How To Get Between Terminals At LAX

Of I had a pesk-hour flight (late evening Asia/Aus) from TBIT would it make more sense to clear security in T4 then just walk over there, avoiding the mess that is TBIT security?

The only problem that I have faced is that at the TBIT US CBP exit from customs, what I've found is that there isn't a desk for the major airlines staffed all the times. I arrived on AA from Mexico and was connecting onto an AS flight. They could not issue me a AS BP in Mexico, so i was looking for a AS xfer desk at TBIT - did not exist. No problem walking over the T6, but it would be good to have major airlines have xfer desks staffed in TBIT.

@ Max -- It certainly can! T4 security can still take a long time during peak periods though, and they make you take everything out of your bag and remove shoes if you don't have PreCheck, as opposed to the more "expedited" process TBIT generally uses.

LAX is much better than JFK. At least TSA at LAX allows you enter a terminal if you're departing from another terminal. Not in JFK.

Last time I want to use a lounge in JFK T5 and my flight departs from T7. TSA refused me to enter T5. Too bad.

@ D$ -- It would be, but is unlikely to happen. Mobile boarding passes can make this a bit easier, but if you're already landside at TBIT it's faster to walk outside to T6 than to use the tunnels anyway.

Thanks Tiffany. This is really helpful. I’ll be there in February.

Very helpful article!
Its worth noting there is another tunnel at Terminal 4 that goes out to baggage claim, in addition to the tunnel that goes to Terminal 5. There isn't much signage and it is easy to simply follow the crowd of people and accidentally end up exiting the terminal and security.

I am arriving to LAX via Etihad and leaving from LAX via Southwest for domestic destination.
What would be efficient way to change terminals? How much time should I keep between two flights to ensure I don't miss my domestic connection? Is 3 Hr sufficient?

LAX is my home airport, and it has been dealing with too much vehicle traffic for a long time. Now, with about 16 airlines changing terminals this year, terminal remodeling, new Uber/Lyft curbside pick-up locations launched, and preparation for a new people-mover in advance of light rail connection for the 2024 Olympics, it is getting pretty bad around the clock.

Please do allow extra time, and remember that all traffic moves in one slow counter-clockwise slog. Since United is my preferred carrier, I am always at the last terminal stop. It can take over 30 minutes to travel around all the terminals, so I will often ask to be dropped off at Terminal 1 (Southwest) and walk across to save time.

@ desikid -- If it's reasonable for your situation (ie you don't have mobility or baggage constraints), walking outside is the most efficient. Otherwise you can take the intra-terminal bus from the arrivals area.

3 hours should be plenty, as you'll have already pre-cleared US Customs in Abu Dhabi.

"so I will often ask to be dropped off at Terminal 1 (Southwest) and walk across to save time." but your ride will still have to spend 30 mins getting out?

@Tiffany. thanks for the information. I will have luggage so seems like I will need to use intra-terminal bus.

Shouldn't you include getting to/from the Eagle's Nest?

Can anyone confirm that TBIT still has no TSA pre-check?

"Family Circus" I think you mean

@Max @ Tiffany I was wondering that too, thanks for bringing that up. In the future I would definitely go through T4 and walk over to TBIT. At least with AA priority line you have a fighting chance. TBIT security is a nightmare.

Can you use Clear if you are flying on a carrier that doesn't have PreCheck?

Hi,

There is an airside shuttle that runs from T1 to TBIT for Southwest.

Ben

TBIT had precheck when I used the connector TSA checkpoint(arrivals level), the challenge is your departing airline, and if they participate.

@desikid, personally, after clearing customs I would walk out to curbside and snag a luggage cart (they charge you at the terminal to get them, but usually pretty easy to get a free one as people get into their cars, etc. ) and walk over to T1. It will be anywhere from 20-60mins faster depending on traffic. With 3hrs you certainly have plenty of time, I just personally don't like to be confined to a shuttle in traffic, but your preference for hauling luggage vs. being confined may differ from mine.

FWIW, it's theoretically possible to make it from T6 to T4 in 4 minutes at a full sprint. I learned that the hard way a few months ago thanks to a delayed AS flight leaving me a 20-minute connection to AA!

@Max As Brodie mentioned there is a "hidden" security checkpoint on the arrivals level with Precheck, but that may or may not help you if your airline doesn't participate. T4 is *usually* better, but not always. Back before I had Precheck, I've had ~30 minute waits at T4 during peak hours. I assume your flight is a late night departure, though, so T4 should be much quicker.

@ Bob -- Correct, there is no PreCheck, but the "style" of screening done in TBIT is generally PreCheck-esque. I haven't had to remove shoes or liquids during screening at TBIT in years.

@ Chad -- I did indeed, thank you!

I’m flying next week to Aus on VA. They tell me I check in at T2 and walk to TBIT. How far is that walk, anyone know?

