Los Angeles (LAX) Transit Questions & Tips

[Vince Alfonzetti]

Terminal 3 is right next door to the main international terminal. So distance wise not really a problem.

The issue will be whether your flight is on time, and how long it takes you to get processed by border control, and how long the security queues are for re-entry to departures.

In theory three hours should be ok. Make sure you move as quick as you can on arrival and try and be one of the first in the arrivals hall to get through border control.

If your connection to Las Vegas is on the one ticket, no need to overly stress. If your inbound is late, or you simply don’t have enough time to make the connection, you’ll be protected on the next available flight.

Thank you Mel, great advice and really appreciated

Post automatically merged: Apr 19, 2025

There’s a few posts on AFF about the procedure for arriving at TBIT and then getting to other terminals at LAX, and how long it may take (number of flights arriving at that time, CBP, etc, etc). Some have experienced a smooth transfer while others have experienced delays. I plan on 4 hours, but it can be much less.

Although, there’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of not knowing if the doors will have already closed as you arrive at the gate for the connecting flight. Doors will often close 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Maybe a good idea to be wearing running shoes just in case.

If both flights are on the same PNR, then at least you are “protected”, so you will get the next ‘available’ flight (i.e., where seats are available), although I’m not sure of the frequency of WS flights LAX-LAS.

Thank you ,I’ll start trying for the running part soon lol

 

[DC3]

Also mentioned Terminal M arrival, which doesn’t exist, so assuming there’s been a few things confused.

Although, WestJet uses Terminal M in Vancouver. (e.g., LAX-YVR-LAS). But maybe let that one rest.

 

[Vince Alfonzetti]

Actually that’s a good point… there are no Westjet flights between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. I’m guessing the OP

I think it must be Alaska, SkyWest operate some of their Vegas flights (and carry QF codes) - so it will be T6.

I’m made that connection heaps. Don’t worry, and if you’ve booked with QF they can rebook you on either AA or AS if you miss it. Plenty of time unless QF is significantly late.

Cheers

 

[Vince Alfonzetti]

Also mentioned Terminal M arrival, which doesn’t exist, so assuming there’s been a few things confused.

You are correct it Terminal B... apologies, looking at too many flights

 

[Mwenenzi]

We are going to USA from Melbourne with Qantas in September 2025. We land in LA in terminal b at 10.25am and then have to catch our next flight with Horizon Air ( Alaska Air?) to Vegas at 1.25pm from terminal 6. Will we make it ?

Are both flights on the same PNR/ticket? Or separate?
Can make a big difference if a problem

Note OP has edited post 1 "Horizon Air ( Alaska Air?)"

 

[Himeno]

Horizon Air is part of Alaska. They are a QantasLink like regional subsidiary.

That's more then enough time.
I had a SYD-LAX-PDX trip some years ago. QF into LAX, then Alaska up to PDX.
My bags were checked through (with collect/redrop at LAX), but had to collect boarding pass for LAX-PDX when I got to the AS terminal (I think this was when they were still in T3).
I was early enough that they moved me to an earlier flight, but since my bag had been dropped at the TBIT bag drop, my bag still went on the later flight (I had to go back to PDX from downtown Portland later to collect it).

 

[justinbrett]

Horizon Air is part of Alaska. They are a QantasLink like regional subsidiary.

Yes, SkyWest and Horizon both operate E75 services for Alaska.

Horizon is like Qantaslink as they are a subsidiary.

SkyWest is like Alliance as they are an independent airline that operates wet lease services for all the major airlines.

Alaska uses both at LAS, in reality it makes no difference which one you are on.

 

[Vince Alfonzetti]

Horizon Air is part of Alaska. They are a QantasLink like regional subsidiary.

That's more then enough time.
I had a SYD-LAX-PDX trip some years ago. QF into LAX, then Alaska up to PDX.
My bags were checked through (with collect/redrop at LAX), but had to collect boarding pass for LAX-PDX when I got to the AS terminal (I think this was when they were still in T3).
I was early enough that they moved me to an earlier flight, but since my bag had been dropped at the TBIT bag drop, my bag still went on the later flight (I had to go back to PDX from downtown Portland later to collect it).

Thank you very much

Post automatically merged: Apr 21, 2025

Yes, SkyWest and Horizon both operate E75 services for Alaska.

