Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
Hi and welcome to Flyer Talk
ptong 
I presume you have separate tickets. The minimum connection UA->NZ at LAX is 3 hours. That said it is possible to connect in 2 hours 16 minutes but only if your inward flight isnt too late. UA uses T6/7/8 which is the opposite side of LAX from T2 which NZ uses. Allow 15-25 minutes to change terminals (either walk around the U, walk through the carparks or take the free shuttle). Security queues at T2 are normally very long (that time of day), with even a queue just to join the security queue. I expect a minimum of 1 hour to get through this (and up to 90 minutes).
Hi All,
Thanks for all your input. My major concern is the security check LAX, I've heard stories on how long they can be and my flight from DEN gets in at 1844 and then connecting on NZ5 which departs at 2100. Does anyone know IF i can get my bags tagged from the beginning of my trip. (I begin my trip on MCO/DEN UA1491 1434/1634, DEN/LAX UA0511 1716/1844, LAX/AKL NZ5 2100/0645 +2, AKL/MEL NZ5 0830/1020. We will have bags between us since it's a family visit over the holidays and am concern IF I have to move them manually from the UA terminal to the NZ terminal and then having to wait and go through security.
Would I be better off having a longer connection in DEN (in case of snow storm), if so, what's DEN's airport like? Anything worth exploring? Do they have WIFI at the terminal? OR I can have a longer transit at LAX. Any suggestions on how to kill an afternoon at LAX? If I can get into LAX by 1pm (UA445 1124/1259) Can I check in for the NZ flight that early (if I can't have my bags tagged all the way from the begining of my journey from MCO)? Where can I spend the whole afternoon.
Thanks for takign the time to read.