Los Angeles Airport (LAX) Flights & Flight Status

LAX has nine terminals. While this sounds overwhelming, I find it's fairly easy to figure out where to go. The terminals are lined up in an easy-to-navigate U shape, and many of the terminals are specific to just one or two airlines. Terminal 6, for instance, is where Air Canada flights arrive. Meanwhile, terminals 2 and 3 are Delta's hub (though some partner airlines fly out of here, too); Terminal 4 is all American Airlines; Terminal 5 serves JetBlue and Spirit (with some overflow from American); and Terminals 7 and 8 are home to United. If you're on an international airline, you'll likely be flying out of Terminal B, also known as the Tom Bradley International Terminal or TBIT.

Although some airlines will have you check in at one terminal, you may need to travel to another for your flight; I've personally experienced this on Delta, when I've checked in at Terminal 3 but flew out of Terminal B. Give yourself plenty of time between check-in and getting to your gate.

Getting between terminals

All terminals at LAX are connected airside, which means you don't need to exit the secure area to get between terminals. (I, for one, am thrilled, as I used to regularly fly out of LAX when most terminals were not connected airside). But do note that the walk can be extremely long. I've walked from the end of Terminal 2 to the end of Terminal 3, and that alone can take 15 minutes. Terminals 1, 3 and B are connected by an airside bus service, though, which makes connections easier. On the landside, all terminals are connected by walkways, as well as a shuttle bus.

Dining, shopping and lounges

LAX is a major international airport, which means there are plenty of dining and shopping options throughout its terminals. That said, in my opinion, it's not nearly as impressive as international airports in Asia and the Middle East.

Dining highlights include Native by Nyesha in Terminal 3 by L.A. Nyesha Arrington and Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in Terminal B (you won't regret a grilled cheese here).

The best shopping, including designer boutiques like Hermès and Gucci, can be found at Terminal B, where most of the international flights depart and arrive.

As for lounges, most major airlines have outposts in their respective terminals. Highlights include the Qantas First Class Lounge, Delta Sky Club, United Polaris Lounge and American Airlines Flagship Lounge. If you have access to Centurion Lounges, there's one in Terminal B, and it has an express spa with complimentary treatments, though those treatments are first-come, first-served, and I find that they're usually booked up fast.

Transportation

Los Angeles is a driving city, so many people either drive their own cars to LAX or rent cars upon arrival. But there are public transportation and taxi options, too.

Public transportation

LAX is not known for its public transportation system, but it does exist. At the airport, look for the pink LAX shuttle signs when you exit your terminal. These shuttles will take you to the LAX City Bus Center, from which you can hop on several bus lines, or to the Metro C Line (Green) at Aviation Station. When I lived in L.A., I never took public transportation to or from the airport, as it simply was not convenient. That said, it's cheaper than all other options. Public transportation does not, however, run 24/7, so make sure you check the schedules before you leave for the airport.

Taxis and ridesharing

All taxis and rideshares (Lyft, Uber and Opoli) pick up passengers at LAX-it, a special parking lot past Terminal 1. There is a shuttle bus (look for the green LAX-it sign) that connects all terminals to LAX-it, but there are also walkways. I find that walking can be much faster than taking the shuttle; from the closest terminals, Terminals 1 and 7, it's about a five-minute walk, while from the furthest terminals, Terminals 4 and 5, it's about a 20-minute walk. Traffic is notoriously bad within the U-shaped loop that connects the terminals, so the shuttles can be held up. Keep the commute time in mind when you book your rideshares; I usually wait until I'm within five minutes of LAX-it before calling a car.

Rental cars

All rental car companies are located off the airport, so you'll need to take a shuttle to pick up your car (or to get to the terminal after dropping off your car). Follow the purple rental car shuttle sign outside your terminal. The shuttles run 24 hours a day.

LAX FlyAway bus

One popular transportation option at LAX is the LAX FlyAway bus. This bus connects the airport with two stops: Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley and Union Station in Downtown L.A. Many people use these stops as a sort of "park and ride," as parking is cheaper at the LAX FlyAway stops than it is at LAX itself.

Parking

Parking at LAX is limited compared to demand, so it's best to book parking in advance. One time I drove to the airport expecting to park without a reservation, and all the official airport lots were full. I had to park miles away at an off-site parkade. Booking parking in advance also gets you the best rates. There are seven terminal parking structures that are within a five-minute walk to the terminals, while the economy and budget lots are serviced by shuttles. All of them can be pre-booked. There are also third-party parkades all around the airport, each of which requires a shuttle to the terminals. Always leave yourself extra time to park, just in case something goes awry.

Alternative Airports

Ask any local and they'll almost always recommend flying out of an alternative airport instead of LAX, as it is extremely crowded. Fortunately, L.A. has numerous options, including John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County (south of LA), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in Burbank (north of central LA), Ontario International Airport (ONT) in San Bernardino County (east of LA), Long Beach Airport (LGB) in Long Beach (south of LA centre) and San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) in San Bernardino (further to the east, beyond ONT). Though these alternative airports might not have as much airlift as LAX (that is, they have far fewer flights), they provide a much more relaxed airport experience. I would frequently choose to fly out of Burbank with an extra layover rather than take a nonstop from LAX.

What to do on a layover

LAX is a fairly large airport, so it's easy to spend time hopping between terminals to go shopping or try different restaurants. But if you have time, you can leave the airport. The most important thing to consider is traffic, which can happen at any time. I've been stuck in terrible traffic jams near LAX in the middle of the night. So if you do leave the airport, give yourself more time than you think you'll need to get back.

Nearby attractions

If you have at least three hours to spare, I'd recommend going to the In-N-Out on South Sepulveda Boulevard, not necessarily for the food, but for the plane-spotting. The park across the street is essentially right beneath the final approach to runway 24R, so you can see planes flying just a few hundred metres above you. It's one of my favourite things to do in L.A.! The In-N-Out is about a 20- to 30-minute walk from the airport, or you can take a taxi or rideshare. If you're hungry, order a Double Double Animal Style, which I think is the best burger option at In-N-Out.

If you have six hours or more during your layover, you might be able to squeeze in a quick visit to Manhattan Beach, Venice Beach or Santa Monica. But don't forget that L.A. traffic is notoriously bad, so you need to give yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport and through security.

Nearby hotels

If you have an overnight layover, or you want to book a day room to get some rest, there are numerous hotels within walking distance of LAX along West Century Boulevard. Many of them have free airport shuttles, but I find that it can be faster to walk if you're travelling light. Some of these hotels even have pools if you want to enjoy some Southern California sun. The Hyatt Regency Los Angeles is the closest to the airport terminals, but just a block further are the more budget-friendly Homewood Suites by Hilton Los Angeles International Airport and H Hotel Los Angeles, Curio Collection by Hilton, which share a roof deck overlooking the runway.