Getting through LAX

[nuthq]

Hi All,

I have booked a VA flight that arrives into LAX at 08:45, what are my chances of boarding a 10:45 VX flight on the same day? The VX flight is being booked separately so i will have to collect luggage etc

The next flight after is not until 5pm so ideally would like to board the 10:45

Thanks

 

[serfty]

How lucky do you feel?

I would only ever consider a two hour transit if on the one booking.

Never on separate bookings.

Here's the MCT data:
Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Minimum Connect Times:
Connecting at LAX
Incoming airline VA
Outgoing airline VX
Flight type International to Domestic

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE   1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
OFFLINE  1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
** OR * ARE ALL
VA-VX ID  1.55 TRM 5  - 3  
VA-** ID  2.00 TRM B  - **

Since all VA flights now arrive at TBIT, the MCT is 2 hours.

 

[BAM1748]

What time of year, winter or summer can make a difference.

Having been through LAX 6 times in the previous 8 months or so I would not risk a 2 hour transfer. Between December and April I have never made a connection and always missed my flight even when 3 hours plus. Winter causes the domino effect on the domestic routes.

Matt

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Where is your next destination - domestic or international? Baggage close off for VX domestic flights is 45 minutes or 60 minutes for international flights which means your flight ex LAX will close for baggage acceptance at 1000 or 0945.

It's not something I would attempt unless I was through checked onto the next flight & luggage tagged to final destination thus allowing me to do the bag drop at TBIT after customs clearance thereby covering me in the event of a delay so the airline would rebook me without penalty.

Even if your inbound VA flight was ontime into TBIT at 0845 you need to factor in plenty of time for the following:

1. Physically disembark the aircraft which will depend on where you're seated? Have you pre-allocated your seat as far forward as possible? (10 mins)
2. Walking from the arrival gate to Passport Control (10 mins)
3. Lining up & waiting in the queue to be processed ie finger printed & questioned etc by a CBP Officer (up to one hour - maybe longer)
4. Collecting your baggage off the carousel - chances are it will be there before you are given the previous wait (5 mins)
5. Lining up a second time to hand in your blue US Customs form to an officer (up to half an hour- sometimes less)
6. Walking with your suitcase(s) in tow from TBIT to Terminal 3 (10 mins)
7. Note you must arrive at T3 prior to the baggage close off times of 0945 or 1000

You don't really have 2 hours to play with to achieve the above - it's more like half that. The 2 hours is from your scheduled arrival time into LAX of the first flight & your scheduled departure time of the second.

The question I'd be asking myself is can I afford to lose the fare I've paid from LAX to xx_ & what will it cost me to buy a new ticket.

If you are still keen to run the gauntlet I would webcheck for the VX flight then use the kerbside bag drop at T3 & tip them well. You will need to have some US cash before you leave Australia as there will be no time for currency exchange on arrival.

Los Angeles LAX Airport Information | Virgin America

Check-in Time:
Arrival at the airport is recommended 90 minutes prior to domestic flight departures and 120 minutes for international flights. Checked baggage will be accepted up until 45 minutes prior to flight departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes prior for international flights. Check in without bags closes 30 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes prior for international flights.

Curbside Baggage Drop Hours:
6:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
5:30 PM - 9:00PM Pacific Time

 

[Jurahn]

As per ozbeachbabe's excellent post, I wouldn't risk it either unless both flights were on the same itinerary and you were checked through all the way to your destination. I flew into LAX on the same flight you're taking (VA23) on a Saturday morning in early November last year. I was flying business class so was one of the first off the plane, and walked as fast as humanly possible to Passport Control. We'd obviously arrived at around the same time as at least two other large flights - luckily I was towards the front of one of the queues, but even then, I was waiting in line for at least half an hour and by the time I got through, the queues behind me were HUGE. Due to the variety of nationalities coming through TBIT, some passengers seemed to take a lot longer to process than others, sometimes due to language issues, other times due to a more intensive questioning by Passport Control. Most of the luggage from the flight was sitting next to the carousel by the time I got there (Virgin ground staff were "wrangling and corralling" it LOL) but then there was the walk to Customs (and another queue). By the time I got out into the terminal it was just after 10am, so there's no way I would have made baggage drop-off times for another flight at 10.45.

