However,it’sbecomeincreasinglyuser-friendly,thankstoanongoing$14billionrenovationthatpromisestomakeitoneoftheworld’smoststate-of-the-artairportsintermsoftechnology,connectivity,anddesign.
TerminalBorTomBradleyInternationalTerminal(TBIT):AirChina—AirFrance—AirNewZealand—AirTahitiNui—Alitalia—AllNipponAirways—Asiana—AustrianAirlines—Avianca—BreezeAirways(Summer2022)—BritishAirways—CopaAirlines—CathayPacific—ChinaAirlines—ChinaEastern—ChinaSouthern—ElAl—Emirates—Etihad—EVAAir—FijiAirways—Finnair—HawaiianAirlines—Iberia—JapanAirlines—KLM—KoreanAir—LATAMAirlines—LOTPolish—Lufthansa—NorwegianAir—PhilippinesAirlines—Qantas—QatarAirways—SAUDIA—ScandinavianAirlines—SichuanAirlines—SingaporeAirlines—SWISS—TurkishAirlines—VirginAtlantic—Volaris—XiamenAirlines—ZIPAIR
Terminal1:AllegiantAir,SouthwestAirlines,SunCountry,VivaAerobus
Terminal2:WestJet
Terminal3:DeltaAirLines,Interjet,Avianca,VirginAustralia,CopaAirlines
Terminal4:AmericanAirlines
Terminal5:AmericanAirlines,JetBlue,SpiritAirlines,AirCanada
Terminal6:AlaskaAirlines,AdvancedAir,HorizonAir,SouthernAirways
Terminal8:UnitedAirlines,UnitedExpress
Covering5.5squaremilesandserving72passengerairlines,LAXisthelargestairportinCalifornia.It’salsothe2ndbusiestairportintheUS[afterAtlantaHartsfield-JacksonInternationalAirport(ATL)],servinganaverageof88millionpassengersperyear.
Terminals3hasbeenundergoingextensiverenovationsduringpandemictravelslowdowns,andwhilesomepartsofitwillremaincloseduntilFall2022,itsnewticketingarea,seven-linesecuritycheckpoint,andcombinedDeltaSkyClub(thereusedtobetwoseparateoneshere)openedonApril20,2022.
ThelayoutofLAXisarrangedonaU-shaped,two-level(Upper/DeparturesandLower/Arrivals)concourse,andisdividedintothefollowing9terminals:
Terminal1:Gates9to18B
Terminal2:Gates20-28
Terminal3:Gates30-39—DeltaAirlines
Terminal4:Gates40-49—AmericanAirlines
Terminal5:Gates50-59
Terminal6:Gates60-69
TerminalB(TBIT):Gates130-200,plusthecutting-edgeWestGates201-225
CourtesyshuttleserviceisprovidedbetweenallterminalsviatheTerminalConnector(ARoute).Tocatchthisshuttle,you’llhavetoexitsecurity,standunderthepink“LAXShuttles”signoutsideeachterminalontheLower/Arrivalslevel,and,uponarrivalatyournextterminal,re-entersecurity.TheTerminalConnectorrunsevery10minutes,andtraveltimebetweeneachterminalstopisabouttwominutes.
Ittakesabout5minutestowalkbetweeneachterminal,buttherearecaveats.
IfyoulandinTerminals1,2,or3andhavetogettoanyotherterminalinLAX,youcannowwalkviaabove-groundwalkwaysoryoucanexitsecurity,takeashuttletoyourconnectingterminal,andre-clearsecurity.Thefarthestwalkcouldbeasmuchastwomiles,soteshuttlemaybeappealingtosome,eventhoughitrequiresgoingbackthroughsecurity.
Ifyouland/connectinTerminals4-8,youcanavoidre-clearingsecurityviathefollowingairsideconnections:
Terminals4,5,6,7,and8andTBIT:viaanovergroundpassage
Terminals4,5and6:viaanundergroundtunnel
Terminals6,7,and8:viaabove-groundwalkways
LAXisnotastress-freeplacetohaveatightconnection(seeabove).Unlessyouhavetwohoursormorebetweenflights,youmightwanttoconsiderconnectingthroughadifferentairport.
MinimumconnectiontimesatLAX:
Note:Thereisnodedicatedmobilepassportlaneforarrivalsfrominternationaldestinations.
Generalsecurityandcustomswaittimesaverage20minutes.Tobesafe,though,it’sadvisabletogettotheairporttwohoursbeforeadomesticflightandthreehoursbeforeaninternationalflight.TSAPrecheckisavailableinallterminals,GlobalEntryisinTerminalB(TBIT),andCLEARisavailableinTerminals2and3.
