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
Apr 18, 2013, 10:50 pm
#76
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AS MVP, PriorityPass, Global Entry
Posts: 748
If not checking a bag, then your best choice is generally AS, DL, or UA, as T5-T8 are all behind the same security area, so that you can arrive on any of those three and not have to re-clear security.
If you are checking a bag, I believe DL still allows interlining, but I'm not certain (they were going to take that away, but I believe that was delayed).
Your cleanest option is to fly UA.
If you are checking a bag, I believe DL still allows interlining, but I'm not certain (they were going to take that away, but I believe that was delayed).
Your cleanest option is to fly UA.
Apr 22, 2013, 5:42 pm
#77
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Santa Cruz CA USA
Posts: 1,643
what to do with a connection time at LAX?
She was able to book on United so she can check bags through, though she is planning on only carry-on.
SJC - LAX - UA arr 11:51 AM
LAX - LHR - UA dep 5:45 PM
LHR - BER - LH
Now the question is what to do with the connection time at LAX. From the airport map it looks to me like United arrives and departs from the same terminal(s), both domestic and international. Is there anything interesting to do while staying within security - pedicure, chair massage, ... ? If she goes outside security, there's not really anywhere to go that I can remember ... Ideas?
Thanks,
Sylvia
SJC - LAX - UA arr 11:51 AM
LAX - LHR - UA dep 5:45 PM
LHR - BER - LH
Now the question is what to do with the connection time at LAX. From the airport map it looks to me like United arrives and departs from the same terminal(s), both domestic and international. Is there anything interesting to do while staying within security - pedicure, chair massage, ... ? If she goes outside security, there's not really anywhere to go that I can remember ... Ideas?
Thanks,
Sylvia
Apr 22, 2013, 6:06 pm
#78
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AS MVP, PriorityPass, Global Entry
Posts: 748
From the airport map it looks to me like United arrives and departs from the same terminal(s), both domestic and international. Is there anything interesting to do while staying within security - pedicure, chair massage, ... ? If she goes outside security, there's not really anywhere to go that I can remember ... Ideas?
http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=256
for what's available in the terminals, be sure to look at Terminals 5-8, as they are all in the same secure area.
For out of security, there's various threads on it in this forum, including a few indexed here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/los-a...rea-forum.html
A couple options off the top of my head including going to In-n-Out for a burger (there's a whole thread on doing that), the Entercounter Restaurant in the Theme Building (on LAX property), or popping a bit further away to Marina Del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica or a beach city in the South Bay (although she wouldn't want to go too far, as that's not that long of a connection).
Apr 22, 2013, 6:09 pm
#79
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There are also several different lounges she can purchase a day pass to (if she doesn't otherwise have access). My vote would be the Alaska Board Room in T6--although I personally wouldn't pay $50 for a lounge visit, if she has to pay $50 for a lounge, the Board Room is the least bad of the options.
I'd personally do an In-N-Out run, but that's because I don't live near an In-N-Out.
I'd personally do an In-N-Out run, but that's because I don't live near an In-N-Out.
Apr 23, 2013, 11:36 am
#80
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
She was able to book on United so she can check bags through, though she is planning on only carry-on.
SJC - LAX - UA arr 11:51 AM
LAX - LHR - UA dep 5:45 PM
LHR - BER - LH
Now the question is what to do with the connection time at LAX. From the airport map it looks to me like United arrives and departs from the same terminal(s), both domestic and international. Is there anything interesting to do while staying within security - pedicure, chair massage, ... ? If she goes outside security, there's not really anywhere to go that I can remember ... Ideas?
Thanks,
Sylvia
SJC - LAX - UA arr 11:51 AM
LAX - LHR - UA dep 5:45 PM
LHR - BER - LH
Now the question is what to do with the connection time at LAX. From the airport map it looks to me like United arrives and departs from the same terminal(s), both domestic and international. Is there anything interesting to do while staying within security - pedicure, chair massage, ... ? If she goes outside security, there's not really anywhere to go that I can remember ... Ideas?
Thanks,
Sylvia
) I suggest she take the red Sepulveda Parking Spot shuttle to In-N-Out burgers and enjoy the sun for a couple of hours.Note: She doesn't need to eat at In-N-Out... the Parking Spot garage is 1 block south of 2 big shopping centers. There are a number of decent eating options within easy walking distance: Ayara Thai, Pacos Tacos, Trader Joe's, Panera Bread etc. And 2 Starbucks, plus a Coffee Bean located inside Ralph's supermarket.
Apr 26, 2013, 3:06 am
#81
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 113
Hi all,
I've read through the topic (great info) and it seems that my planned international-domestic transfer time is sufficient, but being a little OCD was hoping for some specific advice in light of the new budget cuts and reported delays I've been reading about.