I ask because my wife has broken her foot and is on crutches and not very mobile.

@ Adam -- It's probably five minutes, but TBIT itself is fairly large. I would probably recommend asking your wife if she'd be opposed to having wheelchair assistance at the airport. It would certainly make things easier for her.

I feel like I'm reading a walk-through of an RPG video game

How does the bus service work for American Eagle to Terminal 5? Does it work both ways - arriving flights and departing flights? Do you have to go through security either way if you are connecting at LAX?

@ Donna -- The American Eagle "Terminal" is basically a bus gate as far as the main airport is concerned. It used to be numbered 44A-I (to encourage you to take the bus from T4), then was numbered 60A-I (to encourage you to take the bus from T6), and now is apparently numbered 52A-I (to get you to take the bus from T5).

But there are bus stops at both Gate 44 and Gate 52, so you just take the bus to/from either to the Eagle Nest. You don't have to go through security again.
https://onemileatatime.com/american-eagle-terminal-lax/

Tiffany, I happened to be using these tunnels/bridges just a few days ago, and took a photo of the helpful map that shows similar directions as your above post, with further detail and clarity. Here it is in case others + you may find it helpful:
https://imgur.com/cNVLPCo

A few weeks ago I was on an all DL domestic itinerary. I had read reports that DL passengers could access the Korean Airlines lounge. After clearing security @ TBIT I headed up to the KE lounge. I was denied access! KE said that only KE business and KE first passengers were allowed in the lounge. Was that just a busy day why they were denying entry to others? Or does KE no longer allow DL passengers to use their lounge?

@ Tiffany Eagle terminal is out of T5 now, American no longer operates out of T6.

@ Tiffany I am arriving with AC at terminal 6 and connecting to QR at TBIT what is the best way to use the tunnels or outside?

@ Scott Shiba -- Oy, thanks! Have they updated the gate signs in Eagle to reflect "52x", or do they still say "44x"?

They say "52x"; shuttle gate is right across from the Rock-n-Brews, before you go down the ramp to the main T5 Admirals Club.

@ erick schmitt -- THANK YOU! I took a photo of one of these maps last time I was in LAX, but the High Sierra update seems to have somehow disabled my SD card reader, so getting it off my camera got too complicated. Appreciate it!

@ Akelly -- If your bags are tagged through, I'd stay airside and use the tunnels. If you have to claim and recheck your bags, outside is the only real option.

Hi Tiffany,

Excellent post. One scenario is missing.

What's the process if you fly on a domestic sector into TBIT and need to connect to terminal 4 - is there an expedited domestic transfer path or do you have to queue up and explain yourself to an immigration official?

Earlier this year I was booked out of DFW connecting to YVR via LAX. When I saw the arrivals gate number I queried AA ExpP desk who had no definitive answer. I had 56 minutes connection and knowing the TBIT T$ route very well was not concerned about the time to move gate to gate. Was just concerned about getting held up passing through immigration/customs. In the end, I just listed for an earlier flight arriving at T4.

This all sounds horrible. Can't say I'm ever looking forward to using this particular airport.

@ Rich -- The doors and jetbridges at TBIT have the functionality to allow passengers to be deposited in the terminal rather than in immigration. So unless the gate agent messes something up, there's no reason why you wouldn't have sterile transit.

@ Tiffany thank you for the advise. My bags will be tagged all the way hence no worries to get out. Useful article, appreciated.

@Tiffany, "With the exception of Terminal 1 (sorry Southwest!), every other terminal at LAX can be accessed from at least one other terminal" is incorrect. There is an airside bus between T1 and TBIT

Super helpful post Tiffany! Thanks so much. Bookmarked.

We are flying in on delta arriving at 840pm and leaving on southwest at 1015pm. We will need to get our luggage and then check it again at southwest. We are first class coming in on delta and have precheck. I’m planning on walking from hopefully t2 to t1. I assume 95 minutes should be enough for this?

@ Robin -- Is that an international arrival with Delta? If it's domestic it should be fine, international has more variables.

Domestic, taking the 757 with Delta One from DCA. I’ve been wanting to fly it since it started so making it work even though our destination isn’t LA. Southwest has a later flight so we do have a possible backup. Thanks for the reply.

AA has made a schedule change for me from a 2:45 layover to only 1:45 between SYD-LAX and LAX-MIA --that seems tight for TBIT to T4, even with GE. Agreed?

@evan: Right past the parking building for Terminal 1, you can turn left and end up at Terminals 6 & 7. There's no reason to drive the whole way around the curve...

The length of the security line at TBIT can depend greatly on (1) the time of the day, and (2) whether the TSA bomb detection K-9 is on duty. Late evening can be very hectic when all the flights depart for Asia. When the TSA K-9 is on duty, then it is a pre-check style screening for everyone (i.e. regular metal detector, shoes on and all items stay in the bag) - this speeds up the process somewhat. What i've gathered is that the K-9 is there for the most part except for early morning. But since he/she is also a government employee, schedule and break periods can vary.

