Questions and Answers

Hi,

I can’t seem to get an answer from the Alaska customer rep that I’m on the phone with. This is my first trip to USA. I booked my tickets via award travel plan with Alaska miles.

I am taking Emirates flight from Dubai to Los Angeles. From LA, I am taking the Alaska Flight to Seattle.

The question is, upon arrival at Los Angeles, do I need to go through customs & immigration, then collect my checked luggage at the Belt, then proceed to Departures Hall and check in again at the Alaska counter??

OR do I go through Transit and need not collect my checked luggage?

Please, any advice would be deeply appreciated. Thanks!

Typically you need to claim your luggage, clear customs and recheck your bag to US destination.

Thank you…I figured the best way is to ask the agent who will be tagging my checked luggage at the check-in counter.

In the US, you have to clear US Customs and Immigration at the point of entry, regardless of whether you have a connecting flight or not. So you’d have to get your bags and then check in again with Alaska. I think that even if they tag your bags to SEA, you still need to pick them up at LAX. US airports dont generally have transit security.