2358

I am flying out to LAX, and back and have 2 questions for the return flight.

Is there a fast track security at LAX for Golds/Club? TSA precheck (now that BA part of GE)? I recall on previous occasions everyone sent to the same (very long) line.

Which is the best lounge to use at the Tom Bradley terminal? Last time I flew back I went to the lounge I was directed to, and was underwhelmed - food looked as though it had been there most of the day, lounge was noisy and dark. Which lounge is recommended?

thanks!

orbitmic

There are both a fast track and a TSA pre check lanes. Qantas F lounge is best if you are Gold IMHO though many people swear by the new AA Flagship lounge (available through the airside corridor)

ChrisMcP

What lounges can CW travellers use at LAX?

mikeyfly

Remember if the security lines look hideous in TBIT it’s a short walk to T4 where there’s a choice of normal and Pre Check lines.

I’d only recommend Qantas first lounge - the rest are just OK

flatlander

If you only have Business lounge access, the Qantas Business lounge is quite reasonable too. Clearly, go for the QF F lounge if you can.

If you're flying CW you need to have Oneworld Emerald status (eg, BA Gold) to get into the QF F lounge, otherwise, the QF business is the one for you.

I haven't tried any other lounge in TBIT for some time.

MarkedMan

I would not recommend Flagship Lounge over Qantas lounge. I would recommend Flagship Dining over Qantas Lounge, but that's not available unless you are in F (and possibly not if you are in F in BA, not sure about that).

Genius1

Flip42

IMO: Qantas First > AA Flagship > Oneworld J Lounge > Admirals Club

So if not an Emerald and travelling in Club World I would use the Flagship Lounge.

Often1

Just to be clear, what is referred to as Fast Track here is simply a priority area (poorly enforced) for all carriers' premium class and most status passengers. Once one reaches the first podium staffed by a TSA Officer, one is sent through the same security screening as all other mere mortals.

Pre-Check is now available to BA passengers, but it is a US government program which one must separately join and is included along with Global Entry. Pre-Check provides for expedited and limited screening.

Gig103

I too agree that LAX AA Flagship is nicer than the Oneworld J lounge. But keep in mind, OP, that there's a walk involved in getting between TBIT and Terminal 4.

QueenOfCoach

LAX is my home airport.

There is a little-known TSA checkpoint in the lower level of TBIT within the TBIT-T4 connector. The checkpoint was designed to serve folks coming off international flights (where they re-check their bags within the Customs area) and connecting to domestic AA flights. Please trust me when I tell you that this checkpoint is the best way to get through TSA security in TBIT. I have seen it with ZERO line. Friends of mine have told me they were one of two in line. (I even recommend it for HBO folks leaving on an AA flight. I tell them to get their ride to drop them at the TBIT Arrivals level.)

1. Check in and drop your bags in the Departures level of TBIT, as usual.
2. Instead of just following the crowd to the massive line for TSA, turn back around towards the street entrance, turn right and go within the building towards T4. You will see an elevator on your left.
3. Take that elevator down to the Arrivals level.
4. Exit the elevator, and turn left. Stay within the building and continue to walk in the direction of T4. Do not go outside.
5. Pass various vendors and restrooms.
6. At the end of the hallway is this unpopulated TSA checkpoint. Go through the checkpoint, then take the escalator up into the TBIT-T4 connector.
7. Off the escalator, turn left for T4 AA Admirals Club/Flagship Lounge and other AA departure gates.
8. Turn right for TBIT lounges and departure gates. You will pass a large window from which you can see the giant line you just avoided.

Please believe me that using this checkpoint even without TSA Pre-Check is faster than schlepping over to the Pre-Check line in T4, assuming you have TSA Pre-Check. If you do not have Pre-Check, this will be absolutely faster than the main TBIT line.

For anyone reading this who plans to arrive in TBIT on an international flight, then connect to AA for a domestic flight:

1. Recheck your bags within the Customs area.
2. Emerge from the Customs area into the Arrivals meeters-and-greeters area.
3. Turn right and, staying within the building, walk towards T4, Do not go outside.
4. You will pass the elevator, restrooms and shops described above, then get to the TSA checkpoint at the end of the hallway.

Also note there is another elevator near the T3 end of TBIT. Use that if more convenient, then just walk parallel to the street as described above.

QueenOfCoach

It's an easy walk for the able-bodied. Slow walkers can flag an electric cart for a lift.

Anyone unfazed by the distances in Heathrow should not have any problems with the TBIT-T4 LAX connector.

crazyarmadillo

Easy walk. Takes 6 mins walking from the Qantas f lounge , to the flagship. It's always very quite as well, the walk that is, not the flagship,....

Edit . Add on a couple minutes, if tired etc

I love lax especially being able to transit airside thru t4 tbit and t5 and also as QueenofCoach mentions above the 'secret security channel..'.. Unless of course sometimes they do do use that security as an overflow place when the main security at tbit is busy.

2358

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

Yes you are

Regards

TBS