Tip: if flying from TBIT, go through security at American's terminal (T4) and then head to Tom Bradley. You can easily be stuck for an hour at security at TB, whereas at AA's terminal you'll breeze through in 15-20 min.

@ Leslie -- It depends on how confident you are with airports, honestly, and how comfortable you are with fixing things if they go south. I did TBIT to T3 including claiming and checking a bag on separate reservations, and gate to gate was about 45 minutes with Global Entry and PreCheck, so it's not impossible.

If you're arriving international, make sure to avoid using the security line leading directly to the TBIT connector (it doesn't have a TSApre lane). You're better off walking to T4 landside and clearing there.

Should be fine as you land realty and the terminal is easy to get through. I find that if you exit tbit and go down to terminal 4 you process security faster rather than doing the tbit rentry.

Connection under 2 hrs You'll also get the express connection pass which they prioritize in t4 but not tbit

We're arriving around 6.00am on a Sunday morning on Delta, with a connecting flight on United at 8.00am. We all have TSA pre. Should we try for the tunnels or go for a bus? Do we have enough time ( I thought we did, but now I'm getting nervous!)

That is wonderfully helpful. Thank you!

(LAX is still amongst my least favorite airports, but you have just made transiting it that much easier.)

Have these People never connected in an airport in Asia ?!

Wow, what a maze indeed! Thank you so much for posting this, I used it in a long connection from T3 to get to T6 Alaskan lounge. Very helpful

In a couple of weeks I am connecting from AS410 (T6) onto QF12 (TBIT). I have a 3.5 hour layover.
1. Will I be able to walk through to TBIT (via the 2 tunnels, 1 to T4 and then to TBIT) with a mobile boarding pass?
2. Do they enforce 'needing to have a boarding pass' and if so, where abouts?

You should be able to walk through the tunnels without having to re-check your documentation.

Scenario: College aged son arrives on Southwest at 1:30. Needs to get shuttle back to UCSB, but it is scheduled at 2:00 (begins at terminal 1) so he will miss that most likely. Is it possible to walk through the parking garages without going back through security to catch it at the terminal 7 stop (which is at about 2:30)? He is directionally challenged...would it be difficult?

@ Wendi -- I don't know why he wouldn't be able to catch a 2PM shuttle from terminal 1, unless bags are exceptionally late. It's a small terminal.

Otherwise yes, he could walk through the parking garages, but if he's bad at directions it might be difficult.

Flying southwest to LAX and will be flying out on Hawaiian. What’s the best way to get from southwest to Hawaiian..? We plan on carry on only so no checking bags.

Flying in from Hawaii on Hawaiian airlines arriving at 5 a.m. I have a separate southwest flight I booked with points. I need to get my luggage and then recheck them to Southwest for a flight that leaves at 9:20 a.m. What's the best way to move around?

I have a very bad experience few years ago in LAX airport, need to transfer from International to Domestic airports. At that time, I asked some staffs, and no one told me I can take a shuttle, or there's a walkway between terminals. I needed to walk out to the airport, and walked about 1 miles to another terminals. Also the immigration custom not allowed me to skip lines even I told them I only have 30 mins left for the next flights. Afterward, I avoid flight with LAX airport again.

We arriving on s Delta flight in either T2 or T3 and connecting on Air Tahiti Nui at TBIT. What is the best way to get to TBIT from these terminals . Will we need to leave security area and clear again at TBIT?
Thank you .

I am arriving American Air/ skywest terminal 5 going to an unconnected flight on Avianca international flight Terminal 3 leaving terminal TBIT, I assume. How would you suggest getting over there. We have 2 hours 15 on weds 2/14 at 7 pm to get there for 9 :20 flight, so a bit tight, since we will likely need to show passports and visa to Avianca. I assume we have to go to Avianca in terminl 3 first to check in with documents. So in summary what would be the fastest way from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3. We will only have carry on backpacks. Thanks

Hello everyone,

AMAZING guide! My SO will be visiting LAX for the first time and I have never been there either, so I am trying to plan in advance how to move between terminals and stuff, and this post helped me a ton.

I have one question, she will be arriving to T3 with Delta, and is supposed to leave from T5 (most likely gate 52x as that is where Compass is flying from). My question is, is it better not to leave the secured area and run through the tunnels from TBIT, or leave the T3 and run to T5 asap? She will have no check-in bag and will have the boarding pass in her phone.

Thank you VERY much for your input.

Kind regards, Jiri

Hi

We are arriving at TBIT in May with Scandinavian Airlines, and then transfering to terminal 7 for our domestic United flight to SAN. Can we recheck our bags at TBIT or do we have to bring them with us to terminal 7? What would be the fastest way for us to get to terminal 7? Thankful for all advise that we can get.

