Los Angeles (LAX) Transit Questions & Tips

[Kevvie]

We are transiting through Lax later this month , We are going on a United Airlines flight from Phoenix to LAX and then onto to Brisbane flying QANTAS --all on a QANTAS ticket. Will we have to retrieve our Luggage in LAX and walk it from terminal 7 to the International terminal via terminals 6-4 or is there a better way please ?
Will we be inside security all the way or will we have to re-enter security at the International ? Any advice on best way is welcome , thanks .

 

[SeatBackForward]

Exiting the USA is the easiest exit ever, such a contrast to arriving there. No immigration, nothing. Retrieving bags is only upon arrival into the USA. I can't confirm (others will know better than Me) but I've never gone through security into TBIT, but never from Terminal 7 yet.

 

[AlexNic82]

As long as you are on a single ticket, then no you will not have to pick up and recheck luggage. I always ask when checking in if my bags will go all the way, even though 99.9% of the time I know they will. Just more of a piece of mind. You transfer terminals through the tunnels. Best to get on LAX website and you can actually map out the route. Depending on how long you have check out the other terminals for food and shops as they all very. TBIT is really nice but lacks any affordable shops and quick bites.

 

[SYD]

You transfer terminals through the tunnels. Best to get on LAX website and you can actually map out the route.

Can’t emphasise this enough. Stay airside! Do not head towards baggage claim (unless of course your bags didn’t get checked through but they should). Walk to TBIT via T6/T5/T4 and the TBIT connector.

Your arrival in LAX from a domestic flight is like arriving into an Australian airport. You’ll come out at a gate where people are waiting to board. Look for directions to TBIT or T4/5/6. It‘ll be a bit of a schlep but much better than exiting and trying to get back through security.

Here‘s the guide and map for “walking”.

Inter-Terminal Connections | LAX

LAX Official Site | Use Alexa to "Ask LAX" about terminal locations, flight status and road closures at Los Angeles International Airport.

www.flylax.com

 

[Kevvie]

Can’t emphasise this enough. Stay airside! Do not head towards baggage claim (unless of course your bags didn’t get checked through but they should). Walk to TBIT via T6/T5/T4 and the TBIT connector.

Your arrival in LAX from a domestic flight is like arriving into an Australian airport. You’ll come out at a gate where people are waiting to board. Look for directions to TBIT or T4/5/6. It‘ll be a bit of a schlep but much better than exiting and trying to get back through security.

Here‘s the guide and map for “walking”.

Inter-Terminal Connections | LAX

LAX Official Site | Use Alexa to "Ask LAX" about terminal locations, flight status and road closures at Los Angeles International Airport.

www.flylax.com

Appreciate the advice fellow members have given above .
Since initially posting , have rung both QANTAS and United Air. Both said we should contact the other for advice. When pushed both said we would have to retrieve our bags and take them to TBIT. They said the bags wouldnt get checked thru because this is only done for Oneworld partners. We protested that it was sold by QANTAS as the one ticket but to no avail. Looks like we might do best to board a bus/shuttle with the bags once retrieved. Is it our best option in the circumstances, please ?

 

[SYD]

I’d still walk it if you’re able to with luggage. It’s actually more direct landslide. Just exit baggage claim and turn left. There are escalators up to departure levels.

 

[serfty]

They said the bags wouldnt get checked thru because this is only done for Oneworld partners

This is rubbish from the call centres!

Qantas and United Airlines have an Interline Agreement. It is the one ticket/PNR; the only impediment to the bags not being checked through from PHX to BNE would be incompetence by the check in agent at PHX.

Here is what is available from Expert Flyer:

Interline Agreements:
Flying UA

E-Ticket Interline Agreements
    AA        AC        AD        AF        AH        AI     
    AM        AR        AS        AV        AW        AY     
    AZ        A3        BA        BB        BI        BR     
    BT        BW        CA        CI        CM        CX     
    CZ        DL        EI        EK        EN        ET     
    EW        EY        FB        FI        FJ        FM     
    FV        GA        GF        GK        G3        HA     
    HO        HU        HX        IB        JJ        JL     
    JQ        KC        KE        KF        KG        KL     
    KM        KQ        KS        KU        KX        LA     
    LG        LH        LM        LO        LP        LR     
    LW        LX        LY        MD        ME        MF     
    MH        MI        MK        MS        MU        NH     
    NU        NX        NZ        OA        OK        OM     
    OS        OU        OZ        PG        PK        PR     
    PS        PX        PZ       *QF*       RO        SA     
    SK        SN        SQ        SU        S4        S7     
    TA        TG        TJ        TK        TP        UK     
    UL        UP        UX        VA        VN        VS     
    VT        VW        WB        WF        WK        WM     
    WS        WY        XL        XQ        ZH        3K     
    3M        3U        4B        4U        4Y        4Z     
    7C        7H        9B        9K        9X     
 

