LAX or SFO for a long layover?
Jul 4, 2019, 10:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: BAEC OW Gold/Emerald
Posts: 538
LAX or SFO for a long layover?
Next week I am travelling SYD-LAX-SFO-LHR with the last flight being BA286 @ 1935.
I will arrive into LAX early in the morning with a long layover at LAX before my early afternoon flight to SFO.
However, AA said I could change to an early flight from LAX to SFO meaning I could spend most of the day there.
In helping me decide whether to change flights, which would be the better option for lounges, food, showers etc. LAX or SFO?
I am OW Emerald.
Thanks:
I will arrive into LAX early in the morning with a long layover at LAX before my early afternoon flight to SFO.
However, AA said I could change to an early flight from LAX to SFO meaning I could spend most of the day there.
In helping me decide whether to change flights, which would be the better option for lounges, food, showers etc. LAX or SFO?
I am OW Emerald.
Thanks:
Jul 4, 2019, 10:41 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,966
I had a long layover at LAX last week -- I ended up getting a hotel instead of lounging, but the airport experience was pretty miserable. As such, I would definitely head up to SFO sooner rather than later. For starters, you could take BART into the city and grab a decent lunch. Then, when you come back to the airport, you'll be able to avail of lounges in the international terminal. None of them will blow you away, but I dare say they put domestic options at LAX to shame.
Jul 4, 2019, 11:20 pm
#5
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
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I had a long layover at LAX last week -- I ended up getting a hotel instead of lounging, but the airport experience was pretty miserable. As such, I would definitely head up to SFO sooner rather than later. For starters, you could take BART into the city and grab a decent lunch. Then, when you come back to the airport, you'll be able to avail of lounges in the international terminal. None of them will blow you away, but I dare say they put domestic options at LAX to shame.
Far from being a miserable experience.
Jul 4, 2019, 11:31 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
From a lounge perspective, no question, LAX is better. But at least in my experience, AA has had a fair number of delays on the LAX-SFO service. Factoring that in, and given that I presume making the SFO-LHR is a more critical factor than a modestly improved lounge experience, I would opt for taking the earlier flight to build in some contingency.
tb
tb
Jul 5, 2019, 2:04 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
If you like fish I'd recommend whatever they have. The raw tuna is excellent (but absent last time I was there), the salt and pepper squid has a nice spicy dip, and I've had mains with full fillets that have been great too.
SFO, by comparison, is laughable - you might get a packet of crisps.
Jul 5, 2019, 2:14 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
If the OP has an UK-issued Amex Plat with PP, they would also have Centurion lounge and restaurant options in SFO...the restaurant I've been to (Yankee Pier) wasn't actually that bad...had a nice crab salad or something.
tb
tb
Jul 5, 2019, 2:33 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 635
As Clubman said, with BA Gold you can use the international OneWorld lounges at LAX which are very good - if a lurker is reading this but only has AA Plat then the lounge offering is poor by comparison. With a long layover you could always leave the airport (since you will have entered the USA) you could always pop out to In n Out Burger or Melody Bar.
My partner did a SYD-LAX-LHR a while ago and took advantage of a day rate at a LAX hotel. If you have a long enough layover either at LAX or SFO if you take the earlier connector, I would personally do that, although it looks like LAX is far cheaper than SFO!
My partner did a SYD-LAX-LHR a while ago and took advantage of a day rate at a LAX hotel. If you have a long enough layover either at LAX or SFO if you take the earlier connector, I would personally do that, although it looks like LAX is far cheaper than SFO!
Jul 5, 2019, 2:58 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lausanne Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold; Swiss Blue
Posts: 1,244
Depends what you want to do during you layover.
And how long it can be.
I would opt for SFO, jump on the BART and go and visit a bit of the town and get out the the airport, if long enough
Down town is just 30 mins for the airport with 4 trains an hour. You could be a Muni Passport, go and right a cable car over to Fisherman's Warf, return on a historic street car to Embarcadero,
Go to the Ferry Building at the end of Market Street for a late lunch, see Union Square,
Then head back to the airport.
And how long it can be.
I would opt for SFO, jump on the BART and go and visit a bit of the town and get out the the airport, if long enough
Down town is just 30 mins for the airport with 4 trains an hour. You could be a Muni Passport, go and right a cable car over to Fisherman's Warf, return on a historic street car to Embarcadero,
Go to the Ferry Building at the end of Market Street for a late lunch, see Union Square,
Then head back to the airport.
Jul 5, 2019, 3:08 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,197
From a lounge perspective, no question, LAX is better. But at least in my experience, AA has had a fair number of delays on the LAX-SFO service. Factoring that in, and given that I presume making the SFO-LHR is a more critical factor than a modestly improved lounge experience, I would opt for taking the earlier flight to build in some contingency.
tb
tb
Jul 5, 2019, 5:18 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: BAEC OW Gold/Emerald
Posts: 538
I'm on the one ticket with AA so am somewhat relaxed about getting to SFO. Realistically, I think I have about 7 hours of layover time having cleared immigration & customs. LAX-LHR direct would be great if they offer it, particularly as it was Ł2k more to book a direct service over the one stop.
Last edited by IntVic; Jul 5, 2019 at 5:20 am Reason: Spelling
Jul 5, 2019, 5:29 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
It all depends...if the OP can still have a couple of hours in LAX (much less might be risky since they have to pass US immigration and customs), they would still probably sample e.g. the QF Flounge, and still get to SFO with considerable buffer.
tb
Jul 5, 2019, 5:39 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: BAEC OW Gold/Emerald
Posts: 538
My point is that the OP may be currently booked on the last LAX-SFO before his SFO-LHR, with say a 90 minute cushion. But 2hr+ delays on that route when there is "weather" in SFO is not unheard of, and domestics are impacted much more than international. Being on a protected single ticket will mean that if the OP misses their LHR-bound flight, they can get on the next one....the next day. Not ideal.
It all depends...if the OP can still have a couple of hours in LAX (much less might be risky since they have to pass US immigration and customs), they would still probably sample e.g. the QF Flounge, and still get to SFO with considerable buffer.
tb
It all depends...if the OP can still have a couple of hours in LAX (much less might be risky since they have to pass US immigration and customs), they would still probably sample e.g. the QF Flounge, and still get to SFO with considerable buffer.
tb
