Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport sits about 30 kilometers southwest of downtown Los Angeles, on the Pacific coast in Southern California. It serves as the primary international gateway for the Greater Los Angeles area and the wider western United States. The airport opened in 1928 as Mines Field and was redeveloped extensively in the 1950s and again ahead of the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Overview
Los Angeles International Airport sits about 30 kilometers southwest of downtown Los Angeles, on the Pacific coast in Southern California. It serves as the primary international gateway for the Greater Los Angeles area and the wider western United States. The airport opened in 1928 as Mines Field and was redeveloped extensively in the 1950s and again ahead of the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Los Angeles International Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
LAX is a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, and a focus city for Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines. It is also a major base for transpacific operations and is served by most major European, Asian, Latin American and Oceanian flag carriers, making it one of the busiest international gateways in North America.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
The airport has nine passenger terminals arranged in a horseshoe configuration around a central roadway, including the Tom Bradley International Terminal used primarily for long-haul international flights. Four parallel runways are split into two pairs, oriented roughly east–west on either side of the terminal core. The airport operates 24 hours a day, and a multi-year modernization program is underway, including a new automated people mover.
Connections through LAX need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
Los Angeles International Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports or routes, compare LAX against the destinations currently tracked from this airport, including Tokyo, London, San Francisco, Sydney, New York. The best itinerary is not always the cheapest one if it creates a difficult transfer, a tight connection or a long onward journey.
Practical guide
Using Los Angeles International Airport without guesswork
Plan LAX around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Los Angeles to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at LAX. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport has nine passenger terminals arranged in a horseshoe configuration around a central roadway, including the Tom Bradley International Terminal used primarily for long-haul international flights. Four parallel
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for LAX
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for LAX.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at LAX. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport has nine passenger terminals arranged in a horseshoe configuration around a central roadway, including the Tom Bradley International Terminal used primarily for long-haul international flights. Four parallel
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For Los Angeles International Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Airlines
Airlines flying from LAX
Compare the carriers connected with LAX, including airline codes, operating brands and routes currently tracked from this airport.
Routes
Top routes from LAX
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at LAX
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersLos Angeles International Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at LAX.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Los Angeles can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at Los Angeles International Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at LAX depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at Los Angeles International Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around LAX can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in United States
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in United States.
FAQ
Los Angeles International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- Los Angeles International Airport is located in Los Angeles, United States (North America), at coordinates 33.940°, -118.410°.
- Its IATA code is LAX and its ICAO code is KLAX.
- Los Angeles International Airport serves Los Angeles, United States. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Los Angeles International Airport operates on America/Los_Angeles local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Los Angeles International Airport sits at latitude 33.940° and longitude -118.410°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Carriers tracked on routes from LAX include American Airlines, Air India, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines and 24 more.
- Tracked destinations from LAX include Tokyo, London, San Francisco, Sydney, New York, Las Vegas, Mexico City, Vancouver and 5 more, spread across 7 countries.
- Its address is 1 World Way, Los Angeles, California, 90045, United States, the phone number is +1 855-463-5252, the official website is http://www.lawa.org/welcomelax.aspx. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in United States. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.