Jan 18, 2016, 2:49 pm
Last edit by: TWA884
2016 LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread
The prior threads on this topic, 2012 - "Consolidated Questions About Connecting at LAX" thread, 2013 Consolidated LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread, 2014 Consolidated LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread and 2015 Consolidated LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread contain relevant information, however, to keep them from getting too long, 2016 updates are below.
NOTES:
"Published" Minimum Connect Time (MCT) international to domestic at LAX is 2 hours. Numerous LAX regulars advise that 3 hours is much safer. Wait times for incoming immigration and customs services are very inconsistent. While the vast majority of international flights arrive at the newly remodeled Tom Bradley Terminal, some airlines use older customs facilities in Terminal 2 or 6. View recent postings in this thread for more information.
T4 to T5 tunnel and a secure airside walkway between T4 and TBIT are now open. It is possible now to connect from T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8 to TBIT without exiting security.
In T-4, the access to the tunnel via an escalator and an elevator at the center of the terminal under the Terminal Transfer sign (it was formerly designated Gate 44). Take the escalator down to the transfer bus gate, then turn left and take the escalator down towards baggage claim. At the bottom of the escalator make a U turn to the right and enter through the double doors. Please consult the terminals maps for the location of the tunnel in terminals 5 and 6.
A secure airside walkway, which is on the top level of a airside connector between T4 and TBIT opened in February 2016; it is accessed by Gate 41 in T4 and near the Qantas Lounge in TBIT. The complete project, including a TSA checkpoint, a bus port and a checked baggage inspection area, was expected to finished by the end of May 2016 (but it is yet to open as of early June). More details here: LAX Terminal 4 Connector
________________________________________
2016 INFO
Los Angeles International Airport website
PDF Map of LAX airport and vicinity parking and cell phone lot
Airline Location Map
Links to individual terminals maps
Only terminals 4 through 8 and Tom Bradley International Terminal are connected airside (through tunnels between terminals 4, 5 and 6, above ground hallways between terminals 6, 7 and 8, and a newly-opened above-ground connector between terminal 4 and TBIT). There are occasional airside shuttles elsewhere, but are subject to change (e.g. AA to American eagle, afternoon AA to TBIT Qantas). Airport policy allows you to gain admission airside to a terminal you are not departing from with an ID and a same day boarding pass, but anecdotal reports indicate that sometimes this is not honored by security personnel.
Tom Bradley International Terminal serves most, but not all, foreign airlines.
In most instances, international arrivals require processing USDHS-CBP (immigration, recovering baggage and processing customs); if you are going on in your travels, there is a baggage recheck counter as you exit customs. This can be fairly rapid if you have Global Entry or are arriving at a slack period, but it can take 60-90 minutes if you are arriving during a busy arrivals period.
After clearing customs and immigration, you must exit to landside and proceed to your next terminal. You may take the free shuttle busses, which only proceed anti / counter clockwise direction (In Order: 1-2-3-TBIT-4-5-6-7-8), or you can walk. At ground level you will be sheltered by the overhead departures-serving roadway, but be exposed to vehicle fumes and cigarette smoke; on the departures level, you will be exposed to the weather. It should take no more than 5 minutes to walk from one adjacent terminal to another, but it can take significantly longer to walk between distant terminals - as long as 15 - 20 minutes.
Last updated 2 June 2016 by TWA884
2016 LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread
Aug 26, 2016, 1:40 am
#166
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 2
@skatering yeah I wasn't entirely sure about the APC thanks for clearing that up!
@blumie it's all on the one ticket and I'm going to run there after reading another post on here
@often1 it's important I arrive on time or 2 hours at the latest, my travel agent booked the flights for me I didn't check them untill yesterday and I assumed he would know how to book flights *sigh*
@blumie it's all on the one ticket and I'm going to run there after reading another post on here
@often1 it's important I arrive on time or 2 hours at the latest, my travel agent booked the flights for me I didn't check them untill yesterday and I assumed he would know how to book flights *sigh*
Aug 26, 2016, 6:11 am
#167
Moderator: Avianca, Travel Photography, Travel Technology & USA
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Far western edge of the La-La Land City limits
Programs: Emeritus VIP Fromins Deli Encino grandfathered successor program - UA MM & HH Diamond
Posts: 3,729
Automatically transferring the thread to the Los Angeles forum, for future reader reference.
Aug 26, 2016, 6:18 am
#168
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
@skatering yeah I wasn't entirely sure about the APC thanks for clearing that up!
@blumie it's all on the one ticket and I'm going to run there after reading another post on here
@often1 it's important I arrive on time or 2 hours at the latest, my travel agent booked the flights for me I didn't check them untill yesterday and I assumed he would know how to book flights *sigh*
@blumie it's all on the one ticket and I'm going to run there after reading another post on here
@often1 it's important I arrive on time or 2 hours at the latest, my travel agent booked the flights for me I didn't check them untill yesterday and I assumed he would know how to book flights *sigh*
What is your exact routing? E.g.
