Apr 13, 2013, 9:38 am
Last edit by: TWA884
2013 Consolidated LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread
NOTES:
"Published" Minimum Connect Time (MCT) international to domestic at LAX is 2 hours. Numerous LAX regulars advise that 3 hours is much safer. Wait times for incoming immigration and customs services are very inconsistent. While the vast majority of international flights arrive at the newly remodeled Tom Bradley Terminal, some airlines use older customs facilities in Terminal 2 or 6. View recent postings in this thread for more information.
T4 to T5 tunnel is now open. It is possible now to connect from T4 to T5, T6, T7 and T8 without exiting security.
In T-4, the access to the tunnel is from Gate 44 (the bus transfer gate). Take the escalator down to Gate 44, then turn left and take the escalator down towards baggage claim. At the bottom of the escalator make a U turn to the right and enter through the double doors. Please consult the terminals maps for the location of the tunnel in terminals 5 and 6.
An elevated airside connecter walkway between T4 and TBIT is under construction. This is expected to be completed in 2016. More here: TERMINAL 4 CONNECTOR - LAWA PDF
The prior thread on this topic, 2012 - "Consolidated Questions About Connecting at LAX" thread, contains relevant information, however, to keep it from getting too long, 2014 and 2015 updates are below.
________________________________________
2015 INFO
Los Angeles International Airport website
PDF Map of LAX airport and vicinity parking and cell phone lot
Airline Location Map
Links to individual terminals maps
Only terminals 4 through 8 are connected airside (through tunnels between terminals 4, 5 and 6, and above ground hallways between terminals 6, 7 and 8). There are occasional airside shuttles elsewhere, but are subject to change (e.g. AA to American eagle, afternoon AA to TBIT Qantas). Airport policy allows you to gain admission airside to a terminal you are not departing from with an ID and a same day boarding pass, but anecdotal reports indicate that sometimes this is not honored by security personnel.
Tom Bradley International Terminal serves most, but not all, foreign airlines.
In most instances, international arrivals require processing USDHS-CBP (immigration, recovering baggage and processing customs); if you are going on in your travels, there is a baggage recheck counter as you exit customs. This can be fairly rapid if you have Global Entry or are arriving at a slack period, but it can take 60-90 minutes if you are arriving during a busy arrivals period.
After clearing customs and immigration, you must exit to landside and proceed to your next terminal. You may take the free shuttle busses, which only proceed anti / counter clockwise direction (In Order: 1-2-3-TBIT-4-5-6-7-8), or you can walk. At ground level you will be sheltered by the overhead departures-serving roadway, but be exposed to vehicle fumes and cigarette smoke; on the departures level, you will be exposed to the weather. It should take no more than 5 minutes to walk from one adjacent terminal to another, but it can take significantly longer to walk from distant terminals - as long as 15 - 20 minutes.
Last updated 29 Aug 2015 by TWA884
2013 Consolidated LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread
Jun 28, 2013, 9:57 pm
#136
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 9
Additionally our flight from t4 actually leaves from
American eagles remote terminal. I read somewhere that there is a bus from t6 to the remote terminal. Is this the case? Because we have already checked in an have boarding passes.
American eagles remote terminal. I read somewhere that there is a bus from t6 to the remote terminal. Is this the case? Because we have already checked in an have boarding passes.
Jun 28, 2013, 11:24 pm
#137
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,911
Yes. If T6 TSA lets you in, you can take the bus.
Jun 29, 2013, 1:32 pm
#138
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ORF
Programs: UA & DL Gold
Posts: 309
* Your arriving international flight is precleared (Canada/Ireland) or you have Global Entry
* You have no checked bags
Two hours is the absolute minimum for an international connection at LAX, and even with Global Entry and MP status I avoid anything less than 3.
The CBP facility at T5/T6/T7 (it's all one place) is quite possibly the worst facility in the US. It is small, crowded, has poor AC/signage/lighting and busted moving walkways (it's been broken for over 2 years.)
Prepare to miss the flight.
Jun 29, 2013, 3:52 pm
#139
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: BA Gold, UA Plat, AC E35K
Posts: 469
Ahh I really should have looked into my LAX connection earlier. I'd just read through the thread and probably find what I need but I board in about 20 minutes...
Flying YVR-LAX(AS)-SFO(AA). T6 to T4.
Did a quick search and found this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Looks like there is an airside shuttle bus- can someone confirm this is still the way to go? I don't want any surprises upon arrival given my tight-ish connection.
Bags were tagged thru to SFO so that should be ok, just need to figure out how to get myself over to the right terminal.
Thank you!
Flying YVR-LAX(AS)-SFO(AA). T6 to T4.
