What is the cheapest airline that flies from California to Chennai?

Air India, Qatar Airways, and Lufthansa are the most popular carriers operating from California to Chennai

How long does it take to fly to Chennai?

Flight times vary depending on what airport in California you fly out of and what airport in Chennai you fly into. For example, flying from San Francisco to Chennai takes 21h 05m on average. On the other hand, flying from Los Angeles to Chennai takes 21h 50m on average. Keep in mind that it’s always quicker to opt for a non-stop flight, so be sure to check momondo if there are any available for your route.

What airlines fly to Chennai?

Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways are the top three most popular airlines that fly to Chennai from California according to our data. Cathay Pacific is the first choice among our users, with 36% of people opting to fly with this airline when traveling to Chennai. Keep in mind that there are 10 different airlines that fly to Chennai on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

When did momondo last update prices for flights from California to Chennai Airport?

Prices for flights from California to Chennai Airport are refreshed on a daily basis.

How many operators does momondo search for flights from California to Chennai Airport?

As of August 2026, there are 10 operators available to choose from for flights from California to Chennai Airport.

How old do you have to be to fly from California to Chennai Airport?

The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and layovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from California to Chennai Airport.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chennai Airport?

The travel and health documents required for your trip to Chennai Airport can vary based on your itinerary and personal situation. As a rule, consider having multiple documents such as a national ID card or driver’s license, and a passport valid for six-months after you plan to arrive at Chennai Airport. We always recommend checking with your airline or a trusted third party such as IATA to get advice.

$485 Cheap Flights from California to Chennai in 2026

Discover deals from 900+ travel sites with momondo.

Find the cheapest flights from California to Chennai

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Cheap round-trip flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

10:30 am - 12:45 amSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

25h 45m2 stops Kolkata Netaji S. Chandra New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl

6:00 am - 3:35 pmMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

22h 05m1 stop New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl

$930Air India

Sun, Sep 20 - Thu, Oct 8

10:30 am - 12:45 pmSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

37h 45m2 stops Kolkata Netaji S. Chandra New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl

6:55 am - 7:00 amMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

36h 35m2 stops New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl Kolkata Netaji S. Chandra

$930Air India

Tue, Aug 18 - Tue, Sep 22

3:00 pm - 2:20 amSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

21h 50m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl

4:05 am - 12:40 pmMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

22h 05m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl

$958Qatar Airways

Tue, Nov 10 - Mon, Nov 16

3:00 pm - 2:20 amSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

21h 50m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl

4:05 am - 12:40 pmMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

22h 05m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl

$958Qatar Airways

Mon, Nov 9 - Mon, Nov 16

9:40 am - 8:45 amSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

33h 35m1 stop Singapore Changi

9:50 am - 7:50 amMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

35h 30m1 stop Singapore Changi

$963Singapore Airlines

Sat, Nov 7 - Mon, Nov 23

8:55 pm - 12:45 amSAN San Diego-MAA Chennai

39h 20m3 stops San Francisco Kolkata Netaji S. Chandra New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl

4:20 pm - 12:54 pmMAA Chennai-SAN San Diego

34h 04m2 stops New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl

$975Multiple Airlines

Thu, Oct 8 - Tue, Nov 10

2:33 pm - 8:40 amSAN San Diego-MAA Chennai

29h 37m3 stops San Francisco Kolkata Netaji S. Chandra New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl

6:00 am - 6:42 pmMAA Chennai-SAN San Diego

26h 12m2 stops New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl San Francisco