Paper Ticket and Baggage Interline Agreements
...
   MAY CHECK BAGGAGE TO
       AA  AC  AD  AF  AH  AI  AM  AR  AS  AV  AW  AX  AY  AZ
       A3  BA  BB  BE  BI  BM  BR  BT  BW  CI  CM  CS  CX  CZ
       DL  EI  EK  EN  ET  EV  EW  EY  FB  FI  FJ  FM  FV  GA
       GF  GK  G3  HA  HO  HP  HU  HX  IB  JJ  JL  JO  JP  JQ
       J2  KA  KC  KE  KG  KL  KM  KQ  KS  KU  KX  LA  LH  LM
       LO  LP  LR  LX  LY  MD  ME  MF  MH  MI  MK  MQ  MS  MU
       MX  NH  NU  NX  NZ  OA  OK  OM  OO  OS  OU  OZ  O6  PG
       PR  PS  PX  PZ *QF* RO  SA  SK  SN  SQ  SU  SZ  S2  S4
       S7  TA  TG  TJ  TK  TP  T0  UA  UK  UL  UN  UP  UX  VA
       VN  VS  VT  VW  WB  WF  WK  WM  WP  WY  XF  XL  XQ  ZH
       2K  3K  3M  3U  4B  4Q  4U  4Y  4Z  7C  7H  9B  9K  9W
       9X

 

[AlexNic82]

I’d still walk it if you’re able to with luggage. It’s actually more direct landslide. Just exit baggage claim and turn left. There are escalators up to departure levels.

I second this! Best to walk as the shuttles are super confusing and unreliable. It is really easy to walk landslide as LAX is set up in a horseshoe grid and all terminals are on the same side with TBIT at the head.

 

[Kevvie]

This is rubbish from the call centres!

Qantas and United Airlines have an Interline Agreement. It is the one ticket/PNR; the only impediment to the bags not being checked through from PHX to BNE would be incompetence by the check in agent at PHX.

Here is what is available from Expert Flyer:

Interline Agreements:
Flying UA

E-Ticket Interline Agreements
    AA        AC        AD        AF        AH        AI    
    AM        AR        AS        AV        AW        AY    
    AZ        A3        BA        BB        BI        BR    
    BT        BW        CA        CI        CM        CX    
    CZ        DL        EI        EK        EN        ET    
    EW        EY        FB        FI        FJ        FM    
    FV        GA        GF        GK        G3        HA    
    HO        HU        HX        IB        JJ        JL    
    JQ        KC        KE        KF        KG        KL    
    KM        KQ        KS        KU        KX        LA    
    LG        LH        LM        LO        LP        LR    
    LW        LX        LY        MD        ME        MF    
    MH        MI        MK        MS        MU        NH    
    NU        NX        NZ        OA        OK        OM    
    OS        OU        OZ        PG        PK        PR    
    PS        PX        PZ       *QF*       RO        SA    
    SK        SN        SQ        SU        S4        S7    
    TA        TG        TJ        TK        TP        UK    
    UL        UP        UX        VA        VN        VS    
    VT        VW        WB        WF        WK        WM    
    WS        WY        XL        XQ        ZH        3K    
    3M        3U        4B        4U        4Y        4Z    
    7C        7H        9B        9K        9X    
 

Paper Ticket and Baggage Interline Agreements
...
   MAY CHECK BAGGAGE TO
       AA  AC  AD  AF  AH  AI  AM  AR  AS  AV  AW  AX  AY  AZ
       A3  BA  BB  BE  BI  BM  BR  BT  BW  CI  CM  CS  CX  CZ
       DL  EI  EK  EN  ET  EV  EW  EY  FB  FI  FJ  FM  FV  GA
       GF  GK  G3  HA  HO  HP  HU  HX  IB  JJ  JL  JO  JP  JQ
       J2  KA  KC  KE  KG  KL  KM  KQ  KS  KU  KX  LA  LH  LM
       LO  LP  LR  LX  LY  MD  ME  MF  MH  MI  MK  MQ  MS  MU
       MX  NH  NU  NX  NZ  OA  OK  OM  OO  OS  OU  OZ  O6  PG
       PR  PS  PX  PZ *QF* RO  SA  SK  SN  SQ  SU  SZ  S2  S4
       S7  TA  TG  TJ  TK  TP  T0  UA  UK  UL  UN  UP  UX  VA
       VN  VS  VT  VW  WB  WF  WK  WM  WP  WY  XF  XL  XQ  ZH
       2K  3K  3M  3U  4B  4Q  4U  4Y  4Z  7C  7H  9B  9K  9W
       9X

Thats very reassuring. Thank you for making the effort to locate that info,

 

[Kevvie]

I second this! Best to walk as the shuttles are super confusing and unreliable. It is really easy to walk landslide as LAX is set up in a horseshoe grid and all terminals are on the same side with TBIT at the head.