Origin-LAX on Carrier Flight #, arriving at ____
LAX-Destination on Carrier Flight #, departing at ___
Aug 28, 2016, 5:24 pm
#169
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,290
Arriving on AZ terminal 2 -departing on DL domestic terminal 5. Is it an easy walk through the parking area or should I just take the inter-terminal shuttle?
Aug 29, 2016, 1:45 pm
#170
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,406
You should walk from TBIT to T5 after clearing custom. It will take you longer to find the shuttle stop and wait for the bus.
After existing custom (but before leaving the secured area), you can re-check your bags at the re-check station if it is tagged properly to your final destination.
After re-check, you exit to land side of TBIT and you will have two options:
1. Immediately re-clear TSA and go to T4 which is connected to T5 via a tunnel.
2. Go upstairs and walk curbside on the departure level to T5 and clear TSA there.
Aug 30, 2016, 8:46 pm
#171
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 164
90 minute layover in LAX
I am planning a trip the beginning of December. (projected to leave Wed December 1...not sure if this is generally a busy time of the year). Flight on AA from CLT to LAX, arriving in LAX around 1030 PM, AA flight leaving to HKG at 1150 PM.
Not sure if there is a terminal change. (Is there, and if there is, do I have to go through security again?) All on AA. I should be able to check in all the way at CLT.
I could fly to LAX and be there with a four hour cushion. I am curious if you all generally think the 90 minute layover is OK. Unless forced to do a bag check-in, I will attempt to do this all via carry-on.
I do not want to kill 4 hours at LAX, but also do not want to miss the connecting flight. I know there are no guarantees, but am curious what you all think about this.
I never flew to LAX, and have no idea how crowded it is around 1030 PM, both at the terminals and general air traffic.
Not sure if there is a terminal change. (Is there, and if there is, do I have to go through security again?) All on AA. I should be able to check in all the way at CLT.
I could fly to LAX and be there with a four hour cushion. I am curious if you all generally think the 90 minute layover is OK. Unless forced to do a bag check-in, I will attempt to do this all via carry-on.
I do not want to kill 4 hours at LAX, but also do not want to miss the connecting flight. I know there are no guarantees, but am curious what you all think about this.
I never flew to LAX, and have no idea how crowded it is around 1030 PM, both at the terminals and general air traffic.
Aug 31, 2016, 5:21 am
#172
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,950
I am planning a trip the beginning of December. (projected to leave Wed December 1...not sure if this is generally a busy time of the year). Flight on AA from CLT to LAX, arriving in LAX around 1030 PM, AA flight leaving to HKG at 1150 PM.
Not sure if there is a terminal change. (Is there, and if there is, do I have to go through security again?) All on AA. I should be able to check in all the way at CLT.
I could fly to LAX and be there with a four hour cushion. I am curious if you all generally think the 90 minute layover is OK. Unless forced to do a bag check-in, I will attempt to do this all via carry-on.
I do not want to kill 4 hours at LAX, but also do not want to miss the connecting flight. I know there are no guarantees, but am curious what you all think about this.
I never flew to LAX, and have no idea how crowded it is around 1030 PM, both at the terminals and general air traffic.
Not sure if there is a terminal change. (Is there, and if there is, do I have to go through security again?) All on AA. I should be able to check in all the way at CLT.
I could fly to LAX and be there with a four hour cushion. I am curious if you all generally think the 90 minute layover is OK. Unless forced to do a bag check-in, I will attempt to do this all via carry-on.
I do not want to kill 4 hours at LAX, but also do not want to miss the connecting flight. I know there are no guarantees, but am curious what you all think about this.
I never flew to LAX, and have no idea how crowded it is around 1030 PM, both at the terminals and general air traffic.
Personally, I'd be entirely comfortable with 80 minutes.
Sep 17, 2016, 8:08 am
#173
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: TUS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 489
eagle's nest layover
Advice please...
I have a 2:22 layover in the Eagle's nest this coming Friday night (9/23) where if everything is on time I arrive at the nest at 7pm and then leave at 9:22pm. It's been a while since I've been in the Eagle's nest so I don't know if I should stay put or head to the main terminal (T6 now I see) for food options. In particular I'm flying tus-lax then lax-pdx.
Many thanks
I have a 2:22 layover in the Eagle's nest this coming Friday night (9/23) where if everything is on time I arrive at the nest at 7pm and then leave at 9:22pm. It's been a while since I've been in the Eagle's nest so I don't know if I should stay put or head to the main terminal (T6 now I see) for food options. In particular I'm flying tus-lax then lax-pdx.
Many thanks
Sep 17, 2016, 11:00 am
#174
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 129
Hi, need some advice please. I'm flying SIN-BOS via LAX on the following itinerary:
SQ8 07NOV SIN/LAX 0245/0615
VX360 07NOV LAX/BOS 0830/1650
This will be a single ticket, so bags will be tagged through to BOS.
