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.
Jun 13, 2017, 11:29 pm
#736
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 586
This went off without a hitch today. 6022 from SFO into eagles nest. We landed about 15-20 early. The shuttle was a piece of cake. Made my PHL connection with 7 minutes to spare!
Had we been as much as 10 minutes late i think this would have been way to close for comfort, but as it was, went well.
Thanks for the advice all.
Had we been as much as 10 minutes late i think this would have been way to close for comfort, but as it was, went well.
Thanks for the advice all.
Jun 14, 2017, 2:43 am
#737
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lausanne Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold; Swiss Blue
Posts: 1,244
2 Questions Re: LAX
1. What is the status of the Admirals Club upgrade in LAX T4?
(Does anyone know when it is due for completion?)
2. What is the earliest I can checkin luggage for flight?
(OWE traveling to KOA, on 17:15 flight is it possible to pass in the morning and checkin luggage then come back later for flight?)
(Does anyone know when it is due for completion?)
2. What is the earliest I can checkin luggage for flight?
(OWE traveling to KOA, on 17:15 flight is it possible to pass in the morning and checkin luggage then come back later for flight?)
Jun 14, 2017, 7:03 am
#738
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
1. What is the status of the Admirals Club upgrade in LAX T4?
(Does anyone know when it is due for completion?)
2. What is the earliest I can checkin luggage for flight?
(OWE traveling to KOA, on 17:15 flight is it possible to pass in the morning and checkin luggage then come back later for flight?)
(Does anyone know when it is due for completion?)
2. What is the earliest I can checkin luggage for flight?
(OWE traveling to KOA, on 17:15 flight is it possible to pass in the morning and checkin luggage then come back later for flight?)
Jun 14, 2017, 7:48 am
#739
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Jun 14, 2017, 7:57 am
#740
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lausanne Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold; Swiss Blue
Posts: 1,244
:-( will miss this when going to KOA in October then...
Jun 14, 2017, 8:34 am
#741
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The only places I am aware of AA enforcing a bag check time limit on the day of travel are FLL and LGA, both of which have limited space and heavy volume. Elsewhere, you should be able to check luggage on the day of travel when the counter opens.
There is no requirement that you physically remain at the airport nor could AA even know that you are on airport grounds even if it cared. Your sole obligation having checked in and checked luggage is to be at the departure gate no later than T-15.
There is no requirement that you physically remain at the airport nor could AA even know that you are on airport grounds even if it cared. Your sole obligation having checked in and checked luggage is to be at the departure gate no later than T-15.
Jun 14, 2017, 9:47 am
#742
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,631
Jun 15, 2017, 12:10 am
#743
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lausanne Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold; Swiss Blue
Posts: 1,244
Many thanks for the replies
Jun 15, 2017, 1:17 am
#744
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,975
If you don't mind my asking, how are you planning to leave the airport and how far do you plan to go? It's not like there is a public transport station right at LAX that can whisk you off to some interesting destination. There are options, such as the FlyAway bus to Union Station, but I would be hesitant to advise someone to use that during a 5 hour layover unless they were very familiar with the airport and transit times.
I would be comfortable with a plan where a friend picks you up in their car and takes you to a nearby restaurant for a nice meal, then brings you back. You would just put your stuff in the trunk of their car.
I would be comfortable with a plan where a friend picks you up in their car and takes you to a nearby restaurant for a nice meal, then brings you back. You would just put your stuff in the trunk of their car.
Jun 15, 2017, 7:39 am
#745
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
Jul 5, 2017, 12:57 pm
#746
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 2
Is there a shuttle from Eagle's Nest to Terminal 4?
We are flying into LAX from SAN and arriving at the remote terminal (maybe Gate 52E?). We have 58 minutes to catch a connecting flight to KOA (Kona, Hawaii) at gate 48.
Is there a shuttle bus from the AA Eagle remote terminal to terminal 4 or only to terminal 5 and then we have to find the tunnel to get to terminal 4?
Is this usually enough time? If we miss this flight it is the last of the day unless AA puts us on a flight to HNL and let's us take a code share flight to from KOA to HNL on Hawaiian Airlines.
Is there a shuttle bus from the AA Eagle remote terminal to terminal 4 or only to terminal 5 and then we have to find the tunnel to get to terminal 4?
Is this usually enough time? If we miss this flight it is the last of the day unless AA puts us on a flight to HNL and let's us take a code share flight to from KOA to HNL on Hawaiian Airlines.
Jul 5, 2017, 1:08 pm
#747
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,451
We are flying into LAX from SAN and arriving at the remote terminal (maybe Gate 52E?). We have 58 minutes to catch a connecting flight to KOA (Kona, Hawaii) at gate 48.
Is there a shuttle bus from the AA Eagle remote terminal to terminal 4 or only to terminal 5 and then we have to find the tunnel to get to terminal 4?
Is this usually enough time? If we miss this flight it is the last of the day unless AA puts us on a flight to HNL and let's us take a code share flight to from KOA to HNL on Hawaiian Airlines.
Is there a shuttle bus from the AA Eagle remote terminal to terminal 4 or only to terminal 5 and then we have to find the tunnel to get to terminal 4?
Is this usually enough time? If we miss this flight it is the last of the day unless AA puts us on a flight to HNL and let's us take a code share flight to from KOA to HNL on Hawaiian Airlines.
Jul 5, 2017, 2:18 pm
#748
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,406
From Eagle terminal, you can take shuttle to either T4 or T5... so take the T4 one. It will take anywhere between 10 to 15 minutes depending on plane traffic at the T5 and T4 alley.
Once you arrive at T4, walk upstairs and you should get to your gate just as boarding to underway.
I assume you are on a single ticket so AA will probably wait for you to board. The late flights to Hawaii almost never leave on time because they always wait for connecting traffic.
Once you arrive at T4, walk upstairs and you should get to your gate just as boarding to underway.
I assume you are on a single ticket so AA will probably wait for you to board. The late flights to Hawaii almost never leave on time because they always wait for connecting traffic.
Jul 5, 2017, 2:32 pm
#749
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
We are flying into LAX from SAN and arriving at the remote terminal (maybe Gate 52E?). We have 58 minutes to catch a connecting flight to KOA (Kona, Hawaii) at gate 48.
Is there a shuttle bus from the AA Eagle remote terminal to terminal 4 or only to terminal 5 and then we have to find the tunnel to get to terminal 4?
Is this usually enough time? If we miss this flight it is the last of the day unless AA puts us on a flight to HNL and let's us take a code share flight to from KOA to HNL on Hawaiian Airlines.
Is there a shuttle bus from the AA Eagle remote terminal to terminal 4 or only to terminal 5 and then we have to find the tunnel to get to terminal 4?
Is this usually enough time? If we miss this flight it is the last of the day unless AA puts us on a flight to HNL and let's us take a code share flight to from KOA to HNL on Hawaiian Airlines.
Ironically, Alaska operates a SAN-KOA nonstop flight.
Jul 5, 2017, 3:28 pm
#750
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Have LAX taxi/wait times gotten better now that DL is on the other side of the airport? DL was touting there is already an improvement with their ontime/delay performance with the move to the north side so just curious if it's helped out on congestion on the south side.