 

[TomVexille]

I think ozbeachbabe, summed it it rather well. I wouldn't risk it.

 

[NoName]

Since we're talking about required connection times at LAX perhaps someone might have an opinion on another situation.

25 April BNE-LAX on VA7 scheduled to arrive at LAX at 06:30.

What are the chances of making a Southwest (terminal 1 I believe) flight to Vegas scheduled to depart at 09:25? Worth risking or better off waiting for the 11:15 flight? If I found a reasonably cheap flight on a different airline what is the earliest scheduled departure people would recommend?

 

[drewbles]

Since we're talking about required connection times at LAX perhaps someone might have an opinion on another situation.

25 April BNE-LAX on VA7 scheduled to arrive at LAX at 06:30.

What are the chances of making a Southwest (terminal 1 I believe) flight to Vegas scheduled to depart at 09:25? Worth risking or better off waiting for the 11:15 flight? If I found a reasonably cheap flight on a different airline what is the earliest scheduled departure people would recommend?

You should make it, but I'd take the later. LAX is a coughpy place to hang around, but better hang around an hour or so longer than miss flights and have to buy last minute fares.

That's what i'd do at least. Or, stay overnight in an airport hotel. Plenty of good, cheap hotels there, and grab a bus down to Santa Monica and stretch your legs, grab dinner, and recover from jet lag before flying on to LAS (I love LAS though, try and visit a few times a year!).

 

[BAM1748]

Since we're talking about required connection times at LAX perhaps someone might have an opinion on another situation.

25 April BNE-LAX on VA7 scheduled to arrive at LAX at 06:30.

What are the chances of making a Southwest (terminal 1 I believe) flight to Vegas scheduled to depart at 09:25? Worth risking or better off waiting for the 11:15 flight? If I found a reasonably cheap flight on a different airline what is the earliest scheduled departure people would recommend?

Wait for the 11.15. Or hire a car and drive. the walk to Southwest is about 10min but that's the quick bit about LAX.

 

[TomVexille]

Since we're talking about required connection times at LAX perhaps someone might have an opinion on another situation.

25 April BNE-LAX on VA7 scheduled to arrive at LAX at 06:30.

What are the chances of making a Southwest (terminal 1 I believe) flight to Vegas scheduled to depart at 09:25? Worth risking or better off waiting for the 11:15 flight? If I found a reasonably cheap flight on a different airline what is the earliest scheduled departure people would recommend?

I'd be going the 11:15

 

[nuthq]

Thanks for the replies guys - needless to say I will not be risking it. I was due to fly to Chicago and I am arriving into LAX in business class but still seems highly unlikely I would get anywhere near making it on time!

 

[kpc]

2 days ago, at 640am, it took 1 hr 45 mins from landing to reach the taxi rank at TBIT...the main delay was the Q at immigration!

 

[Milboo]

Seems luck of the draw!

Early Dec I came in on VA1 and was out the front door of the airport just under an hour after reaching the gate - biggest wait was for the baggage.

 

[stevelcqld]

Since we're talking about required connection times at LAX perhaps someone might have an opinion on another situation.

25 April BNE-LAX on VA7 scheduled to arrive at LAX at 06:30.

What are the chances of making a Southwest (terminal 1 I believe) flight to Vegas scheduled to depart at 09:25? Worth risking or better off waiting for the 11:15 flight? If I found a reasonably cheap flight on a different airline what is the earliest scheduled departure people would recommend?

We are on the same flight in late jan and heading to vegas as well, on a sep booking. We are getting the 11.45am flight out of LAX.. would rather have the extra time. Spend an hour or so in the lounge and then no stress or rushing to make a flight..

Cheers
Steve

 

[BAM1748]

Seems luck of the draw!

Early Dec I came in on VA1 and was out the front door of the airport just under an hour after reaching the gate - biggest wait was for the baggage.

Not so sure about luck of the draw; more exception to the rule.

Matt

 

[whoistheg]

It took us 2.5 hours to get through in Dec

They really need to setup dedicated Asian language desks for all the Asian flights
that also arrive in the mornings.

For 45min approx 8 groups of people who were in front of us could not speak english
when questioned by the staff so a Airline Rep had to be called.

Its a shame our passport Chip system does not work over there.

I did see coming back into AU that the US can now use our Chip system