What happens to us in LAX on our stopover??
Feb 20, 2009, 6:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 2
What happens to us in LAX on our stopover??
Hello,
Two of my friends and I are soon to be travelling from Auckland, New Zealand through to London, England via LAX.
We arrive on an Air New Zealand flight, and depart on a Virgin Atlantic flight. There is an 8 hour delay between one flight arriving and the other departing.
Could you please let me know what will happen to us while we are there. Will we have to go through immigration as if LA is our final destination, only to check in again a few hours later? Or will we be stuck in the dreaded "pen" on the other side of immigration for the duration?
If we do go through immigration and are therefore free to leave the airport, will we have to take our bags with us, or will they be left in the system and automatically transfered to our new plane?
As 8 hours is quite a bit of time to fill, we would like to know what options we are going to have.
Thank you in advance for your response.
Two of my friends and I are soon to be travelling from Auckland, New Zealand through to London, England via LAX.
We arrive on an Air New Zealand flight, and depart on a Virgin Atlantic flight. There is an 8 hour delay between one flight arriving and the other departing.
Could you please let me know what will happen to us while we are there. Will we have to go through immigration as if LA is our final destination, only to check in again a few hours later? Or will we be stuck in the dreaded "pen" on the other side of immigration for the duration?
If we do go through immigration and are therefore free to leave the airport, will we have to take our bags with us, or will they be left in the system and automatically transfered to our new plane?
As 8 hours is quite a bit of time to fill, we would like to know what options we are going to have.
Thank you in advance for your response.
Feb 20, 2009, 7:34 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, England
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 3,772
You only get held in the pen if you are connecting through on NZ1/2. As you are connecting onto a different flight you will follow the procedure as if you were ending your journey in LAX, so you go through normal immigration and colect your bags from the belt. If the agent in AKL has interlined your bags through to LHR which they should do if you are on a single ticket, then you simply drop your bag on the connection belt the other side of customs and you are free to enjoy the delights of LA for the duration of your stopover. As you have so long you might want to consider heading to one of the nearby beaches rather than staying at the airport. When you are ready just head back to T2 go through security and head on to London.
Feb 20, 2009, 9:15 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Silver, AA, WN, DL
Posts: 4,091
Try some local cuisine
If you're heading out, might as well go to the oft mentioned In n Out by the airport. Near cult like following for those who are FT'ers :-)
There's also a $6 bus that runs every 30 minutes to Downtown LA, where you can then connect to Hollywood on the Redline Subway ($1.25) and see where the Oscars are held.
Get more daring and just rent a car and drive around; depending on the day of your rental, it can be cheaper than getting a cab.
There's also a $6 bus that runs every 30 minutes to Downtown LA, where you can then connect to Hollywood on the Redline Subway ($1.25) and see where the Oscars are held.
Get more daring and just rent a car and drive around; depending on the day of your rental, it can be cheaper than getting a cab.
Feb 20, 2009, 9:30 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, England
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 3,772
I beleive there is an off airport parking lot next to the In n out burger. Is it the done thing to board the free shuttle to the parking site and just head to the burger place? Do you know the name of the parking place? I think it is one of those with the yellow dotty busses but never know which one?
Feb 20, 2009, 9:42 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 2
Thanks guys, all very helpful comments.
Jetstreamer - when you say "f the agent in AKL has interlined your bags..." do you mean our travel agent we arrange the flights through? or just the person at the counter when we check in at Auckland?
and luv2ctheworld - FT = FlyerTalkers? Frequent Travellers? Foreign Tourists? Sorry - not up on the initialisms in this forum just yet! :-)
Jetstreamer - when you say "f the agent in AKL has interlined your bags..." do you mean our travel agent we arrange the flights through? or just the person at the counter when we check in at Auckland?
and luv2ctheworld - FT = FlyerTalkers? Frequent Travellers? Foreign Tourists? Sorry - not up on the initialisms in this forum just yet! :-)
Feb 20, 2009, 11:09 am
#7
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Welcome to Flyer Talk Fattysock 
At check in at AKL ask for your bags to be through checked to LHR (or wherever your final destination). If the VS flight is on a separate ticket you will need to show that. Your bag should then have a tag for LHR via LAX. The advantage of doing this is you can redeposit the bag at the drop just past customs in LAX instead of lugging it around until VS check in opens.
FTers = FlyerTalkers
At check in at AKL ask for your bags to be through checked to LHR (or wherever your final destination). If the VS flight is on a separate ticket you will need to show that. Your bag should then have a tag for LHR via LAX. The advantage of doing this is you can redeposit the bag at the drop just past customs in LAX instead of lugging it around until VS check in opens.
FTers = FlyerTalkers
Feb 21, 2009, 3:23 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: C6 - AKL
Programs: AA-1MM
Posts: 336
Please tell me how to get to the In-n-Out near the airport on the cheap...I usually take a cab to one near Manhattan Beach and then do some shopping...but getting a cab back from Manhattan Beach is a bit of trouble...I really just want the burger and would happily skip the shopping...
Feb 21, 2009, 3:33 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: C6 - AKL
Programs: AA-1MM
Posts: 336
Sorry for the last post....just found the thread....
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/los-a...d-threads.html
When is the next in-n-out DO?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/los-a...d-threads.html
When is the next in-n-out DO?
Feb 22, 2009, 1:56 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LCY
Posts: 1,222
I always have trouble getting a cab back from Manhattan Beach - there is a shuttle that goes between the LAX hotels and the beach/shopping mall, may be a cheap way if you can't find a cab. Think its every 20 minutes or so.
Feb 26, 2009, 11:53 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
Having been to LA recently and finally tried an In-N-Out after all the reverential comments on FT, I really can't see what the fuss is about. Especially if you prefer your burgers in the Australasian style.
They were just simple, basic, old fashioned burgers - if anything, a bit bland. What am I missing here?
Personally I'd rather go to the retro bar/restaurant 'Encounters' (located in the Jetson's like structure in the center of the car park between the terminals) and drink a few potent cocktails. Unfortunately it is under scaffolding at the moment but it's still open...
They were just simple, basic, old fashioned burgers - if anything, a bit bland. What am I missing here?
Personally I'd rather go to the retro bar/restaurant 'Encounters' (located in the Jetson's like structure in the center of the car park between the terminals) and drink a few potent cocktails. Unfortunately it is under scaffolding at the moment but it's still open...
Feb 26, 2009, 12:34 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite Partner/Silver (in own right), PR Classic, QF Bronze, UA Member, VA Red
Posts: 1,551
I don't get the In-and-Out thing really. (Although I do always look out for Kirstie Alley when I go, but she tends to drive inland to get her fix!).
If you venture further from the airport you can find Islands- much better, but more pricey. (I think its the Westchester branch that is the closest).
My favourite comfort food eatery though is Dinah's Family Restaurant- but then I love diners.
(both of the above are bus-able).
Once when I had a bit of time to kill, I stumbled across what looked like a airport workers cafe, kind of near the entrance to Encounters. Very cheap food - burgers, meals etc.
If you venture further from the airport you can find Islands- much better, but more pricey. (I think its the Westchester branch that is the closest).
My favourite comfort food eatery though is Dinah's Family Restaurant- but then I love diners.
(both of the above are bus-able).
Once when I had a bit of time to kill, I stumbled across what looked like a airport workers cafe, kind of near the entrance to Encounters. Very cheap food - burgers, meals etc.