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Los Angeles Airport: The Quintessential 4-7 Hour LAX Layover Guide (by a Pilot)

Los Angeles International Airport, better known as LAX, is at the epicenter of America’s massive and booming aviation industry. As a mega-hub connecting Europe, Asia, and Latin America with the United States and beyond, LAX sees over 60 million passengers per year. And that means a lot of passengers spend a lot of layovers here.

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Though people used to dread passing through LAX, Los Angeles has made massive strides (just like New York’s LaGuardia ) to turn LAX from an abyss of never-ending traffic to a welcoming sanctuary. In fact, I’d say it’s now become my favorite airport in the United States! (Perhaps due to Delta’s awesome SkyClub outdoor terrace).

LAX is better connected to the city, offers more retail options and lounges than ever before, and has solved many of its inefficiencies to become a pioneer in making layovers great again. So if you’re looking for the best things to do on a layover in LAX, short or long, you’ve made it to the right place. Welcome aboard.

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The 12 Top Things to Do on a LAX Layover Without Leaving the Airport

Here are the top 12 things to do inside the airport on a layover at LAX:

• Visit the awesome UFO-Shaped LAX Theme Building
• Enjoy epic local dining
• Go shopping at the Tom Bradley International Terminal
• Grab a nap at a day room near the airport
• Relax at a top-notch lounge
• Unwind with a massage inside the airport
• Admire incredible airport art
• Stretch your legs by walking across the now-connected terminals
• Learn about LAX aviation history at the Flight Path Museum
• Enjoy family time at one of the Kids Play areas
• De-stress inside a complimentary yoga room
• Get ahead with work with complimentary WiFi

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is not just a place to catch your flight; it’s a world in itself. With its bustling terminals and diverse amenities, LAX offers passengers plenty to do while waiting for their flights.

And ever since the SkyWay project was finally completed , all the terminals at LAX are interconnected, making it easier to explore all the amazing venues LAX has to offer – regardless of the airline you’re flying on.

Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a foodie, or just looking for ways to pass the time, here are the top 10 things to do inside LAX.

1. Visit the awesome UFO-Shaped LAX Theme Building and go Plane Spotting on the Observation Deck

If you’re fascinated by planes ( like me ), head over to the iconic LAX Theme Building. Inside, you’ll find an observation deck. From here, you can watch planes take off and land against the backdrop of the stunning L.A. skyline. It’s a free and thrilling experience that’s perfect for aviation enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.

The panoramic views of the airport runways and the surrounding city are simply breathtaking, making it an Instagram-worthy stop.

Just note that you will have to exit the TSA secure zone and re-enter for your next flight.

2. Delight Your Tastebuds With Local Favorites

LAX boasts a wide range of dining options that showcase the diversity of Los Angeles cuisine.

Savor delicious tacos at Loteria Grill in Terminal 5, or indulge in a juicy burger at Umami Burger in Terminal 4. For epic shrimp & grits, head to Native by Nyesha at Terminal 3.

There’s no need to settle for mediocre airport food when you can sample the best of L.A. right here.

3. Go on a shopping spree

LAX is a shopper’s paradise. From duty-free shops with high-end brands to boutiques selling quintessential Los Angeles souvenirs, you can find something for everyone. Head to Tom Bradley International Terminal for luxury shopping, or explore the terminals for unique gifts and local products.

My personal favorite at LAX? Tumi , for sure. Though a bit less budget friendly, they only offer high-quality bags and accessories to make traveling as easy as possible.

4. Snag a nap at a nearby day-room hotel

One of my hacks to solving jet lag that has truly transformed the way I travel is this – day rooms.

If you can catch even an hour or two power nap between flights, you feel like a totally new person. It’s brilliant.

Luckily, LAX has some pretty great hotels offering day rooms nearby. My favorite 3 are:

1. The Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport

The Hyatt Regency at LAX is my favorite for one simple reason – you can literally walk to it right from the airport. No need to call and wait for an annoying hotel shuttle, no drama, just walk towards the “IT” lot and keep going. It’s right across the street, with an awesome location right on Century Boulevard.

It’s a great hotel and I’ve always slept super well there.

2. The Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Airport

Second place for the second closest hotel at LAX, the Courtyard by Marriott LAX Airport . Though it’s just a bit farther than the Hyatt Regency, it’s significantly cheaper.

3. Residence Inn by Marriott Los Angeles Airport

Though this one is too far to walk to (unless you love hiking in traffic), the Residence Inn by Marriott at LAX often has the lowest rates for both day rooms and night stays near the airport.

5. Relax in one of 20 (Mostly) Awesome Airport Lounges

As the second busiest airport in the United States serving over 90 international destinations, it’s no surprise that LAX sports over 20 lounges. Chances are that the airline you’re flying on has one – or that you can access others for free via your PriorityPass membership .

If you’re flying in business or first class, check with your airline for details on lounge access at LAX. Otherwise, if you have an American Express Platinum Card, you are entitled access to the Centurion Lounge at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).

Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention Delta’s massive new LAX SkyClub (between T2 and T3) featuring a gorgeous terrace overlooking the northern runway complex. It’s truly brilliant.

And if you don’t have any of these things, don’t worry. There are still some lounges you can access.

Lounge with paid access at LAX

If you’re looking for lounge access at LAX but don’t have any membership or a business/first class ticket, you still have options for lounges. By terminal, these include:

Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)

Star alliance lounge business class.

Even if you’re not a special Star Alliance member or flying in business/first class, you can still buy entry into the Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at TBIT in LAX. It will put you back $75 for a maximum stay of 3 hours.

You can book your spot in advance online .

AA Admirals Club

Entry into the AA Admirals Club at Terminal 4 in LAX is available for purchase online and on the spot (if available) for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage ®  miles.

Entry into the AA Admirals Club at Terminal 5 in LAX is available for purchase online and on the spot (if available) for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage ®  miles.

Alaska Airlines Lounge

Entry into the Alaska Lounge at Terminal 6 in LAX is available for purchase online and on the spot (if available) for $60.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

Day passes are unavailable for Maple Leaf Lounges, but you can opt to add lounge access to Premium Economy, Latitude, Comfort, or Flex fare tickets booked on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express. 

These add-ons will cost you between $49 and $79. 

American Eagle Regional Terminal

Entry into the AA Admirals Club at the American Eagle Regional Terminal in LAX is available for purchase online and on the spot (if available) for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage ®  miles.

6. Unwind completely with a complimentary massage

For an epic way to completely unwind on your next layover at LAX, look no further than BeRelax Spa.

Their services include massages, facials, nail care, hair services, and waxing. Expect to pay around $20 for a 15-minute chair massage, $50-60 for a 30-minute massage, and up to $95 for the pic “head and toe” treatment. Facials and other services are similarly priced, making BeRelax Spa a convenient option for travelers seeking a quick relaxation session at LAX.

But the best part? Many of these services are complimentary for PriorityPass members .

The two LAX locations are:

• Terminal International Tom Bradley, Gate 154
• Terminal 1 Gate 12

7. Admire Amazing Art Installations

Art lovers will marvel at the remarkable art installations scattered throughout LAX.

The Los Angeles World Airports has a designated art program with a mission to “enhance and humanize the travel experience at LAX” by presenting up to 20 exhibitions a year throughout the airport. You can keep tabs on the latest artwork here .

And why not treat it like a scavenger hunt with the family? See how much artwork you can find scattered across the airport in one layover!

8. Go on a nice long, beautiful walk – without having to leave the airport!

One of the coolest things about the recent renovations at LAX airport is Delta’s brand new SkyWay , which has finally enabled all of the terminals at LAX to be connected.

This means you can walk for miles around the airport – all with gorgeous views on the taxiways, airplanes, and airplanes coming in from all corners of the world.

Pretty awesome if you ask me.

9. Learn About Aviation History – Right at LAX!

Discover the fascinating history of aviation at the Flight Path Learning Center and Museum , located just outside the airport. This educational museum showcases the evolution of air travel and its impact on Los Angeles, making it an ideal destination for history buffs.

Admission is only $5, though you will need to exit security and get here by rideshare or taxi.

10. Enjoy Family Time at one of the Kids Play Areas

Traveling with children? LAX has you covered with designated kids’ play areas in Terminals 2, 5, and 7. These spaces provide a safe and entertaining environment for your little ones to burn off some energy before the flight.

11. De-stress in a Complimentary Yoga Room

Stressed from your travels? LAX has two yoga rooms in Terminal 1 and Terminal 6. They offer a quiet space for relaxation, stretching, and meditation, helping you unwind and rejuvenate before your journey.

12. Stay Connected with Free Wi-Fi

Lastly, for the digital nomads and those who want to stay connected, LAX offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the airport. Catch up on work, connect with friends and family, or stream your favorite shows while waiting for your flight.

You have a long layover at LAX. Should you leave the airport?

Though LAX has become a wonderful haven with all of the recent updates, there are some epic sites outside the airport that truly display LA’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. And luckily, they’re all quite accessible from LAX on a layover.

From the world-famous skate rink at Venice Beach to the even more famous Hollywood Sign, the Los Angeles area definitely merits the time and energy to explore – turning your otherwise boring layover into a mini-vacation.

How long do I need to leave LAX and return for my next flight?

