquor didn’t realize I could. And the food to me could’ve been a little bit.

Better connections, much better cabin crew, much cleaner cabin that Qantas, American and probably other carriers.

The flight attendants were extremely friendly and helpful. Everything ran on time. I highly recommend Fiji Airways.

Very clean aircraft. Friendly staff. New plane. Food quality was good. Not my flavor but I saw the effort.

I never went and I’ve tried calling to cancel the flight see if I can postpone for another date but every time they’ll transfer me to another personal.

The Premium Economy seats were very comfortable and the food was quite tasty. I did not use the entertainment system, but I was able to charge my phone and tablet with the seatback connection.

Air New Zealand over sold our flight and tried to bump us to yesterday. After several calls we got booked to United about 6 hrs before our original flight. No apologies!

Please add more Bollywood movies and recent movies to the entertainment.

Flight was delayed by 2 hours. Got lucky that i had a long connection, else would have certainly missed my connecting flight. Food is just okay, specially the breakfast is worse . Asked for water 30 mins before landing, the response is that we are landing so everything is packed . I guess traveling in economy that’s what we get. Probably business class passengers would get a different answer. Only good thing is that wifi service is available from auckland to lax for most part Next time will try united or American and then compare.

Great except paying $240 usd for 2 pounds over on a checked luggage. Outrageous.

Service was excellent and they’re very helpful and nice

Not a comfortable trip, the seats are not good, and they look old.

Sitting in an aisle seat equals getting hit by food cart and spilled on multiple times Food: gross and minimalistic Crew: frumpy and kurt Sound on multiple entertainment platforms poor Not an earplug problem, system soundboard poor

Wonderful Airlines…our American Airlines could learn from ANZ. From boarding to landing everyone was professional and gracious. Kiwi’s really are the nicest of all people! Thank you

The flight attendances were very helpful and friendly ! Dinner and breakfast were great . The seat was not too comfortable though .

Loved the food and beverages available, spacious economy class, excellent entertainment

Very good overall. Highly recommend for all flying to Australia

We had bulkhead seats in a A380 in the upper deck in seats 31 D and E. Storage was very limited other than in overhead bin - which is not within reach when in seat. Yet paying same price as others in premium economy who have a lot more storage within arm’s reach. Seems very unfair.

We booked with Qantas instead of Delta and we instead flew on American Airlines. American is not our favorite to go on. No leg room and the width of seats are a joke. Your are packed like sardines on American flights.

When I originally booked this flight, I was expecting to travel on Qantas. When the itinerary changed and the long-haul segment was operated by American Airlines, we were disappointed but remained open-minded. Unfortunately, the overall service experience fell far short of expectations. This was a long-haul international flight. Getting up periodically to use the restroom or stretch is inevitable, especially on flights of this duration. However, each time we stood up, we felt as though we were inconveniencing the crew. The tone and body language often suggested that we were in the way or disrupting something simply by moving about the cabin. As a result, I avoided getting up as often as I needed to and was physically very sore upon arrival. Meal service was similarly impersonal. The options were presented in single words “beef or veggie,” “pasta or beef” without any description of what was actually being served. There was little engagement or courtesy beyond that. Even simple expressions of gratitude were often not acknowledged. I am accustomed to no-frills travel and do not expect luxury. What was disappointing was not the absence of extras, but the absence of basic warmth and professionalism. On a long-haul international flight, small moments of courtesy and humanity make a significant difference. In this case, the experience felt transactional and dismissive rather than welcoming. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as there is a meaningful difference between efficient service and indifferent service.

Flight arrived late with no one to help over 30 people rebook. I slept at the airport.

Business seats not as comfortable or private as most competitors (e.g. Qantas was outstanding), and movie selection was much more limited than Qantas or United has been recently

Hard to move and get out of my seat when the passenger in front is in recline position.

I tried to check in online but was unable to do so. I stood in line for nearly two hours to check in. American Airlines was understaffed. When I finally got to the kiosk to check in, I was still unable to check in. No AA staff was available to help. Finally one of the airport security agents who was helping passengers became of lack of AA Staff told me: “I think the reason you can’t check in is that you are starting your name with an upper case letter when you write it. Just write it with all lower case letters.” That did allow me to check in. HOW COULD ANYONE POSSIBLY KNOW THAT IF THEY USE AN INITIAL UPPER CASE LETTER TO SPELL THEIR OWN NAME, AA WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO CHECK IN?????? Then I had to wait in line over half an hour again to drop off my baggage. Although I arrived at the airport 3 hours early, by the time I got to the gate, they had already started boarding.

