BA269 to LAX immigration customs time frame
Jun 5, 2018, 1:37 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bedfordshire, England
Programs: BA Amex Premium Plus, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold VIP
Posts: 111
BA269 to LAX immigration customs time frame
We will shortly be traveling to LAX on BA269 arriving at 19:20 in the evening. Any feedback on the time frame involved to clear immigration/customs. Any tips to speed things up as I've heard from friends that over 2 hours is not unusual. If it helps all 4 of us (UK passport holders) will be in first which we've been able to achieve via two Amex 2-4-1's and all the fantastic advice received over the years from this forum^
Jun 5, 2018, 2:22 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LCY
Programs: Mucci des Ancients Matelots
Posts: 769
Depends on who lands ahead of you. If you come in just after the Chinese a380 and the New Zealand 773, you could be waiting well over an hour. Other times, it's been less than 20 mins. All I can suggest is to try and sit as far forward as you can to get off ahead of the other passengers. If you're using your 241 for a J ticket, go for upper deck near the front door, you'll deplane without having to wait for First Class.
Jun 5, 2018, 2:24 am
#3
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,804
It should be under an hour really, and hopefully shorter, the biggest factor is whether your aircraft is on time and/or the movements of other aircraft, about which you won't be able to do very much. Clearly a rapid passage / brisk stroll to CBP will help since it will take a while for the main WT cabin to get to CBP. If you have been to the USA on ESTAs before then reading up on the kiosk process / videos on the TSA website will perhaps help, but since thousands of people get through CBP every hour without watching videos, it probably won't make much difference.
Jun 5, 2018, 2:36 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 80
You could check historic data here: https://awt.cbp.gov/
Jun 5, 2018, 3:09 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA, VS
Posts: 328
Not a recent experience, but we did this flight a few years back, just after the A380 started on the route. We were late leaving LHR and landed after the Chinese flight. It seemed to take an age for each group of passenger to pass customs, plus customs booths started to close down which really didn't help. It was at least 2-hours, then a massive queue at car hire it was gone 11pm before we were on the road. Then to top it all off, Interstate 405 was closed for roadwork with non-existent diversion signs!
Jun 5, 2018, 3:11 am
#7
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,926
Not a recent experience, but we did this flight a few years back, just after the A380 started on the route. We were late leaving LHR and landed after the Chinese flight. It seemed to take an age for each group of passenger to pass customs, plus customs booths started to close down which really didn't help. It was at least 2-hours, then a massive queue at car hire it was gone 11pm before we were on the road. Then to top it all off, Interstate 405 was closed for roadwork with non-existent diversion signs!
Jun 5, 2018, 3:19 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
Definitely use the toilet before landing rather than after landing before joining the immigration queue and don't stop on the way to the queue, so that you are ahead of most of your aircraft's passenger load. That is a good idea anywhere in the USA 
USA immigration these days is greatly improved by their automated kiosks, one really can't compare experiences from years ago before they were introduced. They're a genuine paradigm-change for US CBP.
USA immigration these days is greatly improved by their automated kiosks, one really can't compare experiences from years ago before they were introduced. They're a genuine paradigm-change for US CBP.
Jun 5, 2018, 3:38 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London
Posts: 778
There is little consistency, unfortunately. I had a few horror experiences when travelling on one of my passports which is not eligible for Global Entry and no SS picking me up. In one instance a couple of months ago I was in the queue to the kiosks for about 1 hour (ie: 1 hour to get to the kiosks plus then another 20 minutes to get stamped and exit). Other times I was in the baggage hall within 5 minutes.
One key variable is whether anyone in your group will get the dreaded “X” on the kiosk’s receipt. That can happen even if you are on ESTA and can depend on a variety of factors. That would mean another - usually long - queue to see an immigration officer, which could take AGES. So, my advice would be to build generous contingency if you have other plans afterwards.