The honest answer is about 7 hours. It depends on a couple factors;

• Are you arriving to LAX from an international flight ? If so, you’ll have to go through customs, then back through normal security again (regardless of if you’re transiting to another international flight). Depending on how long it takes to get through customs, your options may become limited.
• What time is your connecting flight departing? If it’s between 4PM and 10PM, you will have to contend with rush hour traffic. Same for flights departing between 8AM and 12PM.
• Are you enrolled in TSA PreCheck, or better yet CLEAR ? These options can give you the confidence to leave the airport knowing that security won’t take nearly as long coming back through. It makes a huge difference particularly at LAX.
• Are you checked in your for next flight, including baggage (if checking it)? Waiting in line to check in will add considerable time to the process.
• What’s the weather like? Inclement weather can severely impair LA traffic – especially since it’s so rare.

In terms of planning for time on your LAX layover, you should arrange to have:

• Around 2 hours of transit time roundtrip /return to downtown Los Angeles, Malibu, or Hollywood, with up to 45 minutes extra just for congestion at LAX itself.
• About 1 hour (to be safe) to get back through security (or <5 minutes if you have CLEAR )
• Additional time to check in for your next flight if you haven’t already done so
• About 15 minutes to walk to the gate.

So all of that being said, in my opinion, a 7 hour layover is the perfect /”sweet spot” amount of time to leave LAX airport and go explore. Plus, there’s more to see (and many closer options) than just the city!

The Top 12 Places to Visit from LAX Airport on a Layover

Here are the top 12 destinations to visit from LAX airport on a layover:

• Venice Beach
• Santa Monica Pier
• Howard Hughes Promenade (HHLA)
• Griffith Observatory
• Downtown Los Angeles
• Getty Center
• Universal Studios Hollywood
• Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
• The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
• In-N-Out (yes, In-N-Out!)

Click the above links to skip to additional details, including the time it takes to travel from LAX!

While LAX is undoubtedly a gateway to the world, these nearby attractions offer a taste of the diverse experiences Los Angeles has to offer. From beachfront relaxation to cultural exploration and thrilling amusement parks, there’s something for every traveler just a short distance from the airport. So, if you have a few hours to spare during your layover or a day to explore, consider these top 10 destinations to make the most of your visit to Los Angeles.

1) Venice Beach

Venice Beach might just be the most popular hotspot near LAX, and for good reason. From the iconic boardwalk to the world-famous skateboard, a truly chill California vibe, surfing galore, it’s about as SoCal as it gets.

How to Get There : A 15-minute drive from LAX.

Why Visit : Iconic beach boardwalk, street performers, and a vibrant, eclectic atmosphere.

2) Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica hosts fun-filled amusements, oceanfront dining, and spectacular sunsets. A visit here combines classic seaside entertainment with scenic Pacific Ocean views. And in the surrounding streets, you can find delicious cuisine to suit all sorts of budgets – from burritos to fine dining.

How to Get There : Approximately 20 minutes by car from the airport.

Why Visit : Amusement park rides, games, ocean views, and the famous Pacific Park.

3) Hollywood

Explore the epicenter of the entertainment industry, witness the famous Hollywood landmarks, and revel in the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of countless stars. There are also some fun hiking trails in the hills up towards the Griffith Observatory .

How to Get There : About a 40-minute drive from LAX.

Why Visit : World-renowned entertainment hub, Walk of Fame, and the iconic Hollywood Sign.

Top Tip : For a fun adventure, go on a Hollywood and Celebrity Homes Adventure Tour in an open-air bus.

4) Howard Hughes Promenade (HHLA)

The Howard Hughes Promenade is a vibrant open-air shopping and entertainment complex. With its inviting atmosphere and an array of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment (such as a Cinemark 18 & XD theater), the Howard Hughes Promenade offers a delightful urban escape for locals and travelers alike.

Bonus: it’s really close to LAX!

How to Get There : It’s only a 10 to 15-minute drive from LAX!

Why Visit : Awesome shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and even a movie htatre.

5) Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory offers you a chance to discover awe-inspiring city vistas, fascinating astronomical exhibitions, and a chance to stargaze through powerful telescopes, all while enjoying a taste of Los Angeles’s natural beauty.

How to Get There : Approximately 45 minutes by car.

Why Visit : Stellar city views, astronomical exhibits, and a glimpse into the cosmos.

6) Downtown Los Angeles

Though not necessarily the #1 tourist hotspot, downtown LA does offer cultural attractions like The Broad museum, diverse culinary delights, and historic architecture that embodies the heart of the city.

How to Get There : A 30-minute drive from the airport.

Why Visit : Cultural attractions, historic architecture, and The Broad art museum.

7) Getty Center

If you love art, don’t miss out on visiting the Getty Center. Here you can see world-class art collections, experience stunning architectural design, and take leisurely strolls through beautifully landscaped gardens with captivating views.

How to Get There : Around 30 minutes by car.

Why Visit : Stunning architecture, impressive art collections, and lush gardens.

Malibu is well-known for hosting some of the world’s richest celebrities in waterfront mansions, and there’s no doubt why.

Here, you’ll find pristine beaches, meandering coastal drives, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of your favorite celebrities in this charming, upscale beachside community.

How to Get There : About 30-40 minutes by car.

Why Visit : Beautiful beaches, scenic coastal drives, and celebrity sightings.

9) Universal Studios Hollywood

Dive into movie magic with thrilling rides, behind-the-scenes studio tours, and enchanting adventures in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The only problem here is that the time might pass you by too quickly!

Make sure to book your tickets ahead of time to save time so you can start riding as soon as you arrive!

How to Get There : Approximately 35 minutes from LAX.

Why Visit : Theme park fun, movie studio tours, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Top Tip : Book a Skip-the-Line/Front-of-Line Pass to maximize your time

10) Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

I you only have the chance to visit one place in LA, Beverly Hills is it. From the ultimate swanky luxury boutiques, to the most ridiculously upscale restaurants, Rodeo Drive is a great place to revel in the glitz and glamour of one of the world’s most famous shopping areas.

Why Visit : Luxury shopping, upscale dining, and celebrity-spotting.

11) The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

As one of the world’s leading centers of art, LACMA is simply a world of art and culture with a vast collection of masterpieces, immersive exhibitions, and stunning outdoor art installations like the iconic Urban Light sculpture.

Why Visit : Renowned art collections, outdoor installations like the Urban Light exhibit, and cultural experiences.

12) In-N-Out

And of course, how could we forget the world famous In-N-Out featuring the most picturesque, spectacular views of airplanes arriving at LAX from around the globe.

Even if In-N-Out isn’t your thing, or you’re not really a burger aficionado, this West Coast chain is truly off the chain! And the views here are unforgettable.

How to Get There : Take a rideshare or taxi to 9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Why Visit : Why not?!

How to explore the Los Angeles area from LAX on a layover

1) renting a car.

One of the most flexible ways to see as much as possible on your LAX layover is by renting a car. Many companies are available, but I find that renting as a Hertz Gold or 5-star member saves an enormous burden and amount of time as you can pick nearly any car off the lot and just drive.

The only downside to renting a car at LAX – that is, at least until the airtrain is completed next year, is having to take a shuttle to the rental car lot. This can be extremely time consuming (perhaps taking up to 50 minutes each way).

This makes signing up for a private tour, or arranging transport much more attractive – especially if you’re tight on time.

2) Join a tour

Whether you take a taxi or rideshare to the meeting point or arrange for pickup right at the airport, it’s often most time efficient to sign up for a tour.

You can truly learn about the history and fascinating details, mystery, and lifestyle of Los Angeles and all of its famous (and infamous) inhabitants.

Here are some tours that you can take while laying over in Los Angeles:

• Shared 3 Hour VIP Los Angeles Tour
• Hop On, Hop Off Bus

3) Hire a driver/private tour guide

Private, Customizable, Luxury LA Tour

4) Public transportation (LightRail + buses)

Though the LightRail project isn’t set to complete until next year (it WILL be amazing), there are some public transportation options still. However, none of them are good, so I don’t recommend pursuing this option.

Where can I store my luggage at LAX?

Though LAX itself does not offer an official luggage storage center, LuggageHero offers several locations around the airport.

Other options include checking in your luggage or simply renting a car and keeping at in the trunk (at yo own risk).

How long of a connection minimum is enough at LAX?

International to international.

Though it may surprise you if you’re not used to transiting within the United States, you always have to clear customs on entry to the US – even if you’re transiting to another international flight.

So if you’re transiting Los Angeles from an international arrival, even if transiting onwards to another international flight, you will have to clear customs.

This can easily take up to two hours on a bad day. And you still have to go through security screening to board your next flight.

• Up to 2 hours to clear customs – usually less
• Up to 1 hour to get through security screening for your next flight

3 hours minimum is recommended for an international transit at LAX. If you have Global Entry (which comes with TSA PreCheck), you can reduce this down to 1 hour and a half.

Domestic to International

Here, if you’re booked on one ticket for your connection through LAX, you can connect in as short as 45 minutes. However, if you’re booked on separate tickets, it could take longer;

• If you have checked baggage, you may have to exit the secure area, and check your baggage in for your next flight. Ask the ticket agent on your flight to LAX.
• Even without checked baggage, you may have to connect between different terminals. Luckily, they’re all connected via walkways, but it can still be as long as a 30 minute walk from one end to another.

In this case, it would be wise to have at least 2 hours to connect.

International to Domestic

You will have to clear customs at LAX, which can take up to two hours (much less with Global Entry).

Upon entry into the United States, you will have to re-clear TSA security. This can take up to an hour.

