LAX Connection times - VA to DL separate tickets.

[Sam Butler]

I have an award booking a few days before Christmas arriving at TBIT at Lax on VA and a Terminal 2 departure that I want to book to Mexico City. The connection time is however only 2hr 35 min. I haven't flown to LA in years and not since TBIT was renovated.

When I initially booked the award ticket to LAX, Delta had not announced the route (starts early Dec). There is no reward inventory available through Velocity directly, to modify my award booking.

I am VA Gold (possibly Plat by that stage) with carry on only. i believe this means I can access the Sky priority TSA lanes at Terminal 2.

I intend to get the PNR's linked (or whatever you call the notation made in your booking). I assume this means I can get the DL boarding pass when departing Australia.

Is it reasonable that I should make it? Or too high risk? Or no chance at all?

Would appreciate the opinion with those more familiar with LAX.

 

[UP4014]

For two separate bookings, if it was me, I'd allow at least 4 hours. It only takes a delay departing our end and your connection is missed.

When I've had separate bookings I've allowed a day. My previous 3 connections on the same ticket with QF have all been missed at LAX.

To me not worth the grief and I don't mind having a walk around outside.

 

[RooFlyer]

The arrival/immigration experience at LAX is much better than it used to be, but 2h35m would be pushing your luck; its really less than 2h as you have to be at the departure gate for your onwards flight at least 30 mins prior to departure. Plus, it being close to Christmas, all services both in Oz for departure and LAX for arrival/departure will be stretched and subject to delay. If you miss your onwards flight, again, being near Christmas, you may struggle to get on a following flight.

Open up the gap and you'll be able to relax and not start the Christmas hols stressed or worse, substantially delayed.

If you go here, you can plug in TBIT and the same period for last year and see the minimum and maximum wait times for immigration (only) - customs is more. Between ~20 and ~80 mins for between 21 and 23 Dec 2016.