domestic · 2h 15m · 1,150 km
El Paso to Los Angeles
2 airlines · 2 aircraft ranked
In economy, Southwest's Economy (open seating) (737-800) edges out the field with a 3.9/10.American is the only carrier offering first class on this route, scoring 2.5/10.
Quick pick
Fly Southwest. It has 2 more inches of legroom.
If prices are similar, go with this one.
Select two airlines to compare head-to-head
Data verified June 2026
Find your flight
New routes and airlines added regularly. One short email when we do.
Airlines on this route
Flying with family
- No seatback screens on this route. Download movies to a tablet before your flight.
- Most legroom: Southwest (32"). Least: American (30"). That 2" difference matters with kids.
Route insights
- In economy, Southwest's Economy (open seating) (737-800) edges out the field with a 3.9/10.
- American is the only carrier offering first class on this route, scoring 2.5/10.
Frequently asked
Which is better in economy: American or Southwest on ELP-LAX?
Main Cabin (American Airlines, A321neo) and Economy (open seating) (Southwest Airlines, 737-800) score virtually the same in economy: 3.7 vs 3.9/10. The biggest gap is legroom — 32" of pitch vs 30" — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.
What are the best seats in American First Class on ELP-LAX?
Best: Row 1A and 1L are farthest from the galley and offer the most privacy. All seats have direct aisle access in the 1-1 layout. Avoid: Row 5 is closest to the business class cabin and may experience some noise from the galley area between cabins. Only 10 suites total on this narrowbody. The 1-1 configuration is unique for a single-aisle aircraft. Sliding doors on all suites. This fleet is being phased out as the A321XLR enters service.
What are the best seats in American Main Cabin on ELP-LAX?
Best: Rows 11-16 are designated Main Cabin Extra with 35 inches of pitch. Row 11 bulkhead has the most legroom. Exit row offers additional space. Avoid: Last row (22) has limited recline and is near the rear lavatory. Middle seats (B and E) are least desirable. Half of the economy cabin (36 seats) is Main Cabin Extra with additional pitch. Seatback IFE screens with live TV in all economy seats. Only 72 economy seats total, making this a very premium-heavy narrowbody configuration. Exit row seats on the A320/A321 family offer extra legroom but do not recline. The row immediately before the exit also has limited recline due to clearance requirements.
What are the best seats in Southwest Economy (open seating) on ELP-LAX?
Best: 16A and 16F have the most legroom (no seat in front, behind exit row). Row 12 exit row seats also have extra legroom. Avoid: Last row (row 29) is narrower, restricted recline, near galley/lavatory noise. Seats 10A, 11A, 11F lack windows. Single-class cabin. Assigned seating launched Jan 2026. Extra legroom rows at front have ~34 inch pitch. Older 737-800s lack power outlets; newer retrofits have USB-A and USB-C in seatbacks. Streaming entertainment via personal devices only. Exit row seats on the 737 offer extra legroom but do not recline. The row immediately before the exit also has limited recline due to clearance requirements.