$975Multiple Airlines

Tue, Oct 6 - Tue, Nov 10

11:45 am - 10:00 pmSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

21h 45m1 stop Singapore Changi

11:25 pm - 8:50 amMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

45h 55m1 stop Singapore Changi

$981Singapore Airlines

Thu, Sep 24 - Sun, Oct 25

4:40 pm - 8:05 amSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

26h 55m1 stop Dubai Intl

9:50 am - 2:00 pmMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

40h 40m1 stop Dubai Intl

$1,002Emirates

Wed, Sep 9 - Mon, Sep 21

5:00 pm - 8:05 amSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

26h 35m1 stop Dubai Intl

10:05 pm - 2:00 pmMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

28h 25m1 stop Dubai Intl

$1,002Emirates

Mon, Aug 24 - Mon, Sep 28

Cheap last minute flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

10:30 am - 8:40 amSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

33h 40m1 stop New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl

9:50 am - 7:00 amMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

33h 40m1 stop New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl

$994Air India

Sat, Aug 8 - Wed, Sep 2

10:30 am - 10:20 pmSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

47h 20m1 stop New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl

6:00 am - 5:45 pmMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

24h 15m1 stop New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl

$1,063Air India

Sat, Aug 8 - Thu, Sep 3

6:00 am - 8:50 pmLAX Los Angeles-MAA Chennai

26h 20m2 stops Chicago O'Hare Intl Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl

9:55 pm - 12:52 amMAA Chennai-LAX Los Angeles

39h 27m2 stops Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl

$1,067Multiple Airlines

Wed, Aug 12 - Fri, Sep 11

7:15 am - 6:00 amLAX Los Angeles-MAA Chennai

34h 15m3 stops San Francisco Kolkata Netaji S. Chandra New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl

2:00 pm - 5:12 pmMAA Chennai-LAX Los Angeles

39h 42m3 stops New Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl Kolkata Netaji S. Chandra San Francisco

$1,069Multiple Airlines

Sat, Aug 8 - Wed, Sep 16

10:25 pm - 2:50 amLAX Los Angeles-MAA Chennai

39h 55m2 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl

10:15 am - 6:19 pmMAA Chennai-LAX Los Angeles

44h 34m2 stops Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl

$1,080Etihad Airways

Tue, Aug 11 - Tue, Sep 22

6:00 am - 3:05 amLAX Los Angeles-MAA Chennai

32h 35m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl Doha Hamad Intl

4:20 am - 2:00 pmMAA Chennai-LAX Los Angeles

22h 10m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl

$1,157Qatar Airways

Tue, Aug 11 - Tue, Sep 22

7:00 am - 3:05 amLAX Los Angeles-MAA Chennai

31h 35m2 stops Seattle/Tacoma Intl Doha Hamad Intl

4:20 am - 2:00 pmMAA Chennai-LAX Los Angeles

22h 10m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl

$1,157Qatar Airways

Wed, Aug 12 - Thu, Sep 24

12:25 am - 11:35 pmLAX Los Angeles-MAA Chennai

34h 40m1 stop Hong Kong Intl

12:50 am - 10:35 pmMAA Chennai-LAX Los Angeles

34h 15m1 stop Hong Kong Intl

$1,178Cathay Pacific

Sun, Aug 9 - Mon, Aug 31

1:20 am - 11:35 pmSFO San Francisco-MAA Chennai

33h 45m1 stop Hong Kong Intl

12:50 am - 11:15 pmMAA Chennai-SFO San Francisco

34h 55m1 stop Hong Kong Intl

$1,217Cathay Pacific

Mon, Aug 10 - Tue, Sep 1

4:40 pm - 3:00 amLAX Los Angeles-MAA Chennai

21h 50m1 stop Dubai Intl

4:05 am - 2:15 pmMAA Chennai-LAX Los Angeles

22h 40m1 stop Dubai Intl

$1,241Emirates

Wed, Aug 12 - Wed, Sep 23

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Air India flights from California to Chennai

