Connections at LAX

[aus_flyer]

I have always avoided LAX like the plague. Now, I have no choice - so I need some advice!

I will be flying ORD-LAX with AA
Will have to collect bags
Then checkin and fly LAX-SEA with Alaskan

How much time should I allow?
Are they at the same terminal?

Any other advice much appreciated!

Thanks

 

[serfty]

IIRC AS use TBIT for some international flights and T3 for domestic and the remainder of international (Canada?).

Not sure about MCT.

 

[Travel Guru]

I have always avoided LAX like the plague. Now, I have no choice - so I need some advice!

I will be flying ORD-LAX with AA
Will have to collect bags
Then checkin and fly LAX-SEA with Alaskan

How much time should I allow?
Are they at the same terminal?

Any other advice much appreciated!

Thanks

i would recommend 3 hrs just to be safe.

TG

 

[clifford]

3 hours should be ample (you should be able to do it in 2 if everything is pretty much on schedule).

AA uses Terminal 4 and Alaska uses T3. They're separated by the Tom Bradley International terminal, but still relatively close, maybe a walk of a couple of hundred meters or so. You can also get a free shuttle bus, but this will probably take a bit longer.

Pity you don't like LAX. From a UA flyer's perspective, I don't think it is too bad.

Good luck anyway.

 

[Alanslegal]

Just wondering, can you check your bags at ORD so it goes through to SEA?

Last month I checked bag through LAS-LAX-SYD... I was flying US Air LAS-LAX then onto a QF LAX-SYD, worked a treat.

But regardless, IMO 3hours is probably the minimum connection time for LAX.
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[littl_flier]

Just wondering, can you check your bags at ORD so it goes through to SEA?


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American and Alaskan have an interline agreement and are codeshare partners so the OP should be able to through check the bags, even if they are on separate tickets. I interlined last week on separate tickets and the check in agent just had to manually enter the connection details into the computer. I'm unsure of the MCT though.

 

[aus_flyer]

American and Alaskan have an interline agreement and are codeshare partners so the OP should be able to through check the bags, even if they are on separate tickets. I interlined last week on separate tickets and the check in agent just had to manually enter the connection details into the computer. I'm unsure of the MCT though.

I'm planning to checkin with Alaskan online (to try and get an upgrade). Can I still take advantage of through-checking?

 

[littl_flier]

I'm planning to checkin with Alaskan online (to try and get an upgrade). Can I still take advantage of through-checking?

You should. It was a manual process where the CSA looked at my itinerary and manually entered the route onto the bag tags. She couldn't issue boarding passes as I was on a separate ticket and I wasn't physically checked in for my later flights until I reached JFK (my second leg).

 

[aus_flyer]

I see it's actually cheaper if I go via SFO!
Maybe that might be a better option, as I can stay at Terminal 4.
Do you think that would make it easier at LAX? (ie. can I allow a shorter connection time)? Plus I'd then get Admirals access at LAX.

 

[littl_flier]

I see it's actually cheaper if I go via SFO!
Maybe that might be a better option, as I can stay at Terminal 4.
Do you think that would make it easier at LAX? (ie. can I allow a shorter connection time)? Plus I'd then get Admirals access at LAX.

SFO would be a better option but it does add some time. Being an AA to AA connetion, you will stay in T4 which is obviously much easier and does allow Admirals access. If you aren't worried about an extra segment and you don't want to change terminals at LAX, then I would take AA to SFO for the "scenic" ride.

Have you thought about ORD to SFO direct and avoiding LAX all together?

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

I'm assuming that the OP has a special ticket to LAX that can't really be changed, otherwise why go to LAX at all.

If my assumption is incorrect, why not fly direct ORD-SEA?

 

[aus_flyer]

I'm assuming that the OP has a special ticket to LAX that can't really be changed, otherwise why go to LAX at all.

If my assumption is incorrect, why not fly direct ORD-SEA?

That's correct. I'm already ticketed to LAX, but now don't need to spend time there.

I've considered getting the ticket reissued, but I really can't be bothered - mainly because I suspect the reassessment of fuel fines will hurt!