Very appreciative for all the informative responses.
This is a beaut site and people are very supportive.

 

[porterble]

We are transiting through Lax later this month , We are going on a United Airlines flight from Phoenix to LAX and then onto to Brisbane flying QANTAS --all on a QANTAS ticket. Will we have to retrieve our Luggage in LAX and walk it from terminal 7 to the International terminal via terminals 6-4 or is there a better way please ?
Will we be inside security all the way or will we have to re-enter security at the International ? Any advice on best way is welcome , thanks .

Depends if you are checked through on luggage. UA 99% of the time will check through to QF.

From there dont exit the air side/secure area, just use the underground walkways to get from T7 through to TBIT. Never leave security in the US if you can help it, reclearing TSA is terrible.

 

[UP4014]

Appreciate the advice fellow members have given above .
Since initially posting , have rung both QANTAS and United Air. Both said we should contact the other for advice. When pushed both said we would have to retrieve our bags and take them to TBIT. They said the bags wouldnt get checked thru because this is only done for Oneworld partners. We protested that it was sold by QANTAS as the one ticket but to no avail. Looks like we might do best to board a bus/shuttle with the bags once retrieved. Is it our best option in the circumstances, please ?

As other have said, don't bother with the shuttle bus, walk. It's easy and if you are walking UA to TBIT then stay airside. It's a little way but not difficult and a good a break between flights.

If you do need to collect your bag, go upstairs and outside, enjoy the fresh air and jet fuel aroma on the arrivals footpath. (I say fresh air as my first trip 30 something years ago it most certainly wasn't back in the LA days before air quality laws)

 

[Jenya]

I got really weird experience recently transiting in LAX.
First i was confused when on Anchorage Delta check in they checked in my bag straight to SYD.
Then on arriving to Terminal 3 from ANC-SEA I found my next international flight departure gate to SYD right next to the gate I just arrived on domestic flight....

I was completely puzzled as everywhere else in the world you arrive to domestic terminal, collect your bags, go to international, get through security, clear immigration.... but not there!
Border crossing FROM US was just a quick look to camera on the gate! WOW!
Did not expect this as crossing into US was real maihem in SeaTac airport.
All flights was on Delta.

 

[Himeno]

I got really weird reexperience recently transiting in LAX.
First i was confused when on Anchorage Delta check in they checked in my bag straight to SYD.
Then on arriving to Terminal 3 from ANC-SEA I found my next international flight departure gate to SYD right next to the gate I just arrived on domestic flight....

I was completely puzzled as everywhere else in the world you arrive to domestic terminal, collect your bags, go to international, get through security, clear immigration.... but not there!
Border crossing FROM US was just a quick look to camera on the gate! WOW!
Did not expect this as crossing into US was real maihem in SeaTac airport.
All flights was on Delta.

There are places, like the US and UK, which don't do departure immigration checks. Without having a government agency required to check passports upon departure, there is no reason to split terminals between domestic areas and international areas. They just require a secure path from gates to immigration/customs for international arrivals.

ie, if ABF was not required to check passengers departing Australia, there would be no reason why QF11 to LAX couldn't depart from SYD T3 from the gate next to a departing flight to PER.

There are some airports in the US where all international arrivals must use a given terminal, such as T5 at ORD, because the other terminals don't have an FIS, so arriving international flights can't be cleared at the other terminals. International flights can still depart from any gate at the airport (The JL flight to ORD arrives at T5, but departs from T3).

 

[ads]

Hi to all,

I understand it is a topic which has been repeatedly covered here in the past, however I am just seeking a more 'current' update please:

Early next year I am flying from SYD to Mexico via LAX.
In order to travel 'on the cheap' I have already booked my Australia-LAX return tickets and are now looking to purchase the LAX-Mexico return tickets.

Can I ask what the process will be at LAX, when flying both directions to and from Australia in terms of customs, immigration and baggage collection?
Given the Mexico flights will be on a separate ticket to my SYD-LAX-SYD flights with Qantas, I presume I will need to collect my bags and check them in again at LAX after arriving from Australia - and for the return flight home from Mexico to LAX.
With this process will I essentially be classified as no longer 'airside' in terms of security?