Our best Air India deals on California to Chennai flight tickets

Air India

Sep 20

SFO10:30 amSan Francisco

25h 45m

2 stops

MAA12:45 amChennai

Oct 8

MAA6:00 amChennai

22h 05m

1 stop

SFO3:35 pmSan Francisco

$930

Air India

Sep 4

SFO10:30 amSan Francisco

40h 10m

2 stops

MAA3:10 pmChennai

Sep 23

MAA4:20 pmChennai

27h 10m

2 stops

SFO7:00 amSan Francisco

$935

Air India

Sep 2

SFO10:30 amSan Francisco

25h 45m

2 stops

MAA12:45 amChennai

Sep 10

MAA4:20 pmChennai

27h 10m

2 stops

SFO7:00 amSan Francisco

$936

Qatar Airways flights from California to Chennai

Our best Qatar Airways deals on California to Chennai flight tickets

Qatar Airways

Nov 10

SFO3:00 pmSan Francisco

21h 50m

1 stop

MAA2:20 amChennai

Nov 18

MAA3:25 amChennai

22h 45m

1 stop

SFO12:40 pmSan Francisco

$958

Qatar Airways

Sep 15

SFO3:55 pmSan Francisco

22h 15m

1 stop

MAA2:40 amChennai

Oct 5

MAA4:20 amChennai

21h 45m

1 stop

SFO1:35 pmSan Francisco

$963

Qatar Airways

Sep 15

SFO3:55 pmSan Francisco

22h 15m

1 stop

MAA2:40 amChennai

Oct 10

MAA4:20 amChennai

21h 45m

1 stop

SFO1:35 pmSan Francisco

$1,001

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

San FranciscoChennai

SFO San Francisco - MAA Chennai

SFOMAA

San Francisco

Sun 9/20

10:30 am-12:45 am

2 stops25h 45m

Chennai

Thu 10/8

6:00 am-3:35 pm

1 stop22h 05m

$930

San FranciscoChennai

SFO San Francisco - MAA Chennai

SFOMAA

San Francisco

Tue 8/18

10:30 am-12:45 pm

2 stops37h 45m

Chennai

Tue 9/22

6:55 am-7:00 am

2 stops36h 35m

$930

Quickest round-trip

San FranciscoChennai

SFO San Francisco - MAA Chennai

SFOMAA

San Francisco

Tue 11/10

3:00 pm-2:20 am

1 stop21h 50m

Chennai

Mon 11/16

4:05 am-12:40 pm

1 stop22h 05m

$958

San FranciscoChennai

SFO San Francisco - MAA Chennai

SFOMAA

San Francisco

Mon 11/9

3:00 pm-2:20 am

1 stop21h 50m

Chennai

Mon 11/16

4:05 am-12:40 pm

1 stop22h 05m

$958

San FranciscoChennai

SFO San Francisco - MAA Chennai

SFOMAA

San Francisco

Sat 11/7

9:40 am-8:45 am

1 stop33h 35m

Chennai

Mon 11/23

9:50 am-7:50 am

1 stop35h 30m

$963

San DiegoChennai

SAN San Diego - MAA Chennai

SANMAA

San Diego

Thu 10/8

8:55 pm-12:45 am

3 stops39h 20m

Chennai

Tue 11/10

4:20 pm-12:54 pm

2 stops34h 04m

$975

San DiegoChennai

SAN San Diego - MAA Chennai

SANMAA

San Diego

Tue 10/6

2:33 pm-8:40 am

3 stops29h 37m

Chennai

Tue 11/10

6:00 am-6:42 pm

2 stops26h 12m

$975

San FranciscoChennai

SFO San Francisco - MAA Chennai

SFOMAA

San Francisco

Thu 9/24

11:45 am-10:00 pm

1 stop21h 45m

Chennai

Sun 10/25

11:25 pm-8:50 am

1 stop45h 55m

$981

San FranciscoChennai

SFO San Francisco - MAA Chennai

SFOMAA

San Francisco

Wed 9/9

4:40 pm-8:05 am

1 stop26h 55m

Chennai

Mon 9/21

9:50 am-2:00 pm

1 stop40h 40m

$1,002

San FranciscoChennai

SFO San Francisco - MAA Chennai

SFOMAA

San Francisco

Mon 8/24

5:00 pm-8:05 am

1 stop26h 35m

Chennai

Mon 9/28

10:05 pm-2:00 pm

1 stop28h 25m

$1,002

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Showing 1-10 of 20 resultsSorted by cheapest first

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from California to Chennai

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

Prices

Airlines

Other information

What is the cheapest month to fly to Chennai?

In general, September is the cheapest month to fly from California to Chennai. Due to it being the ‘off-season’ during this time, you can expect flight prices to be around $932. If you’re not able to fly to Chennai in September, then October is your next best option. Flight prices from California to Chennai during October average around $946.

How far in advance should I book a flight from California to Chennai?

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Chennai from California when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Chennai for around $1,190 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Chennai from California for as low as $970 on momondo.

Can stopping save me money on California to Chennai flights?

You could potentially save up to 2% on your flight if you consider stops on a California to Chennai flight.