Always include additional time if you need to check in for your next flight or have checked baggage. All checked baggage entering the United States has to be re-checked after arrival.

You should plan 3 hours for an international to domestic transit at LAX. If you have Global Entry (which comes with TSA PreCheck), you can reduce this to an hour and a half.

Domestic to Domestic

If you’re booked on a single ticket, domestic transfers at LAX are usually rather quick. However, you may still have to walk 15-30 minutes between terminals.

Plan to have at least 45 minutes between flights if booked on one single ticket, and at least 2 hours if you’re on two separate tickets.

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12 Top Things to Do on a Long Layover at LAX

Sometimes when you're crossing the globe and have to change planes at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you end up with a long layover . With as few as several hours to spend between flights, you can have a bit of fun and maximize your stay in sunny southern California.

There's plenty to do at an airport the size of LAX. If you have a boarding pass for a same-day flight, you can go explore any terminal, including the renovated Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), which has been beautifully updated and has more amenities than any other terminal.

You can entertain yourself there with fine restaurants and shopping for a few hours without ever leaving the terminal. And, if you have more time you can head out to explore the city or beaches and make it back in time to board your next flight feeling refreshed, with a few California memories to add to your travel experiences.

Dine on Classy International Cuisine

Head to Terminal B, the Tom Bradley International Terminal. A destination in itself, the terminal resembles a beautiful upscale shopping mall with amazing multimedia public art and dining venues from some of the city's most popular restaurants. Try Chaya Sushi for upscale sushi and Japanese food, or live it up at the Petrossian Caviar and Champagne Bar. This terminal is also home to an outpost of an L.A. favorite, Umami Burger. 

Dine Local at Airport Terminal 3

While not as upscale as the Tom Bradley International Terminal, the restaurants at Terminal 3 will give you a taste of local cuisine. Grab a brew at Ashland Hill, a Santa Monica gastropub with a focus on craft beer and pub food (Ashland Hill is also located in Terminal 7). Sample Mezcal and Mexican food at La Familia or refresh with a milkshake, breakfast sandwich or burger at Shake Shack, an L.A. favorite.

Hit the Beach

TripSavvy / Christian Hundley

If you have time to leave the airport and then go through security again before your next flight you'll be happy to know that the Los Angeles International Airport is adjacent to Dockweiler Beach , a very long strip of beach with few amenities.

If you have less than four hours and are craving some beach time, this is probably your best bet, but be sure to schedule a taxi or car service to pick you up at the beach in time to get back to the airport. 

If you have just a little more time, it costs just a couple dollars more to get down to Manhattan Beach , the nearest beach that also has shopping and restaurants, and for just a little more, you can take a cab north to Venice Beach or Santa Monica Beach . All three of these beaches have plenty of sand, waves, and beach activities to leave you feeling refreshed and ready for your next flight.

Take a Shopping Excursion

If you have more than four hours and want to experience some super high-end shopping in LA, arrange a car service for the duration of your layover.

Your driver can pick you up at LAX and whisk you away to funky Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice; Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica; Rodeo Drive; the Beverly Center; the Grove; or anywhere else you'd like to go, without having to worry about directions, parking, where to put your packages between shops or being on time to get back to the airport and check another bag full of your shopping finds.

If you want to shop close to LAX, there's a two-block stretch of shops just north of the airport on Sepulveda Boulevard. This stretch is home to more standard stores such as Kohl's, Ross, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Bed Bath & Beyond, and more.

Tour Los Angeles

You can see much of the city during your layover by taking the Starline Hop-On, Hop-Off tour , which has three routes and more than 50 tours, one of which stops at the Concourse Hotel next to LAX .

If you have four hours or more during the day, you can hop on and off up to Marina del Rey, Venice, and Santa Monica. If you have all day, you can take an additional loop over to Hollywood. Each of the narrated tour loops takes about two hours if you remain on the bus.

LA City Tours offers special bus tours for LAX passengers. The layover tours include a tour of LA plus celebrity homes and beaches (6 Hours with 5 Stops). They pick up at the LAX Terminal departure level. 

Play Some Golf

The Westchester Golf Course is an 18-hole public golf course just north of LAX airport. Tee times run from before dawn to early evening and vary by season. Prices are according to tee time and club rentals are available. You don't even have to take the time to play 9 or 18 holes as there is a 58-stall driving range and practice area. If you've never golfed before, make an appointment with a golf pro for instruction.

Eat Iconic L.A. Fast Food

Some of L.A.'s most popular fast food is super close to LAX, making for an easy and quick meal. For the burger junkie, there's an In-N-Out Burger location about a 20-minute walk from Terminal 1. Famous for their thin patty burgers and iconic "Animal Style" fries, this particular In-N-Out location affords customers a great view of planes taking off and landing.

The walk may not be the best due to roadways and on-ramps, so many just take a ride-share or taxi. Some even have hopped on the free shuttle for  The Parking Spot , an offsite parking structure across from the In-N-Out Burger (although that's not sanctioned by the business or LAX).

Other favorites in the area include the 24-hour Randy's Donut , which is famous for the giant donut out front, and Tito's Tacos , a 20-minute drive away in Culver City.

Visit the Flight Path Museum

Fans of aviation can visit the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center to see models, photographs, uniforms and other artifacts highlighting the role of the airline industry in the history of Southern California. It's a small museum so a visit shouldn't take more than an hour or so. While the museum is on airport property, getting there can be tricky so request a ride-share or a taxi in advance. 

Visit the Proud Bird Food Bazaar

The Proud Bird is a large, unique food bazaar located on Aviation and 111th Street on airport property. It has six kitchens open for all three meals and incredible patio where you can dine as planes land and take off. The Proud Bird's name was taken from the 1960s Continental Airlines tag line, “The Proud Bird with the Golden Tail.”

Like the Flight Path Museum, it can be tricky to get to and will require a brief ride-share or taxi ride. Once you're there, you'll love the open, airy space, featuring a replica of a P-40 Flying Tiger plane. The Proud Bird also is a museum of sorts and houses memorabilia from the original Proud Bird restaurant and interactive aviation exhibits.

Relax with a Spa Treatment

If you need to relax or get the kinks out after sitting long hours in a plane with more of the same to come, stop in at  XpressSpa , located in Terminal B or Terminal 5. XpressSpa offers affordable massages and other refreshing services including haircuts, manicures, and even a quick shower.

Even if you don't want to spring for a full-on massage, just a quick arm or neck massage can be all you need to rejuvenate you in time for your next flight.

Peruse the Public Art

Art lovers will find an impressive collection of art throughout LAX. You'll find art, including paintings and sculptures located in Terminals 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and, of course, the TBIT. Some exhibits rotate or change so there is always something new to see, with up to 20 exhibits presented each year.

In addition to the visual arts, the airport provides live music and seasonal entertainment for travelers. 

Say Hello to Hollywood

If you want to say you've been to Hollywood, you can get there via the  FlyAway bus service costing $8 each way. The bus brings you just one block south of Hollywood Boulevard. Or, you can take a taxi or ride-share and enjoy several hours of iconic sightseeing including the TCL Chinese Theatre and star-studded Walk of Fame. 

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A Tour Behind the Scenes at Los Angeles International Airport

The invitation originally came from China Eastern Airlines, who wanted to do a tour of their new 777-300ER , and LAWA stepped in to offer reporters the chance to give them a tour of the airport projects, including cargo areas, the Qantas hangar, the Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC) construction, and check out the back of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).

Editor’s Note:  This is the first installment in a three-part series focusing on LAX Airport. This story focuses on a special media tour organized by Los Angeles World Airports and China Eastern Airlines, while Part II will focus on the commercial state of LAX airport pertaining to terminal layouts, airlines serving LAX, and the case for change to elevate the airport experience at LAX. Part III will detail the specifics behind the new LAX airport as the projects come to fruition. 

I also had a chance to sit down with several key personnel from LAWA, including John Erickson, Legislative Representative – Office fo External Affairs, Becca Doten – Director of Public Relations at LAWA, and Mario Lafaurie – Chief of Operations, LAX Airport Ops. After the tour, these exceptionally friendly and hospitable Angelenos were eager to talk to me about the LAMP (Landside Access Modernization Program), which is still a few years away, but nevertheless exciting.

This is a three-part story on all of the exciting changes at Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). Part I will focus on the Media Tour arranged by China Eastern and LAWA. Part Two will focus on LAX today, as the world’s busiest Origin-and-Destination (O&D) airports. Part Three will focus on all of the new projects in the pipeline, including the Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC), Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP), and Terminal 1.5.

“LAX On The Move”

The inspiration behind the tour started when China Eastern reached out to LAWA and said they want to do a tour of the 777-300ER, and LAWA thought it would be a great way to also showcase some of its major developments on the airport side. John helped to coordinate all of the logistics, piecing together an itinerary that would give media reporters a glimpse into the cargo areas, the Qantas hangar, construction of the Midfield Satellite Concourse, the back of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), and the Korean Air lounge, prior to the China Eastern tour.

We would be transported around by shuttle bus, and we were on the airfield by 5:30. The sun was setting, and there was a beautiful backdrop with heavies coming in from all corners of the earth.

“Everyone always loves to see planes taking on and off, and we had such an elegant time on the bus,” said Erickson.

LAWA is justified in wanting to show-off its goods. Based on growth alone, 2017 was a huge year for LAX. Passenger traffic grew a 4.5% from 80.9 in 2016 to 84.6 million, with an 8.7% surge in international passengers. Aircraft movements rose from 623,000 in 2016 to over 645,000 in 2017.