Did a quick search and found this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Looks like there is an airside shuttle bus- can someone confirm this is still the way to go? I don't want any surprises upon arrival given my tight-ish connection.
Bags were tagged thru to SFO so that should be ok, just need to figure out how to get myself over to the right terminal.
Thank you!
Jun 29, 2013, 6:43 pm
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,196
Ahh I really should have looked into my LAX connection earlier. I'd just read through the thread and probably find what I need but I board in about 20 minutes...
Flying YVR-LAX(AS)-SFO(AA). T6 to T4.
Did a quick search and found this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Looks like there is an airside shuttle bus- can someone confirm this is still the way to go? I don't want any surprises upon arrival given my tight-ish connection.
Bags were tagged thru to SFO so that should be ok, just need to figure out how to get myself over to the right terminal.
Thank you!
Flying YVR-LAX(AS)-SFO(AA). T6 to T4.
Did a quick search and found this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Looks like there is an airside shuttle bus- can someone confirm this is still the way to go? I don't want any surprises upon arrival given my tight-ish connection.
Bags were tagged thru to SFO so that should be ok, just need to figure out how to get myself over to the right terminal.
Thank you!
Jun 29, 2013, 10:43 pm
#141
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: BA Gold, UA Plat, AC E35K
Posts: 469
Showed my itinerary to the staff at the door to the right of 45A and hopped on the bus. Nobody else onboard, it was just like a private shuttle
Jul 3, 2013, 11:14 am
#142
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: MR Plat
Posts: 383
Yes, YYZ is a preclear station. As long as things are on time you should be able to make it. Here are my notes from doing this walk last year (May, 2012). I went T1 --> T7, but the walkway is really between T1/T2 and dumps you out next to T6.
So I figured I'd update this thread with my findings from my recent T1 --> T7 connection at LAX.
I had a ~1.75 hr connection in LAX between T1 and T7 (international). I walk pretty slowly and was only carrying a large computer bag (~15 lbs) -- the walk took < 10 minutes. Someone in a hurry could easily clock in < 5 minutes if they aren't lugging a heavy bag. It took longer to walk to the gate inside T7 (post security) than the walk between terminals.
In general, the walkway is poor and LAX needs to do a **MUCH** better job to keep up with modern airports. Furthermore, the walkway has a cloud of smoke/exhaust due to the overhead highway part. If you have more time, definitely take the upper route for a more pleasant experience. Honestly, I would avoid LAX for connections if at all possible. If you can, stick to terminals 6/7/8 -- which are all connected internally (behind TSA security.)
There is very little signage (none?) indicating that you should actually take this route. The walk is lit, but I wouldn't call it "well lit" and I wouldn't really call it "safe" either. It's safe by virtue of the fact that the airport is constantly in motion, but it still feels less than optimal. The actual walkways themselves are in fair condition (nothing to really trip over.)
A couple of notes:
1. Exit T1 at the far right end, the crosswalks to T6 are just out the door to the right. Cross the "curbside dropoff" area and stand in the center.
2. ** Wait for the green crossing signal ** at the island thing. The button is on the left side. It will take a while (~2 minutes). Do not try to cross while the hand is red/orange, you'll end up pancaked on the roadway.
3. Walk across the left side by the parking deck, which then forces you to the right side as you get closer to terminals 6/7.
4. Eventually you come to a similar island thing near terminals 6/7. Repeat step 2 (button is on right side this time, and it takes ~2 minutes.) After you cross, there's a small curbside dropoff zone before you reach the actual terminal building. No need for a crossing signal there though.
5. Terminal 7 is to the left a pretty good distance. Terminal 6 is to the right (closer than T7.)
6. There's an outside escalator to take you up to the departure level.
My view on LAX is very skewed because I usually travel through ATL exclusively, which of course doesn't have any outside connections. Having flown through ATL, CLT, DEN, HOU, JFK and now LAX in recent memory -- I have to say that LAX is way at the bottom of the list. Terminal 1 was fair at best, Terminal 6 is in pretty bad shape.
-- Dan
So I figured I'd update this thread with my findings from my recent T1 --> T7 connection at LAX.
I had a ~1.75 hr connection in LAX between T1 and T7 (international). I walk pretty slowly and was only carrying a large computer bag (~15 lbs) -- the walk took < 10 minutes. Someone in a hurry could easily clock in < 5 minutes if they aren't lugging a heavy bag. It took longer to walk to the gate inside T7 (post security) than the walk between terminals.
In general, the walkway is poor and LAX needs to do a **MUCH** better job to keep up with modern airports. Furthermore, the walkway has a cloud of smoke/exhaust due to the overhead highway part. If you have more time, definitely take the upper route for a more pleasant experience. Honestly, I would avoid LAX for connections if at all possible. If you can, stick to terminals 6/7/8 -- which are all connected internally (behind TSA security.)
