Transit in LAX/Immigration

[PaulyB]

I am looking at booking a paid ticket Syd-JFK via LAX using SkyScanner. It would be operated by AA, codeshare QF & BA.

The transit time in LA is only 90mins which feels a bit scary but, worse, I have been someone (who may not really know) that you have to offload the luggage in LAX and go through immigration.

It seems unlikely but I know you will know! Thoughts? Is that correct?
Much appreciated.

 

[serfty]

Yes, C&I at LAX on arrival; irrespective of destination. This includes baggage.

Personally, I'd allow at least 2½ and even 4 hours for a shower and rest, but then I have Flagship/Qantas First access.

 

[BAM1748]

Depending on when your travelling QF and NZ are about to start or have started Auckland JFK direct.

90 mins is not long enough in my opinion. I have never made a connection in LAX one of which was 4 hours. Hit and miss.

 

[PaulyB]

Personally, I'd allow at least 2½ and even 4 hours for a shower and rest, but then I have Flagship/Qantas First access.

Them's the breaks. Thanks tho. Back to the drawing board. We could just book a later departure from LAX but the NZ one looks interesting. Will expolore. Thnx

 

[serfty]

Of course, there's DFW as well, same deal with C&I and a 4 hours transit, but there's plenty of NYC flights from there and may nett a couple of hours saved in getting to the destination.

 

[SYD]

I am looking at booking a paid ticket Syd-JFK via LAX using SkyScanner. It would be operated by AA, codeshare QF & BA.

The transit time in LA is only 90mins which feels a bit scary but, worse, I have been someone (who may not really know) that you have to offload the luggage in LAX and go through immigration.

It seems unlikely but I know you will know! Thoughts? Is that correct?
Much appreciated.

If it’s on one booking, you’ll be “protected” if there’s a missed connection. But 3 to 4 hrs would be something to aim for. My first trip back through LAX in a few weeks thanks to the delay in QF to SFO. Deliberately had them rebook us on QF11 (one of the first scheduled to land at 06:05) then out on AS at 11:00. Hoping to have plenty of time to go to QF F Lounge, AA FS and end up in AS lounge.

I have never made a connection in LAX one of which was 4 hours. Hit and miss.

Wow. Whilst I try and avoid arriving via LAX now, I’ve only ever missed a connection once due to a delayed arrival of QF. But AA rebooked us (even on seperate PNRs).

 

[SYD]

Them's the breaks. Thanks tho. Back to the drawing board. We could just book a later departure from LAX but the NZ one looks interesting. Will expolore. Thnx

A left field option but you need to get to CGK…

AA codeshare QR J [QSuites] Jakarta to New York (and PHL?) from US$2,636

Saw this earlier. If it was QR codes, it should earn 520 QF SCs return (plus anything to/from CGK). I believe AA codes will earn the same since operating carrier is still OW? https://loyaltylobby.com/2022/11/05/airfare-of-the-day-qsuites-qatar-airways-jakarta-to-new-york-from-2636/ Last time I...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[kamchatsky]

I flew DL to LAX arriving at 9am, and then LAS on UA on separate tickets in Dec last year. I allowed 4 hours between flights. The immigration queue took us 1.5-2 hours alone.

 

[SYD]

I flew DL to LAX arriving at 9am, and then LAS on UA on separate tickets in Dec last year. I allowed 4 hours between flights. The immigration queue took us 1.5-2 hours alone.

Yep, right in the thick of morning rush.

 

[@WhiteboardKing]

Seems common on AA. I am transiting LAX next week and on the QF booking I have just under 4 hours, but if I had have booked AA direct at the time on same QF metal flight they connected in 2 hours. AA obviously don't feel too long of connection is needed, but far better to be safe, get through C&I and then hit the AA desk for an earlier flight if you're lucky.

 

[knagelli]

you have to offload the luggage in LAX and go through immigration.

Yes , we had to do that when we went from MEL - SFO via LAX. 90 minutes is cutting it too short , but should be okay incase of no rush at immigration.

 

[justinbrett]

Assuming this is a good price compared to the longer connections, and considering you're going to JFK, unless you absolutely must be in JFK as scheduled, I'd book it. AA will rebook you on another flight if you miss the connection - and there's so many options to get from LAX to LGA/JFK on AA. You won't be stranded.

Exception if you're booking domestic first or business with a lie flat seat between LAX-JFK. You'll probably lose that on rebooking.

 

[PaulyB]

Hi - I'd like to turn this upside down. Returning from NY via LA - Can we check through from NY and avoid the departure circus in LA? Flights with AA and I'm looking at a 3 hour transit
Thanks!

 

[SYD]

Hi - I'd like to turn this upside down. Returning from NY via LA - Can we check through from NY and avoid the departure circus in LA? Flights with AA and I'm looking at a 3 hour transit
Thanks!

All on one ticket its a breeze. Luggage checked through all the way (don't see it until Oz). You arrive in LAX like any other domestic PAX, so head the the lounge(s) of your choice before boarding flight to Oz.

If separate PNRs, then 3 hrs may not be enough depending on the day of the week.

 

[PaulyB]

All on one ticket its a breeze. Luggage checked through all the way (don't see it until Oz). You arrive in LAX like any other domestic PAX, so head the the lounge(s) of your choice before boarding flight to Oz.

If separate PNRs, then 3 hrs may not be enough depending on the day of the week.

Thnx so much. Yes same PNR. I can avoid the journey through LAX going but not coming back, at the moment. Good to know.

 

[Quickstatus]

Air NZ operates NZ2 AKL to JFK non stop.
Departs in the evening. A good alternative

 

[SYD]

Air NZ operates NZ2 AKL to JFK non stop.
Departs in the evening. A good alternative

Except when it turns around halfway there….

16-hour flight to nowhere: Air NZ's New York flight turns back to Auckland

A passenger on board the flight thought there had been a glitch when she saw the plane was returning to Auckland after eight hours in the sky.

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[PaulyB]

Air NZ operates NZ2 AKL to JFK non stop.
Departs in the evening. A good alternative

Thnx - this is with points tho. I should have mentioned...

 

[SeatBackForward]

Thnx so much. Yes same PNR. I can avoid the journey through LAX going but not coming back, at the moment. Good to know.

Leaving the USA is easy - they don't even check that you're leaving!

 

[SYD]

Leaving the USA is easy - they don't even check that you're leaving!

It’s electronic now. You use to hand back your green I-94 stub pre ESTA days.