Book Flights to Ontario, California
Ontario International Airport (ONT) serves the Inland Empire -- San Bernardino and Riverside counties, 35 miles east of Los Angeles. ONT offers systematically lower fares than LAX, with Southwest as the dominant carrier keeping prices competitive. The airport provides easy access to Ontario Mills, Temecula Wine Country, the San Bernardino Mountains, and Joshua Tree National Park.
FareOptic compares all carriers at ONT to find the cheapest fare -- and remember that Southwest (ONT's largest airline) only appears on Southwest.com, not Google Flights.
Cheap Flight Deals to Ontario CA (ONT)
*All above fares are one way/round trip. Fares incl. all fuel surcharges, taxes & fees and our service fees. Displayed fares are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking. See all booking terms and conditions.
Recommended for your next trip
Based on popular routes and current airfare deals
Why Fly Into Ontario, California?
Inland Empire logistics hub, Temecula Wine Country, Mt. Baldy, Joshua Tree, Ontario Mills, and easy access to Palm Springs and San Bernardino Mountains
The Inland Empire -- Southern California's Logistics and Warehouse Capital
500M sq ft of Warehouse Space -- The Engine of West Coast Supply ChainsThe Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside counties, east of Los Angeles) is one of the most economically significant and least touristically known regions in the United States: it contains over 500 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space -- more than any comparable region in the country -- making it the backbone of West Coast supply chains for Amazon, Walmart, Target, and virtually every major retailer. Ontario International Airport sits at the center of this logistics ecosystem, making ONT one of America's fastest-growing cargo airports.
Why the Inland Empire Has More Warehouses Than Any Other US Region
The Inland Empire's warehouse dominance is structural: land costs are 60-70% lower than coastal Los Angeles while still being within 60 miles of the LA/Long Beach port complex (the largest port complex in the US). The I-10 and I-15 freeway corridors through Ontario and San Bernardino provide efficient distribution to the Southwest, while the Cajon Pass provides access to Las Vegas and the Mountain West. Rail connections through the BNSF and Union Pacific mainlines make the Inland Empire the natural inland extension of the port's supply chain. The region's relatively lower housing costs also attracted the large labor force needed for warehouse operations, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of logistics development since the 1990s.
Victoria Gardens and the Ontario Mills Mall
Rancho Cucamonga's Open-Air Town Center and the West's Largest Outlet MallVictoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga (10 miles west of ONT airport) is one of the most successful open-air lifestyle centers in the United States: a designed Main Street-style retail and entertainment district with anchor stores, independent restaurants, a performing arts center (Lewis Family Playhouse), and an AMC theater. Ontario Mills (adjacent to ONT airport) is the largest outlet and value-retail mall in California and one of the largest in the Western US, with 200+ stores including premium outlet brands at 20-65% below retail.
The Inland Empire's New Identity -- Beyond the Warehouse Economy
The Inland Empire has historically been defined by its warehouse economy and suburban sprawl, but the region has been developing a new identity since the 2010s. Wine Country Temecula (45 miles south of Ontario) -- with over 50 wineries in the Santa Margarita Valley -- has become Southern California's primary wine tourism destination. The arts scene in Redlands (20 miles east of ONT) and the University of Redlands (1907, a liberal arts institution with strong music and environmental programs) provide cultural anchors. And the San Bernardino Mountains -- Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead -- offer year-round recreation within 60-90 minutes of the airport.
Mount San Antonio (Mt. Baldy) and the San Gabriel Mountains
10,064 Feet -- Los Angeles County's Highest Peak, 30 Miles from ONTMount San Antonio (Mt. Baldy) -- 10,064 feet, Los Angeles County's highest peak -- is 30 miles northwest of Ontario airport, accessible via the Mt. Baldy Road from the I-10/Euclid Avenue corridor. The Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts operate November-April; summer and fall hiking on the Backbone Trail and the Telegraph Peak route are accessible without a ski lift ticket. The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument (designated 2014) encompasses most of the range visible from ONT and offers exceptional backcountry wilderness within 45 minutes of one of the most urbanized regions on Earth.
The Angeles National Forest -- Urban Wilderness at the Edge of LA
The Angeles National Forest -- 694,000 acres in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains directly north of the LA Basin -- is the most visited national forest in the United States by some measures (40 million visitors annually), because it is accessible from one of the world's largest urban areas with minimal driving time. From Ontario, the forest boundary is 20-25 miles north. The forest offers year-round recreation: skiing (Mt. Baldy, Mountain High), hiking, rock climbing (Tahquitz Rock, Suicide Rock), camping, and in winter months, snow play at every accessible mountain pass. The juxtaposition of heavy industrial logistics in the valley and genuine wilderness in the mountains visible from everywhere in the Inland Empire is one of Southern California's defining geographic contrasts.
