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November brings major holiday events that can impact travel logistics for both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and New York (All Airports) (NYCA). In New York, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and often the NYC Marathon (early November, schedule variable) create road closures and surge demand for hotels and transfers. In the Bay Area, November features seasonal holiday markets, light displays in downtown San Francisco, and Napa harvest-related events that can increase local traffic to SFO. Travelers should book accommodations and airport transfers early and check transit advisories for event-related reroutes.
The best overall time to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to New York (All Airports) (NYCA) in November is mid-month on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday when fares and crowds are typically lower. Early-morning departures (before 9:00 AM PST) often have fewer delays and better connection reliability. Avoid flying on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after, as these are the busiest and most expensive travel days.
Nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to New York (All Airports) (NYCA) save several hours and reduce the chance of missed connections, which is particularly valuable during November's holiday window. Connecting itineraries may offer lower fares or better timing for off-peak days but introduce additional risk for delays, especially if weather affects either the Bay Area or East Coast. If convenience and reliability matter most, prioritize nonstop; if budget is primary and you have flexible timing, a single connection can be a suitable option.
United and Delta typically offer multiple daily nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to New York (All Airports) (NYCA) with broad schedules and robust loyalty perks. JetBlue often competes strongly on price and seat comfort (especially Mint premium cabin on select routes) while American provides consistent schedule coverage. Alaska may offer competitive pricing and strong service on select nonstop segments. For November travel, compare total trip cost including bags and seat selection; consider refundable or flexible fares if traveling during Thanksgiving week.
Pack layered clothing for the SFO→NYCA November journey — lightweight rain jacket for San Francisco and warmer coats for New York. Expect possible delays around major holidays; allow extra buffer time between connections and pre-book ground transportation where possible. Carry a portable charger, copies of travel documents, and essential medications in your carry-on. If traveling during Thanksgiving, opt for early flights and flexible or refundable fares to minimize disruption.
Nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to New York (All Airports) (NYCA) typically have scheduled block times of about 5 hours 20 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes heading eastbound. Time zone difference is +3 hours in New York, so a 7:00 AM PST departure lands mid-afternoon EST. In November, airlines may add extra flights leading up to Thanksgiving; morning departures reduce cumulative delay risk. Check daily schedules from United, JetBlue, Delta, American and Alaska as each carrier times flights to match business and leisure demand.
To find cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to New York (All Airports) (NYCA) in November, use flexible-date searches, subscribe to fare alerts, and compare both legacy and low-cost carriers. Mid-November weekdays usually present the lowest fares, while the days immediately around Thanksgiving spike. Check bundled fares and off-peak flights (early morning midweek) and consider nearby airports — sometimes flying into Newark (EWR) instead of JFK or LGA saves money. For proactive savings, set alerts 6–8 weeks ahead and be ready to book limited-time deals.