Transit Times in LAX

[erina143]

An older thread ( 2008 ) recommended 3 hours as minimum safe time to transit LAX - does this still stand ?

Looking at arriving 13:25 on Air Pacific and aiming for a 14:55 Alaska Air to YVR. I suspect I may be cutting it too close - comments ? I am aware we have to collect the bags and clear customs then probably change terminals and checkin.

Tight time frame may be enough to change the whole plan.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I would not risk it. Absolute minimum for me is 2 hours, and even then i have missed connections when inbound arrives late.

 

[blackcat20]

I'd still allow at least 3, and I've never been caught in a major hold-up there.

 

[docjames]

Bare bones for me on a connected ticket is 2hrs (Int --> Dom). Prefer 3hrs.

Unconnected ticket and it'll be 4hrs at least.

YMMV.

 

[legroom]

One complication you have is the lack of interline luggage transfer between Air Pacific and Alaskan Air.

It means you would need to queue up to check luggage in.

That often closes about 40 min or so before departure.

You have only 90 min between arrival & departure.

No way !

Except ... perhaps HLO and lots of luck even then.

I would not risk it.

Your call !

 

[FlyboyAl]

I came into LAX 2 days ago, and even with the recent changes, it is no better (probably worse) than what it was when I came in 2 months ago. This is what I posted on my facebbok page.
"I think its time we offered to help our American friends! It is painfully obvious that they have absolutely no idea on how to design an airport, in particular, LAX.
For the last year or 2, they have been rebuilding/adding on to LAX to make for a better experience for the traveller.
Well, I'm sorry to say, they have stuffed up.
We came in via the new upstairs arrival area and it was a log jam! Sure there were other flights that had arrived, but OMG, it was terrible.
Last time I was out of the airport in about 25 minutes, and I knew that was very lucky.
This time it took about 45 mins to clear immigration, then go downstairs to the new baggage area, where I waited another 10 mins for the bags to appear, then the coup de grace was another 40 minutes to get out of the terminal with the suitcases as we threaded our way, in a single line, around all the old CBP passport check area and the old baggage collection carousels.
I understand Border Protection have a serious job to do, but for gods sake give them some pills to work faster, or put them on an incentive program to process passengers faster, but something has to happen"
I now understand why there were announcements on the flight in (QF11) advising passengers with 2 hour transit times or less, to contact the Qantas ground staff so they could expedite the time though immigration/baggage collection.
After Saturday, 3 hours would have to be an absolute BARE MINIMUM if you are transiting through LAX.
I know mine was just one experience, but I'm sure others will chime in with how they went.

 

[BAM1748]

transited there (as opposed to visiting) LAX twice this year, I'd make it 4 hours. I missed both connections even with 4 hours.

 

[fewings85]

im stuck with a damn 11hour lay over there next month, booking a day room. However id agree with above 3 hour bare minimum. ive been lucky I would say everytime ive landed its been smooth sailing out but ive never had to rush to make a connection!

 

[TomVexille]

Is this on separate tickets? If yes, then absolutely no way, not even with GE.

 

[erina143]

Thankyou all. Discussed it with the wife and we will bite the bullet, find the extra $$ and fly direct with Air Canada. No hassles at LA and no time delays with stopovers.
Nice stress free start to the holiday.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thankyou all. Discussed it with the wife and we will bite the bullet, find the extra $$ and fly direct with Air Canada. No hassles at LA and no time delays with stopovers.
Nice stress free start to the holiday.

That's a really good idea Nothing worse than enduring LAX arrival/check-in/security and then a 3hr flight north when you are dog tired from the flight from Australia.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Last time I was out of the airport in about 25 minutes, and I knew that was very lucky. This time it took about 45 mins to clear immigration, then go downstairs to the new baggage area, where I waited another 10 mins for the bags to appear, then the coup de grace was another 40 minutes to get out of the terminal with the suitcases as we threaded our way, in a single line, around all the old CBP passport check area and the old baggage collection carousels.

I understand Border Protection have a serious job to do, but for gods sake give them some pills to work faster, or put them on an incentive program to process passengers faster, but something has to happen"
I now understand why there were announcements on the flight in (QF11) advising passengers with 2 hour transit times or less, to contact the Qantas ground staff so they could expedite the time though immigration/baggage collection.

After Saturday, 3 hours would have to be an absolute BARE MINIMUM if you are transiting through LAX.
I know mine was just one experience, but I'm sure others will chime in with how they went.

I think it really comes down to what time you arrive in LAX. We arrived early at 0612 last Tuesday ex QF15 however as LAX Airport doesn't open until 0630 we couldn't disembark until that time. After walking from our arrival bay of 152 to Customs we wouldn't have even waited 10 minutes to get through the new CBP area upstairs & were through by 0650.

We had HLO so after taking the escalator downstairs to the old area to hand in our Blue Customs form we exited TBIT before 0700. Our next flight from T4 was 0955 so had plenty of time up our sleeves just in case.