Please notify me as to the best and fastest way to commute from TBIT to terminal 7/8.
Thank you very much. Carmen

Dear Tiffany,

My aunt is 62yrs, she will arrive TBIT in May and have 2hrs connection to Alaska Airlines flight in Terminal 6.
Can she recheck her bags at TBIT or does she have to bring them to Terminal 6? What would the best way for her to get to terminal 6? please advise! thanks a lot

absoulutely love the information in this article. truly comical how complex LAX is but this is so helpful for us priority pass users trying to get some lounge time in but flying from random terminals. Thanks!!

To follow up our actual experience from my question above, our AA SYD-LAX flight arrived on a Sunday morning at 7:10. Orange express connection passes were waiting for us taped to a wall when we disembarked, and we used Global Entry to get through immigration. Our bags took about 45 minutes to appear on the belt, after which we dropped them off before exiting TBIT. No specific TSA Precheck queue there but it went quickly and our carry-ons were run through a separate conveyor. We got to our connecting AA flight gate at the back end of Terminal 4 about halfway through boarding at 8:25, and all of our luggage made it home on our flight.

@Leslie

Did they make you exit the terminal? I thought you would be able to recheck baggage with express connection and continue back through the tunnel to T4 without having to go back through security?

We had to go through TSA security again when exiting TBIT after dropping off our checked luggage. After that it was a 5 minute walk through a well-marked tunnel and up and down escalators, arriving at T4 airside.

Is it at all possible to make it from TBIT to Terminal 1 in an hour and change? My husband and I are flying in internationally at LAX at 8:50 and are trying to catch a Southwest flight that takes off at 10:05. Thank you in advance!!

@ S. Fox -- If you're not checking bags, have Global Entry and PreCheck, and everything is on time, and are very confident travelers, that would probably work. That's a *very* tight connection otherwise though, with no margin for error. The published Minimum Connection Time in your situation is 2 hours.

Yes, anyone can take Delta's shuttle bus between T2, T3, and TBIT.
Subcontracted agents will always try to direct you to the most convenient checkin or connecting route, but this doesn't mean you're not allowed access. Just lie to them that you're going to such and such lounge or meeting a colleague at a particular gate to shut them down.

I highly encourage taking the bus during daytime hours since the bus travels on Service Road Delta adjacent to Taxiways Delta and Echo and its is possible to see widebody aircraft up close and personal. In fact I highly recommend booking a long connection that will allow you to take the bus several times back and forth between 3PM and 5PM because this is the period of day with the most B777 and A380 movements along Taxiways Delta and Echo as long haul flights arrive and depart. Your opportunity to see these planes up close like this will be over once the terminal connectors are complete. Just tell the agents that you're killing time plane spotting.

Understand that after 8PM there can be long delays at the Gate 22A and Gate 34P bus stations for the following reasons. International flights that arrive at T2 after 8PM (Aeromexico and Delta) must bus to TBIT to clear customs since CPB closes early in T2. There are only two bus stations at T2 located beneath Gates 21 and 22. T2 also has a shared corridor for boarding domestic departing passengers and deplaning international arriving passengers, and airlines are prohibited from commingling international arriving passengers that have not cleared customs with domestic passengers. Due to the terminal connector construction around Gate 21 (DWP is presently rerouting the power main via a new underground trench) the international bussing operation cannot always commence from Gate 21A. Therefore, if an international flight arrives at an odd numbered gate in T2 after 8PM, it is sometimes necessary to shutdown the terminal's entire boarding and connecting passenger bussing operation at Gate22A in order to open a sterile corridor to allow international arriving passengers to deplane and walk the perimeter of the terminal to take a bus from Gate 22A to TBIT. This also means passengers and connecting crew members cannot get from T3 to T2 since the buses are prohibited from loitering on the service roads waiting for Gate 22A bus station to reopen for domestic passengers. As such, it is necessary to ensure a long connection time between flights if you happen to be traveling on AeroMexico, Aer Lingus, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, or West Jet, especially after 8PM.

I arrive on Delta and depart on American with a 1.5hr layover, I have missed flights with this connecting time before…fastest way to get there?

Hi-have been reading thru some of the older posts and may have missed the info but here goes:
Get in to LAX Terminal 2 at 9:15PM (God willing:) Scheduled to take a flight to Sydney at 10:25PM from Terminal B. Both flights are Virgin Australia operated by Delta, in speaking with a VA rep I am on Delta planes throughout my trip.
Since time will be of the essence, what would be the best way to navigate given the above scenario? In other words, how best to get to Terminal B from Terminal 2 without hitting long security lines etc. Reading the post from 4/6 from “LosAngeles” it sounds like the shuttle bus option can be lengthy after 8pm. Better to walk from Terminal 2 to B? Will that involve navigating security at Terminal B again? (will only have my carry-ons at this point). Any help is much appreciated

@ Steve -- You're probably better off waiting for the shuttle (and informing them that you have a tight connection) than having to go through security at TBIT, which is almost always a disaster.

