LAX vs SFO

[desafinado74]

Hello everyone,
I am trying to decide whether to depart USA via SFO or LAX early next year. ( Most likely departing with SQ)

At the moment I am leaning towards SFO as I think it is a more pleasant and easier airport to navigate. But I have read that with the new renovations, LAX is pretty nice and efficient now, and overall lounges seem better. And LAX is not prone to weather delays, compared to SFO.

I would like to hear from people who have experiences with both airports.

Thank you.

 

[Quickstatus]

The domestic airlines you wish to use would also come into the equation.
SFO is a UA Hub

 

[SYD]

If you’re staying in San Francisco, SFO is easy to get to on the BART. Similarly, if flying in domestically to connect to SQ out, it’s probably easier to transfer at SFO. Although LAX now has airside access between all terminals (but can be a long walk).

 

[justinbrett]

LAX is not the airport you remember. It's actually quite good now, as long as you don't have to leave the airport (that part will improve once the people mover is operational). Arrival is another issue as immigration can take forever.

The domestic airlines you wish to use would also come into the equation.
SFO is a UA Hub

As is LAX. Smaller, granted, but still significant.

If you’re staying in San Francisco, SFO is easy to get to on the BART. Similarly, if flying in domestically to connect to SQ out, it’s probably easier to transfer at SFO. Although LAX now has airside access between all terminals (but can be a long walk).

But good excuse to experience the Polaris lounge on your way to the *A lounge.

 

[RooFlyer]

ut I have read that with the new renovations, LAX is pretty nice and efficient now, and overall lounges seem better.

Yes, LAX International (TBIT) (and I think most of the domestic terminals) is now a very decent terminal ... dare I say pleasant. So I think you choice goes down to the other factors, mentioned by others.

 

[DC3]

If you’re staying in San Francisco, SFO is easy to get to on the BART.

 

[Pele]

Good thread.

And what about for landing? Is the queue for immigration at both equally bad(generally speaking)?

 

[randompunter]

Good thread.

And what about for landing? Is the queue for immigration at both equally bad(generally speaking)?

Arrived in SFO a few months ago in the late afternoon and there was no queue at immigration. Haven't been through LAX in 10 years though so can't compare.

 

[cjd600]

LAX is not the airport you remember. It's actually quite good now, as long as you don't have to leave the airport (that part will improve once the people mover is operational). Arrival is another issue as immigration can take forever.

I reckon for the last 7 years or so arrival at LAX has been a doddle. Been on the shuttle to Hertz within 40mins of wheels down

 

[justinbrett]

I reckon for the last 7 years or so arrival at LAX has been a doddle. Been on the shuttle to Hertz within 40mins of wheels down

Depends on your arrival time. I’ve nearly missed a connection despite having 3 hours.

 

[moa999]

Been on the shuttle to Hertz

and within 12 months it should be, straight onto the people mover to Hertz, or onto the K then E line for access to Santa Monica or LA downtown.

 

[cjd600]

Depends on your arrival time. I’ve nearly missed a connection despite having 3 hours.

Experiences vary I guess.
My arrivals have mainly been early morning, a couple late arvo. And exiting LAX, not transit.
Great airport, for my experience.

 

[justinbrett]

Experiences vary I guess.
My arrivals have mainly been early morning, a couple late arvo. And exiting LAX, not transit.
Great airport, for my experience.

Immigration clearance doesn’t vary depending on transit or exit.

I’ve had some good ones and some not so good ones. Overall it’s not my pick for quick immigration clearance.

 

[cjd600]

Immigration clearance doesn’t vary depending on transit or exit.

I’ve had some good ones and some not so good ones. Overall it’s not my pick for quick immigration clearance.

I appreciate that. Guess you've just been unlucky struggling to make a 3 hour connection. I've had some In n Out and halfway driving to Vegas after 3 hours lol
yup, experiences vary. LAX gets a stereotypical bad rap.

 

[justinbrett]

I appreciate that. Guess you've just been unlucky struggling to make a 3 hour connection. I've had some In n Out and halfway driving to Vegas after 3 hours lol
yup, experiences vary. LAX gets a stereotypical bad rap.

This forum suggests I’m in good company complaining about LAX immigration times.

 

[cjd600]

This forum suggests I’m in good company complaining about LAX immigration times.

I must be extremely lucky every visit to LAX lol
Sincere condolences for your experiences, sounds dreadful.

 

[justinbrett]

I must be extremely lucky every visit to LAX lol
Sincere condolences for your experiences, sounds dreadful.

Evidently.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - CBP Airport Wait Times (AWT)

CBP Airport Wait Times

awt.cbp.gov

This has the stats. For the month of January, the highest AVERAGE wait for a non citizen was 117 minutes (9th Jan 9am), and over 90 hour periods had average waits more than an hour. The maximum wait for a non citizen was 227 minutes (16th Jan 9am). In fact it seems like those later morning periods are the worst.

This roughly lines up with my experience. Some times you breeze through, other times it can be hell. By the time you include deboarding, CBP, baggage collection, bag drop, TSA and walk to another terminal, then boarding, 3 hours can be tight.

 

[cjd600]

Evidently.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - CBP Airport Wait Times (AWT)

CBP Airport Wait Times

awt.cbp.gov

This has the stats. For the month of January, the highest AVERAGE wait for a non citizen was 117 minutes (9th Jan 9am), and over 90 hour periods had average waits more than an hour. The maximum wait for a non citizen was 227 minutes (16th Jan 9am). In fact it seems like those later morning periods are the worst.

This roughly lines up with my experience. Some times you breeze through, other times it can be hell. By the time you include deboarding, CBP, baggage collection, bag drop, TSA and walk to another terminal, then boarding, 3 hours can be tight.

Condolences for your experience, and wasting more time furiously googling for stats lol
LAX rocks.

 

[justinbrett]

Condolences for your experience, and wasting more time furiously googling for stats lol
LAX rocks.

No googling required. A resource well known and used by many on this site.

Thought it responsible to link to the facts in case someone reads this and books a short self connection.

 

[Lynda2475]

IME the longest waits to enter the USA have always been at LAX and I actively avoid flying into LAX on international flights. I've typically found DFW the quickest, followed by SFO, then JFK and then HNL.

Back when Ansett was still around I was Star Alliance and usually flew UA to/from and within the US, connections were often better from SFO than LAX and the BART offered cheaper and quicker PT to downtown San Francisco than road transport from LAX to Hollywood or Santa Monica. Of course since covid San Francisco has become less safe and has a much larger homeless problem.

IMO all LAX really has going for it is the QF F lounge, so if flying OW internationally then good as a departure point. Unless wanting to actually visit LA (and im not a fan of the place) then I find DFW is generally better for arrivals and connecting to domestic as it is a larger AA hub.