From Southwest to Spirit, here's a complete breakdown of which budget carriers offer the best value from Los Angeles.
LAX is served by every major US carrier plus dozens of international airlines. Here's how the budget options stack up.
**Best for**: Domestic routes, bag-friendly travelers
Southwest doesn't charge for the first two checked bags — a $35-70 savings per trip. Their no-change-fee policy makes them ideal if your plans might shift.
**Typical savings vs legacy carriers**: 15-35% on domestic routes
**Best for**: Price-conscious travelers who pack light
Spirit's base fares are often the cheapest available, but fees add up fast. A carry-on bag can cost $45+ if not purchased in advance. Pack a personal item only to maximize savings.
**Key routes**: LAX-LAS, LAX-ORD, LAX-DFW
**Best for**: Budget routes with frequent sales
Frontier's "Den$e" sales can drop prices to $20-29 one-way. Subscribe to their deal alerts alongside ours.
**Best for**: Nonstop service to leisure destinations
Allegiant flies routes that legacy carriers don't — smaller leisure markets with nonstop service from LAX. Good for vacation destinations like Palm Springs, Provo, or Destin.
Our recommendation: compare total cost including fees. A $150 Spirit fare with $89 in bag fees loses to a $185 Southwest fare with free bags.
We track prices from all carriers and score deals based on total value — so you always see the genuinely cheapest option.
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