Transiting through LAX During COVID-19 Pandemic
 

My partner and I are returning to AUS from AKL via LAX in mid Jan after waiting out much of the pandemic in NZ. No choice but to return so we're naturally a bit paranoid compared to folks who have had to deal with it every day. What's the best way to get to AUS via LAX? ANZ flight arrives around 1 pm so no direct flights possible. We are *G, flying in J.
1. Fly on United to IAH; drive from there.
2. Take a DL flight at 6.30 pm (but will likely have to take six suitcases clear across LAX from TBIT to T2. Also, no lounge access)
3. End flight at LAX; drive from there to AUS (25 hrs of nonstop driving! Also, potential breach of quarantine regs?)
4. Spend night in LA; fly direct to AUS next am.

Any suggestions?

Option 4

Option 4 may not be viable.

Currently, California's Regional Stay at Home Order forbids hotels and other short term rentals from accepting or honoring out-of-state reservations for non-essential travel. There is an exception for reservations that are for the minimum length of time required for quarantine if the guests will quarantine in the hotel until after the quarantine period has expired.

Please take a look at this post in the California forum: Email from Hyatt re: upcoming stay in LA:

I would do 1.

At LAX, DL uses the two terminals that are next to TBIT, to the left as you exit. You should be able to keep the wheeled baggage carts from the international baggage claim and customs to wheel the luggage to DL check in, but prepare to pay checked bag fees unless you purchase domestic FC tickets since you don't seem to have status with DL or partners. Also, DL isn't service meals on board domestic flights, only snacks (and a nicer snack box for FC) plus wine and beer in FC and C+ only (free and not available for purchase in coach).

Terminal 3 is currently closed due to COVID-19.

Fly LAX:

Or any flights to DFW or SAT and then drive?
Great Circle Mapper

Pity you cannot stay in (covid-19 free) New Zealand

On connecting flights with same PRN, you should be able to recheck your luggage at TBIT before leaving the secured area so if you can book your NZ and UA flight on the same ticket, this maybe the way to go.

If you are booking separate flights, you may not be able to recheck your luggage at TBIT (it depends on if the relevant airlines have staff at the recheck station when you show up) so you should think about the logistic of walking vs. shuttle bus ride. NZ to UA transfer is a 20 min walk or a 10 min shuttle ride (TBIT stopping at T4, T5, T6, and get off at T7). NZ to DL transfer is a under 10 min walk (TBIT to T2 walk clockwise direction - turn left after exiting TBIT).

If you walk, you can keep the free luggage carts from TBIT custom area. If you take the shuttle, you have to abandon your free cart at TBIT curbside, load the luggage on the bus, unload the luggage from the bus, take it inside the terminal.

Basically, if you can book a single NZ or UA ticket AKL-IAH, that is the best. If you are booking two separate AKL-LAX and LAX-XXX flights, I prefer DL in this case since the transfer at LAX is simpler and walk is shorter and you will have luggage carts, and it gets me directly to AUS rather than IAH.

Edit: booking separate tickets on DL means you have to pay checked luggage fee... so another thing to consider. Staying with UA at least your *G status comes into play on luggage fee.

I have had no issues staying at airport hotels during overnight transit.

When?

The most recent Regional Stay At Home Order was issued by the California Department of Public Health on December 3, 2020.And a Supplemental Order was published on December 6, 2020.The ICU capacity in Los Angeles County is currently at 4.2%.

Dec 5 and this past weekend

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One or four would be my choices. Driving from IAH to AUS after that will be brutal but at least there’s two of you to deal with it. A night at LAX wouldn’t be the worst thing either. Rest, regroup, and move on.

Schlepping all your stuff from TBIT to T2 to catch a miserable DL flight with no lounge and no shower, no thanks. Driving from LA to AUS, not a chance.

It's 160 miles from IAH to AUS. Having driven it many times, it is about 3.5 hours.

I suspect that if you were exhausted, you could overnight in Houston and either fly the remainder of the itinerary to AUS or drive the next day refreshed and more alert.

In any event, #1 would be my option.

I'd go for 1, with 2 a close second, and 4 being acceptable. That long flight followed by a 25 hour drive doesn't sound like fun.

bzcat's summary is pretty complete, but I'll add that the walk to DL or UA from TBIT isn't likely to be bad at all, and might even be a nice opportunity to stretch your legs after a long flight. The sidewalks haven't been crowded at LAX throughout the pandemic, so two people rolling through with two carts should be pretty relaxed. I've flown in and out of LAX a number of times through all this and have yet to get on a shuttle. I walk to the LAXit lot or QuikPark (just off airport) from T6, and it's been fine. You won't even have to worry about the off chance of rain, since you aren't crossing the U or going off airport.