But that wasn’t all: the largest airline terminal relocation in the history of LAX, and one of the biggest ever as an operating airport took place in May 2017 seemingly without a hitch. Over a five-day period, one-third of LAX’s airline partners moved to either new terminals or new ticket counters, which were an end-result of Delta’s $1.9 billion investments in revamping and connecting Terminals 2 and 3 to become its new home. Delta had previously operated gates in Terminals 5 and 6 on the southern end of the airport, and the move would essentially swap the airlines previously serving Terminals 2 and 3 into Terminals 5 and 6.

The operation included using 16 moving trucks, 200 movers, and 30 volunteer assistants, moving approximately 1,100 four-wheel dollies, 9,200 boxes, and 900 computers. “LAX on the MOVE” shuttle buses, wrapped in neon green to match the vest of volunteers, ran between Terminals 2/3 and 5/6 to assist guests who were at the incorrect terminals.

The move was intended to help increase gate capacity for Delta customers, as well as provide quicker/easier access to the Delta terminal (since the entrance to LAX is one way, and must follow a horseshoe path). It would also help co-locate Delta closer to its SkyTeam partners in Terminals 2 and 3 (Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, AeroMexico and WestJet), as well as provide airside bus transportation to and from the TBIT, removing the need to re-screen customers who were connecting.

For airlines that moved out of T2/T3 to T5/T6, such as Air Canada, Allegiant, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Spirit, Sun Country, and Virgin America, the move would enable them to have easier access to connect to the TBIT via the T4 connector , and enjoy newer facilities within the terminals as well.

Touring the Qantas Maintenance Hangar

After receiving the history of the Delta move, Earlier in 2017, Qantas unveiled a $30-million maintenance and engineering facility in LAX, measuring at 613,543-square-feet. It is one of the largest commercial hangars in North America and the first that is specifically designed to accommodate the Airbus A380. It is used to carry out maintenance checks on Qantas’ Airbus A380 and 747 aircraft during the ground time at LAX, and will also service the 787-9 when it commences service to LAX in 2018.

The new hangar has 50% more space than the previous one and has the capacity for four aircraft to be worked on simultaneously. It was built in 1958, back when Qantas flew 707s to Southern California. It was demolished to make space for the MSC. Qantas has a pretty sweet time-lapse of the construction on its YouTube page .

“It’s pretty magnificent that they can actually shut the doors on this hangar,” added John. “The planes come in during the morning, get fixed, and are loaded up and out that night.”

Preview of the Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC)

The MSC project broke ground over one year ago in February 2017 and is a 750,000 square foot building that will be connected to the existing TBIT facility. The 12-gate MSC represents $1.6 billion of the $14 billion overall 3-P (Public-Private Partnership) project to renovate LAX.

The MSC will be connected to the TBIT – which will then be referred to as “Bradley West” – via two underground tunnels with moving walkways. Arriving passengers will follow the elevated corridors above the moving walkways to proceed to the Federal Inspection Station (FIS) facility at the TBIT. Behind-the-scenes, there is a Baggage Optimization Project (BOP) underway to support the additional baggage-processing capacity that will be introduced by the new gates.

A core element of this project is constructing the North Baggage Handling System (NBHS) to allow for extra bandwidth to sort and place luggage for inbound and outbound departures. The NBHS, moreover, will replace the current sortation system used at the TBIT, and have the ability to process over 6,000 checked bags per hour.

The MSC is being built simply because even the massive TBIT cannot handle the current volume of flights that are departing from LAX. As part of #LAXOnTheMove, several foreign carriers relocated from Terminals 2 and 3 to the TBIT, including Qatar, Avianca, Hainan, and Interjet. Others, like Virgin Australia and Southwest (international flights), have to retain their check-in facilities at Terminal 2, but busses take them to the TBIT. Bottom line: the TBIT needs more gates.

“People don’t want to get bused in from the remote gates that are by Pershing drive,” says Doten. “We want you to have a seamless experience.”

Getting a Tour of “Bradley West,” or the “TBIT”

Next, we de-boarded the busses near the China Eastern gate and noticed a large “hole” in the wall where the connector between the TBIT and MSC would be installed.

Once inside the terminal, we proceeded to the Korean Air SkyTeam lounge, where we learned a bit more about the actual renovations that took place at the TBIT starting over 10 years ago in 2007. The TBIT was built in time for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, with the intention of fast-tracking the athletes, participants, and attendees coming into LAX. Tom Bradley was the 38th mayor of Los Angeles, serving from 1973 to 1993, and was the first African-American mayor of the city.

Bradley West became quickly outdated as LAX grew. Denver-based Fentress Architects won the contract in 2007 to modernize the TBIT (and later, to create the MSC) and help kick-off the LAX modernization program. The TBIT remodel was completed in two phases: one that was ready by 2013, and the other by 2015.

One will notice immediately, at first glance of the exterior design, that the aluminum rooftop has a funky, half-shell geodesic theme that appears to run recurrently along the length of the terminal. This is intentional, as the design firm wanted it to represent the overlapping waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Video: cool time-lapse video of the New TBIT Construction , published in 2013 by LAWA. 

In total, Bradley West measures 2,335 feet long and occupies 1.2 million square feet. Its erection required 20,000 tons of steel, 310,758 square feet of glass, and 405,405 cubic feet of concrete. The concourse areas are split into the North and South concourses, with an extension of the North Concourse that includes the Interim West Bus Terminal (these were the gates Doten was referring to in her prior comment). The concourses occupy seven floors, while the “Great Hall” located right as the passengers enter into the “Bradley West Core” occupies seven stories standing at 130 feet. Since the big windows at LAX face away from the sun, it permits plenty of daylight while shielding passengers from glare and heat.

The FIS of the old TBIT building was demolished, and a new FIS corridor was built above level. A new security screening checkpoint was also added with the ability to process up to 5000 passengers per hour.

“We don’t get that far for a lot of different reasons, but we have the ability to do that,” said Mario LaFaurie, Chief of Operations. “It is a good thing for the future of what LAX is going to do. The MSC will help process an additional 2,000 passengers per hour, and is all geared to help and support the main TBIT building.”

For the VIP travelers, the new TBIT did away with having a dozen plus individual airline lounges and instead has consolidated many of them into groupings by each alliance. There is Star Alliance First and Business Class lounge, a OneWorld Business Class lounge, a Korean Air First and Business Class lounge (for SkyTeam elites), a Qantas First Class lounge, an Emirates lounge, an Etihad lounge, and the Los Angeles lounge (for everyone else).

TBIT offers 18 gates in total, with 9 located on the North Concourse and 9 on the South Concourse, and most of them facing towards the Pacific Ocean can accommodate an Airbus A380. The interim, “west bus terminal” shuttles passengers to nine satellite gates for international flights.

In 2016, LAX completed the construction of the “connector” from Terminal 4 to the TBIT, which allows passengers to seamlessly transit between the American Airlines terminal and TBIT, in both directions, without having to re-clear security. The walk can be completed in four minutes or less. Terminals 5, 6, 7 and 8 are also connected to Terminal 4 through airside connectors, but this involves a lot of walking.

After we poked our heads into the KAL lounge we strolled through the terminal back towards the China Eastern gates. There are some pretty nice features of this facility: you can order food ahead and pick it up at your gate, dine at fancy places like III Forks or Kentucky Fried Chicken, or relax in one of the lounges. There are art programs, live music, celebrity lookalikes, and dozens of restaurants renowned chefs from the LA area.

Touring China Eastern

Around 7 PM, we proceeded to the China Eastern gate to enjoy some premium snacks before touring its 777-300ER First, Business, and Economy Class cabins. For more details on that tour, follow this link to the separate post .

Up Next: LAX Airport Today

The next installment of this series will focus on LAX airport as it exists today in 2018, analyzing traffic, routes, terminals, constraints, opportunities, and future projects. Stay tuned!

Rohan would like to thank China Eastern Airlines, Los Angeles World Airports, and the Moak Group for inviting Travel Codex to partake in this media tour. 

Read This Next

About Rohan Anand

Rohan has been writing about airlines and aviation since 2008. He has been writing for Travel Codex since 2013, and co-founded and launched the Airways Podcast with Vinay Bhaskara in 2016. He is a self-proclaimed #AvGeek, but is also fascinated by the evolving world of airline and aviation technology, data, tools, developments, models and disruption. Aside from his full-time day job as a Technical Project Manager, Rohan lifts weights, practices and teaches Yoga, cooks, listens to all varieties of music, is the captain of a rec volleyball team, and loves exploring the nightlife in his current home, Chicago. Rohan also likes to S.C.U.B.A. dive, ski, bike, and sing #KARAOKE. His perfect day is on a beach, with commercial wide-body planes fying overhead, and good jams with good company. Rohan's favorite airline, airport, and aircraft are KLM, Amsterdam Schiphol and the McDonnell-Douglas MD-11.

Los Angeles Airport 101: The ultimate guide to LAX

Update : Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is continually ranked as one of the busiest airports in the U.S and in the world. Travelers coming from all around the globe pass through on their way to or from far-flung destinations.

Traffic at LAX has been projected to rise to up to 100 million annual passengers by 2040, so chances are you, too, may soon transit through it. The airport serves as a hub for Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines; it's also a focus city for Air New Zealand, Allegiant Air, Qantas and Southwest Airlines.