Horizon is like Qantaslink as they are a subsidiary.

SkyWest is like Alliance as they are an independent airline that operates wet lease services for all the major airlines.

Alaska uses both at LAS, in reality it makes no difference which one you are on.

Many thanks for the info...cheers

 

[dacom]

Flying to Vancouver next week with AA and have 3 hour transit in LAX. Does anyone know if the checked luggage is still required to be picked up and re-checked on International transfers.
Now with the new airbridge open, I'm not sure if this is still a requirement. Some say you do, others say you don't. Trying to get more info. Thanks

 

[SYD]

AA just announced they’re trialling no bag collection at LAX for flights from SYD. Not sure if it includes onwards international connections - so best to ask at checkin.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/american-airlines-unveils-new-baggage-transfer-breakthrough-to-simplify-sydney-lax-international-connections/

 

[dacom]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful. Looks like my flight SYD to LAX with American Airlines is included. That takes a lot of stress out with only 3 hours transit time.

 

[RooFlyer]

That's great info, thanks @SYD . You would think it would include international connections - if its secure enough to arrive at the US, it should be OK to immediately leave again.

Sort of like CBP 'pre clearance' for bags.

 

[Quickstatus]

That takes a lot of stress out with only 3 hours transit time

Not so fast

CBP's website on IRBS

I think the trial IRBS means that CBP reviews the X-ray images done in SYD before the flight ends

I would not assume that your bags will be "pre-cleared". What happens if CBP are not happy with the images?

 

[SYD]

Not so fast

CBP's website on IRBS

I think the trial IRBS means that CBP reviews the X-ray images done in SYD before the flight ends

I would not assume that your bags will be "pre-cleared". What happens if CBP are not happy with the images?

You get bailed up at PP control. That’s the decision point to head to departures or collect bag?

Otherwise, how would anyone know….

That's great info, thanks @SYD . You would think it would include international connections - if its secure enough to arrive at the US, it should be OK to immediately leave again.

Sort of like CBP 'pre clearance' for bags.

Yeah. I don’t remember where I first saw it reported (possibly another thread here), but that link above was the first decent one that Google threw up.

 

[Quickstatus]

Otherwise, how would anyone know…

Don't know. I would imagine that the passenger will be notified at Passport.

However the bigger problem occurs when the passenger is relying on the checked luggage to be pre-cleared because of a tight connection. If informed that luggage needs to be inspected, that tight connection might be missed. I suspect though that this facility is only available to those with onward sectors in a single AA ticket itineraries.

What happens when a traveller has 2 checked luggage and 1 is not precleared?.
Is the precleared luggage sent onwards and the traveller has to pick up the non precleared one - how would the traveller know that one bag is Ok and the other is not. Does Passport tell them?

Also it's a trial. Who knows what % of checked bags are precleared

 

[Warragul]

What happens when a traveller has 2 checked luggage and 1 is not precleared?.

Common sense says keep the bags together, so even if only one bag is of interest they are kept together. Plus something maybe detected in the process of investigating the bag of interest warranting a check of the other.

 

[Quickstatus]

Common sense

Tends not to be common.

 

[SYD]

Also it's a trial. Who knows what % of checked bags are precleared

Pretty cough trial if it weren’t 100%.

If you read the link you posted, they will access the SYD X-Ray images - presumably using some AI tools. So no reason not to review 100% (plus they have ~14 hrs for closer inspection if needed).

The point of the trial would be to test one trusted city pair with one carrier. It would be brilliant if they extend to QF shortly thereafter.

 

[Quickstatus]

If you read the link you posted, they will access the SYD X-Ray images

Exactly, my point is you won't know if you luggage has precleared until you arrive. As there is a risk that luggage might not precleared, don't think it is wise to rely on it and accept a tight connection.

What is the % of checked luggage that is pulled off for secondary inspection at SYD before departure from SYD?. This metric might give some insight into possible % of pre clearance on arrival

Pretty cough trial if it weren’t 100%.

Not really, that the whole point of a trial. Essentially it is to see if CBP agrees with the assessment of security checks at SYD.

 

[Warragul]

Not really, that the whole point of a trial. Essentially to see if CBP agrees with the assessment of security checks at SYD.

Correct and verifying business processes, technology etc work as expected in 'real' scenarios.