One-way fares from US airports can drop below $50 on the right routes. greenspicks pulled fare data on 2026-06-28 and observed prices ranging from $47 to $320 across 17 routes to help you fly for less.
Direct Answer: How Cheap Are One-Way Flights From the US?
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One-Way vs Round Trip: Which Is Actually Cheaper?
The honest answer: it depends on your route, airline, and travel dates. There is no universal rule that one-way flights cost more or less than half a round trip. The old airline pricing model that penalized one-way bookings has largely disappeared on domestic US routes, but fare structures still vary by carrier and market.
In the fare observations greenspicks pulled on 2026-06-28, one-way prices ranged from $47 to $320 across different routes. Whether that represents savings over a round trip depends on what round-trip fares are available for your specific dates. You can research the best time to book flights for additional context on timing your purchase.
When One-Way Booking Makes Financial Sense
Open-jaw itineraries: Flying into one city and out of another eliminates backtracking. Two one-way tickets let you land in Los Angeles and depart from San Francisco without paying for an extra positioning flight.
Mixing carriers: Budget carriers often price one-way fares competitively. Booking your outbound on one airline and return on another lets you cherry-pick the lowest fare in each direction rather than accepting a package deal.
Uncertain return dates: If you do not know when you are coming back, a one-way ticket avoids change fees and the hassle of rebooking. This is particularly relevant for family visits, job relocations, or extended trips.
Positioning flights: Sometimes a cheaper fare exists from a nearby airport. A one-way positioning flight to that hub, followed by your main one-way departure, can undercut a direct round trip from your home airport.
One-way fares make the most sense when you are mixing carriers, flying open-jaw, or have flexible return timing. Always compare both options before booking.
When Round Trip Might Win
Some airlines still bundle round-trip pricing that undercuts two one-ways. International itineraries and certain legacy carrier routes can favor round-trip bookings. The only way to know is to search both options for your specific dates and compare the total cost, including any baggage fees that differ by fare class.
Observed One-Way Fare Ranges by Route Type
greenspicks pulled Travelpayouts fares on 2026-06-28 and observed a $47 one-way fare from Chicago ORD to Fort Lauderdale FLL on Frontier, with a 197-minute duration indicating a nonstop routing. This was the lowest fare across all routes searched.
The table below shows observed fare ranges grouped by route type. These are individual observations across different travel dates, not a controlled comparison or seasonal average.
| Route Type | Example Routes | Observed Range | Lowest Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hub to Florida | ORD-FLL, ORD-MIA, BOS-MIA | $47–$235 | $47 ORD-FLL (Frontier, nonstop) |
| Cross-Country | ATL-LAX, JFK-LAX | $117–$317 | $117 ATL-LAX (Frontier, nonstop) |
| Coast-to-Coast | SFO-JFK, JFK-ONT | $121–$318 | $121 SFO-JFK (Frontier, connection) |
| Regional West | SEA-LAS | $95–$196 | $95 SEA-LAS (Frontier, nonstop) |
| Texas to NYC | DFW-JFK | $129–$320 | $129 DFW-JFK (Frontier, connection) |
Data source: Travelpayouts. Retrieved 2026-06-28. Prices change often — verify before booking.
greenspicks reviewed cached fares on 2026-06-28 and found sub-$100 one-way observations on Chicago to Florida routes, including $85 ORD-MIA on United and $86 ORD-MIA on United for August dates. Both were nonstop flights.
greenspicks checked cross-country routes on 2026-06-28 and observed JFK to LAX one-way fares ranging from $143 on JetBlue (353-minute nonstop) to $184 on American with a connection. The nonstop JetBlue option was both cheaper and faster on that date.
Hub-to-Florida routes showed the strongest sub-$100 fare observations. Chicago ORD to Fort Lauderdale FLL produced the lowest observed fare at $47 on Frontier for July 21, 2026.
Airlines With Observed Low One-Way Fares
The following airlines appeared in the fare observations greenspicks pulled on 2026-06-28. These are individual data points across different dates and routes, not a controlled comparison that would allow ranking one airline as universally cheaper than another.
Frontier (F9): One observed fare was $47 ORD-FLL for July 21, 2026. Another was $95 SEA-LAS for August 1, 2026. Frontier appeared frequently in the lowest-price observations across multiple routes.
United (UA): One observed fare was $85 ORD-MIA for August 4, 2026. Another was $86 ORD-MIA for August 1, 2026. Both were nonstop flights with approximately 200-minute durations.
American (AA): One observed fare was $82 BOS-MIA for August 29, 2026, a nonstop flight. Another was $103 ORD-MIA for August 10, 2026.
JetBlue (B6): One observed fare was $143 JFK-LAX for August 20, 2026, a nonstop flight with a 353-minute duration. JetBlue also appeared on JFK-ONT routes.