Flying SIN - LAX via SQ38 with scheduled arrival at 17:50pm (on a Saturday)
We need to be in MCO the next day, preferably in the morning. The 2 options I'm considering are:
1) AA/Alaska depart LAX 21:45 and arrive MCO 05:20 (+1)
2) Delta depart LAX 23:20 and arrive MCO 07:19 (+1)
Option 1 is preferred as it means less hanging around LAX after a long flight from SIN, but just wanted to be 100% sure that the 3hrs55mins will be sufficient to allow for clearing customs/collecting baggage and then checking in for the AA/Delta flight and clearing customs/security once again?
Thanks for any advice!
I've read through the topic (great info) and it seems that my planned international-domestic transfer time is sufficient, but being a little OCD was hoping for some specific advice in light of the new budget cuts and reported delays I've been reading about.
Flying SIN - LAX via SQ38 with scheduled arrival at 17:50pm (on a Saturday)
We need to be in MCO the next day, preferably in the morning. The 2 options I'm considering are:
1) AA/Alaska depart LAX 21:45 and arrive MCO 05:20 (+1)
2) Delta depart LAX 23:20 and arrive MCO 07:19 (+1)
Option 1 is preferred as it means less hanging around LAX after a long flight from SIN, but just wanted to be 100% sure that the 3hrs55mins will be sufficient to allow for clearing customs/collecting baggage and then checking in for the AA/Delta flight and clearing customs/security once again?
Thanks for any advice!
Apr 26, 2013, 7:35 am
#82
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: The shape-shifting urban sprawl that is El Lay. FT member #71.
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Posts: 4,690
I'd feel pretty comfortable with the earlier AA flight. Even if it takes you two hours to exit the Bradley terminal, you are going to have adequate time for the AA check-in. The terminal for AA is a two minute walk.
Apr 26, 2013, 12:26 pm
#83
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
The AA flight option is fine. T4 is closer to TBIT as well so you can just walk.
Apr 26, 2013, 5:07 pm
#84
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
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Posts: 21,995
...
Option 1 is preferred as it means less hanging around LAX after a long flight from SIN, but just wanted to be 100% sure that the 3hrs55mins will be sufficient to allow for clearing customs/collecting baggage and then checking in for the AA/Delta flight and clearing customs/security once again?
Thanks for any advice!
Option 1 is preferred as it means less hanging around LAX after a long flight from SIN, but just wanted to be 100% sure that the 3hrs55mins will be sufficient to allow for clearing customs/collecting baggage and then checking in for the AA/Delta flight and clearing customs/security once again?
Thanks for any advice!
Originally Posted by SYD 
...
Yes, the TBIT transfer desks had a make-over about 2 yrs ago with a number of counters for the various airlines. Very friendly and helpful staff who can issue BPs and re-tag luggage.
Apr 29, 2013, 10:01 pm
#85
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 113
Thanks for the advice, everyone Going to go with the AA flight and secure row 17 with the blocked middle seat.
Going to go with the AA flight and secure row 17 with the blocked middle seat.
May 11, 2013, 7:19 pm
#86
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1
Accessing Terminal 5 with Terminal 3 Boarding Pass
I will be arriving from New Zealand via Australia on Virgin Australia. VA arrivals are into terminal 5. I am a gold member on VA and therefor have access to the Delta Skyclub lounge. My domestic ticket is on Allegaint at terminal 3, but I have a 5 hour layover. Will TSA allow me access to terminal 5 where the sky club is located with a termainal 3 boarding pass?
Many thanks for your help.
Many thanks for your help.
May 11, 2013, 7:40 pm
#87
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CLE
Programs: UA,WN,AA,DL, B6
Posts: 4,170
I would ask Delta for a pass to get through security to access the club. This varies by airport how this is done. I heard some TSA people let you through security to access a club with no pass required. The emergency option is buy a refundable ticket on a airline that uses terminal 5 and cancel it after you get pass TSA.
May 12, 2013, 4:59 pm
#88
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,653
Virgin America has a lounge in T-3 at LAX.
According to the Virgin Australia website:
Virgin America is listed as a VA partner.
According to the Virgin Australia website:
International Lounge Access
Through our airline partners, Virgin Australia is pleased to offer pre-departure lounge access in conjunction with international services to our Business Class and Premium Economy guests, Velocity Platinum and Gold members, and Virgin Australia lounge members.
Through our airline partners, Virgin Australia is pleased to offer pre-departure lounge access in conjunction with international services to our Business Class and Premium Economy guests, Velocity Platinum and Gold members, and Virgin Australia lounge members.
May 13, 2013, 2:39 pm
#89
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
Inconvenient, but this works.
May 15, 2013, 8:45 am
#90
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
T3 boarding pass will not get you in at T5 at LAX. The VA lounge maybe in T3 maybe your best bet but I don't know if they require you to have a VA boarding pass.