Navigating to, from and through this major airport can be a lot to handle — but it doesn't have to be. Many of LAX's terminal buildings are now connected airside , so you can clear security at one, then walk or shuttle to another. The Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) and Terminals 2 and 3 are connected airside via shuttles, and Tom Bradley and Terminals 4-8 are connected airside via walkways. To leave the airport, you can either take a bus, light rail, car (whether it's via taxi, through a ride-hailing or ride-sharing service or black car service), shuttle van or even helicopter.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG's free biweekly Aviation newsletter .

LAX didn't always have the best reputation, but the airport is in the midst of a $14 billion capital improvement program that is projected to last through 2023. The airport is now home to a plethora of amenities, including more than a dozen lounges, high-end stores and a wide range of restaurants and bars. Travelers are also spoiled when it comes to choices for layover hotels.

Here's our comprehensive guide to everything this airport has to offer, from dining options to lounges, hotels, transportation options and more.

Related: The best times to visit Los Angeles

Getting there

The airport is located about 5 miles from Manhattan Beach, 9 miles from Santa Monica, 13 miles from Beverly Hills, 14 miles from Hollywood and 17 miles from downtown LA. There are many ways to get to LAX, but some transportation options are better than others.

The most cost-effective option would be to take public transportation or scheduled bus service, but it's not very convenient. If you want to be picked up curbside, you'll need to order a black car service. Travelers can also use Uber, Lyft or other ride-hailing services to leave LAX after shuttling to the pick-up lot.

Public transportation

While LA's public transportation system still isn't great (though it's improving), you can shuttle to Lot South/LAX City Bus Center and transfer to a public bus. There's also a shuttle bus to connect from LAX to the Metro Green Line. The Green Line connects to both the Metro Silver Line bus and Metro Blue Line light rail to take passengers into downtown's 7th Street/Metro Center station.

Alternatively, you can hop on a FlyAway bus from LAX to Union Station (downtown LA) or Van Nuys for $8 to $9.75 one-way. The buses pick up and drop off directly in front of the terminals. Tickets can be bought online or in person.

Transit time: Long

Ride-shares

All ride-hailing pick-ups take place at the "LAX-it" lot, a dedicated pick-up space adjacent to Terminal 1. Regardless of your arrival terminal, you have to take a shuttle or walk to this lot if you want to use a ride-hailing service — this includes Uber and Lyft. Drop-offs remain in front of passengers' respective terminals.

Related: The best credit cards for Uber and Lyft

Aside from that minor inconvenience, using Uber, Lyft or other ride-hailing services out of the airport is relatively easy and reasonably priced. Manhattan Beach is about 15 minutes away and would cost about $23 if you Uber; Santa Monica is about 30 minutes away and would cost $30; Beverly Hills is 35 minutes away and would cost $35; Hollywood is about 40 minutes away and would cost $40; and downtown LA is 35 minutes away and would cost $35. Ride times can also become much longer thanks to LA traffic. Surge pricing is an important consideration: You can drive that price down by opting for a shared vehicle, but expect time to be added to your trip.

A bonus of the pick-up lot? It features food trucks, charging stations and restrooms for travelers while they wait for their rides.

Transit time: Medium

Related: How to make sure you're getting your Amex Platinum Uber credits

Like Uber and Lyft, taxis can pick up passengers from the LAX-it lot but will drop off passengers curbside. There are also two other taxi departure areas: one is on the ground floor of Parking Structure 3 (near TBIT and Terminal 3) and one is at the far end of Terminal 7.

Taxis offer flat rates to various parts of the city. To give you a general idea, the flat rate to go to West Hollywood costs $40 and downtown LA costs $46.50, including a $4 airport pickup surcharge.

Car service

If you want to be picked up from the terminal curb front, you can request a black car service like Uber Black or Blacklane . It's a more expensive option, but it's also much more convenient. Prearranged car services are especially great for families, as they allow you to book car seats for children or note that you're traveling with a pet.

If you request a meet and greet service, your driver will park and wait for you with a sign at the arrivals area and help you with your luggage. Otherwise, you'll find your driver waiting outside at the arrivals level. A Blacklane Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series or Cadillac XTS to downtown LA will cost about $140 one way.

Transit time: Short

Other options

If you're renting a car, board your rental agency's respective shuttle outside the terminal on the arrivals level. If family or friends offer to pick you up at the airport, LAX has a cellphone lot where they can wait for free for up to two hours, or they can park for free for 15 minutes in one of the central terminal area parking structures.

If you're traveling between LAX and downtown LA and really want to skip traffic, you can book a Blade helicopter . The "Uber for aviation" service offers private airport transfers for about $3,600, or you can book a seat on a previously scheduled flight for about $345. Unfortunately, the scheduled service doesn't run as frequently as it does in New York City.

Like many airports, LAX offers free Wi-Fi and water-bottle filling stations in every terminal. For those traveling with a pet or emotional support animal , there are three pre-security animal relief areas, as well as one airside at every terminal except Terminal 8, per this map .

For those missing their pets back home, for a few hours every week, there are therapy dogs greeting passengers in various LAX terminals and at the ground level of the Theme Building, part of the airport's Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPs) program. There are also several permanent and rotating art installations throughout the airport, as well as live performances as part of the "LAX Presents" series.

LA is a shopping mecca, so as one would expect, the airport offers great shopping, too. The Great Hall in the TBIT offers the most options of any terminal for shopping, with a Rodeo Drive-inspired retail boutique and duty-free shopping area. Some stores you'll find here include Burberry, Bulgari, Coach, Fred Segal, Gucci, Hermes, Tumi, Victoria's Secret, Hugo Boss and more.

Other terminals are a bit more limited, but you'll still find multiple MAC Cosmetics stores, multiple DFS Duty Free stores, multiple See's Candies stores, a Kiehl's store and plenty of newsstand-type stores.

Although the airport's iconic Theme Building no longer offers meal service in the Encounter restaurant, there's still an observation deck open on the second weekend of each month (Saturdays and Sundays) from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Alternatively, AvGeeks, especially aviation history enthusiasts, should consider heading to the Flight Path Museum at LAX , which is open on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. General admission is $5 and reservations are recommended. Aside from a treasure trove of flying collectibles, the museum has a Douglas DC-3 parked on the airport's tarmac for travelers to explore as well as terrific views of aircraft takeoffs and landings on the south runway complex.

If you have a long layover and don't want to wheel your luggage around with you, you can store your bags at LAX Luggage Storage for $12-$18 per day. You can drop off and pick up your bags at the facility yourself, though if you opt for the more convenient terminal curbside pick-up and drop-off, it's $5 per item each way.

Los Angeles International Airport has a wide range of lounge options to choose from, including some of the nicest in the nation. Whether you're flying business or first class, or you're simply looking to leverage your Priority Pass membership, you should have no trouble finding a place to relax and grab a bite to eat before your flight. (Enrollment is required for select benefits.)

If privacy is important to you and you don't mind splurging, keep in mind that PS ( formerly known as The Private Suite ) is also an option.

Unfortunately, there are no lounges in Terminal 1, and you can't walk to another terminal without exiting security. Southwest is the only airline that operates out of this terminal.

Delta Sky Club

Location: Upstairs on the mezzanine level.

Hours: 4:15 a.m.-12:30 a.m.

Access: Delta Gold Medallions and higher traveling internationally, SkyTeam Elite Plus members, premium-cabin passengers who are connecting to or from same-day SkyTeam international long-haul or premium transcontinental flights, Delta Sky Club members and cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card when traveling on any same-day Delta flight.

Effective February 1, 2025: Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.

Effective February 1, 2025 , Delta Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

Related: The ultimate guide to Delta Sky Club access

Amenities: A new 30,000-square-foot club opened in April 2022. It includes a bar that extends from inside to a year-round, outdoor Sky Deck with panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles and the iconic Hollywood sign. Travelers will have access to seasonally inspired menus, shower facilities and seating for all types of travelers, with Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Delta One check in, Terminal 2

Location: Terminal 2, curbside access.

Access: Delta One passengers flying nonstop from LAX, as well as with those on flights with connections where at least one leg is a Delta One flight, Delta One passengers traveling on LAX origin transcontinental markets – Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) — and on connecting itineraries similar to above. Also travelers who have Delta 360 status, an invitation-only program for top Diamond Medallion Members traveling in any cabin, any class and/or any market.

Amenities: Exclusive check-in, personal check-in and checked luggage, expedited security screening via a private access corridor and the same amenities at LAX's Delta Sky Clubs.

Delta Sky Club, Terminal 3 Sky Way

Location: Departures level between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Access: Delta Gold Medallions and higher traveling internationally, SkyTeam Elite Plus members, premium-cabin passengers who are connecting to or from same-day SkyTeam international long-haul or premium transcontinental flights, Delta Sky Club members and cardholders of the Platinum Card® from American Express, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card when traveling on any same-day Delta flight. Effective 2/1/25, Delta Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

Amenities: Complimentary hot and cold foods, wine, beer, spirits, a coffee nook, shower suites, access to the Sky Deck, Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Related: Delta's largest-ever Sky Club shines in its big LAX debut

Tom Bradley International Terminal

Emirates lounge.

Location: Level 6, next to the Los Angeles International Lounge.

Hours: 11:35 a.m.-3:35 p.m. (winter), 12:40 p.m.-4:40 p.m. (summer)

Access: Emirates first and business class passengers and Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members. Day passes are available to all other Emirates passengers for $130 (or $100 if you're an Emirates Skywards member).

