How Many Hours to Fly from Los Angeles to Turkey?

If you’re planning a trip from Los Angeles to Turkey, one of the most common questions is “How long is the flight?”. The flying time from Los Angeles to Istanbul, Turkey is approximately 14 hours. However, the total travel duration can be longer when accounting for factors like airport layovers, delays, and transit time. In this article, we’ll break down the average flight times, routes, and other considerations when traveling from LAX to Turkey.

Overview of Flights from Los Angeles to Turkey

There are no direct flights from Los Angeles to Turkey. All routes have at least one stopover typically in Europe or the Middle East. The most common routes include

• Los Angeles to Istanbul with a layover in London, Paris, Frankfurt or Doha
• Los Angeles to Ankara with a layover in Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam or Abu Dhabi
• Los Angeles to Antalya with a stop in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Doha or Dubai

The average nonstop flight time from Los Angeles to Istanbul is around 14 hours However, total travel time will be longer when factoring in the layover, which can range from 1 to 12 hours depending on the connection

On average, travelers spend 20-25 total hours getting from Los Angeles to major airports in Turkey like Istanbul and Ankara. This number increases for southern destinations like Antalya It’s important to account for potential delays at layover airports when booking your trip.

Flight Duration Breakdown from LAX to Istanbul

To give you a better sense of the time spent in the air and on the ground, here’s a breakdown of a sample routing from Los Angeles to Istanbul with a stopover in Frankfurt:

• Los Angeles to Frankfurt: 11 hours
• Layover in Frankfurt: 2 hours
• Frankfurt to Istanbul: 3 hours
• Total Flight Time: 14 hours
• Total Travel Time: 20 hours

On this route, the total in-air travel time is approximately 14 hours. But the full trip duration is 20 hours when accounting for the 2 hour layover in Frankfurt. This demonstrates how total travel time can exceed just the flight hours.

Keep in mind this will vary based on airline, specific routing, and other factors. But it gives a general estimate of the time breakdown.

Average Flight Duration by Turkish Destination

Flight times can fluctuate depending on your specific destination in Turkey. Here are the average flight times from Los Angeles to some of the most popular cities:

• Los Angeles to Istanbul: 14 hours
• Los Angeles to Ankara: 15 hours
• Los Angeles to Antalya: 16 hours
• Los Angeles to Izmir: 15 hours
• Los Angeles to Bodrum: 16 hours
• Los Angeles to Dalaman: 16 hours

As you can see, destinations on the southern coast like Antalya and Bodrum have slightly longer flight times compared to Istanbul and Ankara in the north. This is due to the geography and location difference. But in most cases, you can expect a flight time in the 14-16 hour range.

Factors That Impact Total Travel Time

When estimating your total travel time from Los Angeles to Turkey, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

Number of Layovers: More layovers means more potential for delays and longer transit times between flights. Opting for a direct routing with one stop can help minimize total travel time.

Layover Duration: Some connections may require longer layovers of 6-12 hours. Shorter layovers around 1-3 hours will reduce your total time in transit.

Airport Transfers: At large airports, it can take 30-60 minutes to transfer between terminals. Budget time for airport transit on both ends.

Flight Delays: Pad your itinerary for potential flight delays, which occur frequently on international routes. This will help avoid missing connections.

Immigration & Customs: At some airports, clearing immigration and customs can take 1-2 hours. Factor this into your first port of entry.

Building in buffer time for each of these steps will help ensure you reach your destination on time when flying from Los Angeles to Turkey.

Tips for Minimizing Travel Time

If you want to optimize your route and reduce total travel duration, keep these tips in mind:

• Fly nonstop – Choose routes with no layovers whenever possible, as this avoids lengthy connections and potential delays.

• Prioritize short layovers – Stopovers under 2 hours will minimize the time spent on the ground.

• Fly into Istanbul – Flying into Istanbul typically has shorter flight times than other Turkish airports.

• Book daytime flights – Arriving and departing during the day reduces the chance of overnight delays.

• Allow extra time for connections – Leave room in your itinerary in case flights are delayed and you need to transfer.

• Clear customs/immigration at departure airport – Complete entry procedures before your last leg to avoid long lines upon arrival.

Finding the Best Flights from LAX to Turkey

The major airlines flying between Los Angeles and Turkey include Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, Air France, and American Airlines. Using flight search engines like Google Flights and Skyscanner can help compare routes across these carriers.

Some factors to consider when booking include:

• Number of stops and layover duration
• Reputation of airline for timeliness
• Time of day for arrivals and departures
• Connection times between flights
• Total trip duration from start to finish

Look for routings that minimize stops and connections. If booking a layover, prioritize airlines and airports known for punctuality and short transfer times.

If possible, book nonstop red-eye flights which allow you to sleep en route and maximize your time on the ground. Ultimately, the fastest routing may involve some trade-offs around price, airlines, and layover duration.

When to Book Flights for the Shortest Duration

It’s ideal to book international flights 3-6 months in advance for the widest selection of flight times and routes. Setting flight alerts can also help you snap up deals as they emerge.

If searching last minute, look for red-eye flights with overnight layovers which shorten the total travel time by letting you sleep between segments.

Pay attention to seasonal variations in flight duration too. Summer flights tend to be longer with more daylight flying hours. Winter flights are quicker with more red-eyes and tailwinds.

No matter when you book, give yourself flexibility around potential delays and minimum connections times when constructing your itinerary.

What About Stopovers?

Some travelers opt to extend the journey and spend a few days stopping over en route. This adds to your total travel time but gives you the chance to explore two destinations.

Popular stopover spots between Los Angeles and Turkey include:

• London or Paris (for a taste of Europe)
• Frankfurt, Munich or Zurich (for scenic German-speaking regions)
• Dubai (to experience luxury Middle Eastern culture)
• Doha (for a mix of old and new in Qatar)

Stopping over allows you to break up the long-haul flight. Just be aware it can also increase the chance of missed connections. Carefully review minimum layover times and be conservative when trip planning.

Traveling Eastwards and Jet Lag Considerations

One advantage of flying from LA to Turkey is you gain time traveling eastwards. However, the 9-11 hour time change can lead to jet lag upon arrival.

To minimize jet lag:

• Set your watch to Turkish time right away
• Try to sleep on eastbound red-eyes
• Avoid heavy meals before arrival
• Drink plenty of water and limit alcohol
• Get sunlight exposure right after arrival

The worst jet lag usually occurs traveling westbound from Turkey back to Los Angeles. So the eastward journey to Turkey is less disruptive from a time change perspective.

When planning travel from Los Angeles to Turkey, expect total flight times in the 14-16 hour range with at least one layover in Europe or the Middle East. Direct nonstop flights are not available. By carefully selecting routings and airlines with short connections, you can minimize the time spent on the ground during stopovers.

Several factors like delays, airport transfers, and jet lag can also impact your total door-to-door travel duration. Leaving room for potential schedule changes and flying at favorable times of day can help reduce the stress of long-distance travel.

Optimizing your route with the shortest segments, layovers, and well-timed flight schedules will get you from sunny LA to the exotic lands of Turkey smoothly and efficiently. With flexible planning and preparation, you’ll be admiring the Blue Mosque and spice markets of Istanbul before you know it!