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Old Apr 13, 2013, 9:38 am
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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
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Old Jan 17, 2013, 5:47 pm
  #1  
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2013 Consolidated LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread

Below is a link to the 2012 thread. Much information there remains relevant, but to keep it from getting too long, this is your 2014 thread.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/los-a...ax-thread.html

l'etoile
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Information relocated to wikipost 29 Aug 2014.

JDiver
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Last edited by JDiver; Aug 29, 2014 at 2:07 am Reason: move information. to wikipost
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Old Jan 26, 2013, 1:12 pm
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T5 Delta Shuttle to T3 VA?

Does Delta still operate the shuttle from Gate 58 in T5 to Gate 39 in T3 for passengers connecting to Virgin Australia? Does this allow you to remain inside the sterile zone or do you have to re clear security?
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Old Jan 28, 2013, 11:36 am
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The Delta shuttle was for taking Delta passengers to Alaska flights when Alaska was located in T3. I'm not sure it is still running now that Alaska has relocated to T6.

If it is still running, you definitely stay inside the sterile zone.
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Old Feb 17, 2013, 4:48 pm
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Quickest way from T5 > TBIT?

Sorry if this has been addressed before but I have am leaving soon and need to know the quickest/easiest way to go from T5 to the INTL terminal, carry on bag only.

Thanks!!
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Old Feb 17, 2013, 5:04 pm
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It's a five to ten minutes walk. Walk on the upper level to avoid fumes, smoke and noise.
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Old Feb 17, 2013, 9:09 pm
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Help, with LAX transfers: Melb to LAX (QF) then LAX to JFK (Delta)

Flyer Talk Members,

I need some advise, I am creating my own transfer and have proposed the following flight arrangements. Please advise;

1. Melb to LAX w/ Qantas arriving LA time @ 9.45am

Then a transfer,

2. LAX to JFK w/ Delta Airlines departing LA time @ 11.15am

I like this as it gets me into JFK NYC time @ 8.00pm however please advise me if I would make this connecting domestic flight?

As I have made my own itinerary with separate airlines its not like they will save my flight going from Qantas on to Delta Airlines...

I think it still looks good,

Best
Peter,
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Old Feb 17, 2013, 9:15 pm
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I don't think you're giving yourself enough time to connect.
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Old Feb 17, 2013, 9:16 pm
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Not saying it is impossible, and wait times do vary, but I wouldn't leave anything less than 3 hours for that sort of connection at LAX. Others may disagree.
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Old Feb 17, 2013, 9:52 pm
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Peter Newsome, welcome to FlyerTalk! Let's move this to the Los Angeles forum, where the readers there can assist based on their experience. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
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Old Feb 18, 2013, 7:18 am
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Originally Posted by tuapekastar
Not saying it is impossible, and wait times do vary, but I wouldn't leave anything less than 3 hours for that sort of connection at LAX. Others may disagree.
Published MCT international to domestic is 2 hours. I too would not book anything less than 3.

In your favor it seems QF11 is reasonably reliable according to flightstats.com:
On-time 47 75%
Late 6 9%
Very Late 3 4%
Excessive 6 9%
Canceled 0 0%
Diverted 0 0%
Total Flights 62
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Old Feb 18, 2013, 7:55 am
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Connection question for a flight I'm considering. Flying LHR-LAX in J, arriving at 1:40pm and connecting to SFO at 3:00pm, all on United with checked luggage. US passport holder. Is 1:20 enough time to clear immigration and customs, collect bag and re-check on United? Or will United check the bag all the way through for me after customs? Also, if it matters, I'll be arriving on J but couldn't get award space on Saver First/Business to SFO, so would be holding a coach ticket for security line purposes.

I suppose I could simply book this and if I miss it, United will put me on the next available flight?
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Old Feb 18, 2013, 10:57 am
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Thanks for the info! Im going via SFO now.
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Old Feb 18, 2013, 11:27 am
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If you are a US citizen with Global Entry and extremely lucky, you just may make this connection. As has been suggested above, any INT to DOM connection at LAX with less than 3 hours between arrival and departure is imprudent.
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Old Feb 18, 2013, 2:30 pm
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Thanks for the move, understand it fits better here now!

As for the advice its helpful but i'm still tempted. I guess if I cannot make the Delta flight its my own loss though...
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Old Feb 18, 2013, 3:05 pm
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Originally Posted by Peter Newsome
Thanks for the move, understand it fits better here now!

As for the advice its helpful but i'm still tempted. I guess if I cannot make the Delta flight its my own loss though...
DL will put you on a future* flight if...
Best case: you explain to DL and they re-accomodate you for free
Likely case: you pay a change fee
Worst case: you buy a walk-up fare.

If you're set on flying Delta (why?), book the 1.30pm (arr 9.45pm JFK) then stand by for the 11.30 am if you get there in time.
Other flights to pick from:
LAX 1:31pm JFK 9:45pm Nonstop 5h 14m United
LAX 1:40pm JFK 10:00pm Nonstop 5h 20m Virgin America
LAX 1:45pm JFK 10:10pm Nonstop 5h 25m American

*might not be the same day otherwise add a hotel stay to the bill
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