Thank you for including the floor plans! Very handy to have them printed out.

We arrive at Terminal 5 at 6:30a and need to get our bags and get to Terminal 3 to check in our bags and get on a flight that departs at 10:15a (since we are on two different airlines/two separate tickets). Is it possible to walk through the parking lots to get from the south terminals to the north terminals, or should we walk around on the sidewalks? I know the shuttle can take some time.

@steve, better off waiting for the shuttle since the security line at TBIT can sometimes take 45mins to an hour. There is no TSA precheck or Clear at TBIT. Also, double check your departure gate to SYD. If your flight is operated by Delta, then it will be DL41 and can depart from gates 133, 38, or 26. That aircraft arrives from Shanghai around 1600 at gate 133, but tows off the gate. While your flight may be 'planned' for 133, as you indicated a DL rep advised, depending on how utilized that gate is the day of your travel, Delta may choose to have it tow up to 38 or 26 to ensure sufficient time to fuel the aircraft for an ontime departure. Also DL41 suffers from chronic on time poor performance due to its scheduled departure time. That flight regularly takes a 15-30min departure delay to avoid loitering outside of SYD on arrival to wait for the noise curfew to lift in order to land.

@LosAngeles-thanks so much for the information! When I was looking at the airport layout, wondered if it would be feasible to take a taxi from terminal 2 and have them bring me over to Terminal 4 (am guessing that may be quicker than walking to Terminal 4?), go through Clear at Terminal 4 security and take the walkway into TBIT?

The sheer amount of detailed info you are sharing is really impressive and helpful!
As a U.S. citizen, I am coming from LAX TBIT(Terminal B) and switching to Terminal 3, and have 2 hours and 10 minutes. I plan to only have my small carry-on with me.. What is the fastest way to get from TBIT to Terminal 3(walk out, straight to T3? Will 2 hours be enough without global entry nor pre-check? Thank you so much for your info.

I am flying into terminal 1 on southwest and need to get checked bags and get to terminal 2 for Hawaiian air. My SW flight is scheduled to arrive at 7am and my Hawaiian Air flight is scheduled to depart at 11am, Is that enough time?

Just to confirm – if I am arriving at Terminal-6 on Alaska and departing out of TBIT on an unassociated carrier (Norwegian) I will need to exit the secure area, claim my bag, and then make my way via the outside walkway to TBIT and go through security again – correct? Is it a long walk from T-6 to TBIT – maybe I should take the long way via the shuttle? Thanks.

Correct. The walk is short- between 5 and 10 minutes. The shuttle will take 15 to 20 minutes. Double check with Alaska at checkin to see if they have an baggage agreement with Norwegian (I doubt it) so they can through-check your bag.

Hello...

Some friends and I are catching a flight on Interjet (on a Thursday...not sure if weekday vs weekend makes a difference)...to Cancun. I have never flown international before, so:

Flight leaves at 10:30 am...we planned to be at airport at 7:30 am...I presume 3 hours should suffice?

I see a connector walkway between T4 and TBIT...but we are supposed to check in @ T3.

Can we walk from T3 to TBIT?
Do we have to leave secured area to do so?
Is it a pretty direct walk, or do I need to walk to T4 and then into TBIT?
If we do TSA in T3, do we have to re-do it @ TBIT because of CBP?

Thank you in advance for your help!

When will LAX get an airside train to connect the terminals?

@RF A new $5 billion people mover has been approved and is scheduled to be constructed prior to LA2028. ETA March 2023.

HI All, I have a question I haven't seen addressed and if it was - I missed it. My friend needs to get from Terminal 6 to TBIT and has mobility issues. Is there a way that she can get a ride on one of those electric carts? She isn't wheelchair bound but will take a wheelchair if that is what she needs to do get between terminals. She has a short connection (2 hrs 7 mins). Any help would be appreciated.

@ Betty -- I'm sure that if she requested wheelchair assistance they would shuttle her on one of those carts. She may want to call the airline and ask if they have a provision for "less mobile, but needs help" and can arrange that service for her.

