Jan 7, 2019, 10:04 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
For the current thread, please see here.
NOTE: AA uses Terminals 4 and 5, the remote “Eagle’s Nest” and some gates at TBIT
Link to Los Angeles World Airports' LAX Airport website
NOTE: LAX is always undergoing changes; be aware the information herein may change. See here for LAWA notices affecting passengers.
Link LAWA / LAX FAQ page.
Link to aa.com
Link to 14 Feb 2017 post with AA-AA Minimum Times Times
NOTE: The Admirals Club® lounge and Flagship Lounge in Terminal 4 at Los Angeles International (LAX) are under renovations.
Special notice
AA operate from multiple terminals at LAX. Check in at Terminal 5, east end (Gates 50-59, including Remote American Eagle terminal, gates 52A-J) or Terminal 4 (Gates 40-49, 110-159). (As of 31 Jan 2017)
NOTE: the 100s gates are at the Tom Bradley International Air Terminal (aka Terminal B), accessible to / from Terminal 4 by the airside connector if you are already airside and security cleared.
[AA T-6 ops moved to T-5; other airline positioning to occur 12, 14 and 16 May 2017[/B]
Check-in times as of March 2016 Link
In most locations, you must be checked in:
At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States
At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States. Some non-US require more.
If you are checking in with baggage to check at T-4, not T-5, and flying American Eagle from the remote "Eagle's Nest" 52A-J gates (31 Jan 2017 and after), you must check in 90 minutes prior to departure.
LAYOUT: LAX is like a letter "U" on its side, open end facing right. The Tom Bradley International Terminal is the bar of the "U" facing left, on the west side. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 on the north and 4 - 8 on the south. Entering the semicircular, counter-clockwise roadway serving the terminals, you will pass terminals 1, 2, 3, TBIT, 4, 5, 6, etc. There is quite a bit of construction going on and the airport roadways can get quite congested.
MCT: Though international to International or Domestic Minimum Connect Times (MCT) are listed as 2:00, arriving at the remote western 200 pads and gates (served by busses from the terminals), connecting between T4, T6, Remote Eagle terminal and TBIT, not to mention lengthy USCBP queues and the need to proceed landslide to connecting terminals and processing security may make 2:00 unrealistic at times. MCT Domestic to Domestic or International is often 0:40, but this may be unrealistic if connecting American Eagle remote terminal 52A-J and a domestic flight at TBIT, for example.
Operating terminals and gates
Terminal 4: AA primarily uses Terminal 4, Gates 40-49 but now also uses Terminal 5 (50-59, 52A-I remote Eagle gates and TBIT (110-159). Flagship Checkin, Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge are all in T-4.
Tom Bradley International Terminal ("100") gates 110-159 for domestic and international flights, with no particular flight assignment - check your gates information.
oneworld Business and Qantas First lounges in TBIT for qualified passengers. See LOUNGE DASHBOARD for further information - link.
Occasionally, the "200 gates" remote pads (bus from T-4) may be used. Terminal 4 and TBIT are connected airside by a new connector. Qualified travelers may use the TBIT oneworld Business or Qantas First lounges. See separate thread.
Terminal 5 AS OF Tue 31 Jan 2017: Legacy US flights operate from Terminal 5, gates 50 - 59. It is best to check in for American Eagle flights at T-5. Airside connection exists, as well as shuttles. Bus port at T-5 is at gate 52. American Eagle checked baggage is delivered to Terminal 5 baggage carousels; Eagle remote gates are now numbered 52A-J.
Terminal 6: Alaska Airlines flights operate from Terminal 6.
Legacy US flights operated from Terminal 6 until 31 Jan 2017; AA no longer operates out of Terminal 6.
American Eagle Remote Terminal "Eagle's Nest": Regional flights operate at a remote terminal served frequently by airside shuttle busses from bus gates 44 and 60. The remote American Eagle terminal gate numeration has changed: "May 16 2016 the remote gates at LAX formerly 44 A-J were renumbered to 60 A-J." There is a "junior" Admirals Club here. Preferred Eagle check in and baggage carousels are in T-5?
While you may check in at T-4 for American Eagle, those with baggage to check must do so no less than 90 minutes prior to departure. The preferred baggage check deadline is in place at T-5 for American Eagle.