How will the immigration lines be like at that time of day? Will the transit desk/counter after customs be open at that time?
SQ8 07NOV SIN/LAX 0245/0615
VX360 07NOV LAX/BOS 0830/1650
This will be a single ticket, so bags will be tagged through to BOS.
How will the immigration lines be like at that time of day? Will the transit desk/counter after customs be open at that time?
Sep 28, 2016, 4:48 pm
#175
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 3
Connection time
Hi, I'd like some advice please, as it's been years since I flew anywhere on connecting flights.
I'm considering booking a flight from LAS-LAX-LHR, the connection time at LAX would be about 90 mins & I'd need to get from T4 to TBIT, is 90 mins enough time? My flight from LAS lands at 8.20pm & the LHR flight leaves at 9.55pm. Would I need to re-check bags & go through security again at LAX? Thanks!
I'm considering booking a flight from LAS-LAX-LHR, the connection time at LAX would be about 90 mins & I'd need to get from T4 to TBIT, is 90 mins enough time? My flight from LAS lands at 8.20pm & the LHR flight leaves at 9.55pm. Would I need to re-check bags & go through security again at LAX? Thanks!
Sep 28, 2016, 5:37 pm
#176
Moderator: Avianca, Travel Photography, Travel Technology & USA
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Far western edge of the La-La Land City limits
Programs: Emeritus VIP Fromins Deli Encino grandfathered successor program - UA MM & HH Diamond
Posts: 3,729
Hi, I'd like some advice please, as it's been years since I flew anywhere on connecting flights.
I'm considering booking a flight from LAS-LAX-LHR, the connection time at LAX would be about 90 mins & I'd need to get from T4 to TBIT, is 90 mins enough time? My flight from LAS lands at 8.20pm & the LHR flight leaves at 9.55pm. Would I need to re-check bags & go through security again at LAX? Thanks!
I'm considering booking a flight from LAS-LAX-LHR, the connection time at LAX would be about 90 mins & I'd need to get from T4 to TBIT, is 90 mins enough time? My flight from LAS lands at 8.20pm & the LHR flight leaves at 9.55pm. Would I need to re-check bags & go through security again at LAX? Thanks!
Assuming the previous paragraph is all "yes", then the connection is doable. Whether it is prudent is another story.
Sep 28, 2016, 7:01 pm
#177
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,625
If your flights are booked on one ticket, even if you're traveling on AA from LAS to LAX and BA from LAX to LHR, you can check your bags through from LAS to LHR and you will not need to leave the secured area between flights. It takes less than 10 minutes to go between any two gates in T4 and TBIT via the recently opened T4-TBIT airside connector.
If you are traveling on separate tickets, then you'll have to leave the secured area, retrieve your bags, re-check them for your next flight and reclear security. In that case, 90 minutes is not likely to be enough time.
Sep 29, 2016, 1:59 pm
#178
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 3
One ticket or two?
If your flights are booked on one ticket, even if you're traveling on AA from LAS to LAX and BA from LAX to LHR, you can check your bags through from LAS to LHR and you will not need to leave the secured area between flights. It takes less than 10 minutes to go between any two gates in T4 and TBIT via the recently opened T4-TBIT airside connector.
If you are traveling on separate tickets, then you'll have to leave the secured area, retrieve your bags, re-check them for your next flight and reclear security. In that case, 90 minutes is not likely to be enough time.
If your flights are booked on one ticket, even if you're traveling on AA from LAS to LAX and BA from LAX to LHR, you can check your bags through from LAS to LHR and you will not need to leave the secured area between flights. It takes less than 10 minutes to go between any two gates in T4 and TBIT via the recently opened T4-TBIT airside connector.
If you are traveling on separate tickets, then you'll have to leave the secured area, retrieve your bags, re-check them for your next flight and reclear security. In that case, 90 minutes is not likely to be enough time.
Oct 10, 2016, 3:18 pm
#180
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,406
Hi, need some advice please. I'm flying SIN-BOS via LAX on the following itinerary:
SQ8 07NOV SIN/LAX 0245/0615
VX360 07NOV LAX/BOS 0830/1650
This will be a single ticket, so bags will be tagged through to BOS.
How will the immigration lines be like at that time of day? Will the transit desk/counter after customs be open at that time?
SQ8 07NOV SIN/LAX 0245/0615
VX360 07NOV LAX/BOS 0830/1650
This will be a single ticket, so bags will be tagged through to BOS.
How will the immigration lines be like at that time of day? Will the transit desk/counter after customs be open at that time?
Immigration should be fine at 6:30 AM. I got off SQ8 last year and was at curb side in 15 minutes. But I'm US citizen... if you are foreign passport holder, you should expect at least 60 minutes in line. Several QF and VA flights arrive at the same time but it is not a super busy time at TBIT immigration.
There is no such thing as transit desk in the US. If your luggage is tagged to BOS, you can drop it off at the re-check station after custom (but before leaving the secured area). After that, it is a quick 5 minute walk to T3 to check in with VX.