![Los Angeles International Airport [LAX] — Ultimate Terminal Guide](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Los-Angeles-LAX-Airport-e1557394315160.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publicat.
Updated: August 28, 2024, 11:15am CDT27 Published Articles 341 Edited Articles
Countries Visited: 60+ U.S. States Visited: 50
Michael Y. Park is a journalist living in New York City. He’s traveled through Afghanistan disguised as a Hazara Shi’ite, slept with polar bears on the Canadian tundra, picnicked with the king and que.
43 Published Articles 3382 Edited Articles
Countries Visited: 50 U.S. States Visited: 28
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now editor-in-chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r.
We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is in the middle of a $15 billion modernization project that started in 2009 and it supposed to be completed in 2025, in time for the 2028 Olympic Games.
These major developments include an automated people mover between the terminals and Los Angeles Metro Rail links, a new car rental center, and road improvements to ease congestion. (The $2 billion people mover was delayed this summer and is now expected to open in fall 2024.)
With the completion this August of the new Delta Sky Way at LAX — linking Terminal 3 with the Thomas Bradley International Terminal — all LAX terminals are now connected, making flight transfers much easier than before.
Airport: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Terminals: 9 total, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and B (Tom Bradley International Terminal)
Airport Address: 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Distance From Los Angeles: 15 miles (24 km)
Website: flylax.com
Phone Number: 855-463-5252
Destinations Served: 113 domestic, 91 international
Flight Information: LAX departures and arrival information can be viewed online
LAX and its terminals have a U-shaped layout, with a double-level road and airport parking inside of the U and all of the terminals on the outside. Flight departures are on the upper level, and arrivals are on the lower level.
There are 9 terminals in total, numbered 1 through 8, the Regional Terminal, and Terminal B (Tom Bradley International Terminal). Terminal 2 still operates, technically, but the gates 20 to 28 have been absorbed into Terminal 3. WestJet customers can still check in at Terminal 2 but fly out of gates from what is now Terminal 3.
How you travel between terminals at LAX depends on where you’re going and whether you want to (and have the option to) stay airside to avoid clearing security again.
Terminal 1 is on the northwest side of the airport and has 13 gates, numbered 9, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13-16, 17A, 17B, 18A, and 18B. There’s a good selection of shops and restaurants inside the secure area.
Terminal 1 is connected to Terminal 3, which connects to the other terminals inside the secure area. Provided they don’t need to collect checked luggage between flights, connecting passengers can move between terminals without needing to clear security again.
Instead of walking, passengers can ride a shuttle bus inside the secure area to the West gates at Thomas Bradley International Terminal. The bus gate is in the connector between Terminals 1 and 3.
The departure gates for Terminals 2 and 3 have been consolidated into Terminal 3, sharing a security checkpoint and baggage claim. WestJet passengers may still check in at Terminal 2 but will access aircraft via the gates in Terminal 3. Departures are from 2 concourses, with gates numbered 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33, 34A, 34B, 35, 36, 37A, 37B, and 38 in the western concourse and 20, 21, 21A, 22, 23A, 23B, 24, 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B, 27, and 28 in the eastern concourse. Passengers can access Delta Sky Club, Delta One Lounge (coming in 2024), and Gameway.
Passengers can walk between the concourses while staying within the secure area. If connecting to TBIT, passengers can ride the airside shuttle bus that departs from the bus gate near gate 21, or they can use the new moving walkways connecting the terminals.
Terminal 3 also has a new moving walkway in the secure area that connects to Terminal B.
American Airlines is the sole operator of Terminal 4, with flights from its 8 gates, numbered 41, 42A, 42B, 43, 45, 46A, 47A, and 47B. There’s a small selection of shops and restaurants past security and an Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge on the upper level.
Passengers connecting to Terminal B can walk through the connector on level 5, and those connecting to Terminals 5, 6, 7, and 8 can walk through the underground tunnel. Neither requires passengers to go through security again.
Terminal 5 is next to Terminal 4 and has 15 gates, numbered 50, 51A, 51B, 53A, 53B, 54A, 54B, 55A, 55B, 56A-D, 57, and 59. Underground tunnels connect Terminal 5 to its neighboring terminals, while the airside shuttle bus transports passengers to the Regional Terminal. Passengers can also access Terminals B, 3, or 1 via the airside connectors, starting from Terminal 4.
Most of the concessions are beyond gates 53B and 54B, and an Admirals Club is on the upper level.
Terminal 6 has 10 gates, numbered 60, 62, 63A, 63B, 64A, 64B, 64C, 68A, 68B, and 69A. It’s home to an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Alaska Lounge, and Gameway.
Once inside the secure area, passengers can move freely between Terminals 4 through 8 via the underground tunnel to Terminal 5 or by walking through the airside connectors near security to Terminals 7 and 8. Passengers can also access Terminals B, 3, or 1 via the airside connectors, starting from Terminal 4.
United Airlines operates from Terminal 7’s 13 gates, numbered 70A, 70B, 71A, 71B, 72A, 72B, 73, 74A, 75A, 75B, 76A, 76B, and 77. There’s a good variety of concessions here. Eligible passengers may use the United Club near gate 71A or the Polaris Lounge near gate 75A.
Passengers can walk between Terminals 6 and 8 via the airside walkways and into Terminals 5 and 4 without exiting the secure area. Passengers can also access Terminals B, 3, or 1 via the airside connectors, starting from Terminal 4.