Cheap California to Chennai flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from California to Chennai

Fastest flight time	21h 05m
Direct flights	None

The fastest flight from California to Chennai takes 21h 05m

There are no direct flights from California to Chennai. There are no popular flight routes from California to Chennai.

Search flight deals

Frequently asked questions about flying from California to Chennai

When did momondo last update prices for flights from California to Chennai Airport?
Prices for flights from California to Chennai Airport are refreshed on a daily basis.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from California to Chennai Airport?
As of August 2026, there are 10 operators available to choose from for flights from California to Chennai Airport.
How old do you have to be to fly from California to Chennai Airport?
The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and layovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from California to Chennai Airport.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Chennai Airport?
The travel and health documents required for your trip to Chennai Airport can vary based on your itinerary and personal situation. As a rule, consider having multiple documents such as a national ID card or driver’s license, and a passport valid for six-months after you plan to arrive at Chennai Airport. We always recommend checking with your airline or a trusted third party such as IATA to get advice.

Best airlines flying from California to Chennai

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from California to Chennai with momondo

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Singapore Airlines	PriceFrom $627	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.2 1,583 reviews	Search Singapore Airlines flights
SWISS	PriceFrom $631	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.5 2,028 reviews	Search SWISS flights
Virgin Atlantic	PriceFrom $656	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.5 694 reviews	Search Virgin Atlantic flights
Air India	PriceFrom $682	Free Cancellation	Rating 5.5 2,952 reviews	Search Air India flights
Cathay Pacific	PriceFrom $691	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.6 1,439 reviews	Search Cathay Pacific flights
British Airways	PriceFrom $810	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.7 8,150 reviews	Search British Airways flights
Lufthansa	PriceFrom $820	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.8 8,178 reviews	Search Lufthansa flights
Qatar Airways	PriceFrom $952	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 3,740 reviews	Search Qatar Airways flights
Emirates	PriceFrom $955	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.1 3,648 reviews	Search Emirates flights
Etihad Airways	PriceFrom $967	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.3 1,498 reviews	Search Etihad Airways flights

Mahabalipuram

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Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from California to Chennai?

Finding the right flight to Chennai from California is quick and easy when you have a range of options in front of you, from reputable agents and recognisable airlines. Options that can then be filtered down to find the best fit. That is what momondo does. We make finding flights to Chennai quick and easy, saving you time and money.

Can I find flights from California to Chennai with flexible booking policies on momondo?

momondo does allow users to show only those flights to Chennai from California which offer a flexible booking policy as well as other useful filters and features.

How can momondo help me find flights from California to Chennai?

momondo provides multiple filters to help you find the best flight to Chennai from California. Filter by price, airline, airports, cabin, aircraft, payment method, number of stops and more.

I’m not ready to book a flight from California to Chennai right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

Yes. momondo can track prices for California to Chennai flights and alert you when they change. Perform a search to set up the price alert. All that is required is a valid email address.

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Cheap flights from California to Chennai from $491

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from California to Chennai departing on 9/24. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

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Air India flights from California to Chennai

Our best Air India deals on California to Chennai flight tickets

Qatar Airways flights from California to Chennai

Our best Qatar Airways deals on California to Chennai flight tickets

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See travel insights to Chennai from

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from California to Chennai

What is the cheapest month to fly to Chennai?

How far in advance should I book a flight from California to Chennai?

Can stopping save me money on California to Chennai flights?

What is the cheapest airline that flies from California to Chennai?

What airlines fly to Chennai?

How long does it take to fly to Chennai?

Cheap California to Chennai flight deals and tips

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Frequently asked questions about flying from California to Chennai

Best airlines flying from California to Chennai

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from California to Chennai with momondo

Traveling to a place near Chennai?

Why use momondo?

An easier way to manage your Chennai trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organize and travel with friends or family. Trips is free — and available to use no matter where you book.

Get notified when prices go down

Daily price changes in your inbox - only with Price Alerts.

Find better results for your trip to India

Airports servicing Tamil Nadu

Fly your favorite airline to Chennai

Airlines are sorted and displayed according to clicks in the past 7 days on momondo

Cabin classes currently available on flights to Chennai

List of cabin classes available on flights landing in Chennai. Availability may vary depending on flight origin and airline.

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