Is there any value in booking my LAX-Mexico-LAX flights with a Qantas partner-airline if that will help the chances of getting the baggage through checked - despite being on separate tickets, or will it make no difference?

I ask as I am undecided if I should fly 'direct' from Mexico to SYD on the same day, or if I should fly Mexico-LAX the day before the return flight to Sydney and stay the night at an LAX hotel.

If it is possible to stay 'airside' flying Mexico-LAX-SYD on separate tickets, then I think I will fly home the same day. However if I will need to recheck baggage, pass through customs/immigration (both when leaving Mexico and again at LAX) then I may as well stay landside at LAX and stay the night there.......if that makes any sense to you.

In the hypothetical, unlikely event I cancel my existing booked flights (SYD-LAX-SYD) and then rebook my entire trip on the same ticket SYD-Mexico-SYD; Am I correct in thinking my baggage will be through-checked the entire way and upon arrival at LAX (in both directions) I would just simply need to walk to the other terminal for the connecting flight without needing to pass through customs/immigration for a second time?

Cheers

 

[SeatBackForward]

There is no such thing as Transit in the USA - your first port of entry from anywhere will need you to pass through customs, immigration and collect your bag. You should allow a minimum of three hours to do this (slightly less if you have status and/or can get through priority security screening etc). If you're on separate tickets, even three hours is risky.

But there are some more issues to considers:

1) Because you will need to enter the USA you need to have the right visa or entry permit - so for Australians, we can get the ESTA instead of a Visa. If you do not have this, your carrier from SYD>LAX can deny you boarding as they will be liable to ship you home if you're denied entry into the USA. That you have an a separate onward ticket to Mexico will mean nothing.

2) Separate tickets will typically mean your bags cannot be checked through ( If the two airlines have an arrangement it *may* be possible, but work on the basis this will not happen). This means when you arrive into LAX you cannot just drop of your bag for the next flight, but you will need to actually check in to your connecting flight, which will again add more time.

3) On Separate tickets you have no protection if your first flight is delayed. Because they are separate tickets, each airline will not know about the other flight and you will be treated as a no-show if you miss the onward flights.

In the hypothetical, unlikely event I cancel my existing booked flights (SYD-LAX-SYD) and then rebook my entire trip on the same ticket SYD-Mexico-SYD; Am I correct in thinking my baggage will be through-checked the entire way and upon arrival at LAX (in both directions) I would just simply need to walk to the other terminal for the connecting flight without needing to pass through customs/immigration for a second time?

No, your bags would be checked through and you'll have the onward boarding pass so you wont have to check in as such, but you still need to go through customs/immigration both ways.

 

[RooFlyer]

Endorse what @SeatBackForward wrote. if on separate tickets, do yourself a favour, and overnight at a LAX hotel and fly to Mexico next day. I wouldn’t do that sort of ‘transit’ allowing less than in six hours.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Endorse what @SeatBackForward wrote. if on separate tickets, do yourself a favour, and overnight at a LAX hotel and fly to Mexico next day. I wouldn’t do that sort of ‘transit’ allowing less than in six hours.

1000% agree. Massive mistake not to do this on the one PNR. Far too much risk. Fact is flights to the US from Australia are frequently not on time and can be cancelled.

 

[Silvia]

I fly to Mexico often via LAX. I used to buy separate tickets. I had a near miss no show due to a QF delay.
My question would be - who are you flying with? Likely to be Aeromexico which is a terrible airline and have the reputation of not caring and leaving passengers stranded.

Flights from LAX usually leave either early morning (8 30ish with AA, DL... later flights around midday with AM). The 8-9am departure from LAX is really hard to do even when you are on one sector as you also have to change terminals. It is stressful and it requires everything running on time.

I agree with comments. I am flying on separate tickets this December. I am doing QF93 and arriving at night time, booked a hotel room and doing the dreaded AM legs the next day.

 

[Quickstatus]

Need more information.
What airline you are flying to/ from MEX and whether
How much time you got in LAX

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Irrespective of whether you are in separate tickets or single ticket:

You will need to pick up bags at LAX, go through Immigration/passport control

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If on separate ticket:
You will need to checkin for the onward flight whether MEX or SYD at the appropriate terminal - should be at TBIT.

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If on single ticket
You will need to drop off bag which has the bag tag for the next sector whether MEX or SYD. After bag drop you don't need to checkin. The difference is that the bag drop is quicker than re- checkin

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But in both cases whether you are going to MEX or coming from MEX and whether you are single or separate ticket you will end up landside.

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I concur with others above. Separate tickets no protection in cases where the previous sector is delayed.
Even if single ticket you should leave enough time - staying overnight is good idea.

Have you considered SYD-DFW?