Minimum Connection Times at LAX
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,887
Why can't I find the info on minimum connection times anywhere? Ugh.
What is the MCT for International->Domestic at LAX?
Specifically, I'm looking at a connection of 1h55m in the 10pm-12am timeframe, from CX (TBIT) to AA. I can't get the various reservations systems to pull up the itinerary I want (haven't tried forcing it with multiple destinations), but I have to think 1h55m is a legal connection, right?
What is the MCT for International->Domestic at LAX?
Specifically, I'm looking at a connection of 1h55m in the 10pm-12am timeframe, from CX (TBIT) to AA. I can't get the various reservations systems to pull up the itinerary I want (haven't tried forcing it with multiple destinations), but I have to think 1h55m is a legal connection, right?
#2
Original Member

Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
Absolutely legal. MCT varies by airline, but from memory it is either 75 or 90 minutes for CX/AA. In practice I've never had it take longer than 15 minutes to get from T4 through security at TBIT, including 5 minutes for the walk over and 5 minutes at the CX check-in counter ... but I take the late flight (so TBIT is quieter then, much longer lines earlier in the evening). LAX has interesting lines -- huge at 6 am and at midnight, empty at 3 pm -- due to the flight schedules and timezone differences. While T4 lines circa midnight are huge, you won't have a problem being EXP even if you need ticketing(presuming the EXP desk is still open at LAX). I'd guess 10 minutes to clear the F security line at T4, at the most -- just be sure to stay away from the Y side.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA; Kerry Ireland
Programs: AA EXP 1mm; DL Plt; Marriott Gold; Hyatt something or other; Hilton Gold
Posts: 761
Experience on my last couple of T4 night flights this month is that the F/elite security a non-issue, as they close all of the TSA lanes and put everybody through the door to the left (down the hall a few steps) for scanning - still worth going up this "special" escalator approaching from TBIT upon entering the terminal, though, to avoid the check in area
#4
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,887
Update
Update:
I was told when checking in at HKG for the HKG-LAX segment that my 1h50m connection was less than the MCT of 2 hours. Of course that's the first I had heard about it, my TA never said anything. I think it was just a friendly warning more than anything else. But I guess it explains why this particular itinerary wouldn't come up as an option on any search engines, unless I forced it with multiple destinations.
Anyway, CX flight arrived about 15 minutes early (would have been earlier but for a long delay in being towed into the gate...). Immigration wasn't too bad, once the agents finished processing a few straggling "Visitors" in the "US Citizens" line, and the walk over to T4 was easy. Dropped my checked bag directly with security/TSA there and the security line wasn't that long either at about 9:45pm (of course I got in the one behind the slowpokes...)
I was told when checking in at HKG for the HKG-LAX segment that my 1h50m connection was less than the MCT of 2 hours. Of course that's the first I had heard about it, my TA never said anything. I think it was just a friendly warning more than anything else. But I guess it explains why this particular itinerary wouldn't come up as an option on any search engines, unless I forced it with multiple destinations.
Anyway, CX flight arrived about 15 minutes early (would have been earlier but for a long delay in being towed into the gate...). Immigration wasn't too bad, once the agents finished processing a few straggling "Visitors" in the "US Citizens" line, and the walk over to T4 was easy. Dropped my checked bag directly with security/TSA there and the security line wasn't that long either at about 9:45pm (of course I got in the one behind the slowpokes...)

