MEL - LAX

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$1,049
Typical prices: $1,054-$1,532
Fiji Airways
Thu 15/11Fri 7/12
MEL - LAX • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
$1,096
Typical prices: $1,136-$1,627
Virgin Australia
Sun 11/11Sat 17/11
MEL - LAX • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with Qantas Airways, Delta, and United Airlines. Average duration is 14h 27m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 84% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 19 weeks in advance save around 10% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 10% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg $1,127 (return)
Shortest trip • 18h 10m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Los Angeles!
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Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles (MEL-LAX)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Melbourne to Los Angeles

Sun, 15 Nov - Mon, 7 Dec
Fiji Airways Logo
13:55 - 12:00MEL  Melbourne-LAX Los Angeles
17h 05m1 stop Nadi
Fiji Airways Logo
22:35 - 12:45LAX  Los Angeles-MEL Melbourne
19h 10m1 stop Nadi
$1,049Fiji Airways
Sun, 22 Nov - Sun, 6 Dec
Fiji Airways Logo
13:55 - 12:00MEL  Melbourne-LAX Los Angeles
17h 05m1 stop Nadi
Fiji Airways Logo
22:35 - 12:45LAX  Los Angeles-MEL Melbourne
19h 10m1 stop Nadi
$1,050Fiji Airways
Wed, 11 Nov - Tue, 17 Nov
Virgin Australia Logo
10:10 - 05:55MEL  Melbourne-LAX Los Angeles
14h 45mdirect
Virgin Australia Logo
20:55 - 08:00LAX  Los Angeles-MEL Melbourne
16h 05mdirect
$1,096Virgin Australia
Mon, 1 Feb - Sun, 28 Feb
Virgin Australia Logo
10:10 - 06:02MEL  Melbourne-LAX Los Angeles
14h 52mdirect
Virgin Australia Logo
21:00 - 08:00LAX  Los Angeles-MEL Melbourne
16h 00mdirect
$1,096Virgin Australia
Mon, 26 Oct - Sun, 8 Nov
Delta Logo
09:10 - 05:55MEL  Melbourne-LAX Los Angeles
14h 45mdirect
Delta Logo
20:55 - 08:00LAX  Los Angeles-MEL Melbourne
16h 05mdirect
$1,166Delta
Tue, 10 Nov - Mon, 16 Nov
Delta Logo
10:10 - 05:55MEL  Melbourne-LAX Los Angeles
14h 45mdirect
Delta Logo
20:55 - 08:00LAX  Los Angeles-MEL Melbourne
16h 05mdirect
$1,166Delta
Mon, 26 Oct - Sun, 8 Nov
Lufthansa Logo
11:45 - 15:25MEL  Melbourne-LAX Los Angeles
21h 40m1 stop San Francisco
Lufthansa Logo
16:32 - 10:30LAX  Los Angeles-MEL Melbourne
22h 58m1 stop San Francisco
$1,171Lufthansa
Wed, 11 Nov - Tue, 17 Nov
United Airlines Logo
11:30 - 06:55MEL  Melbourne-LAX Los Angeles
14h 25mdirect
United Airlines Logo
16:32 - 10:30LAX  Los Angeles-MEL Melbourne
22h 58m1 stop San Francisco
$1,173United Airlines
Wed, 17 Feb - Tue, 23 Feb
United Airlines Logo
11:30 - 06:55MEL  Melbourne-LAX Los Angeles
14h 25mdirect
United Airlines Logo
11:43 - 10:30LAX  Los Angeles-MEL Melbourne
27h 47m1 stop San Francisco
$1,173United Airlines
Wed, 21 Oct - Wed, 4 Nov
Lufthansa Logo
11:55 - 15:29MEL  Melbourne-LAX Los Angeles
21h 34m1 stop San Francisco
Lufthansa Logo
10:55 - 10:30LAX  Los Angeles-MEL Melbourne
28h 35m1 stop San Francisco
$1,186Lufthansa
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

Return flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles start at $1,049. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from $1,054 to $1,532. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $1,049 on Fiji Airways.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles and is 5% cheaper than the average day. Saturday is the most expensive day with flight prices 6% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

•February is the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles at $1,111 return.
•December ($1,484) and July ($1,369) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 33% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles the cheapest?

Flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles are cheapest 19 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 10% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$646
Best time to beat the crowds (10% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 9% lower on average.
Flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles

When to book flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Melbourne to Los Angeles based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew the route from Melbourne to Los Angeles 
Verified travelerFlew with Qantas Airways-Aug 2026
The Melbourne to Los Angeles flight itself was great, so I do not have many tips other than being prepared for the significant time difference and jet lag. I would also love to see the same level of warm and attentive cabin service we experienced on our SFO to Sydney flight. The biggest challenge was actually at Los Angeles airport. After landing, we had to collect our checked bags, stand in line for immigration and security, recheck the bags, and then travel to another terminal to catch our connecting American Airlines flight. The entire process took close to two hours and made the connection much more stressful than expected. My main tip would be to allow plenty of connection time at LAX, ideally at least 3 hours, especially if you have checked luggage and are connecting to a domestic flight.
CharlesFlew with WestJet-Dec 2025
I had 5.5 hrs between my flight to LA and my flight from LA to Calgary. I barely made it! The plane to Calgary was loading by the time I got through in-flight delays, then inbound US customs, luggage pick-up, luggage drop-off, then TSA checks as I re-entered the secure zone, then fast-walk to the outbound gate. LAX is a difficult airport, designed last century when air travel was much more relaxed. So: plan for WAY more time there than you’d ever want.

Your Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles:

    • Earliest: departs at 09:10 and lands at 23:37
    • Latest: departs at 22:45 and lands at 13:12.

    The flight takes about 14h 27m.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles:

    • Economy class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How long is a flight from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    A direct flight from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles takes 14h 27m, covering 20,517 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flight?

    Return flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles range from $1,054 to $1,532, with an average of $1,235 over the past 12 months. Anything below $1,054 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 3% above the route average of $1,235. Book 19 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average $1,127 return via Nadi (NAN), compared with $1,301 for direct.

  • How does Delta's on-time performance compare to other airlines on Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flights?

    Delta is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Qantas Airways has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flights are:

    • Delta: 84% on time
    • Qantas Airways: 72% on time
    • United Airlines: 70% on time

    On average, flights on this route are punctual 73% of the time.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $142–$142 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Virgin Australia and United Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A350-900 variants.

  • How are flight departures from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flights, with 67% leaving in that window. Night departures account for 33%, Afternoon flights for 0%, and Evening flights for 0%.

  • How are flight prices from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles looking right now?

    One-way fares from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $703, which is 16% below the typical average for this route.

  • Which car hire options are available at Los Angeles Airport (LAX)?

    Los Angeles Airport (LAX) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $5 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Ace
    • Thrifty
    • Dollar
    • Hertz
    • Alamo

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    Flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles usually depart from Melbourne (MEL) and arrive at Los Angeles (LAX).

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles route, 27% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 37 minutes.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles pass through?

    One-stop flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles most commonly connect through:

    • Nadi (NAN) – 72% of one-stop connections
    • Auckland Intl (AKL) – 14% of one-stop connections
    • San Francisco (SFO) – 6% of one-stop connections
    • Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 5% of one-stop connections

    Nadi (NAN) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 11% on the Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $1,176 return on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $1,319, a difference of $144. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • Which airlines are available on the route from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    3 airlines operate flights between Melbourne Airport and Los Angeles. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • Qantas Airways
    • Delta
    • United Airlines

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles?

    Flying via Nadi (NAN) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 18h 05m, compared to 18h 10m via Brisbane (BNE) and 18h 49m via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD).

  • What is the time difference between Melbourne Airport and Los Angeles?

    Los Angeles is 17 hours behind Melbourne Airport (Pacific Time vs Eastern Australia Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Los Angeles?

    Some of the most popular sights in Los Angeles are Venice Beach, Dodger Stadium, and Crypto.com Arena. These are among the most viewed places in Los Angeles on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flights?

    Among airlines operating Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flights:

    • United Airlines: offers free seat selection
    • Qantas Airways: offers free seat selection
    • Virgin Australia: offers free seat selection
    • Delta: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • American Airlines: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Qantas Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Virgin Australia: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

  • Is there an open access lounge in the international terminal at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport?

    The international terminal (T2) of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport has three open access lounges. These are open to all passengers, regardless of which airline you’re flying with and whether or not you have membership. You can find The Marhaba Lounge, The House Lounge and The Plaza Premium Lounge in the departures area of Terminal 2. Prices start at A$ 45 per adult, and pre-bookings can be made online.

  • What layover options are available between Melbourne and Los Angeles?

    You have quite a range of layover options to choose from for your flight from Melbourne to LA. Flights with Fiji Airways come with a stop in Nadi, Fiji (NAN). Qatar Airways offers flights with a stop in Doha, Qatar (DOH), while Singapore Airlines offer a layover at Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN). If you’d like to stop in Auckland (AKL), you can select a flight with Air New Zealand, or if you’d prefer Hong Kong (HKG), then Cathay Pacific would be the ideal airline choice.

  • How much is parking at Melbourne Airport?

    There are several different airport parking options at Melbourne Airport, with long-term budget options starting at around $40 per day. A free shuttle bus runs between the long-term car parks and the terminals approximately every 5 minutes. Fees can be more expensive onsite, so booking online can be a wise choice.