TSAPrecheckAllterminals
GlobalEntry:TerminalB(TBIT)
LAXoffersfreeWi-Fi(wirelessnetworkis_LAXFreeWiFi)inthepublicareasofallterminals.Foreach45-minutesessionoffreeWi-Fiaccess,you’llhavetowatcha15-to30-secondvideoadbeforeyouraccessresumes.
Morethan40chargingstations,eachwithfour120-voltoutlets,areinstalledinTBIT,Terminal1,andTerminal8.
DressedcasuallyforyourflightTravelingwithkidsJustwanttonurseagreatbeerortwoThisterminalhasyoucovered.Thecoffee,tea,andbakedgoodsatWestHollywood-famousUrthCaffe,providealastgreattasteofLA.
Thelate-nightspothere,Sealegs,staysopenthelongestofanyrestaurant/barinLAX.SlapfishistheonlyLAXspottoservelobsterrolls.Barney’sBeanery,partofalongtimeLAchain,servesAmericancomfortfare.
Finediningisscarcehere,butintheFoodCourtyou’llfindafewstellarMid-CityL.A.offerings,includingLaProvencePatisserieandCampanile.
Findinganutritioussnackormealisrelativelyeasyinthisterminal,with
freshsaladsandsandwiches(WolfgangPuck,Osteria),grilledfishtacos,andjuicesandacaibowls(Earthbar)onhand.CocktailbarBlu2oisasurprisinglyswankyalternativeforthosewithoutairlineloungeaccess.
There’safoodcourtherewithseverallocaloptions,includingBLD,onceabelovedMid-Cityhotspot.Youcertainlywon’tgohungryinthiscomboterminal—unlessyou’rehereafter11p.m.
SomegreatLA-foundedeaterieshaveoutpostshere(e.g.,BorderGrill,InkSack,andChayaSushi),soyoumightactuallywanttoarrivehungry.
Therearenoairlineloungesinthisterminal.
Bothloungeshere—DeltaSkyClubandtheVirginAtlanticClubhouse—areupstairsonthemezzaninelevel,acrossfromoneanothernearGate23.
Hours:4:30a.m.-12:30a.m.Access:DeltaGoldMedallionsandhighertravelinginternationally;SkyTeamElitePlusmembers;premium-cabinpassengerswhoareconnectingtoorfromsame-daySkyTeaminternationallong-haulorpremiumtranscontinentalflights;DeltaSkyClubmembersandcardholdersoftheAmexPlatinumCard,theAmexBusinessPlatinumCard,theAmexDeltaSkyMilesReserve,ortheDeltaSkyMilesReserveBusinessAmexwhentravelingonanysame-dayDeltaflight.DayPass:CanbepurchasedbyDeltaSkyMilesPlatinumAmexorDeltaSkyMilesPlatinumBusinessAmexcardholdersfor$39.
Hours:5a.m.tolastdepartureAccess:PriorityPassmembers(onlyuntil10:45a.m.),UpperClasspassengers,FlyingClubGoldmembers,AerLingusbusinessclasspassengersandDeltaOne,DeltaPlatinumMedallionandDeltaDiamondMedallionpassengerswithasame-daynonstoptrans-Atlanticflight.
ThenewDeltaSkyClub,stillonthemezzaninelevel,justreopenedafterextensiverenovationsonApril20,2022.At1.2millionsquarefeet,it’snowthelargestDeltaSkyClubintheworld.
Hours:6a.m.-10p.m.Access:DeltaGoldMedallionsandhighertravelinginternationally;SkyTeamElitePlusmembers;premium-cabinpassengerswhoareconnectingtoorfromsame-daySkyTeaminternationallong-haulorpremiumtranscontinentalflights;DeltaSkyClubmembersandcardholdersoftheAmexPlatinumCard,theAmexBusinessPlatinumCard,theAmexDeltaSkyMilesReserve,ortheDeltaSkyMilesReserveBusinessAmexwhentravelingonanysame-dayDeltaflight.DayPass:CanbepurchasedbyDeltaSkyMilesPlatinumAmexorDeltaSkyMilesPlatinumBusinessAmexcardholdersfor$39.
BothAmericanAirlinesloungesherearehousedinthesamestructure,acrossfromGate40.