Temecula Wine Country and Old Town
Southern California's Wine Valley -- 50+ Wineries 45 Miles South of ONTTemecula Wine Country -- in the Santa Margarita Valley of southwestern Riverside County, 45 miles south of Ontario airport via I-15 -- is California's southernmost major wine appellation: over 50 wineries concentrated in a 10-mile valley, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rhône varieties well-suited to the valley's maritime-influenced microclimate (cool nights from the Rainbow Gap, which funnels Pacific air from the ocean 25 miles west). Temecula's Old Town (1 mile west of the wine road) is a restored Western commercial district with boutiques, antique stores, and restaurants on wood-plank boardwalks.
Why Temecula Wine Country Exists -- The Rainbow Gap Microclimate
Temecula wine country exists because of a specific geographic feature: the Rainbow Gap -- a low notch in the coastal mountains 25 miles west of Temecula at 1,450 feet elevation -- allows cool Pacific marine air to flow into the Santa Margarita Valley each afternoon. This creates an unusual microclimate for a valley at 33°N latitude in Southern California: afternoon cooling that can drop temperatures 30°F from afternoon peaks, preventing the heat accumulation that makes wine grape growing difficult in most of the Inland Empire. The region's wineries have operated since the 1960s but expanded dramatically after 2000, when improved viticulture and a growing Southern California wine tourism market created commercial viability.
How to Find Cheap Flights to Ontario CA
ONT Fares Are 15-25% Lower Than LAX -- Check ONT First for Inland Empire Travel
Ontario International Airport consistently offers lower fares than LAX for the same travel dates, driven by Southwest's dominant position at ONT. If your destination in Southern California is the Inland Empire, San Bernardino, Riverside, or even Temecula, ONT saves significant money on both airfare and ground transportation (no 90-minute LAX freeway slog). Even for visitors to Disneyland (40 miles west) or Palm Springs (60 miles east), ONT is worth comparing.
Southwest Is ONT's Largest Carrier -- Always Check Southwest.com
Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier at ONT and does not appear on Google Flights or most booking aggregators. Always check Southwest.com directly when searching ONT fares -- the cheapest option to Ontario is frequently a Southwest nonstop that simply isn't visible in standard search results.
LAX-to-ONT Ground Transport Is 50-90 Minutes -- Factor This In
If you land at LAX and need to reach the Inland Empire (Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Riverside), the drive is 50-90 minutes on the I-10 East depending on traffic. Flying directly into ONT eliminates this entirely. Ontario International is 5 miles from downtown Ontario and has uncongested traffic that LAX never offers.
Visit in Spring or Fall -- Avoid Summer Heat in the Inland Empire
The Inland Empire experiences extreme summer heat: July-August temperatures regularly reach 100-108°F (38-42°C) in Ontario and San Bernardino. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer ideal temperatures (65-85°F / 18-29°C). If visiting Temecula wine country, spring and fall are also optimal for vineyard touring.
Airlines Flying to Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Southwest Airlines
ONT's Dominant Carrier -- West Coast and Sun Belt Value FaresSouthwest Airlines is the largest carrier at Ontario International Airport (ONT), with high-frequency nonstops from Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN), Phoenix (PHX), San Francisco Bay Area (OAK/SJC), Portland (PDX), and Seattle (SEA). Southwest's dominance at ONT -- similar to its role at Oakland -- keeps fares structurally lower than nearby LAX, making Ontario a genuine value alternative for Inland Empire travelers. Southwest's no-change-fee policy and two free bags are particularly practical for the warehouse industry workers and logistics professionals who drive much of ONT's demand.
Key Routes
LAS to ONT (45 min nonstop); DEN to ONT (2h nonstop); PHX to ONT (1h nonstop); OAK to ONT (1h nonstop); SEA to ONT (2h 30m nonstop); PDX to ONT (2h nonstop)
Alaska Airlines
Pacific Northwest Hub -- Seattle and Portland Routes to ONTAlaska Airlines serves Ontario International from Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) and Portland (PDX), providing Pacific Northwest travelers with a direct alternative to the LAX congestion for destinations in the Inland Empire. Alaska's Mileage Plan loyalty program -- consistently rated #1 for redemption value -- makes it popular with frequent flyers from Seattle and Portland traveling to Southern California for business or leisure.
