Last edit by: TWA884
2017 LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread
The prior threads on this topic, 2012 - "Consolidated Questions About Connecting at LAX" thread, 2013 Consolidated LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread, 2014 Consolidated LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread, 2015 Consolidated LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread and 2016 LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread contain relevant information, however, to keep them from getting too long, 2017 updates are below.
Connecting passengers who are arriving at LAX on international flights will also find useful information in the following thread:
"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 and a secure airside walkway between T4 and TBIT are now open. It is possible now to connect from T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8 to TBIT without exiting security.
In T-4, the access to the tunnel via an escalator and an elevator at the center of the terminal under the Terminal Transfer sign (it was formerly designated Gate 44). Take the escalator down to the transfer bus gate, 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.
A secure airside walkway, which is on the top level of a airside connector between T4 and TBIT opened in February 2016; it is accessed by Gate 41 in T4 and near the Qantas Lounge in TBIT. The complete project, including a TSA checkpoint (photo illustrations), a bus port and a checked baggage inspection area, was expected to finished by the end of May 2016 (but it is yet to open as of early June). More details here: LAX Terminal 4 Connector
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2018 INFO
Los Angeles International Airport website
LAX Terminal Maps
How to enter LAX/Parking Map
How Do I Connect from Terminal B through Terminal 8? Follow the Yellow Dots
Only terminals 4 through 8 and Tom Bradley International Terminal are connected airside (through tunnels between terminals 4, 5 and 6, above ground hallways between terminals 6, 7 and 8, and a newly-opened above-ground connector between terminal 4 and TBIT). 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. It is now possible to connect from TBIT to T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8 through the secured airside area - link to map above - after clearing TSA security on the arrival level of TBIT at the exit from the Federal Inspections Services facility. Alternatively, 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 between distant terminals - as long as 15 - 20 minutes.
Last updated 22 April 2019 by TWA884
2017 LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread
#61
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With the relocation by Delta, my plans on being able to take myself and my family to a PP lounge for breakfast (after taking a red-eye from Hawaii) during a 3+ hour layover in late August/early September have just been hampered. How are the TSA lines at around 8:00 AM? Our flight is scheduled to get in at 5:05 so I am guessing going to Terminal 5 or 6 would be pretty fast that early in the morning, just worried about getting back to Terminal 2 or 3 for the 8:50 connection.
#62
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,404
With the relocation by Delta, my plans on being able to take myself and my family to a PP lounge for breakfast (after taking a red-eye from Hawaii) during a 3+ hour layover in late August/early September have just been hampered. How are the TSA lines at around 8:00 AM? Our flight is scheduled to get in at 5:05 so I am guessing going to Terminal 5 or 6 would be pretty fast that early in the morning, just worried about getting back to Terminal 2 or 3 for the 8:50 connection.
#64
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 116
How long does the bus transfer usually take from the commuter terminal to T4 or T5? Does the shuttle bus usually park there waiting for the incoming flights or pxs have to wait for the bus on a set schedule?
Last edited by TWA884; Mar 29, 2017 at 4:17 pm Reason: Fix BB Code
#65
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
The buses have been really erratic lately. Sometimes I've arrived at the Eagle terminal to see a long line of people waiting for the bus. It doesn't feel as if they have a set schedule, even if they purport to.
#66
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
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Posts: 2,404
Give yourself 30 minutes to get from Eagle terminal to T4.
During busy periods, buses to/from the Eagle terminal are routinely delayed because they have to yield to aircraft entering and departing the TBIT/T4 and T4/T5 alley.
During busy periods, buses to/from the Eagle terminal are routinely delayed because they have to yield to aircraft entering and departing the TBIT/T4 and T4/T5 alley.
#67
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 116
#68
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15
LAX int'l transfer with a throw-away ticket [With luggage]
Hello,
here's the question: I need to go SFO-NRT-SFO and found that the following itinerary works best for me (many reasons, please don't ask, I know I can fly that route for less):
SFO-YVR (separate ticket #1 , $110 + baggage fees)
YVR-NRT then NRT-LAX-YVR (ticket #2 , $680, the LAX-YVR leg is a throw-away)
LAX-SFO (ticket #3 , $110 + baggage fees)
What happens at LAX on the way back when I pick up my bags for customs at the first port of entry? Bags will have tags to continue to YVR. How would I go about re-checking them (and myself) to SFO on a different airline? Do I have to exit and head over to the check-in counters or will there be a counter in the transfer area?
Thank you!
tomasz.
here's the question: I need to go SFO-NRT-SFO and found that the following itinerary works best for me (many reasons, please don't ask, I know I can fly that route for less):
SFO-YVR (separate ticket #1 , $110 + baggage fees)
YVR-NRT then NRT-LAX-YVR (ticket #2 , $680, the LAX-YVR leg is a throw-away)
LAX-SFO (ticket #3 , $110 + baggage fees)
What happens at LAX on the way back when I pick up my bags for customs at the first port of entry? Bags will have tags to continue to YVR. How would I go about re-checking them (and myself) to SFO on a different airline? Do I have to exit and head over to the check-in counters or will there be a counter in the transfer area?
Thank you!
tomasz.
#69
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
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One must collect bags when they enter the United States, so take your tags off when you collect them in LAX, exit security with your bags, and go to your airline to recheck them.
There are a few potential hiccups however... the carrier is not obligated to fly you on this specific route, so you may end up being routed via a different city. Either due to mechanical or irrops.
Also, if your bags don't make it on the flight for some reason, they will be routed to the final destination you're booked to [YVR].
There are a few potential hiccups however... the carrier is not obligated to fly you on this specific route, so you may end up being routed via a different city. Either due to mechanical or irrops.
Also, if your bags don't make it on the flight for some reason, they will be routed to the final destination you're booked to [YVR].
#70
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
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Posts: 4,606
If doing a throw away ticket, its best not to have checked luggage. There are risks involved as mentioned by beckoa. Also, hopefully your ticket 3 is not on the same carrier as ticket 2.
#72
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAS, MPL
Programs: DL Platinum, 1 MM
Posts: 1,320
You don't necessarily have to exit if the airline you are continuing on has a baggage check desk for continuing passengers. I have done this before in ATL.
#73
#74
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15
#75
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 6
Is 3 hours enough time between Qantas and Southwest flights?
Hey everyone!
I'm hoping to get a little assistance with how much time I should allow between my LAX international arrival flight and domestic onward flight.
I will arrive at LAX Terminal B on Qantas QF11 from SYD at 0630. I have a Southwest flight (WN1850) booked to DIA which departs at 0925. Assuming the Qantas flight is on-time, this would allow just under 3 hours between flights.
Do you think this would be enough time? I have a US Passport so I assume that would save a little time at Customs/Immigration?
There is also a Southwest flight available at 1100 which I could switch to if needed which would allow 4.5 hours between flights. Does that seem excessive?
Thank you for any help!
Dave.
I'm hoping to get a little assistance with how much time I should allow between my LAX international arrival flight and domestic onward flight.
I will arrive at LAX Terminal B on Qantas QF11 from SYD at 0630. I have a Southwest flight (WN1850) booked to DIA which departs at 0925. Assuming the Qantas flight is on-time, this would allow just under 3 hours between flights.
Do you think this would be enough time? I have a US Passport so I assume that would save a little time at Customs/Immigration?
There is also a Southwest flight available at 1100 which I could switch to if needed which would allow 4.5 hours between flights. Does that seem excessive?
Thank you for any help!
Dave.