$101 Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Los Angeles (LAX)

Popular airlines from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. (LAX)

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Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles (SBA-LAX)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $101 for one-way flights and $179 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

United
United
Southwest Airlines
United
United
United
Southwest Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Delta
Hawaiian Airlines

Find the cheapest month to fly from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Los Angeles (LAX)

January is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $179 - $500 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Los Angeles

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Flights from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Origin airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
Destination airport
Los Angeles Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$179
Distance
88 mi
Average flight time
1 hour 6 mins

Santa Barbara to Los Angeles Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles are during the month of October. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $101 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Santa Barbara to Los Angeles flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Santa Barbara to Los Angeles airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) cost?
Snag cheap return flights starting at $179 from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX). This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a United flight leaving SBA on August 1 2025 and touching down at LAX. The price was last updated on July 8 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SBA to LAX?
The cheapest flights from SBA to LAX are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX)?
If you're departing from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), you can jump on a direct flight to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) with United Airlines.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from SBA to LAX?
Right now, the cheapest carrier operating one-way flights from SBA to LAX is United. You can take off on this route from $204. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SBA on August 15 2025. Prices were last updated on July 8 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX)?
On average, there is just 1 direct flight leaving from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) each day. If this doesn't work for you, check out flights with layovers. Just filter your search on Expedia to include one or two stops to find a better alternative.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX)?
More travelers fly between SBA and LAX at 6 AM than at any other time of day. Looking for a quieter experience? Pick a flight outside the busiest times and you could save on your fare as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from SBA to LAX?
If you jet off on a Friday, you'll get the greatest range of choices for flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX).
What is the earliest flight from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX)?
The first flight of the day leaving Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) is at around 6:20AM UTC-8. Hop on this flight and you'll land at Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) at approximately 7:23AM UTC-8. The total time in the air is 1h 3m.
How long does it take to fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX)?
Flights from SBA to LAX have an average travel time of 1 hour and 3 minutes. The distance between the two airports is 90 mi.
What airline has the least delays from SBA to LAX?
Consider booking with United Airlines if you'd like to fly straight from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) without any interruptions. This carrier has the strongest track record for punctuality, with an on-time performance of 88%. Want real-time updates? You can keep an eye on your flight status using the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX)?
To land at Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) without delays, opt for a flight that leaves Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this time.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Los Angeles from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) is the only airport in Los Angeles with direct flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). Consider the available options and find affordable fares on Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) last-minute?
Waiting until right before your break to book a ticket from SBA to LAX often results in higher prices. Although you may find some last-minute offers, they're not always guaranteed. Be flexible with your itinerary for the best chance of scoring a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a SBA to LAX flight and hotel package?
Securing a SBA to LAX flight and hotel package is typically cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the convenience of organizing your travels in one place. Pick from our extensive range of stays and then add flights, car rentals and activities to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX)?
Typically, you're able to reschedule or cancel your SBA to LAX flight. However, additional charges may apply, especially if you booked over 24 hours ago. Check your itinerary for the airline's rules and fees on flight changes, or if you'd like more information, visit our Customer Service portal.

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