Terminal 8 is connected to Terminal 7 via a walkway inside the secure area, allowing passengers to walk freely between the southern terminals once they have cleared security. Passengers can also access Terminals B, 3, or 1 via the airside connectors, starting from Terminal 4.
Terminal 8 shares its ticketing area and baggage claim with Terminal 7, as only United Airlines and United Express flights operate from these 2 terminals.
The Regional Terminal is in the airfield and is only reachable by shuttle bus. These buses depart from Terminal 4 near gate 42B and from Terminal 5 near gate 54A. The terminal has 9 gates, numbered 52A through I. There is an Admirals Club near gate 52D.
The Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B) is the main terminal for international flights at LAX and is on the west side of the airport. Terminal B has connector bridges to both Terminal 4 and Terminal 3 for easy connections to the southern and northern terminals.
Baggage claim is on level 1, check-in is on level 3, and security and departures are on level 4. Once you clear security, you’ll enter the first concourse with 19 gates, numbered 130 to 135, 137, 139, 141, 148, 150 to 157, and 159. On level 2, there’s a Centurion Lounge. On level 5, there’s the Oneworld Los Angeles Business Lounge, Qantas First Class Lounge, and SkyTeam/Korean Air Lounge, and on level 6 are the Emirates Lounge, and Star Alliance Lounge.
From the retail area, passengers can take the escalators down to level 1 to a tunnel that runs to the west gates.
Terminal B West Gates
Terminal B’s west gates are beyond Terminal B’s first concourse and have 15 gates, numbered 201A, 201B, 202 to 208, 209A, 209B, 210A, 210B, 221, and 225. There’s a small selection of shops and restaurants in this concourse. Passengers can make use of the greater number of concessions in the Great Hall before heading to the west gates.
Outside Security
Some of the connection tunnels have moving walkways, but many don’t. With that in mind, you might choose to use the free landside shuttle bus that runs every few minutes on a counterclockwise loop, stopping at all terminals.
You can also use the sidewalks on the double-level road from one terminal to another. If you’re heading from terminals 1 through 3 (north) to 4 through 8 (south), then you can also cut through the central parking garages to reach the other side.
Inside Security
You can walk between all the terminals via a number of airside walkways without passing through security again. This assumes you don’t have to collect your baggage and clear customs between flights. The walkways connect in this order: Terminal 1, Terminal 3, Terminal B, Terminal 4, Terminal 5, Terminal 6, Terminal 7, and Terminal 8.
Instead of walking, passengers can ride a shuttle bus between Terminal 1 and the West Gates at Thomas Bradley International Terminal. The bus gate is in the connector between Terminals 1 and 3 and goes to the central departures area of the West Gates.
LAX has security checkpoints at every terminal apart from Terminal 8, which shares a checkpoint with Terminal 7.
As part of the airport’s 15-year expansion and renovation plan, Terminal 1 received an upgrade to its security checkpoint, as did Terminals 3, 4, 7, and B, with 14 automated screening lanes introduced in Terminal B.
Passengers can go online to check estimated LAX security wait times. LAX is a 24-hour-a-day airport, meaning the terminals, but security checkpoints and check-in desks do close. Depending on the terminal and airline, they open from 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. and close between 11:30 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. If you need more specific operating hours, check with your airline.
All international flights have to clear customs on arrival, and there are separate customs checkpoints at each terminal that receives international flights.
TSA PreCheck
LAX has a dedicated TSA PreCheck lane at each terminal for expedited screening. If you’re enrolled in TSA PreCheck, you may use this lane for quicker processing. PreCheck opening hours vary, so it’s advisable to check the TSA’s schedule.
Hot Tip:
TSA Precheck now lets you make a reservation for your screening, thus reducing your time in line. Passengers transiting through Terminals 7 and 8 can register for LAX Fast Lane up to 3 days before their flight.
The airport also has a TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center in Terminal 1 in the baggage claim area on level 1. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a Known Traveler Number and can use TSA PreCheck lanes at any U.S. airport.
Global Entry
LAX also has Global Entry kiosks for expedited international clearance. There is no Global Entry Enrollment Center inside LAX, but there is one close by, at 11099 S. La Cienega Blvd. The airport allows enrollment on arrival for conditionally approved applicants.
Mobile Passport
LAX supports Mobile Passport Control and has a dedicated Wi-Fi connection specifically for it. Submit your details on arrival at LAX and present your instant receipt and passport to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent.
CLEAR
LAX has CLEAR lanes in Terminals 1 through 7 for expedited security clearance. This program requires enrollment and an interview for retinal and fingerprint scanning.
LAX has over 20 lounges. Some lounges are exclusively for passengers flying in premium cabins or for elite frequent flyer members. Several lounges below allow passengers to purchase a day pass regardless of cabin (subject to capacity allowance).
Hot Tip:
Though not technically a lounge, there is an exclusive private luxury terminal at LAX. Get an inside look at what it’s like to experience PS LAX (formerly The Private Suite) in our review.
SCROLL FOR MORELounge
Location
Opening Hours*
Day Pass Fee per Person**
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
Terminal 6, near gate 65B
Daily: 4:15 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Terminal 6, near gate 64B
Daily: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Regional Terminal, near gate 52D
Daily: 6:15 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Terminal 4, near gate 40
Daily: 4:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Terminal 5, near gate 53B
Daily: 4:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Terminal 4, near gate 40
Daily: 4:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. (note that Flagship Dining is temporarily closed)
Terminal B, on the left after security
Daily: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
