Glendale, California, doesn’t have a major commercial airport, but it sits squarely between two of Southern California’s most important aviation gateways. The small Glendale Municipal Airport handles private planes and flight training, while nearby Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) provide the international connections that residents and visitors rely on. Understanding which carriers deliver the best combination of service quality, reliability, and value from these airports can make the difference between a forgettable overseas journey and a genuinely enjoyable one. This guide ranks the top international airlines accessible to Glendale travelers, based on real-world performance, customer satisfaction, and the strength of their route networks.

When people search for “Glendale California Airport international flights,” they’re really asking how to get from this downtown Los Angeles suburb to destinations abroad without wasting hours in traffic. The answer lies in two key airports. Hollywood Burbank Airport, often referred to as Bob Hope Airport, sits about 10 miles northwest of Glendale and offers a handful of international routes—primarily to Mexico—plus hundreds of daily domestic flights that feed global networks. Los Angeles International Airport is 30 miles southwest but serves as the undisputed international hub for the West Coast, with nonstop service to over 80 overseas destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, and Latin America.

Neither airport carries the Glendale name, but both are well within reach. Burbank is a 15-minute drive via the I-5, while LAX requires 35 to 60 minutes depending on the time of day. Smart travelers often compare options from both, because a connecting itinerary through Burbank can sometimes be cheaper or more convenient than a direct LAX departure. The airlines listed below operate from one or both of these airports and have been ranked by analyzing on-time performance data, in-flight service ratings, baggage handling statistics, and feedback drawn from frequent flyers and industry reviews.

Ranking Methodology: How We Evaluate Airlines

Our rankings emphasize four factors that matter most when you’re flying internationally from the Glendale area. First, we look at route coverage—how many destinations an airline serves directly or through seamless codeshares from BUR and LAX. Second, we assess overall service quality using data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report, Skytrax ratings, and J.D. Power satisfaction studies. Third, we consider reliability: on-time arrival rates and how carriers handle disruptions. Finally, we factor in the value equation, weighing ticket prices against what you get in terms of seat comfort, meals, baggage allowances, and loyalty program benefits.

No single airline dominates in every category, so we’ve arranged the top five carriers according to their total performance for Glendale-based international travelers. The list includes both full-service network airlines and one high-value hybrid carrier that punches above its weight.

Top International Airlines for Glendale Travelers – Ranked for Quality and Service

1. Delta Air Lines

Delta consistently earns top marks for operational reliability and cabin experience, making it the strongest choice for international trips from the Glendale area. From LAX, Delta operates nonstop flights to major cities in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Latin America, including London, Paris, Tokyo, and Sydney. Its partnership with Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Korean Air allows you to book a single ticket to nearly every corner of the globe, often with very short connection times at well-organized hubs like Amsterdam or Seoul.

Glendale travelers can also take advantage of Delta’s frequent service from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and other domestic gateways that open up the entire international network. Onboard, Delta has invested heavily in seat-back entertainment, high-speed Wi-Fi, and improved dining even in economy, while its Delta One business class product features lie-flat seats, chef-curated meals, and Sky Club lounge access that rivals any competitor. The airline’s on-time performance has led the U.S. industry for several consecutive years, and its baggage handling is among the best. For travelers who want a low-stress experience with few surprises, Delta is hard to beat. Visit Delta’s official site to explore international routes and current deals.

2. United Airlines

United edges out American Airlines for the second spot largely because of the breadth of its transpacific and transatlantic network from LAX, combined with a noticeably improved soft product over the last five years. From Los Angeles, United flies nonstop to London, Tokyo, Shanghai, Melbourne, and many other key business and leisure destinations. Its hub in San Francisco, reachable in just over an hour from Burbank, serves as an additional springboard for Pacific routes.

What sets United apart for Glendale flyers is the terminal experience at LAX Terminal 7, which recently underwent a major renovation. The United Club and Polaris lounges provide quiet spaces to work or relax before long-haul flights, and the airline’s Polaris business class has earned praise for comfortable bedding, Saks Fifth Avenue amenity kits, and personalized service. Economy passengers benefit from a decent seat pitch, complimentary snacks and drinks on international flights, and an easy-to-use mobile app that provides delay notifications and rebooking options instantly. United’s mileage program, MileagePlus, also has strong redemption values for partner airlines like Lufthansa and ANA, which can unlock destinations the airline itself doesn’t serve. Check the latest schedules and offers at United.com.

3. American Airlines

American offers the largest number of international seats out of LAX, with a massive network that includes London, Tokyo, Sydney, São Paulo, and Miami-based connections to the Caribbean and South America. For Glendale residents, American’s frequent departures from Burbank to Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, and Chicago mean you can access the world from a comfortable regional airport start while still earning full loyalty credit.

Service quality on American can be uneven, with older aircraft sometimes appearing on key routes, but the carrier has addressed this by retrofitting widebody jets with new premium economy cabins, upgraded business class seats, and better in-flight entertainment. Flagship Lounges at LAX provide a high-end pre-departure experience, and the airline’s AAdvantage program remains valuable for those who accumulate miles through flying or co-branded credit cards. While American’s on-time performance trails Delta’s, the sheer number of frequencies and nonstop options it provides from Los Angeles means you’ll often find a schedule that fits your plans exactly. Compare routes and book directly at aa.com.

4. Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines might seem like a surprising inclusion on a list of international carriers, but for Glendale travelers using Hollywood Burbank Airport, it’s one of the most valuable allies in your journey. While Alaska’s own metal doesn’t fly transoceanic routes from BUR, it has built a robust network up and down the West Coast and into key gateway cities like Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. From those hubs, Alaska partners with oneworld alliance members such as Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, British Airways, and Qantas, enabling seamless international connections on a single itinerary.