@Betty The delivering airline has a regulatory requirement to provide mobility assistance to get to the connecting flight. The assistance will have to be a combination of cart and wheelchair assistance since the connector tunnel only extends between Terminal 6 and Terminal 4. Your friend will have to use a wheelchair to take an elevator up to the Terminal 4 Concourse, through the concourse to the TBIT connector bridge, where she can meet up with a cart again. She should not exit security unless she purchased two separate tickets for travel on two different airlines. If she purchased a single ticket, or two separate tickets but doesnt have checked baggage, then she takes the tunnels and checks in with the connecting flight at the gate podium. If she purchased 2 separate tickets and has checked baggage then she needs to take a wheelchair from her arrival gate, claim her bag, exit to the curbside, take the shuttle to TBIT, and checkin at the TBIT ticket counter. Please see 14CFR382.91(a) on page 21 (430) of the following: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-title14-vol4/pdf/CFR-2012-title14-vol4-part382.pdf

@Tiffany and @Los Angeles. Thanks so much for the info, it is very helpful.

How would I get from the regional terminal (American Eagle) to Terminal 5?

@Julie there are shuttles from the Eagles Nest directly to T5

Which terminal does LOT Polish airlines depart from?

This is an amazing thread! Apologies if I've missed a similar question/answer, but:

We (Australian citizens) arrive (fingers crossed) from Sydney on Delta at TBIT at 7:45am, and have a Delta flight from T3 to SLC at 10:05am.

Time-wise, do you think it's more advisable to shuttle to T3 (thereby avoiding having to go through security again, if I understand correctly?) or walk it and go through security?

@ Holly -- You'll have to clear customs and immigration as you're arriving from an international flight, at which point you will be outside of the secure area. Easiest thing is to walk at that point so you can clear security in the less-chaotic T3.

@Tiffany, O of course - I should have put that together from some of the other messages. But your confirmation is very reassuring. Thanks so much, am feeling much more prepared for the LAX experience after this post.

My son is traveling to LAX from ORD on United. He is traveling to New Zealand. What is the best way for him to get from T7/T8 to Air New Zealand. Will he need to get through security again at TBIT?

Hello,
Please advise on the fastest way to get from Southwest Airlines baggage claim in T1 to American Airlines departures in T4 or T5? We will be pressed for time as our flight leaves 2 hours after we land at LAX. Any and all help is welcomed/appreciated.

I see some great comments here. Thank you everyone.

I am planning on arriving into TBIT from Japan arriving at 11:40AM. My connecting flight is American Eagle at 1:50PM.

Is it possible to arrive in TBIT, clear customs and immigration with luggage and make it to the Eagles Nest on time for the flight that leaves in 2 hours and 10 minutes after an International arrival?

This seems a bit tight since we still need to take the bus to the Eagles Nest.

Thank you for your input.

Hi, maybe I missed something, but exiting from tbit to the right should be the tunnel to t4, correct? I flew into lax Saturday jul 28th at 11:00pm and the metal gate was down to domestic connecting flights. Do you know if Is this common at night or due to construction?

Hi Tiffany, I will be departing Vancouver on Sunday (05 Aug) on Air Canada, ETA 4pm and taking a connecting flight from Tom Bradley at 5.50pm on Singapore Airlines. Can you kindly advise :
1) how far is the walk from T6 to Tom Bradley
2) What is the best route to take ( given the limited time frame). Would very much appreciate detailed directions as I have zero idea on LAX airport terminals
3) Will AC be able to check my luggage through from Vancouver to Singapore ? Or do I have to retrieve my luggages upon arrival and check in at TB ?
4) Do I have to go through security again
thank you for your kind attention and assistance.

@ Peggy -- Sounds like a fun trip! Did you read the details in the above post by chance? There's a diagram and instructions that should answer your first two questions.

Whether or not your bag can be checked through will depend on the check-in agent in Vancouver. If your flights are on a single ticket, that should be fine. You'll clear US Customs in Vancouver before you leave, so you will arrive in LAX as a domestic passenger. If you follow the instructions in the post above, you won't have to reclear security.

Hi Tiffany. Unfortunately, my flights are on separate tickets 🙁
Would it be faster to walk outside the terminal (street level) towards TB ? Looking at the map, I presume I turn left when I exit T6 ? And the walk is approx 15 to 20 mins ?
Thankyou

@ Peggy -- You can still ask in Vancouver, just show them both tickets.

If you have to recheck bags, it will be faster to walk along the street. Otherwise it's faster to go through the terminal, as you stay inside the secured area.

Ok Tiffany. thank you very much. Have a good day ahead 🙂

Best ticket price is LAX-Rome purchased as such. Then purchasing an Oakland-LAX. Flying into LAX Southwest and then making the same connection in reverse on the return. Having read through the incredibly helpful information in your description as well as all the comments - getting from Southwest terminal to an international flight I am assuming we leave secured area, travel landslide and re enter through security. Is that assumption right? Secondly, better to not check bags and eliminate that hassle or picking up and re-checking? and finally how much time would you leave to accomplish that transition on both sides (leaving the country and then again on the return clearing customs?) thank you!

I so needed this guide! I always get lost when traveling through LAX.

