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If you’re hoping to fly out of Long Beach, California without emptying your wallet, there are some solid budget airline options to check out. Southwest Airlines is a top pick for cheap flights from Long Beach, with affordable routes to places like Sacramento, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City.
Spirit and Frontier also operate here, so you’ve got a few airlines to choose from if you’re after low-cost travel.
Knowing which airlines fly out of Long Beach and what destinations they serve can make planning a lot easier—and cheaper. Most budget carriers stick to western U.S. routes, but they do run specials that can really help your travel budget.
Flying out of Long Beach usually means less hassle and lower costs than the bigger airports nearby.
If you keep an eye out for sales or book ahead, you can score cheap flights with flexible booking. These airlines keep things pretty simple, but they’re reliable enough to get you where you want to go without a ton of hidden fees.
Key Takeways
- Low-cost airlines like Southwest serve multiple popular destinations from Long Beach.
- Choosing Long Beach for departure can reduce travel time and costs.
- Booking early or watching deals helps secure the best flight prices.
Top Budget Airlines Departing from Long Beach
There are a handful of budget airlines at Long Beach Airport that make cheap flights and flexible travel pretty accessible. They serve key destinations with both direct and non-stop options, so you can save money without giving up too much convenience.
Southwest Airlines Overview
Southwest Airlines is easily the most popular budget airline at Long Beach. It runs non-stop flights to cities like Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and San Jose.
If you shop around early, you’ll usually find some decent deals.
Southwest stands out for its flexible ticket policies—no change fees and two checked bags fly free. Adjusting plans doesn’t have to mean extra costs.
If you want direct flights with a little more service for your money, Southwest is a strong choice.
Frontier Airlines Services
Frontier Airlines is another option at Long Beach. It’s aimed at budget travelers who want cheap flights to a variety of U.S. cities.
Frontier’s basic fares let you pay only for what you need, like seat selection or checked bags.
They fly to several popular spots, so you have options for affordable travel. Just remember, Frontier is no-frills—expect extra fees for add-ons.
ATA and Other Low-Cost Carriers
ATA and a few smaller carriers also offer budget flights from Long Beach. They’re not as big as Southwest or Frontier, but sometimes you’ll find competitive prices on select routes.
These airlines often run non-stop or direct flights, so you can get where you’re going pretty quickly. It’s always worth comparing prices across all these carriers to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Popular Destinations and Routes
Long Beach Airport gives you a surprising number of options for flights to major U.S. cities. You’ll find both direct and non-stop flights, which makes travel faster and less stressful.
Some routes are especially affordable, so planning a trip to places like Las Vegas or the Bay Area doesn’t have to be a headache.
Flights to Major U.S. Cities
From Long Beach, you can book flights to big cities like Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Salt Lake City. Southwest and Delta have quite a few routes here.
These cover important regions—the Midwest, South, and West Coast.
If you want a bargain, Southwest often has deals to Las Vegas and Phoenix. Delta flies to Salt Lake City too, which is handy for connections or vacations.
Direct Flights and Non-Stop Options
Long Beach offers several direct and non-stop flights, which saves a ton of time. Southwest leads the pack, serving about 20 destinations directly, including San Jose and Sacramento.
Non-stop flights mean no layovers, so your trip is smoother and usually faster.
You can fly non-stop to cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. These routes are popular for quick trips or weekend escapes.
International Destinations from Long Beach
Long Beach mostly serves U.S. cities, but you can catch a few international flights nearby or with connections. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, pops up as a favorite, usually through a nearby airport or a regional carrier.
If you’re heading abroad, you might pair a non-stop U.S. flight from Long Beach with a connecting international flight at a bigger hub like LAX. This opens up more routes and sometimes better prices.
Finding and Booking the Best Deals
Getting the best deals out of Long Beach is all about knowing where to look and how to avoid sneaky extra charges. A little effort goes a long way.
