Los Angeles (LAX) Transit Questions & Tips

[SYD]

Correct and verifying business processes, technology etc work as expected in 'real' scenarios.

In the meantime I suspect that close to 100% of PAX on AA flying SYD-LAX probably will transit without needing to touch their bag(s) connecting.

That’s the desired outcome.

Let’s hope that trial is a success because that will take away one serious pain point on those travelling to / transiting the US.

 

[Quickstatus]

Is there an indication how long the trial will run for?

 

[SYD]

Is there an indication how long the trial will run for?

I didn’t notice a specific date. Which probably means they’ll either can it or just progressively extend the “trial” to other airlines and ports.

Let’s hope it’s extended to QF, UA and DL ex SYD soon. Followed by other Oz ports.

 

[ayebee]

Guess this is one step towards the US understanding the concept of international transit.
My experience at LAX has generally been the immigration queues defining viability of connections, rather than collecting and immediately dropping off bags.
Ideally a connection through LAX to YVR should not require an ESTA or passport control to enter the US.

 

[SYD]

Ideally a connection through LAX to YVR should not require an ESTA or passport control to enter the US.

That would require an unlikely radical rethink how the US does separation between International v Domestic departures.

Probably 99% of US airports just don’t have the physical separation. Maybe HNL if they re-jigged things back to when it was a transpac transit hub….

 

[RooFlyer]

UA might have been 'trialling' something like this 10 years ago

Thread 'International transit IAH (Houston) on UA - no collection of checked bags'

May 13, 2015

Just thought I'd report an experience in transiting the US which I found unusual - info may or may not be new, but I hadn't heard it before.

I am flying Buenos Aires - xHouston - Calgary on United. On check-in at EZE, I got both boarding passes and the one IAH-YYC had a lime green 'T' sticker on it. The check-in agent said I did not need to collect bags at Houston, as I was in international transit. I thought this was wrong at the time (in light of experience in transiting to YYC via LAX), but went with the flow.

This is what happened. The Purser-type on the UA flight announced that...

• RooFlyer
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Passports, Visas, Immigration & Customs

 

[SYD]

UA might have been 'trialling' something like this 10 years ago

Thread 'International transit IAH (Houston) on UA - no collection of checked bags'

May 13, 2015

Just thought I'd report an experience in transiting the US which I found unusual - info may or may not be new, but I hadn't heard it before.

I am flying Buenos Aires - xHouston - Calgary on United. On check-in at EZE, I got both boarding passes and the one IAH-YYC had a lime green 'T' sticker on it. The check-in agent said I did not need to collect bags at Houston, as I was in international transit. I thought this was wrong at the time (in light of experience in transiting to YYC via LAX), but went with the flow.

This is what happened. The Purser-type on the UA flight announced that...

• RooFlyer
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Passports, Visas, Immigration & Customs

AFAIK, other ports already have this arrangement. IAH might have been one of the front runners. I think DFW might even have some hands free under some circumstances?

 

[ayebee]

That would require an unlikely radical rethink how the US does separation between International v Domestic departures.

Agree it would be a radical rethink on their behalf, and indeed unlikely.
It reflects their world view.

 

[RooFlyer]

AFAIK, other ports already have this arrangement. IAH might have been one of the front runners. I think DFW might even have some hands free under some circumstances?

You mean international 'no bag handling' transit of the USA?

 

[SYD]

You mean international 'no bag handling' transit of the USA?

Yes. Pretty sure there’s a thread here but it might still only be DFW.

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes. Pretty sure there’s a thread here but it might still only be DFW.

@milehighclub commented about auto bag transfer at post #16

 

[SYD]

@milehighclub commented about auto bag transfer at post #16

Yes, I knew DFW was doing it. I thought I read something about IAH but can’t confirm.

 

[Quickstatus]

I thought I read something about IAH but can’t confirm.

Does not appear to be:

 

[RooFlyer]

So what's so new about the AA SYD-LAX thing?

 

[Quickstatus]

So what's so new about the AA SYD-LAX thing?

maybe it's airport specific?

 

[SYD]

So what's so new about the AA SYD-LAX thing?

maybe it's airport specific?

Yes. Probably off the back of DFW (and presumably why the trial starts with AA flights ie DFW being a massive AA hub of course).

 

[justinbrett]

So what's so new about the AA SYD-LAX thing?

It’s domestic. I-I only has to care about aircraft safety. Domestic you’re now looking at customs and quarantine.

Yes, I knew DFW was doing it. I thought I read something about IAH but can’t confirm.

I believe they have used at MIA on some routes (I-I)

You get bailed up at PP control. That’s the decision point to head to departures or collect bag?

Otherwise, how would anyone know….

I imagine it would work like a pre clearance port. When going through passport control you’re shown a photo of your bag (that you checked in earlier) and have to verbally declare that it’s yours and that you have nothing to declare.

Would be nice if they just make SYD a preclearance port.

 

[Aggi]

Will be flying Alaska Air from Anchorage (via Portland) to LAX then QF to Melbourne.
Separate tickets and 4.5 hours layover so fingers crossed it’s enough time.
I believe I’m flying into terminal 6 and assume will need to collect bag and walk to terminal B.
My question is what is the quickest/easiest way to get to terminal B and how long will it take? Where do I get QF boarding pass and bag drop, a transfer desk or normal check in?

It’s been a long time since I’ve had to transfer terminals at LAX so honestly don’t remember and don’t want to wander around unnecessarily!

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Will be flying Alaska Air from Anchorage (via Portland) to LAX then QF to Melbourne.
Separate tickets and 4.5 hours layover so fingers crossed it’s enough time.
I believe I’m flying into terminal 6 and assume will need to collect bag and walk to terminal B.
My question is what is the quickest/easiest way to get to terminal B and how long will it take? Where do I get QF boarding pass and bag drop, a transfer desk or normal check in?

It’s been a long time since I’ve had to transfer terminals at LAX so honestly don’t remember and don’t want to wander around unnecessarily!

Terminal 6 and B are connected airside - it's a bit of a walk, say 10-15 minutes, without any travelators. It isn't brilliantly signposted, but plenty of staff around to help.

Someone far more knowledgeable than me will hopefully weigh in on whether Alaska Air will be able to check your bags through to MEL.

 

[serfty]

Will be flying Alaska Air from Anchorage (via Portland) to LAX then QF to Melbourne.
Separate tickets and 4.5 hours layover so fingers crossed it’s enough time.
I believe I’m flying into terminal 6 and assume will need to collect bag and walk to terminal B.
My question is what is the quickest/easiest way to get to terminal B and how long will it take? Where do I get QF boarding pass and bag drop, a transfer desk or normal check in?

It’s been a long time since I’ve had to transfer terminals at LAX so honestly don’t remember and don’t want to wander around unnecessarily!

You will.collect bags at the arrivals level and you will then be landside. It's nicer to then use an elevatorto head up to the departures level and walk around the road to TBIT.

If it’s raining you can stay at the arrivals level and use the transfer bus (A?) which goes past T7 then T1, T2, T3 and then stops near TBIT.

Getting To, From, and Around LAX | LAX

www.flylax.com