Dec 27, 2013, 5:53 am
Last edit by: LoganFlyer
Delta-Delta Minimum Connecting Times at LAX
(Note the below times apply only if both flights are DL-marketed; the MCTs may be different for flights marketed by other airlines)
Domestic - Domestic: 40 minutes
- If you're connecting from T2/T3 to TBIT, then the MCT is 1 hour.
Exception:
- If you're connecting from T2/T3 to TBIT, then the MCT is 1 hour, unless you're flying ATL-LAX-PPT or JFK-LAX-PPT, in which case MCT is 45 minutes even if connecting from T2/T3 to TBIT.
Exception:
- If you're coming from a Canadian airport with preclearance, it is considered a domestic arrival for MCT purposes and the domestic - domestic connection times above apply.
Exceptions:
- If you're coming from a Canadian airport with preclearance, it is considered a domestic arrival for MCT purposes and the domestic - international connection times above apply.
- If your connection is from TBIT to TBIT, the MCT is 2 hours for an international-international connection.
- If you're arriving from SYD and not connecting from TBIT to TBIT, the MCT is 1 hour, 50 minutes for an international-international connection. (If you're arriving from SYD and the connection is TBIT to TBIT, the 2 hour MCT in the bullet point above applies.)
- If you're on one of the following flight routings, and the first flight arrives into TBIT, the MCT is 1 hour, 50 minutes for an international-international connection:
- CUN-LAX-BNE
- CUN-LAX-MEL
- CUN-LAX-SJO
- CUN-LAX-SYD
- PVR-LAX-HND
- HND-LAX-LHR
Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Los Angeles (LAX): The Definitive Thread
Dec 24, 2019, 5:10 pm
#766
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Northern Minnesota, US
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG/MR Plat, Kimpton IC, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 659
You can’t walk from. T3 to T2 without going through security. If you don’t have to wait for a bus it takes about 15 minutes to get between terminals, if you wave to wait it could be 30 minutes. You can make it but likely won’t have a ton of time.
Dec 24, 2019, 5:18 pm
#767
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 202
I did a mileage run last week and went from T2 to T3 on the shuttle bus that runs from inside security on both sides (on the tarmac). Can't say how long the line will be when you go, but in my instance I waited about 10 minutes to board the bus, which took a few minutes to make the trip. All told, I would estimate the time from getting in line to walking into the terminal was less than 20 minutes, and that involved waiting for three buses. I'd assume that it is always quicker to take the bus than to walk unless you have Clear to get through security.
Dec 24, 2019, 5:25 pm
#769
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Northern Minnesota, US
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG/MR Plat, Kimpton IC, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 659
Dec 24, 2019, 5:26 pm
#770
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,516
Quicker walking between terminals landside if you have TSA Pre or CLEAR. I can do it in less than 10 minutes gate to gate; less than five if there are no lines.
Dec 24, 2019, 5:34 pm
#771
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ATL/DFW
Programs: Delta PM, SPG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, AVIS Preferred Plus
Posts: 388
If i take the bus, there is no security and If I walk, I need to clear security? This arrangement is insane. Being XMAS tomorrow, i guess the airport is not crowded.
Last edited by Love_Travel; Dec 24, 2019 at 8:18 pm
Dec 29, 2019, 3:29 pm
#773
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 60
LAX connection and layover
We are flying Detroit to LA and then on to Honolulu. We have a 1 hr and 38 minute layover which should be fine unless we get delayed somehow. In winter anything is possible. I see that Delta operates out of two terminals in LA. Terminals 2 and 3. Do you experienced flyers think that it is likely that we will arrive and depart from the same terminal? I am hoping that will be the case.
Also, when searching for flights how much of a layover time do you tend to look for? I (not being a frequent flyer) am more comfortable with about a 2 hr layover. But on the other hand I don't want to be sitting around the airport for hours on end either.
Also, when searching for flights how much of a layover time do you tend to look for? I (not being a frequent flyer) am more comfortable with about a 2 hr layover. But on the other hand I don't want to be sitting around the airport for hours on end either.
Dec 29, 2019, 3:40 pm
#774
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,119
Lots of information about LAX layovers here:
Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Los Angeles (LAX): The Definitive Thread
Long story short, you won't know until the day of the flight which terminal(s) your flights will arrive in and depart from. 1:38 is plenty for a domestic connection anywhere in the US; I generally look for at least 60 minute connections, and will accept lower if I know the connecting airport well and/or there's a good backup option if I miss the connection.
Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Los Angeles (LAX): The Definitive Thread
Long story short, you won't know until the day of the flight which terminal(s) your flights will arrive in and depart from. 1:38 is plenty for a domestic connection anywhere in the US; I generally look for at least 60 minute connections, and will accept lower if I know the connecting airport well and/or there's a good backup option if I miss the connection.
Dec 29, 2019, 3:51 pm
#775
formerly wchinchen
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Honolulu
Programs: AA CK, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,309
We are flying Detroit to LA and then on to Honolulu. We have a 1 hr and 38 minute layover which should be fine unless we get delayed somehow. In winter anything is possible. I see that Delta operates out of two terminals in LA. Terminals 2 and 3. Do you experienced flyers think that it is likely that we will arrive and depart from the same terminal? I am hoping that will be the case.
Also, when searching for flights how much of a layover time do you tend to look for? I (not being a frequent flyer) am more comfortable with about a 2 hr layover. But on the other hand I don't want to be sitting around the airport for hours on end either.
Also, when searching for flights how much of a layover time do you tend to look for? I (not being a frequent flyer) am more comfortable with about a 2 hr layover. But on the other hand I don't want to be sitting around the airport for hours on end either.
There are Delta Lounges in both Terminal 2 and 3, and so if you have you long lay over, you can use the lounge facilities. Your connection time is plenty to transfer between the terminals.
Dec 29, 2019, 3:55 pm
#776
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,677
J
I prefer 45-60 mins. I’ll only do less than 45 mins if there are other options and arriving later than scheduled isn’t a problem. I try to avoid anything more than a 90 min connection.
If I was sitting toward the back of the bus, I’d want a little more time.
Lots of information about LAX layovers here:
Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Los Angeles (LAX): The Definitive Thread
I generally look for at least 60 minute connections, and will accept lower if I know the connecting airport well and/or there's a good backup option if I miss the connection.
Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Los Angeles (LAX): The Definitive Thread
I generally look for at least 60 minute connections, and will accept lower if I know the connecting airport well and/or there's a good backup option if I miss the connection.
If I was sitting toward the back of the bus, I’d want a little more time.
Dec 29, 2019, 4:02 pm
#777
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,677
ROP didn’t mention whether they have Sky club access so this may not be an option. Also there is a priority pass lounge in term 2, but the hours are limited. Plus several PP lounges in Tom Bradley terminal which is adjacent to terminal 3. However, I don’t think it’s worth the trek unless you have at least 2 hrs.
Dec 29, 2019, 4:31 pm
#778
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Delta Diamond , Marriott Ambassador, Alaska MVP Gold, American Airlines Gold
Posts: 77
That time should be fine. Hopefully you’re in the same terminal, but if not, you can take the shuttle. The FA or GAs will be able to tell you where to go.
The one thing I would say, depending on time/how many bags you have with you, is that it can sometimes be faster to walk landside and re-clear security, rather than dealing with the shuttle. YMMV, but if you have TSA Pre or Clear (or the combo), depending on what gate you’re connecting to, it’s certainly been faster for me before to just walk between the terminals rather than dealing with the shuttle.
The one thing I would say, depending on time/how many bags you have with you, is that it can sometimes be faster to walk landside and re-clear security, rather than dealing with the shuttle. YMMV, but if you have TSA Pre or Clear (or the combo), depending on what gate you’re connecting to, it’s certainly been faster for me before to just walk between the terminals rather than dealing with the shuttle.
Dec 29, 2019, 7:04 pm
#779
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat-ist, Bonvoyyyyyyed, Hilton $15 Daily F&B Receiver, Food Lion MVP
Posts: 1,203
It’s not taboo, per se, but I recall a thread a while back where an FA was berated for not having rebooking options at his/her disposal when ground staff/res line are obviously the better option for this. I simply think it’s best in a public forum to expect FAs to perform their safety and inflight functions well and not encourage folks reading to expect more than that.
For anyone insterested in this info: gate information can be easily found self-serve via the app/website on the plane via free wifi access (must select messaging plan, but app and dl.dumb access is included) and during taxi, and all gates in cities where DL routinely connects passengers have monitors facing the exit of the jetbridge that display relevant connecting flights and gates for passengers deplaning. An agent meets every flight who can explain the best way to move between terminals, if necessary.
Dec 29, 2019, 7:27 pm
#780
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,441
A nit... Actually, all you have to do is get to the page that lists the various wifi options that are available for free/purchase - you don't actually have to pick one of the options - simply getting to that page is sufficient. Once you've navigated to that selection page, the DL app and DL web site will work from your device for the duration of the flight. This is particularly useful if you (like me) like to wait for the ideal time for my selection of the T-Mobile "free hour of wifi" but am curious as to our progress throughout the flight.