Walking Interterminal - Landside
Note: You can walk airside between Terminal 4 and TBIT as of 25 Feb 2016. See LAX Terminal 4 - Tom Bradley Intl Terminal Secure Connector), and on to T-5 via a corridor (ground floor, by bus gate 44).
One can also walk landside between terminals on upper or lower walkway sidewalks just outside the roadway. Lower walkways are protected from the weather, upper walkways are not. Distances can be short (T-4 <-> TBIT) or long (20 minutes or less in all cases, and there are crosswalks and walkways serving north and south terminals. See north - south blue corridors in Ground Transport map, above; walkways parallel them.
For access to the Tom Bradley International Terminal ("TBIT") one may also proceed landslide and walk a short distance, or take the counter clockwise landside courtesy airport shuttle bus.
Originally Posted by QueenOfCoach
Here is a graphic I made from a Google Earth Streetview screenshot that shows how close T4 is to TBIT. It's a two-minute walk. One minute if you are fast.
Airside - Shuttle Bus or Walking
Airside shuttle busses:
NO BUS T-4 <-> T-5 (faster to walk pedestrian tunnel)
T-4 <-> Remote Eagle terminal (most efficient and frequent)
T-5 <-> Remote Eagle terminal (more frequent than from / to T-4)
Terminals 4 and 5: A courtesy shuttle bus operates airside between Terminal 4, ex-gate 44 bus gate, and Terminal 6 gate 60-62 through Mon 30 Jan 2017 - afterwards, Terminal gate 52, every fifteen minutes between 05:00 and 23:00; ongoing boarding pass required. At other times one either take the airside corridor T-5 Tue 31 Jan and after <-> T-4 or exit landslide and walk or take the counter-clockwise landslide courtesy shuttle bus.
American Eagle Remote Terminal: A courtesy shuttle bus serves the American Eagle remote terminal from Terminal 5, gate 52. Note: American Eagle checked baggage is delivered to Terminal 5 baggage carousels. Another shuttle runs from Terminal 4, gate 44 bus gate. A boarding pass to Gate 52A-I is required. This is the sole way of reaching these gates (other than Five Star Service passengers, who are shuttled via the Tarmac in Cadillac SUVs).
Terminal 4 - TBIT: The new pedestrian airside connector opened 25 Feb 2015. Qantas and AA passengers departing the TBIT can check in at Terminal 4, process airside, use Admirals or Flagship lounges T-4 <-> TBIT shuttles apparently ended when the airside connector open 25 Feb 2016[/hl].
Walk Terminals 4 and 5: One can walk airside using the Terminal 4 - 5 - 6 connector.
Walk Terminal 4 - TBIT airside connector: An airside connector leading to TBIT is open effective 25 Feb 2016. See here (FT) for more.
Getting from terminal to terminal, concourse to concourse, landside
Landside courtesy airport shuttle bus
- "A" line buses: Transports passengers between terminals. "A" route operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and runs every 10 minutes (counter clockwise)
- "C" line buses: Transports passengers to and from Parking Lot C. Travelers can walk to the LAX City Bus Center from Lot C. "C" route operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and runs every 10 to 15 minutes.
- "G" line busses: Transports passengers with a valid TAP card to and from the Metro Green Line Aviation Station. Service is aligned with the rail schedule. To view, please go to www.metro.net . Click here for Green line Boarding Procedures (PDF document). TAP card is not required when taking the G Bus from LAX to the Aviation Metro Station.
- Use this link for a real time map display of shuttle bus locations and movements.
- Rental car company busses: transport passengers between terminals and car rental facilities.
Ground Transportation stops / pickups at LAX
NOTE: Rental, hotel shuttle, Über, etc. stops are in front of each terminal on the arrivals / lower level at the island crossing the first lanes of traffic.
Security at LAX
Link to FlyerGuide information on LAX T-4 Security.
TSA PreCheck: Yes (Terminal 4 upstairs, east; Terminal 5?)
Priority Access line in a Terminal 4 is accessed from the escalator on the left end (looking at the counters) of the terminal (furthest from TBIT, closest to terminal 5), next to the Priority Access check-in area. Often there is an AA worker at the bottom of the escalator making sure only Priority Access passengers go up this escalator. The First, Business and Priority Access lines now have their own screening room far from the economy area. This private room has multiple screening lines and during peak periods additional lines are opened up.