Hours:4a.m.-12:45a.m.Access:AAdvantagePlatinumelitesanduptravelinginternationally;OneworldSapphireandEmeraldandmembers,premium-cabinpassengerswhoareconnectingtoorfromqualifyinginternationalorpremiumtranscontinentalAmerican-orOneworld-operatedflights;andAdmiralsClubmembers.YoucangetacomplimentaryAdmiralsClubmembershipthroughtheCitiAAdvantageExecutiveWorldEliteMastercard.DayPass:Withasame-dayAAticket,canbepurchasedfor$59or5,900AAdvantagemiles.
Hours:4a.m.—12:45a.m.Access:AAdvantagePlatinumelitesanduptravelinginternationally,OneworldSapphireandEmeraldandmembersandbusinessandfirstclasspassengerswhoareconnectingtoorfromqualifyinginternationalorpremiumtranscontinentalAmerican-orOneworld-operatedflights.Firstclasspassengerstravelingonathree-cabinaircrafthaveaccesstotheFlagshipFirstDiningarea.
ThefirstAdmiralsClublistedhereisonelevelupfromthegates,neardutyfree.Thesecondisacrossfromgates52Dand52E,aftertakingthebustotheremoteterminal.
Hours:4:45a.m.-12a.m.Access:AAdvantagePlatinumelitesanduptravelinginternationally;OneworldSapphireandEmeraldandmembers,premium-cabinpassengerswhoareconnectingtoorfromqualifyinginternationalorpremiumtranscontinentalAmerican-orOneworld-operatedflights;andAdmiralsClubmembers.YoucangetacomplimentaryAdmiralsClubmembershipthroughtheCitiAAdvantageExecutiveWorldEliteMastercard.DayPass:Withasame-dayAAticket,canbepurchasedfor$59or5,900AAdvantagemiles.
Twoofthisterminal’sloungesareonthemezzaninelevel:AlaskanearGate64,andAirCanadabetweengates65Aand65B.TheUSOLoungeisfoundlandsidebeforesecurity,inthetrippyUFO-shapedThemeBuildingthatfacestheterminal.
Hours:5a.m.-11p.m.Access:AlaskaAirlinesfirstclasspassengers(doesn’tincludeupgrades);AlaskaLoungemembers;andAdmiralsClubmembers;PriorityPassmembers;daypasspurchasers.DayPass:Canbepurchasedfor$50,or$25ifusingyourAlaskaAirlinesVisaSignaturecard.
Hours:4:30a.m.-9:45p.m.Access:AirCanadabusinessclasspassengers;PremiumRougepassengerstravelingwithinCanada,totheU.S.andSundestinations;AltitudeElite35Kelites;firstandbusinessclasspassengers;andStarAllianceGoldmembersoneligibleitinerariesonanyStarAllianceairline;andmembersoftheAirCanadaMapleLeafCluband/orUnitedClub.DayPass:Passengersmaypurchasetheseatthetimeoftheirflightbooking,atthefollowingrates:Latitude$25;Comfort$40;andFlex$50.
Hours:24hoursAccess:Currentactive-duty,Guard,ReserveordependentIDcard.MilitaryretireeIDcardsarealsoacceptedifspaceisavailable.(Veterans’Administration-issuedIDcardsordriver’slicenseswith“Veteran”shownonthecarddonotfallintotheabovecategories.)
Theterminal’stwoloungesarebothUnited-brandedandfoundupstairs:UnitedClubnexttoGate71A,andPolarisbetweengates73and75A.
Hours:4:30a.m.-12:15a.m.Access:UnitedPremierGoldelitestravelinginternationally;StarAllianceGoldmembers;premium-cabinpassengerswhoareconnectingtoorfromqualifyinginternationalorpremiumtranscontinentalUnited-orStarAlliance-operatedflights;UnitedClubmembersanddaypass-holders.TheUnitedClubInfiniteCardgivesyoucomplimentaryUnitedClubmembership.BoththeUnitedExplorerCardandtheUnitedBusinessCardgiveyoutwoannualUnitedClubone-timepasses.DayPass:PassengerstravelingonaUnited,StarAlliance,orcontractedpartnerflightcanpurchasedaypassesfor$59apiece,eitheronlineoratthedoor.
Hours:6:45a.m.-10:15p.m.Access:UnitedPolarisbusinessclasspassengers;businessandfirstclasspassengersonStarAlliancepartners.
Theloungegameisstronginthisinternationalterminal,witharguablysomeofthemostchicloungesinthecountry(lookingatyou,EtihadandQantas).TheAmexCenturionLoungeisonLevel4;Qantas,KoreanAir,andOneWorldareonLevel5;andStarAlliance,LAInternational,Emirates,andEtihadareonLevel6.