Thankyou all. Discussed it with the wife and we will bite the bullet, find the extra $$ and fly direct with Air Canada. No hassles at LA and no time delays with stopovers.
Nice stress free start to the holiday.

What about just flying FJ to LAX, overnighting at the airport then flying AS to YVR early the next morning? May still be cheaper than flying AC SYD/YVR non-stop. You wouldn't have had that much time in YVR on the first day anyway & a LAX Airport Hotel would be cheaper than a hotel in YVR.

 

[Rebekkap]

im stuck with a damn 11hour lay over there next month, booking a day room. However id agree with above 3 hour bare minimum. ive been lucky I would say everytime ive landed its been smooth sailing out but ive never had to rush to make a connection!

11 hour layover?! I'd go to Disneyland!

 

[drewbles]

11 hour layover?! I'd go to Disneyland!

Disneyland is around 35 miles from LAX, and it can frequently take 90 minutes or more each way.

Doing the math that would be 3 hours travel there and back (plus time to get to and from the rental car location so allow another 90 minutes there). That's 4 1/2 hours, and you need to be back at LAX at least 2 hours prior to your flight. That's only leaving 4-5 hours at Disneyland, and for the dollars you have to shell out to get in, it's probably not worth it. You really need a multi-day visit for Disney (and go to world over in FL, much better even if it's the other side of the country ).

I'd suggest a day rate at the Hilton as has been suggested, jump in a cab/bus down to Santa Monica, venture down the peer, up 3rd ave prom. It's a great place to stretch the legs, grab a bite, and enjoy the sites. If you get bored, venture down to Venice Beach and see the muscle folks working out

 

[Rebekkap]

Disneyland is around 35 miles from LAX, and it can frequently take 90 minutes or more each way.

Doing the math that would be 3 hours travel there and back (plus time to get to and from the rental car location so allow another 90 minutes there). That's 4 1/2 hours, and you need to be back at LAX at least 2 hours prior to your flight. That's only leaving 4-5 hours at Disneyland, and for the dollars you have to shell out to get in, it's probably not worth it. You really need a multi-day visit for Disney (and go to world over in FL, much better even if it's the other side of the country ).

I'd suggest a day rate at the Hilton as has been suggested, jump in a cab/bus down to Santa Monica, venture down the peer, up 3rd ave prom. It's a great place to stretch the legs, grab a bite, and enjoy the sites. If you get bored, venture down to Venice Beach and see the muscle folks working out

I've been to Disneyland many times (I'm currently an annual pass holder, and I've got good value out of the pass ) and it's never taken me more than an hour to get there, even in traffic. And I'd pick six or so hours at Disneyland over just about anything -they don't call it the happiest place on earth for nothing!

I also disagree that Disneyworld in Florida is better, but people like different things - Disneyland has about the same number of rides, but closer together so they're easier to get to, and with much, much better weather.

 

[jgm]

(and go to world over in FL, much better even if it's the other side of the country ).

I have to disagree with you on that. Disneyland, California Adventure & Downtown are all co-located. World doesn't have a lot more attractions (really just a zoo, & mini world expo), but it is a lot more crowded (and choked up with boombahs on mobility scooters) & the distance between venues makes it difficult to visit more than one per day. Apart from the aforementioned, there isn't much difference in attractions between the two. Disney does a lot of things well, but buses aren't one of them, & in Disney World, you are subjected to the worst of them.

 

[ReLoad]

I have to disagree with you on that. Disneyland, California Adventure & Downtown are all co-located. World doesn't have a lot more attractions (really just a zoo, & mini world expo), but it is a lot more crowded (and choked up with boombahs on mobility scooters) & the distance between venues makes it difficult to visit more than one per day. Apart from the aforementioned, there isn't much difference in attractions between the two. Disney does a lot of things well, but buses aren't one of them, & in Disney World, you are subjected to the worst of them.

Slightly OT, we stayed on property at the wilderness lodge at disneyworld and in our experience a week there was awesome, the 2 water theme parks, the brilliant golf and amazing mini golf. Then of course there is all the goodies outside in the Orlando region. Including Kennedy space centre. The legoland is way better in FL and you don't have to go to San Diego for the sea world etc.

For mine its FL over CA anyday

 

[Rebekkap]

Slightly OT, we stayed on property at the wilderness lodge at disneyworld and in our experience a week there was awesome, the 2 water theme parks, the brilliant golf and amazing mini golf. Then of course there is all the goodies outside in the Orlando region. Including Kennedy space centre. The legoland is way better in FL and you don't have to go to San Diego for the sea world etc.

For mine its FL over CA anyday

Oh dear, I seem to have managed to pull this thread completely OT!

I'll give you the water parks, but no Cars Land in Fl, and Cars Land is brilliant.

 

[serfty]

...legoland is way better in FL ...

How much is legoland entry ...

 

[Rebekkap]

How much is legoland entry ...

In California, from $76 if you book in advance Official LEGOLAND California Site - Buy Tickets
In Florida, from $66 if you book in advance Admission Tickets - LEGOLAND

There are bunches of Legoland two for one vouchers etc floating around the internet, so google before you actually buy tickets