Security for (TBIT) international arrivals proceeding to Terminal 4 is open as of February 2017. When exiting TBIT customs and baggage recheck area, turn right immediately after the exit and proceed down the hallway to the checkpoint. No Pre-Check.
Check-in and ticketing at LAX and check in times Link
Flagship Check-in: YES Marked exclusive T-4 Flagship check-in entrance 4:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Five Star Service: YES
Priority and Preferred Access: YES
Curbside check-in: Yes. Terminal 4 only, including for international destinations.
Minimum time for checking in and arriving at the gate at LAX
Minimum time to check baggage
To help us get your bag on the same flight with you, present your bag to an airline representative for check-in no later than the cutoff time.
For flights within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands:
- Check bags at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure at LAX
For flights originating in airports outside the U.S. or flights departing the U.S. for an international destination:
- Check bags at least 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure (90’ if checking for Eagle at T-4 instead of T-5)
Time to baggage delivery: expect 0:30 or more.
Ticket counter locations
Terminal 4: upon entry, Qantas to right; First and Priority Access to left; Main Cabin straight ahead.
Self-service check-in kiosks available.
Open Daily: 04:00 - 00:30 (4 am to midnight + 30)
Terminal 5, east side: OPEN Tue 31 Jan 2017
Open Daily: 4:30 AM - 12:30 AM
Terminal 6: CLOSE Tue 31 Jan 2017
Open Daily: 4:30 AM - 12:30 AM
If departing on American Eagle, suggested check-in at T-5 Tue 31 Jan 2017 or after.
Minimum and reasonable connection and check-in times at LAX
See 20 May 2016 ExpertFlyer MCT listings here: Q. What are minimum check-in time requirements at LAX?
AA requires arriving a minimum of 45 minutes prior to domestic departures if departing domestically (including Hawai'i, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands) if one has no baggage to check; 60 minutes if one must check baggage; and two hours prior to international departures.
Additionally, AA requires passengers be checked in at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure at LAX and "Arrive at the gate and be ready to board at least 15 minutes prior to domestic departure" and 30 minutes prior to international departure. Gates close to boarding 10 minutes prior to departure.
Q. What is the domestic to domestic or domestic to international Minimum Connection Time (MCT)?
The minimum connect time at LAX, domestic to domestic or international, is 0:40 minutes. International to domestic or international MCT is 2:00, but as mentioned previously, this may be insufficient. Note: MCT is generally not waived for international passengers arriving from USCBP pre-clearance airports.
See AA domestic to international MCT from ExpertFlyer Nov 2016 c/o Serfty here.
Q. If I am making an international to international connection, what is the process?
There is no international transit process in nearly all airports in the USA (DFW and MIA have a baggage exception for international to international). Arriving internationally, unless you have been pre-cleared, you must proceed through U. S. immigration (there are kiosks and a fast channel for Global Entry approved passengers), recover your baggage from the baggage carousel and proceed through U. S. Customs.
Upon exiting Customs at TBIT there is a bag drop facility; drop your checked baggage, exit to the landside arrivals area. Pre-cleared passengers arriving at TBIT will bypass USCBP (but most airlines will enforce international to domestic MCT nonetheless).
ALL arrivals are forced landside (you may pass back through security at the TBIT end of the T-4 - TBIT connector) and Terminal 4 is a short walk to your right, Terminal 6 farther; one can board courtesy airport "A" busses and be dropped off very shortly at T-4 or T-5.
NOTE: Whilst most international Arrivals process immigration and customs at TBIT, some arriving at T-4 may walk a long underground passage and process formalities at TBIT. Others may process at T-4, but if you arrive with bags those will be available at TBIT.
There is no Arrivals Loinge for AA or oneworld customers at LAX.
Q. What is AA policy if I have separate tickets and my incoming flight is delayed?
Protection for oneworld world customers travelling on separate bookings:
oneworld Global Support
Your oneworld connection is generally not officially protected, but the airline may help you and put you on the next available flight, and AA does generally protect oneworld connections at this time..
If your flights are on the same PNR:
Your oneworld connection is generally not officially protected, but the airline may help you and put you on the next available flight, and AA does generally protect oneworld connections at this time..
If your flights are on the same PNR:
Connecting between airlines at unfamiliar airports can be a stressful experience, especially if your flight is delayed. American Airlines recognizes the impact delays and missed connections can have on your plans and on your life. That is why we partnered with the other oneworld member airlines to form teams of connection experts: oneworld Global Support.
