Last edit by: JDiver
Resources for sleeping in LAX
LINK to sleepinginairports.net for LAX. Includes airside and landside sleeping, Lounges, showers, nearby hotels, etc.
LINK to sleepinginairports.net for LAX. Includes airside and landside sleeping, Lounges, showers, nearby hotels, etc.
While seating is plentiful – so are the armrests. This means travellers should expect to sleep on sections of carpeted floor. Many sleepers also lament the constant construction at LAX, and the frequent announcements. Noise cancelling headphones or earplugs are a must if you’re hoping to catch some shuteye.
That said, there are a few benches and couches scattered throughout the terminals. In Terminal 1, there is a long bench just past security at the top of the stairs. In the Arrivals Hall of Terminal 6, there are armrest-free benches – though it can be particularly bright and loud here. There are chairs in triangle configurations in Terminals 4 and 7 that are decent for a rest. Gate 148 of TBIT also has a few couches. Snag something when you see it, as options are few and far between. The terminals are very cold. Have a blanket and dress for the terminal temperatures. Explore our guide to sleeping in Los Angeles Airport or read some traveller reviews for more tips. If you’re looking for uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels nearby that provide free airport shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the airport guide below.
-January 2019
That said, there are a few benches and couches scattered throughout the terminals. In Terminal 1, there is a long bench just past security at the top of the stairs. In the Arrivals Hall of Terminal 6, there are armrest-free benches – though it can be particularly bright and loud here. There are chairs in triangle configurations in Terminals 4 and 7 that are decent for a rest. Gate 148 of TBIT also has a few couches. Snag something when you see it, as options are few and far between. The terminals are very cold. Have a blanket and dress for the terminal temperatures. Explore our guide to sleeping in Los Angeles Airport or read some traveller reviews for more tips. If you’re looking for uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels nearby that provide free airport shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the airport guide below.
-January 2019
Sleeping / Spending Overnight Airside at LAX
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: AKL/DFW
Programs: AAdvantage, HHonors
Posts: 10
Sleeping / Spending Overnight Airside at LAX
I apologize if this is the wrong place to post this, but I couldn't find a forum where this would be appropriate to ask.
I'm going to have a very early (5:45am) departure from LAX in a few weeks, and honestly do not want to spend the money to stay at a hotel. My friend flies out the night before at about 10pm, so I thought I'd go to the airport with her and then spend the night on the floor so I don't have to spend $75+ to sleep for four hours in a hotel.
Will TSA let me through security that early? It's only 7 or 8 hours before I'd normally be going through security...
Thanks!
I'm going to have a very early (5:45am) departure from LAX in a few weeks, and honestly do not want to spend the money to stay at a hotel. My friend flies out the night before at about 10pm, so I thought I'd go to the airport with her and then spend the night on the floor so I don't have to spend $75+ to sleep for four hours in a hotel.
Will TSA let me through security that early? It's only 7 or 8 hours before I'd normally be going through security...
Thanks!
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
I would assume no for TSA but YMMV.
For general information, check out the "sleeping in airports' website and look for the material on LAX. In fact, don't spend the night in an airport without it.
For general information, check out the "sleeping in airports' website and look for the material on LAX. In fact, don't spend the night in an airport without it.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: AKL/DFW
Programs: AAdvantage, HHonors
Posts: 10
I did check "Sleeping in Airports" (and have used it before for other overnight stays), but didn't see anything about TSA times on it.
There's a 1am redeye that I could try to standby on instead, although I'd have to get something from the airline pre-security to show that I'm trying to standby on that, I assume?
Otherwise, yeah, I'll find a place to hunker down pre-security.
There's a 1am redeye that I could try to standby on instead, although I'd have to get something from the airline pre-security to show that I'm trying to standby on that, I assume?
Otherwise, yeah, I'll find a place to hunker down pre-security.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,531
Depends on the terminal. They certainly won't let you at T1, Southwest. They're working through a remodel right now and no passengers are allowed in the terminal for a few hours each night.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,404
You can standby for the red eye flight, just check in with the airline.
As for sleeping, I guess it depends. Several terminals have departures between 2AM and 4 AM so in theory, you can just hang out. But some terminals go dark after the last departure and TSA will probably clear you out.
As for sleeping, I guess it depends. Several terminals have departures between 2AM and 4 AM so in theory, you can just hang out. But some terminals go dark after the last departure and TSA will probably clear you out.
#8
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL
Programs: UA Gold, DL Silver, Hertz PC, Avis Pref+, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,107
LAX T7 at night
I am facing the same quandry - late in, early out - not much point in getting a hotel to spend 3 hours in the room.