Amenities: Hot and cold foods, full bar, showers, prayer room, Wi-Fi and power outlets. Check out TPG's full review of the lounge .

Korean Air KAL Lounge (First)

Location: After security, take the elevator located on the left side of the Duty-Free Cosmetic Store to the 5th floor.

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Access: First-class passengers on Korean Air flights; Million Miler Club/Morning Calm Premium Club member on prestige class with one companion on Korean Air flights.

Amenities: Light snacks, wine, beer, spirits, Wi-Fi, shower suites and power outlets near many seats. Check out TPG's full review of the lounge .

KAL Lounge (Prestige)

Access : Dragon Pass members (limited hours), and first and business class passengers and SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on an international flight operated by a SkyTeam airline. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Los Angeles International Lounge

Location: Level 6, next to the Emirates Lounge.

Hours: 6 a.m.- last departure.

Access: Air Tahiti Nui, El Al, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines and Philippine Airlines first and business class passengers and Japan Airlines premium economy passengers.

Amenities: Premium food, light snacks, wine, beer, spirits, Starbucks coffee, Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Oneworld Los Angeles Lounge

Location: Post security on the fifth floor.

Hours: 6:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.

Access: Business- and first-class passengers, plus Oneworld Sapphire and Oneworld Emerald members traveling on eligible itineraries on any Oneworld airline.

Amenities: Hot and cold foods, full bar, showers, kids play area, runway views, televisions, Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Star Alliance Lounge

Location: Level 6 near the central atrium.

Hours: 7 a.m.-1 a.m.

Access: First and business class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members on eligible itineraries on any Star Alliance airline. United Club and Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members also have access.

Amenities: Hot and cold foods, full bar, a popular outdoor terrace, showers, a library, Wi-Fi and power outlets. First-class passengers have access to a separate lounge that offers a la carte dining and additional privacy.

Qantas International First Lounge

Location: Level 5, near the Korean Air KAL Lounge.

Hours: The lounge is currently closed .

Access: First-class passengers and Oneworld Emerald members traveling on eligible itineraries on any Oneworld airline. American Airlines elites traveling solely on North American flights, except Mexico City, don't have access.

Amenities: A la carte dining, full bar, showers, Wi-Fi and power outlets.

American Express Centurion Lounge

Location: Level 4. There's an entrance past security and another just down the escalator from the bridge that connects Terminal 4 and TBIT.

Hours: Closed, under renovation. Grab-and-go pre-packaged food and beverage options are available on the 6th floor from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Related: Amex opens a temporary grab-and-go area at LAX, confirms Centurion reopening plans

Access: Those with a Centurion Card, The Platinum Card from American Express or The Business Platinum Card from American Express. Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business cardholders will also have access when traveling on any same-day Delta flight. Effective 2/1/25, Delta Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

Amenities: Wide selection of locally themed hot and cold foods, a curated full bar, showers, a family room, spa, Wi-Fi and power outlets. Check out TPG's first look at the lounge .

Related: A guide to Amex Centurion Lounges

American Airlines Admirals Club

Location: Concourse level across from gate 40.

Hours: 4 a.m.-12:45 a.m.

Access: AAdvantage Platinum elites and up traveling internationally, Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald and members, premium-cabin passengers who are connecting to or from qualifying international or premium transcontinental American- or Oneworld-operated flights, Admirals Club and day pass-holders. You and authorized users can get a complimentary Admirals Club membership through the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees).

Related: The ultimate guide to American Airlines Admirals Club access

Amenities: Complimentary snacks and drinks, Wi-Fi, power outlets, children's play area, showers and a conference room.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge

Location: Across from gate 40 (same entrance as the Admirals Club).

Access: AAdvantage Platinum elites and up traveling internationally, Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald and members and business- and first-class passengers who are connecting to or from qualifying international or premium transcontinental American- or Oneworld-operated flights.

Amenities: Hot and cold foods, large self-serve bar, showers, Wi-Fi and many power outlets. First-class passengers traveling on a three-cabin aircraft have access to the exclusive Flagship First Dining area.

Related: American reveals reopening timeline for final 2 Flagship Lounges

Location: One level up from the gates, near the duty-free store.

Hours: 4:45 a.m.-12 a.m.

Access: AAdvantage Platinum elites and up traveling internationally, Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald and members, premium-cabin passengers who are connecting to or from qualifying international or premium transcontinental American- or Oneworld-operated flights, Admirals Club and day pass-holders. You can get a complimentary Admirals Club membership through the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.

Amenities: Complimentary snacks and drinks, showers, Wi-Fi and many power outlets.

American Eagle Regional Terminal (Terminal 5)

Location: Across from gates 52D and 52E, after taking the bus to the remote terminal.

Hours: 5:15 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Access: AAdvantage Platinum elites and up traveling internationally, Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald and members, premium-cabin passengers who are connecting to or from qualifying international or premium transcontinental American- or Oneworld-operated flights, Admirals Club and day passholders. You can get a complimentary Admirals Club membership through the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.

Amenities: Complimentary snacks and drinks, Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Alaska Lounge

Location: Mezzanine level near gate 64.

Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m.

Access: Alaska Airlines first-class passengers (doesn't include upgrades), Alaska Lounge members, Admirals Club members, and anyone purchasing a day pass ($50, or $25 if you use your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card).

Amenities: Complimentary snacks, barista-made Starbucks coffee, non-premium alcohol, Wi-Fi and many power outlets.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

Location: On the mezzanine level, between gates 65A and 65B.

Hours: 4:30 a.m.-9:45 p.m.

Access: Air Canada business class passengers, Premium Rouge passengers traveling within Canada, to the U.S. and Sun destinations, Altitude Elite 35K elites and up, first- and business-class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members on eligible itineraries on any Star Alliance airline. Air Canada Maple Leaf Club and United Club members also have access. Aeroplan Black Cardmembers and Aeroplan business and corporate credit cardholders using a one-time guest pass also have access.

Amenities: Complimentary snacks and drinks, cell-free quiet zone, Wi-Fi and many power outlets.

Location: Landside (before security) in the Theme Building, facing Terminal 6.

Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

Access: Current active duty, Guard, Reserve or dependent ID card. Military retiree ID cards are also accepted if space is available. VA-issued ID cards or driver's licenses with "Veteran" shown on the card do not fall into the above categories.

Amenities: Canteen snack bar, dining room, large nap room, restrooms, showers, a family zone with play area, three private family rooms with a dedicated restroom, three private connection rooms for calling home, big-screen TV lounge and movie theater, gaming lounge, charging stations, secure luggage storage and an outdoor pavilion.

United Club

Location: Next to Gate 71A.

Hours: 4:30 a.m.-12:15 a.m.

Access: United Premier Gold elites and up traveling internationally, Star Alliance Gold members, premium-cabin passengers who are connecting to or from qualifying international or premium transcontinental United- or Star Alliance-operated flights, United Club members and day pass-holders. You can get a complimentary United Club membership through the United Club℠ Infinite Card. You can also get two annual one-time United Club passes through the United Explorer Card or the United Business Card.

Related: The ultimate guide to United Club access

Amenities: Complimentary snacks and drinks, outdoor terrace, Wi-Fi and power outlets.

United Polaris Lounge

Location: Upstairs between gates 73 and 75A.

Hours: 6:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Access: United Polaris business-class passengers and business and first class on Star Alliance partners

Amenities: Sit-down dining, buffet, full bar, showers, nap room, wellness room, Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Related: All 6 United Polaris Lounges have officially reopened

There are no lounges in Terminal 8, but Terminal 7 is just a short walk away and you don't have to visit security to visit it.

Bonus: Non-lounge Priority Pass options

Flyers can melt away their travel stress with a visit to the Be Relax Spa in Terminal 1. They can opt for a 10-minute hand or foot massage, or indulge in a 30-minute lounger massage. Priority Pass members can also enjoy one hour of game station usage at Gameway in Terminal 6.

Related: Choose this, not that: LAX Priority Pass lounge edition

The airport has some terrific lounges, including ones with a la carte dining and outdoor bars, but you'll need to be flying in a premium cabin or have elite status to access the ones with the good food and drink offerings. Everyone else looking for preflight grub will need to visit one of LAX's restaurants or bars.

Luckily, travelers can sample some of the best of LA's food scene without leaving the airport. Options include great coffee at Urth Caffé & Bar in Terminal 1, Slapfish for seafood in Terminal 2, La Provence Patisserie and Cafe in Terminal 4, Donburi Bistro in Terminal 5, Earthbar in Terminal 6, Wahoo Fish Taco in Terminal 6, Loteria Grill in Terminal 7, Engine Co. No. 28 in Terminal 8 and artisanal burgers from Umami Burger and Neapolitan-style pizza from 800 Degrees in TBIT.

LAX has even the pickiest of eaters covered. The airport features a number of local eateries with recognizable names such as Ashland Hill (T7), Lamill Coffee (TBIT) and Ford's Filling Station (T5) that use ingredients identical to those in their city locations. Even the rideshare pickup lot offers a good variety of options from rotating food trucks — a staple of the city's cultural identity.

However, LAX's most popular dining option might just be the In-N-Out burger located on Sepulveda Boulevard, just off the airport property. In-N-Out is a California institution, but what makes this one stand out is that it has picture-perfect views of the flight path into the airport, a mecca for anyone who loves plane spotting . Heck, some AvGeeks arrange trips to California specifically to photograph airplanes here.

