Los Angeles · Los Angeles County
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The primary international gateway to Los Angeles and Southern California, with nine terminals and service to destinations worldwide.
Getting to or from LAX?
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Airport Overview
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the busiest airport on the U.S. West Coast and one of the busiest in the world, handling tens of millions of passengers each year. It sits about 18 miles southwest of Downtown Los Angeles, close to the coast in the Westchester neighborhood.
LAX has nine numbered passenger terminals arranged in the iconic U-shaped Central Terminal Area (CTA), connected airside and by a free shuttle landside. The airport is in the middle of a major modernization: the Automated People Mover (APM) train, a consolidated car rental facility, and a full rebuild of Terminals 4–5 — Terminal 5 closed in late 2025, so several airlines have changed terminals recently.
Because of its size and persistent traffic in the horseshoe, LAX rewards travelers who plan ahead — knowing your terminal, where rideshare pickups happen, and how much time to budget makes a big difference.
Serves: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Downtown LA, South Bay
Terminals
Terminal 1
- JetBlue
- Southwest Airlines
- Frontier (check-in)
- Allegiant (check-in)
Terminal 2
- Delta Air Lines
- Spirit Airlines
- WestJet
- Norse Atlantic
Terminal 3
- Delta Air Lines
- Aeroméxico
- Virgin Atlantic
Terminal 4
- American Airlines
- American Eagle
Terminal 5
Terminal 5 closed in late 2025 for the Terminals 4–5 modernization (reopening later this decade). Its airlines relocated — JetBlue to T1, Spirit to T2, American to T4.
- Closed — under reconstruction
Terminal 6
- Alaska Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Air Canada
Terminal 7
- United Airlines
Terminal 8
- United Airlines
Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT / B)
Primary hub for international arrivals and departures.
- 45+ international carriers
- Air France
- British Airways
- Emirates
- Qantas
- Japan Airlines
- Korean Air
- Singapore Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Cathay Pacific
- Qatar Airways
- Turkish Airlines
Airlines by Terminal
| Airline | Terminal |
|---|---|
| Aeroméxico | Terminal 3 |
| Air Canada | Terminal 6 |
| Alaska Airlines | Terminal 6 |
| Allegiant Air | Terminal 1 |
| American Airlines | Terminal 4 |
| American Eagle | Terminal 4 |
| Breeze Airways | Terminal 1 |
| Delta Air Lines | Terminals 2 & 3 |
| Frontier Airlines | Terminal 1 (check-in) · departs TBIT |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Terminal 6 |
| International carriers — Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and 30+ more | Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) |
| JetBlue | Terminal 1 |
| Norse Atlantic Airways | Terminal 2 |
| Southwest Airlines | Terminal 1 |
| Spirit Airlines | Terminal 2 |
| Sun Country Airlines | Terminal 1 |
| United Airlines | Terminals 7 & 8 |
| Virgin Atlantic | Terminal 3 |
| WestJet | Terminal 2 |
Airport Maps
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Get directions
Rideshare, Pickup & Drop-off
Rideshare and app-based pickups at LAX are handled at LAX-it (pronounced “LAX-it”), a dedicated pickup lot just east of Terminal 1. After landing, follow signs to LAX-it — you can walk (about 5–15 minutes depending on terminal) or take the free, frequent LAX-it shuttle that loops the terminals.
Pickup zones
- LAX-it lot, east of Terminal 1 — all app-based rideshare pickups
- Free LAX-it shuttle stops are located on the lower (arrivals) level at each terminal
Drop-off
Departing passengers are dropped off on the upper (departures) level directly in front of each terminal. Drop-off is not restricted to LAX-it — only pickups use the lot.
- •Budget extra time at LAX-it during evening peaks, when the lot can be busy.
- •Pre-booking a ride with a professional service like RideYeah lets your driver coordinate the LAX-it meetup so you’re not waiting in line.
- •The upcoming Automated People Mover will change how you reach pickup areas — check current signage on arrival.
How Early Should You Arrive?
Domestic flights
Arrive 2 hrs early
~120 minutes before departure
International flights
Arrive 3 hrs early
~180 minutes before departure
LAX security lines and terminal-to-gate walks can be long. Add time during holidays, early-morning banks of departures, and if you need to check bags.
Tips for Travelers
- Confirm your terminal before you leave — airline-to-terminal assignments at LAX have shifted in recent years.
- If connecting between terminals, most are connected airside post-security, but some transfers require leaving and re-clearing security. Check your itinerary.
- Traffic in the horseshoe (Central Terminal Area) backs up at peak times; an experienced driver can save you significant time.
- For international arrivals, allow extra time for immigration and customs at Tom Bradley before any onward connection.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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