Tiffany, what a PITA(not you, the airport:).
Arriving Terminal 2(Delta), departing United Terminal 7. Have about 105 minutes(assuming arrival on time. I tend to trust Delta just not LAX ground traffic) between flights.
Anyway, looks like I need to exit Term 2 and start walking, perhaps even across a huge parking lot OR jump on the inter-terminal bus. Need to re-clear as well(I have TSA and CLEAR). Only a carry-on and briefcase. Late Friday am(around 10:30).
Looks like I have enough time, however......

@Tiffany - my husband and I arrive on a SW flight (carry on only) and need to make our way to TBIT for Air Tahiti Nui. We both have Precheck, and although time isn’t an issue, we plan to use the club and would prefer to not wait forever in security. Would you recommend just going through TBIT security sans Pre-Check OR walking next door to Terminal 2 and taking the Delta bus (any tips on what to say to get on?)? Thank you!!

@ Elise -- I don't think Air Tahiti Nui supports PreCheck, so I would just clear at TBIT.

Hi Tiffany,
I am 72 yrs ( no health problem).
I plan to visit Mexico in October. Unfortunately ,I already book EVA flight from Taiwan arrive tbit at 08.15am and Aeromexico from terminal 2 (at 11.20 am)to Mexico city. I shall have about 3 hr. at LAX to connect the flight.
This is my first time going to USA.

Could you please guide me the step by step processes at LAX and also the fastest option to get from tbit to terminal 2 ?
Thank you very much for your support.
Pui

@ Pui -- Sounds like a fun trip! The process is in the post above, but you'll basically just exit TBIT (after clearing immigration and customs), then turn left and walk over to T2. Once there, you'll check in for your Aeromexico flight, check your bags, and go back through security.

@Tiffany
Thank you very much.

Do you think 3 hour is enough for all the steps you 've mentioned?

@ Pui -- If everything is on time, absolutely.

@ tiffany This is really helpful. Thank you!

We are flying in on Jet blue and have an hour connection with our next flight on united. Is this doable? I imagine it would only be possible if we don't check bags. I looks like we can get from terminal 5 to terminal 7 without leaving security. is this accurate?

Hi, We have to go from southwest terminal 1 to United terminal 7 at LAX on Monday with two bags and a shoulder bag. Which is the best way to go, and how long does it take? Please help as we are seniors.
Thanks

@ laura -- That's very tight, but if everything is on time and you don't check bags, it might be possible. You won't have to clear security again if you use the tunnels.

@ AJ -- With luggage/reduced mobility, you are probably best off taking the intra-terminal bus. Otherwise I would walk through the parking structure.

HI Tiffany, I so appreciate your insights! So, judging from your post and the comments above, would you say it's best to walk (with luggage) from TBIT (Fiji airways) at 12.45pm in order to get to Terminal 1 for a Southwest flight at 3.05pm?

How much time it takes to walk from the United terminal 7 to southwest terminal 1 at LAX, if we walk through the parking structure?

Is it safe to walk through the parking structure at any time?

@ AJ -- Maybe ten minutes, depending on your pace? It's quite safe.

Thanks, Tiffany

What is the fastest way from T7 to T3? I arrive by United from Boston and leave to Honolulu by Delta with 90 min layover.
Thanks in advance!

@ VP -- That's going to be tight. If you don't want to re-clear security, it's possible to stay airside, but then you're at the mercy of the shuttle bus. I'd personally probably walk outside and go back through security. Good luck!

Hi Tiffany,
I'm arriving into TBIT on an international flight and have a connecting domestic flight on AA to ATL (separate tickets). I have 2 questions if you don't mind:
1. AA operate out of T4 and T5 - do you know which terminal my flight AA1409 to ATL would leave from?
2. Getting from TBIT to the AA terminal - I realise i need to clear immigration and collect my bags in TBIT. Do I then walk outside the terminal to T4 or T5 to then check my bags at AA, or by leaving TBIT via the internal connector to T4 will I end up at the check-in to drop my luggage or will I still be inside security and need to exit to do the luggage check in?
Sorry I'm a little confused on this part.
Thank you very much!

Have a really short connection time from arriving in T1 and needing to get to T6. What is your best advice on how to get between these two ?

Hello, Congratulations on an excellent website. I arrive at LAX on ‘COMPASS AIRLINES AS AMERICAN EAGLE FOR AMER At Terminal 4 and have. 1 hour 45 min gap before takeoff time at TBIT to uk. I haven’t found this direction journey asked about. Slightly unsure exactly where in T4 I arrive and if need to take any bus from satellite terminal to main terminal. Any advice here?
Many thanks,
Jonathan

@ Jonathan Price -- If you are flying on American Eagle, you will definitely take a bus to the main terminal. You may have the option to take a bus directly from the "Eagle's Nest" to TBIT, depending on the time of day.

Otherwise, they'll drop you off in T4, and you'll go up the escalator, turn right, then follow the instructions to walk to TBIT.