If you have a few hours between flights, you can enjoy your plane-spotting with a burger and feel like you got a real LA experience. It is relatively walkable from Terminal 1, but you'll want to leave the airport from the arrivals level, as the sidewalk on the departures level is very narrow. Savvy travelers used to get to In-N-Out by hopping on the complimentary shuttle for the nearby Parking Spot lot, but the lot has since made it clear that their shuttle is for "paying customers only" and now requires your car's entry ticket (or a flash of the free Spot Club card).

Related: Cheeseburgers and planespotting: Why I made the trek to the famous LAX In-N-Out

Airport hotels

Although no hotel is connected directly to the airport, all of the hotels in the area offer free shuttle services. If your layover isn't overnight and you're simply looking for a quiet place to shower and regroup before your next flight, call a hotel and inquire about a day-rate room.

Related: The best hotels for a layover at LAX

The Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel is often an overall solid choice. The shuttle runs frequently, the rooms are well-appointed and the hotel has wonderful views of the airport. Nightly rates start at $149 or 16,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, depending on the date.

If you have Hyatt elite status , you may prefer the Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport for its impressive club lounge. Or, if you're an AvGeek, you'll want to stay at the H Hotel Los Angeles, Curio Collection by Hilton for its spectacularly well-placed 12th-floor terrace with truly exceptional views of the airport. Other solid options include the Westin Los Angeles Airport and the Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX Hotel (formerly the Crowne Plaza).

Additional reporting by Benét J. Wilson.

Updated as of 4/18/2024.

LAX Airport Layover Sightseeing

This article includes links to our travel partners at Tripadvisor, where you can read traveller reviews, book tours and plan your visit to Los Angeles.

Airport Overview

The massive LAX is another institution in American air travel. The nine separate terminals can be a mission to navigate – as can transfers into the city center. As such, those faced with an LAX layover of less than six hours might be better suited to staying in the terminals. Restaurants make for great spaces to people watch, while rotating photography and art exhibits better give you a taste of the city itself. Check out our Los Angeles Airport Guide for more information on the airport.

Los Angeles Sightseeing Attractions

Below are a few of the top things to do in Los Angeles:

Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica Beach is the most accessible major beach from the airport in Los Angeles. Here, you can happily spend a few hours outdoors while gazing out onto the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding mountains. Restaurants, a small amusement park, an outdoor shopping mall and countless street performers provide entertainment as you wander the pier and the shoreline. It is also extremely convenient that the LAX FlyAway service directly connects here and the airport. Should you be faced with less time, Marina del Rey is a beach located even closer to the airport – it just happens to be a little less ‘classically Californian.’

• Time Required: We recommend a minimum of an hour for a stroll along the beach. Should you wish to have a sit-down meal or do more extensive shopping, more time is required. This does not include travel time to and from the airport.
• How to Get There: Check out this Google Map for details on public and private transit options and the required time. Remember to factor rush hour traffic and security wait times into your travel time estimates.
• Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting the Santa Monica Pier, book a tour or read traveller reviews.

It would be hard to visit LA without making it to Hollywood Boulevard and its countless iconic landmarks. Again, the connection time between the airport is a bit more convoluted; once you make it, you will be steps away from the Hollywood sign, the Kodak and Dolby theatres, and, of course, the Walk of Fame. With some extra time, you may want to pop into a few famed restaurants and museums, including Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Odditorium, or the Musso and Frank Grill.

• Time Required: To cover most of the major sights that line Hollywood Boulevard, we recommend a minimum of two hours – plus transit time. Remember to factor rush hour traffic and security wait times into your travel time estimates. This estimate does not include transport to and from the airport.
• How to Get There: Check out this Google Map for details on public and private transit options and the required time.
• Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting Hollywood, book a tour or read traveller reviews.

Howard Hughes Promenade

If you have barely enough time to leave the airport, the Howard Hughes Promenade might be the best place to visit. This shopping center is the closest outdoor mall to LAX (15 – 30 minutes), offering excellent shopping opportunities. The Nordstrom Rack outlet store is one of the most visited shops, given its incredible deals on name brands. The mall also has a movie theatre and several restaurants. Of course, if you are a serious shopper, you may want to head further into the city to explore the celebrity-filled Robertson Boulevard or the famous Rodeo Drive.

• Time Required: Shopping at Howard Hughes Promenade requires a minimum of an hour – plus transit time. Add additional time if you plan to sit down at a restaurant or dive into the shops and discounts!
• Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about visiting the Promenade at Howard Hughes Center, book a tour or read traveller reviews.

Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

Would you be interested in seeing all the highlights of LA rather than just picking a single one? The Hop On – Hop Off option may be your best bet. Starlines runs four routes throughout LA, covering major sights in Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Brentwood and Century City. Some of the most famous stops include Rodeo Drive, The Farmer’s Market & The Grove, China Town, the La Brea Tar Pits and the Chateau Marmont Hotel. The beauty of these tours is that they enable you to jump off and explore various sights at your own pace while providing seamless connections between all the major destinations. There are a few easier ways to check off that city bucket list on a layover.

• Time Required: Each route lasts approximately two hours, assuming you do not get off. Be sure to factor in additional time for exploring the various sights and perhaps some shopping and eating. Tickets can be purchased for 24, 48 or 72-hour windows.
• How to Get There: Unfortunately, public transit does not easily connect the airport to the points of the tour, so your best bet is to take a taxi to one of the stops somewhere in the city on your particular tour.
• Plan Your Visit: Visit Tripadvisor for more information about Los Angeles bus tours, book a tour or read traveller reviews.

Airport Transportation

LAX is connected to Los Angeles through several private and public transit options.

Public transit options include:

• Bus (Metro Bus Center): The free “C” shuttle connects passengers to the airport bus terminal from the LAX Shuttle and Airline signs at each Arrivals Hall. From the Bus Center, you can board buses from several companies that service the broader Los Angeles region. For schedules and rates: LA Metro Transit Information
• Light Rail (Aviation Station): To reach the city’s light rail line, passengers must board the free “G” shuttle service at the LAX Shuttle and Airline sign in the arrivals hall. From there, you can take the Green Line into the suburbs and connect to the lines that run into downtown LA.

Private transit options include:

• LAX FlyAway (Arrivals Halls Island, ‘FlyAway’ Sign): Regularly scheduled round-trip bus routes between LAX and critical locations in the city (Expo, Union Station, Van Nuys, Westwood, Santa Monica and Hollywood).
• Taxi (Arrivals Halls): Connects LAX to the city center – but be wary of traffic!
• Shared Ride Van: Shared taxis are run by Prime Time and Super Shuttle and allow you to share a ride with those travelling to the same destination for a reduced price.
• Car Rental: Several rental companies have stations in the Arrivals Hall of LAX terminals. Shuttles are then organized out to the off-airport rental car terminal.

Before You Go: Layover Tips

Now that you are motivated and excited about your mini layover vacation, check a few final logistical concerns off your list before you fully commit.

• Do you need to organize a visa to leave the airport? Requirements change frequently and for each nationality, so be sure to seek out current details on the availability, cost and procedures of obtaining a transit visa.
• When is your next flight’s check-in time? Double-check with your airline exactly when you need to be at the airport – and plan your layover accordingly.
• What are security wait times like at the airport? Some airports are notorious for extended security wait times, so research in advance and factor that into your overall time budget.
• What’s happening with your luggage? When you check in to your first flight, confirm whether your luggage is checked through or needs to be picked up between your connecting flights. Visit our Los Angeles Airport Guide for information about Luggage Storage.

Other Useful Resources

Finally, here are a few handy resources to help you plan your layover even more thoroughly:

• LAX Ground Transportation Information
• LAX Transport Pick-Up Map
• Tripadvisor – Visit Things to Do in Los Angeles to plan a tour or the Los Angeles Travel Forum to check out past threads to see what other travellers have shared about sightseeing during long layovers at LAX Airport and post your questions.
• Los Angeles Airport Guide
• Los Angeles Airport Lounges
• Los Angeles Airport Reviews
• Los Angeles Airport Sleep Guide
• Things to do at Los Angeles Airport
• Los Angeles Airport Layover Sightseeing
• Los Angeles Airport Photos
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• Airport Reviews
• Things to do on a Layover
• Airport Layover Sightseeing
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Guided Tour of Los Angeles from LAX

LAX Layover Guided Tour Tips

Pickup/Dropoff: Tour providers usually pick up and drop off outside the terminals at LAX. Details will be provided by the tour company. Luggage: You can (usually) bring your luggage with you on the tour van, if needed. Be sure to confirm with the tour provider if you need this option. Time estimate: Suitable for a layover of around 6 hours or longer. Your flight needs to arrive about an hour before the tour time, and depart an hour after the tour dropoff. International flights will require additional time to go through customs.

LAX Layover Guided Tour Providers

Freedom Tours L.A. - Private tours for 1 to 6 passengers, providing tours starting from 4 hours. This is a good option for small groups.

Tours By Locals Private Los Angeles Layover Tour - Customized private tours by Los Angeles residents. Some of them might be willing to pick you up at LAX. The list changes according to availability.

LA City Tours LAX Layover tours - The tour is a complete 6-hour LA City Tour including Los Angeles, Hollywood, movie star homes and beaches. You can get dropped off at your hotel in Hollywood instead of returning to the airport.

