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
Mar 6, 2013, 3:53 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2010
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You should have no problem making your connection if your first flight is on time. Check in all the way to Atlanta when you are at Oakland (so you leave the check in computer with 2 boarding passes - one for OAK-LAX and one for LAX-ATL).
Mar 6, 2013, 4:21 pm
#32
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Welcome to FlyerTalk.
We seek to keep information a bit easier to find for members and less scattered, so we have merged your question into the existing LAX connections thread (once we understood you were visiting California and not CLO / Cali, Colombia).
JDiver
Senior Moderator
We seek to keep information a bit easier to find for members and less scattered, so we have merged your question into the existing LAX connections thread (once we understood you were visiting California and not CLO / Cali, Colombia).
JDiver
Senior Moderator
Hello. I am visiting Cali next week and I have a question about LA airport.
I have a morning flight that arrive LAX from Oakland about 7:55am. Then my next flight is from LAX to Atlanta at 8:40am. They are both Delta airline. Would this be enough time for me to catch my flight? I am light traveling with just 1 bag.
Could someone give some info on LAX? Is it easy to walk around or is it like Dallas one where you need to ride a train to different terminals?
Thank you!
I have a morning flight that arrive LAX from Oakland about 7:55am. Then my next flight is from LAX to Atlanta at 8:40am. They are both Delta airline. Would this be enough time for me to catch my flight? I am light traveling with just 1 bag.
Could someone give some info on LAX? Is it easy to walk around or is it like Dallas one where you need to ride a train to different terminals?
Thank you!
Mar 17, 2013, 12:12 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YLW
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Hope this is not a repeat question, would like opinions on the following connection:
Arriving UA5583 (Skywest) from YLW at T7 at 11:07 AM. This is international so clear immigration and customs at T7. My connecting flight is CA988 to PEK out of T2 at 13:20, on the same ticket. When I claim my bag at T7 customs, is there a place to re-check the bag for the CA flight, or do I have to schlep it over to T2? Is the walk from T7 to T2 a fairly obvious path, or does it involve going up and through the parking area in the middle? Is 2:13 enough time for this connection - not sure if there are any extra check-in or security steps to PEK?
Arriving UA5583 (Skywest) from YLW at T7 at 11:07 AM. This is international so clear immigration and customs at T7. My connecting flight is CA988 to PEK out of T2 at 13:20, on the same ticket. When I claim my bag at T7 customs, is there a place to re-check the bag for the CA flight, or do I have to schlep it over to T2? Is the walk from T7 to T2 a fairly obvious path, or does it involve going up and through the parking area in the middle? Is 2:13 enough time for this connection - not sure if there are any extra check-in or security steps to PEK?
Mar 18, 2013, 4:51 pm
#35
Join Date: Mar 2010
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YLW doesn't have pre-clearance so yes, you will have to clear customs and immigration at T7. I'm not all that familiar so I don't know where is the luggage re-check outside T7 customs.
The walk from T7 to T2 is not obvious at all. The distance is actually not very far but there is no sign outside T7 at all directing you to other terminals. If your luggage is light, your best bet is to find the crosswalk and follow the sidewalk towards the LAX theme building, and continue on to the other side of the horseshoe. Map: http://goo.gl/maps/WJ47K
If you have heavy luggage, you should consider taking the free LAX Airline Connections Shuttle A.
The walk from T7 to T2 is not obvious at all. The distance is actually not very far but there is no sign outside T7 at all directing you to other terminals. If your luggage is light, your best bet is to find the crosswalk and follow the sidewalk towards the LAX theme building, and continue on to the other side of the horseshoe. Map: http://goo.gl/maps/WJ47K
If you have heavy luggage, you should consider taking the free LAX Airline Connections Shuttle A.
Last edited by bzcat; Mar 18, 2013 at 5:03 pm
Mar 18, 2013, 10:21 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2006
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I just looked at Google Streetview to reaffirm my past experience:
T7 FIS is actually combined with T6 FIS. Immigration is somewhere under the Tarmac. After immigration it's a long walk northward for baggage claim which is near the street. (Note a row of shuttered doors streetside between the T6 finger and the T7 finger. That's the baggage/customs hall.) You keep walking west to reach the exit, and there are people to "catch" your onward baggage. (In 2009 I flew an award from NW NRT, ticketed to AA Eagle SAN, but was abandoning the last leg. People were trying to "help" me recheck my bag.)
You emerge from customs near the T6 finger. (T6 domestic passengers emerge from the finger and turn left/west for their bags.)
If you look at Google Satellite, you'll see that the best walk to T2 is probably along a series of crosswalks along the west side of the theme building (on the east side of P6 and P2). From T6 international exit, just walk left/west for about 50 m for the first crosswalk. The A Shuttle's T6 stop is also right at that crosswalk (under the blue "LAX Shuttle Airline Connections" sign).
Once you crossed the street at T2 just east of P2, you're at the east end of the T2 building, so just walk left/west and find an outside escalator or inside elevator to go upstairs.
T7 FIS is actually combined with T6 FIS. Immigration is somewhere under the Tarmac. After immigration it's a long walk northward for baggage claim which is near the street. (Note a row of shuttered doors streetside between the T6 finger and the T7 finger. That's the baggage/customs hall.) You keep walking west to reach the exit, and there are people to "catch" your onward baggage. (In 2009 I flew an award from NW NRT, ticketed to AA Eagle SAN, but was abandoning the last leg. People were trying to "help" me recheck my bag.)
You emerge from customs near the T6 finger. (T6 domestic passengers emerge from the finger and turn left/west for their bags.)
