Welcome to FT!
Originally Posted by
chookbilly
Hi everyone.
First time poster, and worried about my connecting flights at LAX as I've never been to the airport before and hear the security can be a bit of a nightmare.
We're catching a domestic flight with Delta from Las Vegas which arrives at LAX terminal 5 at 7.05pm.
We need to catch an international flight with air new zealand which leaves terminal 2 at 9.30pm.
Is this enough time?
I'm asuming it should be pretty quick getting out of terminal 5, as it's a domestic flight there shouldn't be any customs etc, so are we able to grab our bags and leave the terminal without any security?
Then my next question is, what is the best way to get to terminal 2? and how long will it take?
My final worry is, how late air NZ allows you to check in. I booked the flight through expedia, which says to check in no later than 90 mins before flight. But upon checking the Air NZ website they say I may be denied check in if I don't get there 2 hours before take off. Is this true? how lenient are they with the international check in times? really don't want to miss it. (obviously)
Also, is there any security to get into terminal 2? or is it just after you check in you go through security?
Cheers guys
T5 and T2 are kind of across from each other. You can either take the shuttle bus around the loop (make sure to catch shuttle bus route A; the others go offsite before looping from T5, T6, and T7 back to T1 and then T2) or walk directly across the parking garages (from baggage claim level--I think there's a sidewalk along the access road between the garages). Shouldn't be more than a 5-minute walk or a 5-minute shuttle ride.
I don't know the specifics, but I would assume DL and NZ have an interline agreement. Especially if this was booked as one itinerary, you should have no problems being checked all the way through to New Zealand--both you and your bags (i.e. your bags should be automatically transferred to the NZ flight). Thus, any check-in time restrictions do not come into play, as long as you are to the gate by the time the flight is boarding. I'm not sure of T2 exactly (never flown out of there), but I would bet money that 2.5 hours is PLENTY of time to leisurely stroll from T5 to T2, get through security, and be to your departing gate.
If you can't get yourself checked through, it won't be quite as easy, but I really don't see how 2.5 hours wouldn't be enough time.