  • Is there free WiFi at Melbourne Airport?

    Melbourne Airport offers free unlimited WiFi in every terminal for travellers who need to make travel arrangements or complete some last-minute work. Terminals 2, 3 and 4 operate on the Melbourne Airport wireless hotspot, and Terminal 1 offers WiFi through Qantas. Access is quick and easy, simply enter your registration details and connect.

  • Where are the baby changing areas in Melbourne Airport?

    There are several baby changing areas located throughout Melbourne Airport for families traveling with infants. There are four baby changing areas in Terminal 1, two baby changing areas in Terminal 2, two more in Terminal 3 and one baby changing area located in Terminal 4. All baby changing areas are located after security.

  • Which LAX Terminal has the most shops?

    If you need to pick up a few things once you arrive or before your return flight, LAX has a long list of airport shops to choose from. The majority of the shops in LAX are located in the TBIT, including newsstands and duty-free, as well as luxury brands like Burberry, Hermes and Gucci.

Your guide to booking Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Thursday departure instead of Saturday. On this route, Thursday flights average $1,176 – about $144 less than Saturday (11% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 19 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 10% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles trip for February. Fares historically average $1,111 return in that month – typically $373 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Delta is the strongest pick on this route. 84% of Delta flights from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 73%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours37 minutes, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Nadi Airport (NAN) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $1,127 return on this route – about $174 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Los Angeles Airport.
    - Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
    - Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX
    - Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
  • The international terminal, or T2, of Melbourne International Airport, also known as Tullamarine Airport (MEL), offers shower facilities to passengers. These are free of charge and can be found in the departures lounge, just after you get through the duty-free zone.
  • If you’re close to Melbourne’s CBD, the SkyBus is a convenient way to get to the airport. It departs from Southern Cross Station, and you can enjoy an air-conditioned journey. One-way adult tickets cost around A$ 15 if booked online, and the journey takes approximately 22min.
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has an art program, featuring permanent installations throughout the terminal buildings, exhibitions and cultural performances. Keep a lookout for ‘Air Garden’ and ‘Bell Tower’, both of which are in the international terminal (Terminal B).
  • Flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles most commonly have a single stop in Sydney before entering the second leg of the flight. Non-stop flights can be found, but they’re generally more expensive. Flights will arrive at LAX Airport, which is approximately 18 miles south of Los Angeles city centre.
  • If you could use a bite to eat before your flight departs, Melbourne Airport offers travellers a long list of different airport restaurant options. From simple cafes and bistros to noodle shops, fresh juice vendors, local restaurants and other options, you have several ways to refuel before your flight departs.
  • When your flight arrives at LAX, you can get to Los Angeles city centre via a few different means of transport. One of the cheapest and most popular ways to get to central Los Angeles is via LAX’s FlyAway bus that connects travellers directly to Union Station. The FlyAway bus trip is approximately 45 minutes to an hour in length, and fares are around USD $10 ($14).
  • If you’d rather steer clear of public transport after your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles, taxi ranks are located outside each terminal. A taxi to Los Angeles city centre can take approximately 30 minutes to over an hour, as Los Angeles traffic can get backed up quickly. Fares from LAX to the centre start at around USD $50 ($71).
  • Need to hire a car? There are several rental agencies operating within LAX. The rental car agencies operating within LAX include: AVIS, Budget, Enterprise, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox and others. Booking your reservation early can end up saving you a bundle, as reservations can fill up quickly and decreasing availability can increase prices.

Prefer to fly direct from Melbourne to Los Angeles?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Melbourne to Los Angeles

Monday

Delta,Qantas Airways

Delta,Qantas Airways

Tuesday

Delta,Qantas Airways

Delta,Qantas Airways

Wednesday

Delta,Qantas Airways,United Airlines

Delta,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Delta,Qantas Airways

Delta,Qantas Airways

Friday

Delta,Qantas Airways,United Airlines

Delta,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Delta,Qantas Airways

Delta,Qantas Airways

Sunday

Delta,Qantas Airways,United Airlines

Delta,Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Los Angeles to Melbourne

Monday

Delta,Qantas Airways,United Airlines

Delta,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Delta,Qantas Airways

Delta,Qantas Airways

Wednesday

Delta,Qantas Airways,United Airlines

Delta,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Delta,Qantas Airways

Delta,Qantas Airways

Friday

Delta,Qantas Airways,United Airlines

Delta,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Delta,Qantas Airways

Delta,Qantas Airways

Sunday

Delta,Qantas Airways

Delta,Qantas Airways

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles

Complete your trip to Los Angeles with a hotel stay or car hire