Their aircraft are old and amenities lack way behind other international carriers leaving from BNE. Even in economy

The entire experience convinced my wife, Cathy, and me that traveling Polaris on United is the only way we’ll fly in the future. From check-in and baggage drop to the end of the 12-hour flight, the customer service was exceptional, with numerous staff members exemplifying the very best in care. On board, Andre, our primary crew chief, was sincerely friendly, a consummate professional, and, along with Freddy, one of his team members, truly among the best of the best. The captain even came through the cabin to chat with passengers—a wonderful personal touch, especially on such a long journey.

The SFO lounge closes at 12 midnight. My flight took off at 2AM

Delayed 2 hours while stuck on the aircraft. If the luggage was properly loaded the first time we probably wouldn’t have been delayed at all

Flight be on time would be a good start. Then train your flight attendants to be attentive and friendly. This time they completely forgot my row for the measly snack! United, do better!

We boarded the plane and were about to take off when we were notified that the tires had to be checked. Upon inspection, they were found to need replacement, so the entire plane had to be deboarded. After we exited the plane, United staff forced us to stay in the gate area by posting "Do Not Exit" signs on the doors connecting the gate area to the terminal. Many of us had already rebooked our flights and had no checked bags, but they told us we could not leave. This seemed inappropriate to hold people under false pretenses. When the agent told us we could leave, I asked them to please take down the "Do Not Exit" signs, as they were misleading. The agent refused, and I told them that it didn't feel right to hold people like that.

It was a short, comfortable flight. It did leave an hour late due to the pilot having to be replaced (family emergency) but that didn’t inconvenience myself & my friend. The situation was explained, eventually.

There was a piece of plastic baked into my buttermilk biscuit! I have a pictures. The flight attendants in first class were really apologetic, and tried to rectify the situation. I I am very appreciative that they were able to give me some packets of pretzels and gummy bears. I understand they don't personally handle the food until warming it up so I know it wasn't their fault. I don't know whether it was a newer aircraft, or different food packaging, but I was happy that when the food was being warmed up - it didn't smell like plastic. Jokes on me with finding plastic in my food.

The seats were uncomfortable, as if the cushions haven't been switched out in many years. I felt like I was on an old bus. The food was delicious. thank you. Onboard entertainment, very limited. Unless you like violent movies. Why in the world would you have such severely violent movies on a plane? if you don't want to see such things, you don't have a choice. Have you considered that when choosing entertainment? Good god. Why would you have the Godfather? Or black women being brutally beaten with a club? Why in the hell would you put that kind of material on a plane? As for Kayak: Why when I ordered Qantas, was the plane on United?

On the way my flight entertainment wouldn’t work the screen went black and no matter how many times I tried to turn it on it wouldn’t. Food was surprisingly good but the tray tables were tiny so you couldn’t get anything else on the table. The seats hardly go back and are not overly comfortable. Wouldn’t fly United again.

temperature, temperature, temperature. it was hot as balls and everyone around me was complaining and constantly adjusting their vents

My flight in Dallas had maintenance issues. Which caused us to missed our connecting flight in LA. We had to stay overnight in Los Angeles. American Airlines booked us a hotel. The hotel was the Holiday Inn. It was horrible. The whole hotel smelled like weed and there were people rambling all night long up and down the hallways. The carpets in the hallway and the room has stains. There was dirt on the floor. It was so nasty that I slept in my clothes.

Great. Clean. Seats comfortable. Food was free. Had new release movies.

The airplane I love and I love I came back safe thank you American airlines

Horrible. No AC. No Air inside the plane. We had to deplane twice! It is late almost 5 hrs in total. I almost passed out and about to call 911. I asked the crew to be honest and open the door. The lady next to me was lay down in the floor due to heat and no air inside the plane. I got headaches, can’t wait the replacement flight about midnight Dallas time. I end it up rebook for next day flight and stay overnight using my own pocket in a hotel nearby due to headaches and can’t breath. I still have a headache this morning. Still not decided yes how to file this issue to AA and/or FAA.

Service could be better especially in business class.. the food also needs to be better and the overall experience should be elevated.

Worst communication. Delayed boarding for two hours without a single announcement until hour 1 had passed - on time status showing until our flight was supposed to takeoff and the crew had already walked away. No one was boarding. Disgusting part of DFW overcrowded with no AC on a 97 degree day. Then the first app update is that we’d take off in 15 mins… but again no one had boarded a full flight. No announcement in the terminal so everyone is just crowded around a disgusting place with no info for over an hour which turned into two. This was an overfill flight and a disgrace to passenger decency all while likely just trying to fix their own issue of overbooking. The worst airline at the worst airport.

I’ve been on 8 flights with American Airlines in the last 2 months and 4 have been delayed.

Mechanical delay > Crew Time out. No communication to passengers. Crew time out was positioned as a surprise (even though it must have been know at the time of boarding that the crew would time out.

I could not ask for more. Great service and experience.

We were upgraded to Business Class. So comfortable with great service and food options

Everything you need to know for your flight to California

Cabin class types available on flights to California

Cabin classes available on flights to California. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.