Where is AA Priority at LAX this month
 

Hi, It seems like things keep changing at LAX. Whether we fly AA or Delta or...
The last time we departed LAX AA was, January 2018. At that time they had a "room" just for priority. You walked in off the curb/street and it was a small room for priority only. Once done they would direct you to a single elevator that is in the same room. This elevator takes you to the TSA checkpoint.
But I heard they made more changes since Jan 2018. We plan to fly this Friday Nov 16th 2018 from LAX , flying AA Term 4.
And since it will be busy and we may be short on time, I was hoping someone that was just there would be able to let us know where the AA priority check in is at LAX T4.
Thank you

Moving thread to AA. Please follow there...
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

OK thank you, any help is appreciated

The area you described is Flagship First check in, not "priority"; is it gone? LAX did combine the priority lines in the main hall - they used to have a EXP/Emerald station but no more.

It sort of depends what you mean by "priority."

The private check-in ("Flagship" in AA parlance) is in the same location in T4. It's restricted to:
- International or domestic 3-cabin first class passengers (currently that's JFK, HKG and LHR only, from LAX)
- Executive Platinum traveling internationally, in any cabin
- ConciergeKey
- Oneworld Emerald (not available within US, Canada, Mexico (except MEX), Bermuda, Bahamas or Caribbean)
- American Five Star Service customers (a paid service)

If your travels are not in one of those categories, the remaining premium check-in space is located adjacent to the Flagship entrance. If you're facing the Flagship room, that'd be the set of doors on your right (west).

As mentioned above, the small private check-in room is called "Flagship" and is available only for certain high-paying customers. The Flagship room is adjacent to the regular Priority Check in area, which is at the east end (towards the 405 freeway) of the terminal. The west end (towards the ocean) is the main cabin check-in area.

If you are not qualified for Flagship, then just go in the door that is marked Priority and check in there. Then take the escalator up to the departure level. If you have TSA Pre-Check, bear to the left and go through the Pre-Check lane. If you do not have TSA Pre-Check, then bear to the right and get in the Priority (but not Pre-Check) lane for the TSA check.

Having said all that, a couple of years ago I was waiting in line to check in at a Priority Desk, which I can do as AA Gold. There were a few people in line and their situations seemed to be complex and time-consuming. A check-in agent appeared from the Flagship room and beckoned to me to follow her. Thus, I got to check in for my flight in the Flagship room and take the elevator up to the TSA checkpoint. (Nice!)

Something similar might have happened to you. You were qualified for Priority but got invited in to the Flagship room by a non-busy, friendly ticketing agent who put customer service first.

Another factoid. The elevator used to be visible and accessible from the Priority check-in area. I used it many times. A few years ago, they built a door between the elevator and the Priority check-in area. Now I take the escalator like everyone else.

Just to clarify OneWorld Emerald (non AA) can access Flagship checkin regardless of itinerary. It's only Exec Platinum that is limited to international destinations.

Here's the explanation from AA:

Everyone here is AMAZING! More help please:

1. We just received our tickets and printed them. They say "Priority First Class" and nothing about flag ship. So we cant use the flagship room, we would have to look for the words "priority" correct? And that priority would be near the flagship door?

2. And as usual no terminal or gate number on ticket. We are flying AA2249 10AM from LAX to Vegas. Any help on where you think the Terminal that we should be at (4 or 5 or?)

Again thank you very much from an old couple that just started traveling 2 years ago.

Thank you. The priority lane is close to the flagship check in? thank you

Use the AA App and it will tell you terminal and gate on day of flight

You're never too old (sometimes too young maybe) to travel so kuddos to you!

Unless you are CK, an Admirals Club member, or have the Citi Executive Card, due to the domestic, non-transcon nature of your flight, you won't have access to the admirals club either. Non-transcontinental domestic first doesn't allow for access in and of itself.

Good luck and if you win anything in Vegas, think about splurging on a long-haul flight on a wide-body in business or first!

I will give you very specific instructions.

As you stand on the sidewalk, outside the Terminal 4, facing the terminal, you will be facing South. To your left is the 405 freeway (East) and to your right is the ocean (West).

You will see a small door that says Flagship or something similar. That is the door that takes you in to the small Flagship check-in room, as described above. I can't see you qualifying for Flagship flying a domestic LAX to Las Vegas. So, don't go in that door.

To the right of the Flagship door are the regular glass doors that go into the main terminal. All doors go into the same large area. Inside this large area, to the East (405 freeway, near the Flagship room) are the counters that handle Priority check in, such as domestic First Class. That would be you. There is a sign attached to the ceiling, near the glass door, that says "AA Priority".

Farther to the West (to the ocean) are the Main Cabin check in areas.

It really doesn't matter which door you use to enter the terminal. It's all one really large area. Just go in whatever door you like, where your ride drops you, and then turn to your left and make your way to the far East (towards the 405 freeway) end of the terminal. There you will see signage that says Priority Check in. After checking in, turning in your checked luggage and getting your boarding pass, they will direct you to the short escalator that leads to Priority TSA checkpoint. That escalator is at the far East (towards the 405 freeway) end. There is a guard at the foot of the escalator who will check your ID and boarding pass before letting you go up. At the top of the escalator, turn right with everyone else and go into the TSA Checkpoint queues. The queue for those with Pre-Check is to the left. The queue for those without Pre-Check is to the right. There should be someone there to guide you if you are unsure.

If you end up in a Main Cabin check in line, no worries. Your bags will still get on the plane and so will you. You'll just stand in line a bit more.

Finally, I'll mention the FlyAway. I live in North Los Angeles County and I really like the Van Nuys Flyaway. There are other Fly Away buses from Union Station, Westwood, etc.

You can buy one-way or round trip FlyAway tickets. When returning from LAX, they do not check tickets on the bus. Everyone just gets on and they get going. When you get to the destination (Van Nuys, Union Station, etc) they check your existing ticket or you can buy a ticket from a kiosk. It's all very efficient. I tell you this so you don't think you need to get your ticket or money ready when you get on the bus at LAX. You board the departure near the Green signs just outside baggage claim.

I can leave my car at the FlyAway in Van Nuys, or get dropped off. Then I am on the bus to LAX and am dropped right at the terminal, without the hassle of parking, or dealing with traffic. The FlyAway bus is a great deal. You mentioned you are new to travel, so I thought I would pass on that tip.

The best thing is to look it up a day or so before the flight. That is when they tell you if it's 4 or 5.