One key variable is whether anyone in your group will get the dreaded “X” on the kiosk’s receipt. That can happen even if you are on ESTA and can depend on a variety of factors. That would mean another - usually long - queue to see an immigration officer, which could take AGES. So, my advice would be to build generous contingency if you have other plans afterwards.
Jun 5, 2018, 3:53 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bedfordshire, England
Programs: BA Amex Premium Plus, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold VIP
Posts: 111
Not a recent experience, but we did this flight a few years back, just after the A380 started on the route. We were late leaving LHR and landed after the Chinese flight. It seemed to take an age for each group of passenger to pass customs, plus customs booths started to close down which really didn't help. It was at least 2-hours, then a massive queue at car hire it was gone 11pm before we were on the road. Then to top it all off, Interstate 405 was closed for roadwork with non-existent diversion signs!
There is little consistency, unfortunately. I had a few horror experiences when travelling on one of my passports which is not eligible for Global Entry and no SS picking me up. In one instance a couple of months ago I was in the queue to the kiosks for about 1 hour (ie: 1 hour to get to the kiosks plus then another 20 minutes to get stamped and exit). Other times I was in the baggage hall within 5 minutes.
One key variable is whether anyone in your group will get the dreaded “X” on the kiosk’s receipt. That can happen even if you are on ESTA and can depend on a variety of factors. That would mean another - usually long - queue to see an immigration officer, which could take AGES. So, my advice would be to build generous contingency if you have other plans afterwards.
One key variable is whether anyone in your group will get the dreaded “X” on the kiosk’s receipt. That can happen even if you are on ESTA and can depend on a variety of factors. That would mean another - usually long - queue to see an immigration officer, which could take AGES. So, my advice would be to build generous contingency if you have other plans afterwards.
Jun 5, 2018, 4:49 am
#11
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,926
You will almost certainly be directed there, if not you will find the kiosks to the left of the Immigration Hall. There is always an agent barking instructions.
Last edited by Tobias-UK; Jun 5, 2018 at 5:09 am Reason: Fat fingers
Jun 5, 2018, 8:57 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: BA Bronze SPG
Posts: 273
We flew into BOS on WTP so we were off the plane sharpish. There were 3 flights that landed around the same time and the queues were something else. Took an hour to get to the kiosks. I found the biggest problems with the kiosks was the fingerprint scanning so we both got the dreaded X. Then had to join another queue to see a human face which took another 30 mins. If you can ensure your fingers are pressed down at the right place....
Our last trip to the States, we went from Dublin. Ten mins to get through the US pre-check. Bliss! Dublin now preferred route to USA!
Our last trip to the States, we went from Dublin. Ten mins to get through the US pre-check. Bliss! Dublin now preferred route to USA!
Jun 5, 2018, 10:16 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
Took that flight in April. Immigration was far quicker than we expected (using those machines), even though two other flights were coming through at the same time. But baggage delivery was slow and Avis pick up (even in the preferred area) was hopelessly disorganised.
Jun 6, 2018, 2:51 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lausanne Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold; Swiss Blue
Posts: 1,244
LAX 269 Data Point
Did the trip last year on October on the same flight...
4 PAX
3PAX in CW 1 in WT+ All on upper deck
Special Baggage (Bike)
Total of 8 pieces of baggage.
Landed just over 15 minutes late
Was in Hotel Room by 21:30 @ Renaissance Inn
Did the trip last year on October on the same flight...
4 PAX
3PAX in CW 1 in WT+ All on upper deck
Special Baggage (Bike)
Total of 8 pieces of baggage.
Landed just over 15 minutes late
Was in Hotel Room by 21:30 @ Renaissance Inn
This included a 30 min wait for the hotel shuttle bus
I was rejected by the machine which had a hissy fit, but I was quicker than those who where accepted straight away.
I was rejected by the machine which had a hissy fit, but I was quicker than those who where accepted straight away.
Last edited by SWISSBOBBY; Jun 7, 2018 at 2:11 am