LAX customs time

[jastel]

Looking for recent waiting times for LAX customs.

Arrive on QF15 at 6am on a Wed next month.
My last personal experience was 8 years ago, one was 10 mins and other was 3 hours so not sure what to expect nowadays.
Looking at booking a 10am AA flight elsewhere...separate ticket.
Been reading about a connecting walkway should make transfer easier.
I know stuff can hit the fan but 4 hours should be enough time I think???

Thoughts??

 

[kevrosmith]

You can use this website to view statistics on Wait Times for Customs and Border Protection at major USA airports.

Airport Wait Times

Pick a 3 or 6 month period, and Export the resulting table into Excel (button top left). Then you can filter in Excel to the day of week and hour-period you're considering to see what the average wait times are for that day of week and time. You could even graph it if you wanted to.

 

[jastel]

Thanks

 

[RooFlyer]

Remember those wait times are immigration only. Add time for customs, getting to the next terminal AND reclearing security and then being at the gate in time for bording.

4 hours should be OK but no less.

 

[kevrosmith]

Actually, here you go...

Average Wait Times (AWT - grey bar) and Max Wait Times (MWT - yellow bar) for every Wednesday since April at TBIT in LAX.

 

[jastel]

Just been studying last weeks numbers.
Seems I should be expecting around 1 hour if we arrive on time...would be quicker if the plane arrives later.
But looks like 4 hours is do-able.
I know that several planes arrive in a short time around first opening.

 

[BAM1748]

Anywhere from 10 min to 3 hours.

4 hours look plenty of time, but then watch out if you’re booking a separate ticket elsewhere. If you flight departs say an hour late you’ll start to run into trouble.

 

[jastel]

Ironically if the Qantas plane is 1 or 2 hours late the airport is much quieter and I would get through faster according to the website.

 

[BAM1748]

Ironically if the Qantas plane is 1 or 2 hours late the airport is much quieter and I would get through faster according to the website.

If it’s on the web it mist be true.

As long as you passport works through the auto gate otherwise the manned desk, which they obviously reduce the staff when it quietens down.

 

[DC3]

Well, 4 hours certainly makes a lot more sense than the crazy 2 hour connections that some want to go for.

Pity that your onward flight booking won’t be protected, but 4 hours should be good.

 

[robtemt]

We've flown to LAX (QF and SQ flights arriving around the 0600 mark) three times in the last year, and we have had ZERO wait. It was actually quite surprising. I even said to the immigration officer "this is weird", to which he replied "I can make you stand here for 30 minutes if it will make you feel better". Coming off a SQ flight, in F, we were actually the first two to arrive at the kiosks, and second to clear the counter, only because I selected the wrong choice on the kiosk.

If not connecting, I bet arriving pax spend more time waiting for a car rental shuttle and at the car rental counter than in the arrivals hall.

Never thought I'd see the day when I had anything good to see about arriving in LAX. Now if TSA for outbound domestic could get their s*&t together.......

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Arrival at 6am a couple days ago, just beat the QF93. Seemed like 100 kiosks available? Done and out the front of the terminal 21 minutes after pulling up at the gate.

 

[DC3]

… Arrive on QF15 at 6am on a Wed next month ..

Luckily for some, they are doing well with LAX arrivals at the moment.

However, according to EF the average QF15 delay is 31 minutes over the past 2 months, with on-time arrivals at 30%. So, I think you made a good decision to allow yourself plenty of time, especially connecting on a different PNR.

I noticed 7 international flights due into TBIT between 6.00am and 6.15am, today. (Edit: on 25th, USA time)

 

[shufflingfeet]

I’m arriving on QF 11 on 10 oct into lax and then I have 2:05 transfer time to make my connection with United to Chicago. If the stars align it seems manageable- fingers crossed.
I guess I can run walk to terminal 7.
If I miss my connection - will United likely put me on the next United flight to Chicago or any airline?

 

[RooFlyer]

If I miss my connection - will United likely put me on the next United flight to Chicago or any airline?

Is your United flight on the same ticket (or with the same PNR) as your Qantas flight?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’m arriving on QF 11 on 10 oct into lax and then I have 2:05 transfer time to make my connection with United to Chicago. If the stars align it seems manageable- fingers crossed.
I guess I can run walk to terminal 7.
If I miss my connection - will United likely put me on the next United flight to Chicago or any airline?

All on one ticket and they will rebook you on the next available UA flight.

Folk on a similar itinerary - arriving Qf connecting to UA - we’re trying to access the UA lounge when i got there around 730am. The connection is clearly marked on arrival at LAX after you complete customs.

 

[DC3]

I’m arriving on QF 11 on 10 oct into lax and then I have 2:05 transfer time to make my connection with United to Chicago. If the stars align it seems manageable- fingers crossed.
I guess I can run walk to terminal 7.
If I miss my connection - will United likely put me on the next United flight to Chicago or any airline?

Seems a bit tight. How did you end up with that connection? Not different tickets, I hope.

EF shows QF11 as being late by an average of 55 minutes over the past 2 months. If you are on the one PNR, then okay, and you just get a later flight.

 

[RooFlyer]

All on one ticket and they will revoke [Edit: I assume you meant re-book] you on the next available UA flight.

If not one ticket, then the flight probably lost if you don't board on time. By 'available', I think there has to be a seat, and it has to be in the same fare class? So may not be the next flight.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If not one ticket, then the flight probably lost if you don't board on time. By 'available', I think there has to be a seat, and it has to be in the same fare class? So may not be the next flight.

Thanks rooflyer... corrected autocorrect now

IRROPS on the day US airlines will put you on any flight, in any fare class within your ticketed cabin. I had an award ticket in ‘I’ class and with a missed connection they were happy to rebook me into full J on BA.

 

[shufflingfeet]

Thank so for the replies - yes it’s all on the one ticket. I Booked it direct with Qantas. The connecting United flight to Chicago is going to be tight but I’m travelling solo and in the front of economy so I give it a shot.