Flight Search and Comparison Tools
Start with online travel agents like Expedia or Google Flights to compare tickets from different airlines. Skyscanner is great for searching multiple destinations at once and has a low fare calendar.
You can spot the cheapest days to fly this way.
Setting up price alerts is a smart move if your dates are flexible. That way, you’ll know when prices drop.
Searching and booking on your phone is easy—no need to be chained to a computer.
Tips for Securing Cheap Flights
Book early, but don’t ignore last-minute deals—sometimes airlines drop prices to fill seats. Flying on weekdays or during off-peak times usually costs less.
Southwest and Delta often run sales from Long Beach.
Being flexible with your travel dates and even airport choices can help you find better prices. Bundling your flight with a hotel or rental car sometimes unlocks extra discounts.
Always check a few different booking sites—hidden deals pop up where you least expect them.
Understanding Hidden Fees
Cheap tickets can be misleading if you’re not careful about extra fees. Watch out for charges on bags, seat selection, and even booking.
Some budget airlines tack on fees at checkout, so your total cost creeps up.
Read the airline’s policy and the booking site’s fine print before you pay. Travel insurance can cover unexpected changes, but it’s another cost to weigh.
Knowing these things ahead of time helps you avoid surprises.
Essential Travel Information for Long Beach Flyers
Flying from Long Beach means you’ve got access to other nearby airports, different cabin classes, and a variety of services. The airport itself is manageable, and you can easily rent cars or book hotels for your trip.
Nearby Airports and Alternatives
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is convenient and has several budget airlines like Southwest and Delta.
If you want more flight options, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 20 miles away. It’s bigger, with more flights, including first and business class.
Burbank Airport (BUR) is roughly 35 miles out. It’s known for quicker security and less crowding.
John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County is about 30 miles south and also has plenty of domestic flights.
These other airports are good alternatives if you can’t find the flight or airline you want at Long Beach.
Airport Amenities and Services
Long Beach Airport keeps it simple. You’ll get free Wi-Fi, some basic dining, and car rental counters.
No sprawling shopping malls here, but you’re close to beaches and downtown Long Beach for food and fun after your flight.
The airport’s small size means it’s easy to navigate and not too crowded, so you save time.
If you want more amenities, LAX is the place—lounges, high-end dining, and big shopping areas, plus you’re not far from Hollywood or the LA County Museum of Art.
Cabin Classes and Luggage Policies
Most budget airlines from Long Beach focus on economy seats. Southwest and Spirit usually stick to basic economy, though you can sometimes pay for extra legroom or priority boarding.
First or business class? Not really a thing on these budget carriers out of Long Beach.
Luggage rules vary: Southwest includes two checked bags for free, which is great if you’ve got a lot to bring.
Spirit and others charge for checked and even carry-on bags, so make sure you check baggage fees before booking.
Travel Insurance and Additional Protection
Travel insurance can save you if your flight gets canceled, delayed, or if you run into medical issues. Most booking sites offer insurance as an add-on.
It covers lost bags, trip interruptions, and sometimes medical stuff abroad.
Even if you’re on a budget, it’s worth thinking about—unexpected expenses are never fun.
Don’t forget to check your credit card perks, too. Some cards offer trip protection if you use them to book your flights.
Car Hire and Accommodation
Renting a car from Long Beach Airport is pretty easy. There are a bunch of agencies right at the airport, so you won’t need to go far.
Having a car means you can check out spots like the La Brea Tar Pits or head to different beaches around Los Angeles. Honestly, it’s hard to beat that kind of flexibility.
Car hire prices jump around depending on demand. If you book early, you might actually save a decent chunk.
Hotels aren’t hard to find either. There are plenty in downtown Long Beach, close to the airport, and near all the main entertainment areas.
If you’re looking to stretch your trip, there are places to stay in Hollywood or even Santa Ana. That way, you can see a bit more of what Los Angeles has to offer.