United Airlines Launches Year-Round Flights Between LA and Palm Springs

New daily nonstop service aims to ease the commute between the two cities.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Palm Springs International Airport announced that United Airlines will now offer daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Palm Springs year-round. The flights will provide up to two daily flights during peak travel seasons and one daily flight during the summer months, giving travelers more flexibility and convenience when commuting between the two cities.

Why it matters

The drive from Los Angeles to Palm Springs on the I-10 freeway can take over three hours due to heavy traffic, so the new year-round flights provide a faster and more reliable transportation option. This expanded service is part of the airport's strategy to enhance connectivity and better serve travelers to and from the Palm Springs region.

The details

The new year-round flights will take about 1 hour and 10 minutes, significantly faster than the 3-hour drive. Flights departing LAX at 7:20 a.m. can return the same day, leaving Palm Springs at 4:20 p.m. Ticket prices for these same-day round trips start at around $500. In addition to the daily LA-Palm Springs service, travelers can connect to over two dozen destinations from Palm Springs International Airport, including Hawaii, Asia, Mexico, and Canada.

  • The new year-round service between Los Angeles and Palm Springs was announced on January 30, 2026.

The players

Palm Springs International Airport

The airport serving the Palm Springs, California region, which announced the new year-round flights with United Airlines.

United Airlines

The major U.S. airline that will be operating the new daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Palm Springs.

Harry Barrett Jr.

The Executive Director of Aviation at Palm Springs International Airport, who commented on the new year-round service.

Mark Weithofer

The Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning at United Airlines, who expressed excitement about expanding the seasonal service to year-round.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This year-round service reflects the growing demand we're seeing at PSP during all months of the year. Reliable, year-round connectivity to LAX strengthens our region's access to global destinations while supporting continued growth for our community.”

— Harry Barrett Jr., Executive Director of Aviation, Palm Springs International Airport

“We're excited to expand our seasonal service between Palm Springs and Los Angeles to year-round. From trips with friends, traveling to see family and all the moments in between -- this provides our travelers with greater flexibility and more convenient options that best suit their travel needs.”

— Mark Weithofer, Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning, United Airlines

What’s next

The new year-round flights between Los Angeles and Palm Springs will begin operating in the coming months, providing travelers with a faster and more convenient transportation option between the two cities.

The takeaway

The expansion of daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Palm Springs reflects the growing demand for air travel to the Palm Springs region and will make it easier for residents and visitors to commute between the two cities, reducing reliance on the often congested I-10 freeway.