At select airports across the oneworld alliance network, teams are proactively monitoring connecting flights and, whenever possible, they will meet and assist you if your connection is in jeopardy. The oneworld Global Support teams will do their best to allow you to use dedicated fast track lanes through immigration or security to help you catch your next flight. Our teams will also do everything possible to transfer your baggage so that it makes it on time to your final destination.
If you miss your connecting flight, the oneworld Global Support team will provide you with updated travel information, a new boarding pass and, where applicable, assistance with overnight accommodations.
oneworld Global Support is currently available at Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Madrid-Barajas, Miami, New York JFK and Sydney. The service is offered at these airports whenever possible, subject to operational constraints.
At select airports across the oneworld alliance network, teams are proactively monitoring connecting flights and, whenever possible, they will meet and assist you if your connection is in jeopardy. The oneworld Global Support teams will do their best to allow you to use dedicated fast track lanes through immigration or security to help you catch your next flight. Our teams will also do everything possible to transfer your baggage so that it makes it on time to your final destination.
If you miss your connecting flight, the oneworld Global Support team will provide you with updated travel information, a new boarding pass and, where applicable, assistance with overnight accommodations.
oneworld Global Support is currently available at Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Madrid-Barajas, Miami, New York JFK and Sydney. The service is offered at these airports whenever possible, subject to operational constraints.
Q. Can I check my baggage through?
If you're connecting within the oneworld alliance or airlines with an interline agreement and your connection is under eleven hours, all segments on the same PNR, probably. If over that or with separate PNRs (even within oneworld) airlines without an interline agreements with AA or on separate tickets connecting with non-oneworld airlines, no.
See oneworld not requiring protection or interline baggage 1 Jun 2016; AA policy.
Q. Is there baggage storage at LAX?
No. Since 9/11 most USA airports have eliminated baggage storage, but you can use a baggage storage firm that will pick up, store and return your baggage. You do not have to pre-book, and they are open 24/7: http://www.laxluggagestorage.com. There are $5 pickup, $5 return and storage charges.
WiFi at LAX:
"Internet Access at Los Angeles LAX Airport. LAX Airport offers free internet access, with paid upgrades: Free Wi-Fi service for up to 44 minutes is available in most of the public areas of the Airport - provided by Advanced Wireless Group."
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ARCHIVE: 2015-2017 GUIDE: LAX / Los Angeles Int’l. Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.
Nov 28, 2015, 5:47 am
#46
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: Double OWE (AA EXP, QF Plat), FI Gold
Posts: 1,887
But it's a tight connection. OP says 50 minutes - it's taken me almost that long to clear security at TBIT.
Nov 28, 2015, 6:08 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Looks like it's the 7AM SFO-LAX flight this morning that arrives LAX at 8:32A. LAX-PVG departs at 9:25A. Good luck to OP on that one. TBIT security is going to be the challenge. Not sure why AA would even sell this connection, especially without a secure shuttle between the terminals. Best I can tell, online MCT is 1:30 for Domestic to International not within T4. Per EF, it's :45 within T4 but that's not applicable in this case.
Nov 28, 2015, 9:00 am
#48
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,546
Bradley is dead in the morning. Gate to gate in 20 minutes.
Nov 28, 2015, 10:44 am
#49
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Location: NorCal - SMF area
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(The airside T-4 to TBIT connector should open in 2-3 months.)
Walking from any gate in T-4 (not including remote Eagle gates, and longer from the LUS gates) to TBIT departures shouldn't take over ten minutes. If short of time, declare that to security - "my connection was late, my flight is boarding" might get less pushback and more cooperation. Shouldn't the be a problem for the OP if the incoming flight is on time, IME.
We will merge this into the LAX master thread soon. /Moderator
Nov 28, 2015, 12:14 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Looks like it's the 7AM SFO-LAX flight this morning that arrives LAX at 8:32A. LAX-PVG departs at 9:25A. Good luck to OP on that one. TBIT security is going to be the challenge. Not sure why AA would even sell this connection, especially without a secure shuttle between the terminals. Best I can tell, online MCT is 1:30 for Domestic to International not within T4. Per EF, it's :45 within T4 but that's not applicable in this case.