Alaska (AS): One observed fare was $109 SEA-LAS for July 3, 2026, a nonstop flight with a 155-minute duration.
Sun Country (SY): Appeared in observations on the DFW-JFK route.
Southwest (WN): Appeared in observations on the BOS-MIA route.
Each airline prices routes differently based on competition, demand, and their network strategy. A carrier with the lowest fare on one route may not be competitive on another. Always compare multiple airlines for your specific origin, destination, and travel date.
How to Find Cheap One-Way Flights: Step-by-Step
Finding low one-way fares requires a systematic approach. These steps work for any US domestic route.
- 1
Search one-way specifically
Do not rely on flexible date searches that default to round trip. Select one-way as your trip type before entering dates. Some search tools bury one-way options or show inflated prices when you search round trip first. Being explicit about one-way from the start ensures you see accurate pricing.
- 2
Compare nearby airports
Major metro areas often have multiple airports with different fare structures. In the Los Angeles area, greenspicks observed fares to both LAX and ONT. The JFK-ONT fare was $154 on one date compared to $143 for JFK-LAX. Small differences add up, and sometimes the secondary airport wins. Check all options within driving distance of your destination.
- 3
Check budget carriers directly
Frontier and Southwest appeared frequently in the lower fare observations. Budget carriers sometimes do not display their full inventory on aggregator sites, or their fares may be slightly higher through third parties. After searching an aggregator, visit the airline’s website directly to confirm the price and check for any web-only deals. Knowing the cheapest days to fly can also help you target lower-fare dates.
- 4
Use fare comparison tools
Aggregators pull fares from multiple sources, saving you time. Run the same search on two or three tools to catch any discrepancies. Using flexible date flight searches can reveal if shifting your travel by a day or two drops the price significantly.
Ready to search? Compare one-way fares across booking sources — check current prices for your route.
- 5
Consider connection tradeoffs
The lowest fares often involve connections, which means longer total travel time. The $121 SFO-JFK observation had a 632-minute duration, indicating a connection. The cheapest nonstop on that route was $171. Decide whether the savings justify the extra hours. For short trips, a connection might not be worth it. For relocations or flexible schedules, the savings could be substantial.
- 6
Book when you find your target price
Set a price target based on what you are willing to pay, then book when you hit it. Trying to time the absolute bottom is a gamble that often backfires. If you see a fare that meets your budget, secure it.
Best Routes for Cheap One-Way Deals From US Hubs
Based on the fare observations greenspicks pulled on 2026-06-28, certain route corridors showed consistently competitive one-way pricing.
Chicago ORD to Florida
This corridor produced the strongest sub-$100 observations. ORD to Fort Lauderdale FLL ranged from $47 to $168, with the $47 fare being a nonstop Frontier flight (197 minutes). ORD to Miami MIA ranged from $85 to $185, with multiple nonstop options under $105. If you are flying from Chicago to Florida one-way, this route pair deserves close attention.
Atlanta ATL to Los Angeles Area
ATL to LAX observations ranged from $117 to $242. The $117 fare was a Frontier nonstop with a 279-minute duration. ATL to Ontario ONT ranged from $126 to $221, though all observed fares on that route involved connections.
New York JFK to Los Angeles Area
JFK to LAX observations ranged from $143 to $317. The $143 fare was a JetBlue nonstop for August 20, 2026. JFK to Ontario ONT ranged from $154 to $318, with the $154 also on JetBlue as a nonstop. For coast-to-coast travel, JetBlue showed competitive nonstop pricing on the dates observed.
Dallas DFW to New York
DFW to JFK observations ranged from $129 to $320. The $129 fare involved a connection with an extended duration (1,711 minutes total). The cheapest observed nonstop was $186 on American for July 3, 2026. On this route, paying more for a nonstop may be worth the time savings.
San Francisco to New York
SFO to JFK observations ranged from $121 to $315. The $121 fare was a Frontier connection with a 632-minute duration. The cheapest observed nonstop was $171 on Alaska for July 4, 2026. Similar to DFW-JFK, the lowest fares came with significant connection time.
Seattle to Las Vegas
SEA to LAS observations ranged from $95 to $196. The $95 fare was a Frontier nonstop with a 161-minute duration for August 1, 2026. Alaska also appeared with a $109 nonstop. This shorter regional route showed strong nonstop availability at lower price points.
Chicago ORD to Florida routes (FLL and MIA) showed the most sub-$100 one-way fare observations. For cross-country routes, expect to pay $120-$180 for competitive nonstop fares.
Hidden Costs That Can Kill Your One-Way Savings
A low base fare means nothing if fees push your total cost above a more inclusive ticket. Ultra-low-cost carriers frequently appeared in the lowest fare observations, but these airlines typically charge separately for services other carriers include.