It looks like only a couple of flights leave between 0200 and 0400...
I am landing with UA at T7, but have not been able to find if it does "go dark". Would be glad to find out if it's possible to stay there at night or not.
It looks like only a couple of flights leave between 0200 and 0400...
I am landing with UA at T7, but have not been able to find if it does "go dark". Would be glad to find out if it's possible to stay there at night or not.
You can standby for the red eye flight, just check in with the airline.
As for sleeping, I guess it depends. Several terminals have departures between 2AM and 4 AM so in theory, you can just hang out. But some terminals go dark after the last departure and TSA will probably clear you out.
As for sleeping, I guess it depends. Several terminals have departures between 2AM and 4 AM so in theory, you can just hang out. But some terminals go dark after the last departure and TSA will probably clear you out.
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
I am facing the same quandry - late in, early out - not much point in getting a hotel to spend 3 hours in the room.
It looks like only a couple of flights leave between 0200 and 0400...
I am landing with UA at T7, but have not been able to find if it does "go dark". Would be glad to find out if it's possible to stay there at night or not.
It looks like only a couple of flights leave between 0200 and 0400...
I am landing with UA at T7, but have not been able to find if it does "go dark". Would be glad to find out if it's possible to stay there at night or not.
#10
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL
Programs: UA Gold, DL Silver, Hertz PC, Avis Pref+, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,107
That might help, but quite often there is a "stock" answer and then there is what happens in practice, which is quite different.
From prior experience, for this sort of question - I would tend to rely more on what pax have actually experienced.
From prior experience, for this sort of question - I would tend to rely more on what pax have actually experienced.
#11
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,603
I am facing the same quandry - late in, early out - not much point in getting a hotel to spend 3 hours in the room.
It looks like only a couple of flights leave between 0200 and 0400...
I am landing with UA at T7, but have not been able to find if it does "go dark". Would be glad to find out if it's possible to stay there at night or not.
It looks like only a couple of flights leave between 0200 and 0400...
I am landing with UA at T7, but have not been able to find if it does "go dark". Would be glad to find out if it's possible to stay there at night or not.
#12
I am facing the same quandry - late in, early out - not much point in getting a hotel to spend 3 hours in the room.
It looks like only a couple of flights leave between 0200 and 0400...
I am landing with UA at T7, but have not been able to find if it does "go dark". Would be glad to find out if it's possible to stay there at night or not.
It looks like only a couple of flights leave between 0200 and 0400...
I am landing with UA at T7, but have not been able to find if it does "go dark". Would be glad to find out if it's possible to stay there at night or not.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redondo Beach, CA USA
Programs: UA 1KMM, Bonvoy LTE+A, HH D, Nat'l EE, Hertz Plat, Avis PC
Posts: 3,710
I'm not arguing with you--to each their own. But to me $100 is a low price to pay for three hours of solid sleep and a place to shower in a situation like the OPs.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL
Programs: UA Gold, DL Silver, Hertz PC, Avis Pref+, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,107
overnight at LAX airport
.... and reporting back.
I was able to walk between terminals 5-8 (as I recall there was a locked door in the corridor to 4). Quiet, nothing open, but some pax (few) in all terminals, waiting for flights.
Not uncomfortable. Reasonably quiet (unless too close to a loudspeaker), not too cold (some terminals seem to be heated, some not). Most seats (T7, T8) were padded, no armrests - lying down on them was fine.
I'd do it again.
I was able to walk between terminals 5-8 (as I recall there was a locked door in the corridor to 4). Quiet, nothing open, but some pax (few) in all terminals, waiting for flights.
Not uncomfortable. Reasonably quiet (unless too close to a loudspeaker), not too cold (some terminals seem to be heated, some not). Most seats (T7, T8) were padded, no armrests - lying down on them was fine.
I'd do it again.
#15
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 801
.... and reporting back.
I was able to walk between terminals 5-8 (as I recall there was a locked door in the corridor to 4). Quiet, nothing open, but some pax (few) in all terminals, waiting for flights.
Not uncomfortable. Reasonably quiet (unless too close to a loudspeaker), not too cold (some terminals seem to be heated, some not). Most seats (T7, T8) were padded, no armrests - lying down on them was fine.
I'd do it again.
I was able to walk between terminals 5-8 (as I recall there was a locked door in the corridor to 4). Quiet, nothing open, but some pax (few) in all terminals, waiting for flights.
Not uncomfortable. Reasonably quiet (unless too close to a loudspeaker), not too cold (some terminals seem to be heated, some not). Most seats (T7, T8) were padded, no armrests - lying down on them was fine.
I'd do it again.