I know this isn't an ideal routing versus eastbound, but we're attracted to this route for a long (10 hour!) layover on the return leg which would give us some time for a quick trip into the city and break up the journey. But we're concerned about the outbound leg

Midweek, mid-December. LHR Virgin > LAX Delta > SYD - economy unfortunately so wouldn't be first off the plane. One ticket, arriving into LAX early evening.

The layover is 2h 10m in LAX. One - is this (routinely) a do-able connection? We would have checked bags, and I seem to remember you have to pick them up at LAX and re-drop them.

We don't absolutely have to be in Sydney on time (we have 4 days before a cruise) but I'm concerned about the potential lack of alternative flights to be rebooked to if we misconnect versus if we were going via HK/SIN etc... particularly at that time of the year where there might be increased Christmas travel - should I be?