You have to clear US immigration and customs so yes, you need to collect your bags. If you are not US passport holder, I think you should plan for 1.5 hours in line at immigration, and at least 30 minutes in customs. If you are transiting, most airlines will hand out a "transit pass" when you leave the plane, which will entitle you to use the transit lane at TBIT immigration. The line there is usually a bit shorter but not much shorter.

Once you clear customs, there is an area for you to deposit your luggage for your onward flight. Two things to keep in mind here:

1. If BA was able to tag your luggage all the way to AKL at LHR, then you are ok. Give them your checked luggage and walk over to T4 with your carry on. But if your bags only has the LAX tag, you need to take them to QF @T4 for them to re-tag to AKL at check-in.

2. Since you have a longish flight ahead of you, you may want to think about what you need in terms of change of clothes (some people do that...) or toiletry items. Or pack accordingly so you can easily access the stuff you need before re-checking your bags.

The walk to T4 from TBIT is really short (30 meters). Once you exit TBIT to curbside, turn right and walk past the taxi stand. The next building is T4. Take the escalator up to departure level and find the QF counter, which is staffed pretty much all day long because they have a lot of flights at LAX. After you check in, you will need to clear security again at T4 and proceed to your gate (QF usually use the first gate on your right past security).

Thanks! this is very helpful, i don't feel so clueless now! :D

Long layover in LA - what to do?
 

I have an 8 hr layover in LAX in march - apparently there is a sticky thread here about this topic but I can't find it - looking for some advice on what to do...

cheers!

b

I know that the readers of the Travel->L.A. forum can help and I'll move this there. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

LAX layover
 

I am flying AA to LAX on Saturday and have a 4 hour layover. Anything to do at Lax? Gym access?

Make an In and Out run?

If you like watching planes, take a cab to this In-N-Out, get a double double, and sit outside while some pretty interesting traffic passes almost directly over you on short final.

EDIT: Well played, Tony10s, but my post has a map ;)

No gym access. If you want to exercise, your best bet would be to leave security and run. Inside security, there is an Admirals Club that you can enter with a day pass if you don't have a membership or other access. There are food and drink options, and shops/bookstores. For a longer layover, you can leave the airport area and go someplace like Manhattan Beach, but I'm not sure that would be worth it for a 4 hour layover. There is a nearby In-and-Out if you want to do that.

There is virtually nothing to do in Terminal 4. There is a 24 Hour Fitness near LAX, if you are into walking it would probably take you about 20-30 minutes to walk to it. Of course, that would be a hassle with large bags.

The AA AC offers a one day pass for $50 and there are showers. There is a beach nearby LAX (assuming the weather is warm), you could do a cheap rental on Priceline or Hotwire.

Hi,

If the weather is reasonable how about a trip to say Manhattan Beach ( i did that a few years ago but I had about 5 hours and enjoyed the beach and the pier.

You could try a nearby hotel for gym access ( Marriott/Hilton etc)

Regards

TBS

Grab a drink or bite to eat at the iconic Encounter restaurant just so you can say you've been there.

http://www.encounterlax.com/

The 24 Hour Fitness is right near the Hilton. You could just take the shuttle bus to the Hilton (all buses are blue with the hotel served indicated) and walk over to the 24 Hour Fitness. The Hilton gym is small and as far as I know you need a room key to access.

EDIT: Didn't notice this was a resurrected thread.

Keep in mind they don't open until 10:30AM.

They open at 11AM for lunch.

The best kept secret about LAX is that they have an open air observation deck on top of the encounter restaurant that is open from 8-5 on Saturdays and Sundays. Not sure what days you'll be there, but definitely worth checking out if it's on a weekend and you enjoy that sort of thing. It's free.

http://freethingstodoinlosangeles.co...X/DSC09123.JPG

http://freethingstodoinlosangeles.co...X/DSC09115.JPG

A lot of people will tell you to go to In n Out, which is fine if you're a big fan of grease on grease crime! :D

This place has excellent Mexican food--just take one of the hotel shuttles:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-gamino-...rant-inglewood

The reviews on Yelp are mixed, but if you look at the low reviews, you'll notice a pattern--they're all from Midwesterners complaining that they couldn't get a Nacho Grande Supreme. I went there and got 4 star food at 1 star prices.

Take a cab?!? Is this a joke? :D

Just take the free Parking Spot (Sepulveda) shuttle. Or walk... it's faster than waiting for a cab and circling the airport.