Baggage Fees
Carry-on bag fees are common on ultra-low-cost carriers. Frontier appeared frequently in the lowest observations, but readers should verify current baggage policies on the Frontier website before booking. Checked bag fees vary by airline and can differ based on whether you pay at booking, at check-in, or at the gate. For a broader comparison, see our guide to airline baggage fees comparison.
Seat Selection Fees
Basic economy and ultra-low-cost fares often assign seats at check-in. If you want to choose your seat or sit with a travel companion, expect an additional charge. Check airline websites for current seat selection pricing on your specific route.
Change and Cancellation Fees
Policies vary significantly by airline and fare class. Some carriers have eliminated change fees on most fares; others have not. Basic economy fares typically have the most restrictive policies. Review the fare rules before booking, especially for one-way tickets where you might need flexibility on timing.
How to Calculate True Cost
Before booking any one-way fare, add up the base fare plus any bags you will bring plus any seat selection you require. Compare that total against airlines with higher base fares but included amenities. A $47 fare with fees can easily exceed a $120 fare that includes a carry-on and seat selection.
When One-Way Flights Make the Most Sense
One-way booking is not always the right choice, but certain travel scenarios strongly favor it.
Relocations: Moving to a new city means you do not need a return ticket. One-way is the obvious choice, and major hub origins like ORD, ATL, JFK, and DFW in the observed data offer flexibility for these trips.
One-way road trips: Flying to a starting point, then driving back (or vice versa) is a classic American road trip structure. A one-way flight to Las Vegas, followed by a drive through national parks back home, makes more sense than a round trip with an unused return leg.
Cruise embarkation or disembarkation: Cruises that start in one port and end in another require one-way flights on at least one end. This is common for repositioning cruises or itineraries that follow coastlines.
Visiting family with uncertain return: When you are not sure how long you will stay, booking a one-way outbound and deciding on the return later avoids change fees and locked-in dates. You can watch for last-minute flight deals for your return once you know your schedule.
Testing a destination: Thinking about a longer stay or potential move? A one-way ticket lets you extend if you love it without the pressure of a return booking.
Combining with positioning flights: If a much cheaper fare exists from a nearby hub, a short one-way positioning flight plus your main one-way departure can beat a direct departure from your home airport.
Frequently Asked Questions About One-Way Flight Deals
Are one-way flights more expensive than round trip?
Not necessarily. Domestic US airlines have largely moved away from pricing models that penalize one-way bookings. Whether one-way costs more depends on your specific route, airline, and travel dates. The only way to know is to search both options and compare total costs including any fees.
What is the cheapest one-way flight from the US?
The lowest one-way fare greenspicks observed on 2026-06-28 was $47 from Chicago ORD to Fort Lauderdale FLL on Frontier. This was a nonstop flight with a 197-minute duration for travel on July 21, 2026. Fares change constantly, so verify current prices before booking.
Which airlines have cheap one-way fares?
In the observations greenspicks pulled on 2026-06-28, airlines appearing in low-fare results included Frontier, United, American, JetBlue, Alaska, Sun Country, and Southwest. Each airline prices routes differently, so compare multiple carriers for your specific origin and destination.
When should I book one-way vs round trip?
Book one-way when you have an open-jaw itinerary, uncertain return dates, want to mix carriers for the best price in each direction, or are relocating. Book round trip when the bundled price clearly beats two one-ways and you have fixed travel dates. Always compare both options.
Do budget airlines charge more for one-way?
Budget carriers typically price one-way fares competitively and often do not require round-trip booking for the best rates. However, their base fares exclude amenities like bags and seat selection. Calculate total cost including fees to compare accurately against carriers with higher base fares but included services.
Can I find one-way flights under $100?
Yes. greenspicks observed multiple sub-$100 one-way fares on 2026-06-28, including $47 ORD-FLL, $85 ORD-MIA, $86 ORD-MIA, and $95 SEA-LAS. Hub-to-Florida and shorter regional routes showed the most sub-$100 observations. Availability varies by date and sells out quickly.
How We Researched These Prices
Our editorial team reviews flight routes, nearby airport pairs, airline options, fare patterns, booking-source data, transport choices, and destination-specific travel context before publishing each guide. For this article, greenspicks used the Travelpayouts /aviasales/v3/prices_for_dates API to pull cached one-way fare observations. We searched 17 routes, and all 17 returned data. Data was retrieved on 2026-06-28. All prices shown are one-way fares in USD.
Limitations: This data does not cover optimal booking windows, seasonal averages, historical price trends, or guaranteed future prices. Baggage fee amounts are not included; readers should check airline websites for current fee schedules. Fares are cached observations from Travelpayouts, not live quotes. Prices change frequently. Verify all fares before booking.