The airline itself is known for excellent customer service, a generous baggage policy for loyalty members, and a mileage plan that lets you book award travel on many international partners without outsized fuel surcharges. At Burbank, Alaska operates a convenient schedule with friendly ground staff and one of the highest on-time departure rates among carriers using that airport. For travelers who appreciate a low-key, passenger-focused airline at the start of a long-haul trip, Alaska Airlines is an outstanding choice. You can explore partnership routes and Mileage Plan details at alaskaair.com.

5. JetBlue Airways

JetBlue may not fly the longest international routes, but it has quietly become an attractive option for Glendale travelers heading to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. From LAX and Burbank, JetBlue offers connections through its focus cities such as Fort Lauderdale and New York JFK to popular vacation destinations like Cancún, Punta Cana, and San José. What makes JetBlue stand out is its Mint premium service on select transcontinental and Caribbean routes, which includes lie-flat seats and restaurant-quality dining at a fraction of the cost charged by legacy carriers.

Even in core economy, passengers get more legroom than most competitors, free seatback entertainment, and complimentary snacks. The airline’s family pooling feature and TrueBlue loyalty program add real value, especially when you link accounts and consolidate points for an international getaway. While you won’t find JetBlue flying to Tokyo or Frankfurt, for sun-and-sand international travel it delivers a polished experience that rivals the larger airlines. Visit jetblue.com to view its route map and fare specials.

How to Get the Best Deal on International Flights from Glendale

Booking an international flight from the Glendale area doesn’t have to be expensive if you approach it with a strategy. Start by comparing both Burbank and LAX departures. Sometimes a connecting domestic flight from BUR adds only a small amount to the total ticket price but saves you the hassle of driving to LAX and dealing with its immense parking lots. Use a flexible date search tool on Google Flights, Skyscanner, or KAYAK to see if shifting your travel by a day or two drops the fare significantly. Setting up price alerts is a low-effort way to snag a deal when it appears.

Watch out for fuel surcharges, especially on partner award tickets, and always verify the baggage policy before purchasing a basic economy fare. Many international itineraries look cheap until you add a checked bag and seat assignment, so consider whether a slightly higher regular economy fare with inclusions actually costs less in the end. Booking directly with the airline gives you the best protection when schedules change, and you can often hold a reservation for 24 hours while you confirm plans. Flight deals newsletters and loyalty program promotions are other tools Glendale frequent flyers can use to save hundreds on long-haul tickets.

Baggage Rules and Seat Comfort – What to Expect on International Routes

International baggage allowances are generally more generous than domestic ones. Most carriers operating from LAX and through connecting hubs offer one free checked bag on transatlantic and transpacific flights, while routes to Mexico and the Caribbean sometimes include it as well. Carry-on limits usually follow the standard 22 x 14 x 9-inch rule, though weight limits can be stricter on certain foreign partner airlines. Always check the specific policies of the operating airline on your ticket, because codeshare flights may apply the rules of the company whose aircraft you’re boarding.

Seat comfort varies considerably. Delta, United, and American offer economy seat pitch generally between 31 and 32 inches, while JetBlue stretches that to 33 or even 34 inches on many aircraft. If legroom matters, look for premium economy cabins on long-haul flights: they offer wider seats, more recline, and upgraded meals at a price that’s far below business class. When you fly business class from LAX, you’ll enjoy lounge access, lie-flat beds, and elevated dining, turning the long flight into part of the vacation experience. For families, choosing an airline with a modern fleet and good entertainment options can keep children occupied, making the journey easier for everyone.

Ground Transportation: Reaching Burbank and LAX from Glendale

Getting from Glendale to your departure airport requires planning, especially for early morning international flights. To Hollywood Burbank Airport, the trip is quick and straightforward. A taxi or ride-share takes about 15 minutes and generally costs under $30. The airport itself is compact, with short walks from curb to gate, so you can arrive 90 minutes before a domestic flight and still have time to spare. For international connections, build in at least two hours if you’re checking bags.

Los Angeles International Airport demands more patience. The drive can take anywhere from 35 minutes to over an hour, and LAX’s central terminal area loop is notorious for congestion. Ride-share services drop you off at designated areas, and the FlyAway bus service from Union Station—reachable by Metrolink from Glendale—offers a low-cost alternative for solo travelers. Parking at LAX is expensive, but off-site lots with shuttles can reduce the cost. If you have an afternoon flight, leaving Glendale by late morning after rush hour has subsided often results in the quickest trip. Whatever you choose, monitor real-time traffic conditions through a navigation app to avoid the frustration of missing an international check-in window.

Making International Travel Smoother: Passports, Visas, and Airport Tips

Before you get caught up in airline rankings, double-check that your travel documents are in order. A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity beyond your return date is a requirement for most countries. Some destinations also require visas or electronic travel authorizations that can take days or weeks to process. When you’re flying from a U.S. departure point, airlines will verify these requirements at check-in, and being denied boarding due to missing paperwork is both stressful and costly.

At the airport, take advantage of online check-in 24 hours before departure. International flights from LAX can have long security lines, so arriving three hours early is a smart habit. Burbank’s lines are shorter, but the airport can still be busy during morning bank times. If you travel often, enrolling in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry can speed things up dramatically and is well worth the fee for Glendale-based international flyers. Many premium credit cards reimburse the application cost, adding one more layer of value to your travel toolkit.