Hi Tiffany! Thank you so much for this information and detail!

I’m flying internationally for the first time, and haven’t received a clear response from LAX support or the international airline, and am hoping you can help.

I’m arriving in Terminal 7 on a United Flight. I then need to go to TBIT to depart on an international flight. If I stay airside, do I need to go through security again? They are not connecting flights nor are they the same airline. I’m carrying on only and am doing online check in for the second flight

Thank you for any help!

@ Kelly S -- If you stay airside, you won't have to go through security again. That's what staying airside means 😉 If you aren't checking a bag you should be good to go!

Thanks Tiffany.
We've got a UA flight from Houston via LAX to Auckland, with the latter leg on AirNZ metal departing from TBIT. Assuming we arrive into T7 from IAH and our bags are checked through to AKL, can we just walk from the arrival gate through the walkways to TBIT without dealing with security?
We do have 7.5h layover to kill - is it worth the extra security queues to leave the airport for a few hours?

@ JohnO -- Yep, if your bags are checked through you can just stay airside.

The Star Alliance business class lounge at TBIT is one of my favorites, but 7.5 hours is long time. I might look at leaving the airport for a bit (but not going too far because of traffic concerns). Lunch in Venice or Manhattan Beach might be nice!

If I have an international flight departing from TBIT, would it make sense to check my bags in at TBIT, walk over to T4 to go through security, and then walk back over to TBIT? Going through security at TBIT has taken nearly an hour the last few times I'v been..

KL: If your airline participates in precheck it may make sense to go to 4. Another blogger posted that there is a way to avoid going to the upstairs TBIT check point by taking an elevator in the front corner of TBIT down to the connection TSA screening area but some people report being rejected as they were not connecting pax. Never tried it myself.

Here is a link to that article... https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2017/05/05/best-kept-secret-lax/

@Tiffany - thank you for a very informative post. I have read through all of the comments too.

We arrive on Delta from SLC to LAX. So Terminal 2.
We depart China Southern from LAX to CAN. So TBIT.

Based on your post and the comments, it seems we will need to walk from T2 to TBIT. At the departures level.

Based on the comments and the link, it would seem we should try and use the connections checkpoint https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2017/05/05/best-kept-secret-lax/

Would you agree?

Do you or does anyone else know how much the shutdown is affecting TSA screening at TBIT?

@ Ben -- If you aren't checking bags that you need to claim with Delta and re-check with China Southern, then you could take Delta's bus to TBIT and stay behind security!

My daughter needs to get from T1 to T6 and will probably walk. Is it best to walk through the parking garages or outside?

Hi Tiff,

Thank you for your article, but I am still very confused with regards to catching a connecting flight in LAX.

I will be arriving in TBIT from a Singapore Airlines flight at 1310hrs. I have an Air Canada flight onward to YVR to catch at Terminal 6 at 1445hrs.

My question then is with regards to clearing immigration. From the LAX website ( https://www.flylax.com/en/inter-terminal-connections), it states "An additional security checkpoint will be available in this connector to allow passengers to enter Terminal 4 after arriving on an international arrival in the Tom Bradley Terminal, avoiding the main Terminal 4 security screening area and also allowing easier connections to Terminal 5, 6, 7, and 8." So if I understand this correctly, I will need to clear security at a separate TSA screening area at TBIT and then use the tunnel to connect onto Terminal 4 and then onto 6. So, will I be required to clear immigration when "clearing security", as that would require me to apply for a visa?

That would be very much of help. Thank you.

@ Kathy -- Either way! Through the parking garage might be a little less crowded, but both are good options.

@ Glenn -- Whenever you arrive in the U.S. from an international flight you have to clear customs, immigration, and then re-enter the secured area. There is no sterile transit in the United States, so if you need a transit visa, you'll need one regardless of the airport or connections you're making. They're talking about a less-busy security checkpoint in the T4 tunnel, but you still have to entire the US in order to use it.

I would personally not clear security at TBIT, and would instead just walk upstairs and outside to T6. That will be much faster.

Hi Tiffany!

Thank you for such a great post. My partner, toddler, and I will be landing Delta T3... have a 3 hour layover before departing from United T7-8. Considering checking our 2 bags for more mobility, but am not sure if we would have enough time.
Would walking through parking lots be faster? Or taking the inter-terminal shuttle? (Our toddler is a veteran traveller, and will be in a stroller.)

@ Josie -- Walking will definitely be faster than the intra-terminal shuttle, if you can manage it with bags!

Hi
I'm traveling from Fort Lauderdale w Jetblue, arrive terminal 5 and have 3hr 15 minutes before international flight out of terminal 2 or 3 virgin Australia for Brisbane. Having to check in bags and clear custom and security, wold it be best to use buses to change terminals or walk??

@ Joel Monteith -- I would walk!