If you look at Google Satellite, you'll see that the best walk to T2 is probably along a series of crosswalks along the west side of the theme building (on the east side of P6 and P2). From T6 international exit, just walk left/west for about 50 m for the first crosswalk. The A Shuttle's T6 stop is also right at that crosswalk (under the blue "LAX Shuttle Airline Connections" sign).
Once you crossed the street at T2 just east of P2, you're at the east end of the T2 building, so just walk left/west and find an outside escalator or inside elevator to go upstairs.
Mar 19, 2013, 6:42 am
#37
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Consider taking the connections bus. It will run roughly every 7-10 minutes, and you do not have to figure out the obstacle course walking to T-2. Assume the bus will add five minutes to your time schedule versus walking.
Mar 19, 2013, 10:07 pm
#38
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Thanks for all the input, looks like the bus might be the best bet. Any experience with immigration / customs time at T7 at 11AM? Have been through TBIT before and that was not a good experience. Not a US resident so forced into the long line...
Mar 20, 2013, 8:03 am
#39
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Mar 22, 2013, 8:52 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
Am considering connecting at LAX in August.
2 inbound options:
AC, arriving at 20:38
AC, arriving at 22:53
1 outbound option:
CA, departing at 01:40
So that works out to either 5:02 or 2:47. Obviously the 1st option is safer, but is the second do-able?
It would be 2 separate tickets with bags to check.
2 inbound options:
AC, arriving at 20:38
AC, arriving at 22:53
1 outbound option:
CA, departing at 01:40
So that works out to either 5:02 or 2:47. Obviously the 1st option is safer, but is the second do-able?
It would be 2 separate tickets with bags to check.
Mar 23, 2013, 5:56 am
#41
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ORF
Programs: UA & DL Gold
Posts: 309
Am considering connecting at LAX in August.
2 inbound options:
AC, arriving at 20:38
AC, arriving at 22:53
1 outbound option:
CA, departing at 01:40
So that works out to either 5:02 or 2:47. Obviously the 1st option is safer, but is the second do-able?
It would be 2 separate tickets with bags to check.
2 inbound options:
AC, arriving at 20:38
AC, arriving at 22:53
1 outbound option:
CA, departing at 01:40
So that works out to either 5:02 or 2:47. Obviously the 1st option is safer, but is the second do-able?
It would be 2 separate tickets with bags to check.
That being said, the big question here is whether or not your AC flight will be precleared so that it can arrive as if it were a domestic US flight. I think most Canadian airports are preclear, so we'll assume so. It looks like both AC and CA operate out of T2, so you won't have to deal with changing terminals. In this case 47 minutes should be enough time. Even if you did have to clear customs, it's usually pretty light during the late hours.
This one is sort of questionable because 2:47 is obviously enough time, but could hinge on CA allowing you to check in after the normal 2 hr cutoff...
Would I personally do it? No. I would allow no less than 90 minutes (outside the cutoff, so 3:30)
-- Dan
Mar 23, 2013, 7:20 am
#42
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
Don't know much about Air China, but I'll assume that their international flights close 2 hrs prior. So, you really only have 47 minutes with the second option if that is really the case.
That being said, the big question here is whether or not your AC flight will be precleared so that it can arrive as if it were a domestic US flight. I think most Canadian airports are preclear, so we'll assume so. It looks like both AC and CA operate out of T2, so you won't have to deal with changing terminals. In this case 47 minutes should be enough time. Even if you did have to clear customs, it's usually pretty light during the late hours.
This one is sort of questionable because 2:47 is obviously enough time, but could hinge on CA allowing you to check in after the normal 2 hr cutoff...
Would I personally do it? No. I would allow no less than 90 minutes (outside the cutoff, so 3:30)
-- Dan
That being said, the big question here is whether or not your AC flight will be precleared so that it can arrive as if it were a domestic US flight. I think most Canadian airports are preclear, so we'll assume so. It looks like both AC and CA operate out of T2, so you won't have to deal with changing terminals. In this case 47 minutes should be enough time. Even if you did have to clear customs, it's usually pretty light during the late hours.
This one is sort of questionable because 2:47 is obviously enough time, but could hinge on CA allowing you to check in after the normal 2 hr cutoff...
Would I personally do it? No. I would allow no less than 90 minutes (outside the cutoff, so 3:30)
-- Dan
By the way, CA website says LAX check-in deadline is 50 minutes for an int'l flight (I find this quite strange also).
Mar 23, 2013, 9:40 am
#43
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TSA lines at LAX are notarious and among the worst, second to none perhaps and unless you have status/priority lanes - I would allow plenty of time & slack for things to go haywire. We try to allow at least 90 minutes to clear security and to get to our gates - even if CA's cutoff is 60 or 50 minutes before departure - you could be stranded in line behind others waiting & trying to get thru. Last time we flew out of LAX - took us about 30 minutes to get thru TSA with the whole drills.
If you have flying F or J, it is possible for CA to escort & rush you thru the checkpoints - like here at JFK. Otherwise, I would play it safe & come in on the earlier AC flight or you could be looking at the unscheduled overnight stay at LAX at your own expenses - load factor on CA is typically very high to full in the peak summer travel season.
Another question - is flying into SFO for your CA connection an option as you will be going thru PEK for connections to other cities within China or elsewhere in the region?
Last edited by Letitride3c; Mar 23, 2013 at 9:53 am
Mar 23, 2013, 10:27 am
#44
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
By the way, this would be at midnight. Are LAX security lines still that bad?
Of course, the other option is to route through JFK, not that location really makes much of a difference to me.
Mar 23, 2013, 11:02 am
#45
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The security lines at LAX are no worse than at any other major airline and virtually non-existent near midnight. I can't recall the last time that I waited more than 15 minutes in line to clear security.