Last edit by: TWA884
2018 - 2023 LAX Connections and Transfers Thread
Connecting passengers who are arriving at LAX on international flights will also find useful information in the following thread:
FAQ:
Does LAX have Automated Passport Control available for tourist visa holders?
Yes.
Does the US have international transfer desks?
No.
How can I obtain a boarding pass at Tom Bradley International Terminal?
- The first way is the most obvious: check in online via your phone.
- The second way is to use the automated kiosk. There are several located airside throughout TBIT and in the T4 - TBIT connector.
- The third way is to show up at the gate or the check-in counters and get a paper boarding pass (this is not suggested for those with time constraints)
Do you have to go through security when going from one terminal to another?
Terminals 4 through 8 and Tom Bradley International Terminal are connected airside. There are Delta Air Lines shuttle buses connecting T2, T3 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal. To go to or from T1, you will need to exit and re-enter security. Please consult this link for more information.
How long will security take at Tom Bradley International Terminal?
Plan on at least 30 minutes.
"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, 4 and 6. View recent postings in this thread for more information.
________________________________________
2019 INFO
Los Angeles International Airport website.
How to enter LAX/Parking Map.
LAX Terminal Maps.
Inter-Terminal Connections.
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 an 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 and Delta's shuttles between their gates in T2, T3, and TBIT). Airport policy allows you to access any LAX terminal, even if your flight departs from another, with a same day boarding pass for a flight departing from LAX.
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.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, 2016 LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread and 2017 LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread contain relevant information, however, to keep them from getting too long they have been archived and the 2018 - 2019 updates are in this thread.
2018 -2023 LAX Connecting / Connection / Connections thread
#721

Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA, Qantas, Virgin Aus
Posts: 11
Minimum connection time lax
Hi everyone, is 2h 50m enough transit time in LAX? International to International.
SYD > LAX Terminal B (QF17, landing at 16:10)
LAX > LHR Terminal 7 (UA923, departing 19:00)
I understand, I'll need to go through immigration, get my checked luggage, recheckin luggage etc..
Is 2h 50m sufficient? In the event that my inbound Qantas flight is delayed, and I don't make the connecting flight. Who do I go to at the airport to get rebooked on next available flight? I'm travelling in Premium Economy and OneWorld Sapphire, if this makes a slight difference?
Thanks in advance.
SYD > LAX Terminal B (QF17, landing at 16:10)
LAX > LHR Terminal 7 (UA923, departing 19:00)
I understand, I'll need to go through immigration, get my checked luggage, recheckin luggage etc..
Is 2h 50m sufficient? In the event that my inbound Qantas flight is delayed, and I don't make the connecting flight. Who do I go to at the airport to get rebooked on next available flight? I'm travelling in Premium Economy and OneWorld Sapphire, if this makes a slight difference?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by techflyerlondon; Oct 9, 2023 at 1:02 pm Reason: add more detail
#722
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,916
On one ticket or two? OW status won't help with UA unfortunately.
#723

Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA, Qantas, Virgin Aus
Posts: 11
When I go to baggage policy on the Swiss website, it says the following "Most significant carrier is Qantas Airways (QF)"
#724
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,916
I'd have the 800 numbers for Swiss and UA programmed into your cell phone. Go to UA first if you miss the connection but usually it's the ticketing carrier (LX) that has to handle anything.
#725

Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA, Qantas, Virgin Aus
Posts: 11
Oh really? It's not the responsibility of the carrier that arrived into LAX late? I.e QF in this situation?
#726




Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL Gold, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,598
The most significant carrier thing only applies to luggage rules. It doesn't have anything to do with who is responsible for irr-op. The ticketing airline is normally the responsible party for flight interruptions.
#727




Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 6,079
The concept of transfer desk doesn't exist in the US because everyone has to clear immigration and customs.
There is a luggage re-check at TBIT right after custom but they usually just take luggages that are already tagged to final destination since not every airline has staff at the TBIT re-check station to check in passengers. If the luggage is not tagged to final destination it is usually advised to take the luggage to the departing airline to check it.
There is a luggage re-check at TBIT right after custom but they usually just take luggages that are already tagged to final destination since not every airline has staff at the TBIT re-check station to check in passengers. If the luggage is not tagged to final destination it is usually advised to take the luggage to the departing airline to check it.
#728
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,831
i'd be shocked it Delta didn't have a checked luggage agent at Bradley arrivals south exit for at least the peak early morning and afternoon hours where a dozen+ partner airline flights arrive with several hundreds of daily onward Delta passengers.
#729

Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 10
52 minute connection. - how viable?
Hi,
Im travelling through LAX and wonder how viable a 52 min connection is. I always travel carry-on and can run if needed
Flights are:
AA 3166 DEN > LAX
AA 1719 LAX > YVR
Would they leave and depart from the same terminal?
Thanks! Jenn
Im travelling through LAX and wonder how viable a 52 min connection is. I always travel carry-on and can run if needed

Flights are:
AA 3166 DEN > LAX
AA 1719 LAX > YVR
Would they leave and depart from the same terminal?
Thanks! Jenn
#730
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 24,648
AA 3166 is an American Eagle flight operated by Skywest, so it will arrive in the remote Eagle terminal. From there you will have to take a bus to either T5 or T4, from where your flight to YVR will depart. The buses leave fairly frequently and the ride takes approximately 5-10 minutes, depending on aircraft movements on the taxiways. If your flight from Denver is on time, you will make your connection, although you will arrive at the departure gate after your flight to Vancouver has started boarding.
#731




Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA. WR-G, HH-S, IHG, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 3,111
Your incoming flight is American Eagle and will arrive at the remote terminal. Your next flight could depart from T4 or T5. You should know your next gate number before boarding the shuttle bus, so you know whether to get off at T4 or T5.
#732




Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL Gold, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,598
A bit too rushed if they are on separate tickets due to arrival in remote terminal and departure from either T4, T5, or TBIT.
#733



Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 956
Hi guys - I haven't transited through LAX in many many years so apologies in advance.
I have AA 302 coming from JFK -> LAX arriving at 11:17pm, connecting to AA 169 LAX->HND at 12:44AM.
Will I have enough time to transfer? I remember going out walking over to Tom Brady then going through security again many years ago, but not sure if the process is the same.
I have AA 302 coming from JFK -> LAX arriving at 11:17pm, connecting to AA 169 LAX->HND at 12:44AM.
Will I have enough time to transfer? I remember going out walking over to Tom Brady then going through security again many years ago, but not sure if the process is the same.
#734
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 24,648
Hi guys - I haven't transited through LAX in many many years so apologies in advance.
I have AA 302 coming from JFK -> LAX arriving at 11:17pm, connecting to AA 169 LAX->HND at 12:44AM.
Will I have enough time to transfer? I remember going out walking over to Tom Brady then going through security again many years ago, but not sure if the process is the same.
I have AA 302 coming from JFK -> LAX arriving at 11:17pm, connecting to AA 169 LAX->HND at 12:44AM.
Will I have enough time to transfer? I remember going out walking over to Tom Brady then going through security again many years ago, but not sure if the process is the same.
#735



Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 956
It's plenty of time to make this connection and there is no need to go through a TSA security checkpoint as there is an airside connector between T4 and TBIT; depending on how fast you walk, it takes 5-10 to walk between the two terminals.
Looks like AA302 has been arriving to terminal 4 gate 42 and AA169 has been departing out of gate 43