Hours:6:30a.m.-11p.m.Access:ThosewithaCenturionCard,AmexPlatinumCard,orAmexBusinessPlatinumCard.DeltaSkyMilesReserveandDeltaSkyMilesReserveBusinesscardholderswillalsohaveaccesswhentravelingonanysame-dayDeltaflight.
Hours:11:35a.m.-3:35p.m.(winter),12:40p.m.-4:40p.m.(summer)Access:EmiratesfirstandbusinessclasspassengersandEmiratesSkywardsPlatinumandGoldmembers.DayPass:DaypassesareavailabletoallotherEmiratespassengersfor$130,or$100ifyou’reanEmiratesSkywardsmember.
Hours:Openthreehoursbeforethefirstdeparture;closesuponlastdepartureAccess:EtihadfirstandbusinessclasspassengersandEtihadGoldandPlatinummembershaveaccess.DayPass:EtihadEconomypassengerscanpurchaseaccessfor$60or7,000miles.
Hours:7a.m.-11:30p.m.Access:PriorityPass,DinersClub,LoungeClubandDragonPassmembers(limitedhours);firstandbusinessclasspassengersandSkyTeamElitePlusmemberstravelingonaninternationalflightoperatedbyaSkyTeamairline.
Hours:6a.m.-lastdepartureAccess:AirTahitiNui,ElAl,HainanAirlines,HongKongAirlines,FijiAirwaysandPhilippineAirlinesfirstandbusinessclasspassengers;JapanAirlinespremiumeconomypassengers.
Hours:6:30a.m.-11:30p.m.Access:BusinessandfirstclasspassengersandOneworldSapphireandOneworldEmeraldmemberstravelingoneligibleitinerariesonanyOneworldairline.(AmericanAirlineselitestravelingsolelyonNorthAmericanflights,exceptMexicoCity,don’thaveaccess.)AlaskaLoungemembershaveaccesswhentravelingonQantas.
Hours:6:30a.m.-11:30p.m.Access:QantasfirstclassandOneworldinternationalfirstclass;OneworldEmerald;QantasFrequentFlyerPlatinumOneandPlatinum.
Hours:7a.m.-1a.m.Access:Businessorfirstclasspassengers;StarAllianceGold;UnitedCluborAirCanadaMapleLeafClubmembers.
TherearenohotelsinsideLAX,butthere’snoshortageofhotelsnearby,andmanyofferfreeshuttleserviceanddayrates.Thesearetheclosesthotels,allsetwithinonemileofLAX:
Thefollowing4-starhotelsoffercomfort,dayrates,andfreeshuttlesto/fromLAX:
TerminalB(TBIT)istheclearwinnerwhenitcomestoLAXshopping,offeringluxurybrandslikeCoach,Hermes,Burberry,Gucci,andmore,aswellasasmallversionofWestHollywoodcelebritymagnetFredSegal.Terminal6hostsanoutpostofLAhip/comfortclothingboutiqueM.Frederic.
WellnessandspaproductscanbefoundinKiehls(Terminal1),Breeze(Terminal2),andBliss(TBIT).See’sCandieskiosksareinterminals4and5;MACCosmeticspopupinterminals1and6;andWestHollywoodbookstoreBookSouphasoutpostsinTerminal7andTBIT.
Dutyfreeshopsareinterminals5,6,7,andB(TBIT).Thelatterterminalhasfivedifferentshops,includingonededicatedtobeauty/spirits,andanothertojewelry/watches.
Inadditiontoshopping,eatinganddrinking,potentiallyvisitinganairlinelounge,andgettingyourstepsin,considerdoingoneorallofthefollowing:
LAXhasahandfulofkid-friendlyfeatures,scatteredthroughouttheairport’smorethanfive-square-mileexpanse.ThetopkidattractionsatLAXare:
TerminalB(TBIT)
Terminal1:NearGate13
Terminal3:Intheoutdooratrium(closeduntilmid-2023)
Terminal4:BytheSunglassHut
Terminal5:AcrossfromtheFoodCourt
Terminal6:Intheoutdooratrium,byGate64B
Terminal7:BetweenGate73and75B
Terminal8:BythePassengerScreeningArea
LAXisverypet-friendly,thoughwithintheairport,petsshouldeitherbeleashedorcontainedinacarrier.Theairportrecommendscheckingwithyourairlineabouttheirspecificrules/proceduresforpetcarriers,limitsonthenumber/typesofanimalsallowedinairlinecabins,andpickingupanimalsatbaggageclaimareas.