There is very little signage (none?) indicating that you should actually take this route. The walk is lit, but I wouldn't call it "well lit" and I wouldn't really call it "safe" either. It's safe by virtue of the fact that the airport is constantly in motion, but it still feels less than optimal. The actual walkways themselves are in fair condition (nothing to really trip over.)
A couple of notes:
1. Exit T1 at the far right end, the crosswalks to T6 are just out the door to the right. Cross the "curbside dropoff" area and stand in the center.
2. ** Wait for the green crossing signal ** at the island thing. The button is on the left side. It will take a while (~2 minutes). Do not try to cross while the hand is red/orange, you'll end up pancaked on the roadway.
3. Walk across the left side by the parking deck, which then forces you to the right side as you get closer to terminals 6/7.
4. Eventually you come to a similar island thing near terminals 6/7. Repeat step 2 (button is on right side this time, and it takes ~2 minutes.) After you cross, there's a small curbside dropoff zone before you reach the actual terminal building. No need for a crossing signal there though.
5. Terminal 7 is to the left a pretty good distance. Terminal 6 is to the right (closer than T7.)
6. There's an outside escalator to take you up to the departure level.
My view on LAX is very skewed because I usually travel through ATL exclusively, which of course doesn't have any outside connections. Having flown through ATL, CLT, DEN, HOU, JFK and now LAX in recent memory -- I have to say that LAX is way at the bottom of the list. Terminal 1 was fair at best, Terminal 6 is in pretty bad shape.
-- Dan
I don't want to get lost in the garage, so I guess when I exit from T2, I'll just walk to T1 then follow your instructions to get to T6/T7.
Jul 3, 2013, 11:49 am
#143
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
Here is the Google Maps walking instruction from T2 to T7 if you need it: http://goo.gl/maps/1zQgT
It gives you a general perspective of which direction you should go - basically you will walk right by the LAX theme building/observation deck. Follow debracey's direction and walk in the lower level.
It gives you a general perspective of which direction you should go - basically you will walk right by the LAX theme building/observation deck. Follow debracey's direction and walk in the lower level.
Jul 4, 2013, 8:31 am
#144
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: MR Plat
Posts: 383
Here is the Google Maps walking instruction from T2 to T7 if you need it: http://goo.gl/maps/1zQgT
It gives you a general perspective of which direction you should go - basically you will walk right by the LAX theme building/observation deck. Follow debracey's direction and walk in the lower level.
It gives you a general perspective of which direction you should go - basically you will walk right by the LAX theme building/observation deck. Follow debracey's direction and walk in the lower level.
Jul 18, 2013, 10:46 pm
#145
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: AA, UA, BA, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,074
1 hour in LAX for customs and connection?
Going to OZ/NZ in January, and got a great deal ($1400 RT) on Fiji Airways out of LAX. We're based in CLT, so we need to book a separate itinerary for the CLT-LAX part of the trip. The flight from Fiji arrives at LAX at 12pm, and the last non-redeye flight LAX-CLT is at 1:10pm. Is it cutting it too close to go for that one? The alternative is a 10 hour layover, or, more likely, getting a hotel close to LAX and flying out the next day. I appreciate any advice as I've never pieced together two itineraries before. We will probably be using miles (US, or possibly UA) for the CLT-LAX itinerary, for what it's worth.
Jul 18, 2013, 10:59 pm
#146
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Western NY
Programs: MANY
Posts: 244
1 hour in LAX for customs and connection?
I would not risk it.
Jul 18, 2013, 11:00 pm
#147
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: A3, AA. Plasticy things! That give me, y'know, Stuff!
Posts: 6,293
Not a hope. At all.
Hang on: you arrive at 1:10pm? The FJ flights all leave near midnight, like the NZ and QF flights, don't they?
Hang on: you arrive at 1:10pm? The FJ flights all leave near midnight, like the NZ and QF flights, don't they?
Last edited by SeriouslyLost; Jul 18, 2013 at 11:14 pm
Jul 18, 2013, 11:02 pm
#148
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA GLD, Marriott PLT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,900
can't imagine that would even be legal.
Jul 18, 2013, 11:12 pm
#149
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: DL-PM, HHonors-Silver, Marriott-Gold
Posts: 185
1 hour in LAX for customs and connection?
3 hours at least to be safe. One hour? No way.
Jul 19, 2013, 2:44 am
#150
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 216
1 hour in LAX for customs and connection?
You are asking about you return flight, correct? Even if you have Global Entry and carry-on only, 1 hour would be cutting it way too close for separate itineraries, especially since you will likely need to change terminals to get to your next flight. Imagine you have to go to baggage claim, immigration, customs, another terminal, through security at other terminal and then make it to your gate in time to board.