Cheap Flights from Atlanta to Los Angeles

Atlanta is Delta's largest hub, and Los Angeles is one of its most important destinations, so a large share of the seats between the two cities are on Delta. Southwest and a few other airlines also compete, but the schedule leans heavily towards Delta, particularly in the morning and evening banks.

That has a practical effect. With less price pressure than on routes where five airlines fight for passengers, fares can stay high, and the cheap ones tend to appear in specific windows. The best approach is to check often, stay flexible about the day and not assume that the first price you see is the lowest.

Los Angeles International is the biggest airport in the region, but it is also congested, and arriving flights often wait for gates. Southern California has four other airports, Burbank, Long Beach, Orange County and Ontario, and each can be easier depending on where you are going.

Check which airport is closest to your hotel or your friends, then compare prices. A nonstop into Burbank for the Valley or Hollywood, or into John Wayne for Orange County, can save an hour of driving. Our LAX airport guide explains how to get around.

Red-eye flights leave Los Angeles late at night and land in Atlanta in the early morning. They are often cheaper, and they save a hotel night, but they cost you a night's sleep and are tiring for anyone who cannot sleep on a plane.

They suit a short work trip or a tight schedule. If you take one, book a seat where you can sleep, bring an eye mask and earplugs, and plan an easy first day. Our guide to red-eye flights explains whether they are worth it.

Los Angeles is busy all year, but there are patterns. The cheapest fares are usually in January and February after the holidays, and in the autumn from September to early November. Summer, spring break and the Christmas period are the most expensive.

Big events also affect prices, including the Oscars in late winter, Coachella in April for those flying to the desert, the Rose Parade on New Year's Day and major conventions. Check the calendar before choosing dates, since moving by a week can save a lot.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are generally the cheapest days, and Friday and Sunday the most expensive. On a transcontinental route, business travelers push up midweek morning flights, so afternoon and evening departures may be cheaper.

Use a flexible-date calendar to see a month at a glance. Leaving on Saturday and returning on Tuesday is a common way to save, and a one-way ticket on each leg can sometimes beat a return.

Nonstop flights are the best choice on a route this long, but if the fare is much higher, a connection in Dallas, Denver, Phoenix or Las Vegas can be cheaper. Check the layover length and be wary of tight connections.

Connecting through a hub in winter risks weather delays. Our guide to nonstop versus connecting flights and the one on tight layovers explain how to judge the risk.

A lot of passengers on this route are travelling for business, particularly in entertainment, technology and finance. If you travel often, status on Delta gives upgrades, lounge access and priority, and can make the flight far more comfortable.

Our guides to how airline status works and status match programs explain how to earn it, and the page on business class flights explains premium cabins on longer routes.

Five hours is long for a young child. Choose a morning departure if your children sleep better at night, or an evening one if they sleep on planes. Bring snacks, a charged tablet with downloaded shows, headphones and a change of clothes in the carry-on.

Ask for seats together when you book rather than at check-in, particularly on basic fares, where seat assignment is not guaranteed. Strollers and car seats can be checked for free, and a car seat is safest on board if approved for aircraft use. Pack a few new small toys for the flight and let the children carry them.

A short visit might include the Santa Monica pier and the Getty Center, a walk through Griffith Park, a day in Hollywood and a meal in one of the city's neighborhoods, such as Koreatown or Silver Lake. Add Disneyland or the beaches, and the days fill quickly.

Plan by area, since distances are large, and avoid driving between the west and east sides during rush hours. Use public transport or rideshares for the busiest areas, and leave a day for the unexpected.

If you are flying out of Atlanta, consider arriving early to avoid the rush on the I-85 and I-75 connectors, which can slow to a crawl at peak times. MARTA from the airport avoids the problem entirely, and parking at airport lots can be cheaper than the terminal decks.

Atlanta's domestic terminal handles huge crowds on weekday mornings and Sunday evenings, so allow 90 minutes at least. If you have status, the lounges can be worth using. Our guide to TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR explains how to get through security faster.

Typical errors include assuming LAX is the only airport, booking a basic fare when plans may change, picking a tight connection to save a few dollars and forgetting how long it takes to get across Los Angeles.

Others include renting a car for a short trip that stays in one area, ignoring parking costs and forgetting the time difference when planning meetings. A little planning avoids each of them.