TerminalB(TBIT):NeartheentrancetothebridgetoTerminal4
Terminal4:AlongthebridgetoTBIT
Terminal5:NearGate52B
Terminal6:Intheoutdooratriumbytherestrooms,nearGate62
YoucantakeUber,Lyft,orOpolito/fromLAX.YoucanbedroppedoffinfrontofyourterminalontheUpper/DeparturesLevel,butforyourarrival,youmustmeetyourrideatthededicated“LAX-it”lotadjacenttoTerminal1ontheLower/ArrivalsLevel.Togettothislot,youcanwalkorridethefreeLAX-itshuttle;lookforgreenLAX-itsignsattheinnercurboutsideofeachterminal’sbaggageclaimarea,ontheLower/ArrivalsLevel.
BeadvisedthatLAXcharges$4foreverypickup/dropoffatLAX.Ifyouhavemoretimethanmoney,youcanavoidthissurcharge(andpossiblyafewbucksmore)byhoppingonafreeshuttlefortheHyattRegency,Sheraton,Marriott,orHertz,andorderingyourridefromoutsideoneofthesehotelsortherentalcaroffice(viceversafordrop-offs.)Technically,thesebusinessesareallwithin5minutes’driveofLAX,butyou’llhavetowaitforyourshuttleandotherpassengers,thenconsidertrafficoutof/intoLAX.
Taxidrop-offsoccurontheUpper/DeparturesLevel,atterminalcurbs.Taxipick-upscanbemadeatonlythreelocations,allontheLower/ArrivalsLevel:
Toreachthesepickuppoints,youcaneitherwalkorcatchthefreeLAX-itshuttle;thelatterarrivesevery3to5minutesbythegreensignsattheinnercurboutsideofbaggageclaimareasontheLower/ArrivalsLevel.
TheseshuttlesarelocatedontheUpper/DeparturesLevelinfrontofeachterminalunderthered"HotelShuttles"sign.
TheLosAngelesMetroprovidesafreeshuttlebusbetweenLAXanditsAviationStation(11500AviationBoulevard)ontheMetroCLine(GreenLine).AtLAX,headtothePINKLAXShuttlesignfoundontheLower/ArrivalsLevelinfrontofeachterminal,andboardthefree“MetroCLine(GreenLine)shuttlebus.
MetroRail:HopontheMetroCLine(GreenLine)shuttle(seeabove)andtakeittoAviationStation.TogettodowntownLosAngeles,taketheMetroCLine(GreenLine)totheWillowbrook/RosaParksStation,transfertotheMetroALine(BlueLine),andgetoffatthe7thSt/MetroCenterstationinDowntownLosAngeles.RegularMetrofareis$1.75fortravelinone-directionandincludes2hoursoffreetransfers.
MetroBus:HopontheMetroCLine(GreenLine)shuttle(seeabove)andtakeittoAviationStation.
Ride-shareapps:Averageridetakes15-20minutesandcostsabout$35,trafficdependent.
Taxi:Averageridetakes20minutesandcostsaflatfareof$46.50.
Ride-shareapps:Takes15-20minutesandcostsabout$30,trafficdependent.
Taxi:Takes15-20minutesandcostsaflatrateofbetween$28-$32.
MetroRail+MetroBus:HopontheMetroCLine(GreenLineshuttle)toAviationStation.TaketheMetroCLine(GreenLine)toNorwalkStation;thislinerunsevery15minutes,thelegtakes26minutes,andcosts$1.75.AtNorwalkStation,catchtheLine460MetroBustotheDisneylandEmployeesEntrance,whichisafive-minutewalkfromtheDisneylandResortEntrance;thisbusrunseveryhour,thelegtakes1hourand19minutes,andcosts$1.25.
Theentiretripaveragestwohoursandcosts$3.
SharedRideVan:One-wayaveragesonehour(trafficdependent)and$90.
Ride-shareapps:One-wayaverages30minutesand$60,trafficdependent.
Taxi:One-wayaverages30minutesand$100,trafficdependent.
Rentalcarofficesarelocatedoff-airport,awayfromLAXterminals.Thefollowingrentalcarcompaniesareauthorizedtopick-up/drop-offcustomersatLAXterminalsusingcourtesyshuttles;thesecanbefoundunderthepurple“RentalCarShuttles”signsontheLower/Arrivalslevelislandsoutsideeachterminal’sbaggageclaim.Compact-sizedcarrentals(e.g.,FordFocus,NissanVersa,etc.)fromthesecompaniesaverage$55aday.