Key Routes
SEA to ONT (2h 30m nonstop); PDX to ONT (2h nonstop)
American Airlines
DFW and PHX Hubs -- National Network Access via OntarioAmerican Airlines connects Ontario to its Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Phoenix (PHX) hubs, providing access to American's national and international network for Inland Empire travelers who prefer ONT's lower congestion over LAX. DFW-ONT is particularly popular with business travelers connecting through American's hub to cities in the South and Southeast, while PHX-ONT serves the significant Phoenix-Inland Empire corridor demand.
Key Routes
DFW to ONT (2h 30m nonstop); PHX to ONT (1h nonstop)
United Airlines
San Francisco and Denver Hubs -- Star Alliance Gateway for ONTUnited Airlines serves Ontario International from San Francisco (SFO) and Denver (DEN), providing Star Alliance international connections for Inland Empire travelers through United's SFO hub. The SFO-ONT route is one of United's shortest California routes, offering a quick alternative to the San Francisco-to-LAX connector. United's DEN hub provides connections to Chicago, the East Coast, and internationally for ONT travelers who need the Star Alliance network.
Key Routes
SFO to ONT (1h nonstop); DEN to ONT (2h nonstop); ORD to ONT (3h 30m nonstop
Things to Do Near Ontario, California
Essential Info for Your Ontario CA Trip
State
California (CA)
Airport Code
ONT — Ontario International Airport
Currency
USD — US Dollar
Time Zone
PST (UTC-8) / PDT (UTC-7) in summer
Region
Inland Empire (San Bernardino + Riverside counties), 35 miles east of LA
Top Day Trips
Temecula Wine Country (45 min), Joshua Tree NP (90 min), Big Bear Lake (1h), Palm Springs (1h), Disneyland (45 min), San Diego (1h 30m)
Summer Heat
July-Aug peaks 100-108°F (38-42°C). Best to visit March-May and Sept-Nov.
Emergency Number
911
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Flights to Ontario CA
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Ontario, California (ONT)
What airport is Ontario CA?
Ontario International Airport (IATA: ONT) serves Ontario, California and the broader Inland Empire region (San Bernardino and Riverside counties). The airport is located 5 miles (8 km) west of downtown Ontario and approximately 35 miles (56 km) east of downtown Los Angeles. Airlines serving ONT include Southwest (largest carrier), Alaska, American, United, and Delta. ONT is significantly less congested than LAX and typically offers lower fares for Inland Empire-bound travelers.
Is Ontario airport cheaper than LAX?
Yes -- Ontario International (ONT) typically offers fares 15-25% lower than LAX for the same origin and travel dates, primarily because Southwest Airlines dominates ONT and drives fare competition. For travelers whose destination is the Inland Empire, Riverside County, or the Palm Springs area, ONT is also far more convenient than LAX (30-35 miles closer and no freeway congestion). Southwest doesn't appear on Google Flights, so always check Southwest.com directly to see ONT's full fare range.
How far is Ontario airport from Los Angeles?
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is approximately 35 miles (56 km) east of downtown Los Angeles -- about 50-90 minutes by car via the I-10 East, depending on traffic. The I-10 through the San Gabriel Valley is one of the most congested freeways in the US during peak hours (7-10am and 4-7pm westbound; reversed eastbound). Disneyland in Anaheim is approximately 40 miles west of ONT -- about 45-60 minutes via I-10 West to CA-57 South in normal traffic.
What is the Inland Empire known for?
The Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside counties) is known primarily as Southern California's logistics and warehouse hub -- it contains over 500 million square feet of distribution space, more than any comparable US region -- serving as the inland extension of the LA/Long Beach port complex. The region is also known for Temecula Wine Country (50+ wineries, 45 miles south of Ontario), Ontario Mills (one of the West's largest outlet malls), proximity to the San Bernardino Mountains (Big Bear Lake, Mt. Baldy), and Joshua Tree National Park (90 minutes east).
24/7 Post-Flight Booking Assistance
With our 24/7 Post-Flight Booking Assistance, you will never have to manage travel challenges alone. Our highly trained travel experts are available day and night to support you with any changes, cancellations, or additional services you may require. From updating passenger details to securing special requests, we make the process smooth and stress-free.
Should your plans shift, we will walk you through every step of the cancellation and refund process, ensuring clarity and timely resolutions. In today's unpredictable travel environment, flexibility is essential, and we pride ourselves on delivering expert solutions quickly. Contact us anytime and travel with confidence knowing we will handle the details while you focus on what matters most — your journey.