Nov 28, 2015, 12:44 pm
#51
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AA EP, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 636
Looks like it's the 7AM SFO-LAX flight this morning that arrives LAX at 8:32A. LAX-PVG departs at 9:25A. Good luck to OP on that one. TBIT security is going to be the challenge. Not sure why AA would even sell this connection, especially without a secure shuttle between the terminals. Best I can tell, online MCT is 1:30 for Domestic to International not within T4. Per EF, it's :45 within T4 but that's not applicable in this case.
Had a similar situation a few days ago. I had to go out of T4 and walk to TBIT and re-clear security there. Worse, neither TSA-pre nor priority lane at TBIT. However, with a tight connection try to speak to any agent there and hopefully you can get to the top of the line (just as those wheelchair passengers do).
Good luck!
Good luck!
Luggage? Checked Through?
If no luggage to deal with then stay at arrivals level (or at lesat dont go down to baggage claim). When leaving T4, turn left and follow the walkway as it curves around to the right (past the TBIT/T4 connector/baggage facility construction on the left) to TBIT.
If no luggage to deal with then stay at arrivals level (or at lesat dont go down to baggage claim). When leaving T4, turn left and follow the walkway as it curves around to the right (past the TBIT/T4 connector/baggage facility construction on the left) to TBIT.
Dec 7, 2015, 4:29 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: CX Diamond, AA CK (quit 2018), Starwood Platinum, National EXC Elite
Posts: 283
LAX T4-TBIT ; Tight Connection
Thoughts on arriving remote T4 terminal, and then walking to TBIT, re-clearing security, with an hour and half time available before international flight departs? Arriving 7.55am from SJC, and departing 9.35am to PVG in J (should get priority lane in TBIT) What protection would AA offer in case missed?
Dec 7, 2015, 8:46 pm
#53
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
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Posts: 2,180
Thoughts on arriving remote T4 terminal, and then walking to TBIT, re-clearing security, with an hour and half time available before international flight departs? Arriving 7.55am from SJC, and departing 9.35am to PVG in J (should get priority lane in TBIT) What protection would AA offer in case missed?
AA would protect you if this is a legal connection; is it?
Are you sure PVG departs from TBIT? It may vary from day to day.
Dec 8, 2015, 9:01 am
#54
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: CX Diamond, AA CK (quit 2018), Starwood Platinum, National EXC Elite
Posts: 283
It's rather tight given that you'll have to take the bus from the Eagles' Nest to T4, and then it's a slight hike from the bus dropoff to the terminal exit. Allow 20 minutes from gate to terminal loop road, plus ~5 to walk to TBIT.
AA would protect you if this is a legal connection; is it?
Are you sure PVG departs from TBIT? It may vary from day to day.
AA would protect you if this is a legal connection; is it?
Are you sure PVG departs from TBIT? It may vary from day to day.
Dec 8, 2015, 9:04 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: CX Diamond, AA CK (quit 2018), Starwood Platinum, National EXC Elite
Posts: 283
Agree about timing from some indirect experience. The wild card is TBIT security.
Yes, legal and booked as round trip with AA. I am surprised that they advertise this. As for TBIT departure, can't tell at the moment, trip is in February so a little far out but for past week or so LAX-PVG 183 has departed gate ~150 ish from TBIT. If I miss perhaps I can be rebooked on CX direct to HKG which is where I am going anyway :-)
Yes, legal and booked as round trip with AA. I am surprised that they advertise this. As for TBIT departure, can't tell at the moment, trip is in February so a little far out but for past week or so LAX-PVG 183 has departed gate ~150 ish from TBIT. If I miss perhaps I can be rebooked on CX direct to HKG which is where I am going anyway :-)
Dec 8, 2015, 7:13 pm
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Houston, TX/Australia
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I've never done TBIT security in the morning, but I've read on here that's it's pretty light in the mornings. And you should get through it just fine in the priority line with your biz boarding pass.
Dec 8, 2015, 7:26 pm
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Houston, TX/Australia
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Note to mod: I just edited the wiki to resize the massive LAX shuttle map. Hope I didn't screw anything up 
Dec 8, 2015, 8:30 pm
#58
Join Date: Jun 2000
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I was including waiting for the bus and riding the bus in that 20 minutes. Everything from pulling up at the Nest to emerging in T4 proper.
Dec 8, 2015, 10:57 pm
#59
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Dec 9, 2015, 12:06 am
#60
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
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Posts: 649
The OP has 100 minutes to make it, I think he should be fine.