Real Los Angeles Walking Tours - Private 2-hour walking tours.

Glitterati Tours from LAX Airport - Customized city tour. You can get dropped off at your hotel instead of returning to the airport.

American Riviera Tours LAX / Long Beach - Provides layover tours from LAX airport and from cruise terminals in Long Beach and San Pedro.

Click here to return to the list of LAX layover activities

Los Angeles Sightseeing City Tours

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LAX Layover Tour

Are you flying into LAX? If you have at least 4 hours we can arrange a sightseeing tour for you, so don’t just sit around at the airport, take advantage of this time and get a glimpse of this amazing city. In 4 hours you could see LA & Hollywood’s best sites and be back on time for you flight. Choose the length of your tour below and see one the most exciting cities in the world.

Tour Duration:

Your choice starting from 4 hours

Your Tour for 1 or 6 passengers

Starting from $485.00 USD

For a greater group please inquire for special pricing

Tour Highlights:

-Hollywood Walk of Fame, see the famous stars on the side walk along Hollywood Blvd.

-Chinese Theater, where the hand prints of legendary movie stars were imprinted on the cement at the forecourt of this theater.

-Dolby Theater (formerly known as Kodak), the venue for the Oscars every year

-Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory

-Sunset Blvd, hang out of movie stars and celebrities

-Beverly Hills and some Celebrities Homes

-And of course the famous and glamorous Rodeo Drive, with the most exclusive designer stores, often visited by celebrities & movie stars.

-And much more!

What is included:

Transportation in late model passenger van

Bottled Water

Exclusions:

Entrance to attractions or museums

IF THE DATE IS NOT AVAILABLE TO BOOK ON LINE, PLEASE CONTACT US BY EMAIL OR BY PHONE SO WE CAN ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR RESERVATION

Temecula Valley Wine Country

Get a truly enjoyable experience, Temecula wine country awaits for you, book a private wine tasting tour in this beautiful valley nested in Southern California, just within a few hours drive from Los Angeles, Orange County & Inland Empire. Follow the link to learn more about our tours.

Los Angeles International Airport, California, USA  |  Airport Code: LAX

Welcome to los angeles international airport.

Flight Information, Flight Routes, Airport Parking, Transfers & Transport, Car Rental, Flights, Hotels, Facilities, Shopping, Dining, Premium Lounges, Airport Maps and more...

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Airport parking.

Book parking in advance with our online booking facility. Includes parking layout plan, latest car parking tariffs and contacts.

Flight Search

Flight Search, price comparison and booking facility for all domestic and international flights from any airport or country.

Airport Lounges

Premium lounges booking, locations, facilities and contact information for Los Angeles International Airport lounges.

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Hotel Search, price comparison and booking facility for all hotels in all countries with the biggest hotel search engine on the internet.

Car Rental search, price comparison and booking facility for car hire in all countries with the biggest car rental search engine.

Airport Transfers NEW

Airport Transfers booking. Taxis, shuttles and buses. Public transport information and map of LAX terminal precinct.

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Live flight arrivals for Los Angeles International Airport including flight delays, flight tracking and SMS flight status change updates.

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Destinations

Flight routes & destinations information, airline contacts and flight schedules for all Los Angeles International Airport Flights.

Airport Weather

Current weather conditions and 5 day weather forecasts for Los Angeles International Airport and connecting US destinations.

Airport Maps

Los Angeles International Airport location and directions map and an airport precinct and car parking location layout map.

Airport Hotels

Featuring the airport hotels closest to the Los Angeles International Airport precinct, including images, descriptions and hotel booking forms.

Visa Checker and On-line Application

Find Visa information for all countries and apply today. Focus on your trip, not paperwork. Let us help you easily get your travel documents.

About Los Angeles Airport

Los Angeles International Airport is the 5th busiest airport in the wor;d and is the 2nd busiest airport in the United States after Atlanta Airport. It is the biggest departure and destination airport in the world. In 2018, over 87 million passengers used the airport.

It is situated in the Westchester distict of Los Angeles , 18 miles south west of downtown Los Angeles. It is owned and operated Los Angeles World Airports which are part of the government of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles International Airport has 4 runways and 9 passenger terminals arranged around a central terminal area which accomodate car parking, public transport and the distinctive googie theme building which has become syonymous with the airport.

Its formal aviation references are: IATA Airport Code - LAX and ICAO Airport Code - FLAX , and it is commonly abbreviated to by passengers by the letters LAX pronounced as individual letters..

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HOLLYWOOD TERMINAL

Starline Tours Hollywood Terminal

6801 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 203

Los Angeles, CA 90028

+1 (800) 959-3131

Hotel Pick Up Locations in Southern California

Convenient Los Angeles hotel pick-up service is just part of what we do at Starline Tours. At Starline Tours, we are pleased to offer complimentary Los Angeles hotel pick-up service as part of our pledge to do whatever it takes to help you have a great Southern California vacation. When you book a tour or trip package with us, we’ll take care of all the driving, leaving you free to do what you came to Los Angeles to do: relax and take it easy. Our drivers will usually pick you up from your Los Angeles hotel 40 to 120 minutes in advance of your tour or trip’s scheduled departure time, depending on your location and where you’ll be headed. At the conclusion of your tour or trip, we will also provide convenient drop-off service to your hotel, ensuring that you’ll never need to worry about driving or navigating L.A.’s public transit network. Simply let us know that you want hotel pick-up and drop-off service when you book and our team will take care of all the details.

Our Los Angeles hotel pick-up service lets you take full advantage of our unique tour and travel packages.

The great thing about our Los Angeles hotel pick-up service is that it frees you to stay where you want to stay, rather than choosing your accommodations based on a single attraction you’re planning to visit. For example, a lot of visitors to Los Angeles stay in hotels near Disneyland or hotels near Universal Studios simply because they’re planning to spend a day in the theme parks. Yet, for the rest of their visit to Southern California, they’re inconveniently located and have to travel great distances to see the rest of the attractions they came to see. We provide an alternative. With transportation and ticket combo packages to all of L.A.’s major family-themed attractions, you’re free to stay where you want and let us take care of getting you to and from your planned activities. Our Los Angeles hotel pick-up service is available at most major hotels in the greater Los Angeles area.

+1 (323) 463-3333 [email protected]

6801 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90028

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LA's Premiere Airplane Tours

Corsair Aviation is the leading provider of airplane tours for both tourists visiting Los Angeles and locals looking for an adventure! Our tours can take you over all the favorite attractions in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, the Malibu Coastline, Santa Monica Mountains and much more! We are also the only provider of tours covering the Santa Clarita Valley, Six Flags Magic Mountain Theme Park, the Rose Bowl, and the Reagan Presidential Library! In addition, we offer an exclusive night tour over Downtown LA and the Santa Monica Pier! Everyone is guaranteed a window seat onboard our new luxurious state-of-the-art Cessna glass cockpit aircraft.

CHOOSE YOUR TOUR

DTLA & Hollywood Sign

30 minute tour.

Take flight over downtown and experience a unique and breathtaking view of LA!

$160 per person / $70 third person

Santa Monica & Malibu

Soar over the coast on one of our most popular tours along the Malibu coastline.

Rose Bowl & Pasadena

The only tour of its kind in LA! Get a unique perspective of the Rose Bowl and parade route as you fly over Downtown Pasadena.

SCV & Six Flags

45 minute tour.

The only tour of its kind in the LA area featuring many famous movie and television sets in the Santa Clarita Valley as well as the Reagan Presidential Library!

$206 per person / $98 third person

DTLA & Malibu Coastline

One of our most popular tours! Soar over the coast and experience the breathtaking view of LA. This tour is best during sunset.

Night Flight Over DTLA

By far the most romantic of our tours; view the city lights as you fly high over downtown after sunset!

Deluxe Tour

60 minute tour.

Take in all the sights of LA on one amazing flight! Nothing is left out on our deluxe air tour.

$275 per person / $140 third person

Ultimate Tour

90 minute tour.

From the Queen Mary to the Malibu Vineyards, experience the beauty of South Bay along with breathtaking views of Los Angeles!

$390 per person / $210 third person

Catalina Island Tour

3 hour event.

Escape the chaos of the mainland! Enjoy a relaxing picnic and a hike on the island before flying back to Los Angeles.

$500 per person

Skydive Perris Tour

4 hour event.

Experience the ultimate thrill of skydiving! Depart Van Nuys Airport on a private charter to Perris Valley where the drop zone awaits.

$795 per person

Harris Ranch Tour

Enjoy a romantic scenic flight over central California while on your way to Harris Ranch where excellent food awaits.

Temecula Winery Tour

5 hour event.

Spend the day wine tasting in Temecula, CA. Depart Van Nuys Airport and tour SoCal on your way to the winery!

$835 per person

Custom Air Tour

Special events.

We can accomodate special requests, large and small groups, custom routes and durations. Contact us for more details!

Price Varies

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Fly & Dine

Take fine dining to a whole new level. Treat yourself and your loved one to a VIP dinner at Eureka Tasting Kitchen located at Hawthorne Airport. Enjoy the restaurant's All American scratch kitchen & craft bar specializing in gourmet burgers. Available as an add-0n to our Deluxe and Ultimate Air Tours.

$195   per couple

*meal costs not included.

Professional Photo Session

Cherish the memory of the occasion with a private photo shoot by our in house photographer. Includes custom gallery to view and download photos.

$450   10-15 edited photos

*up to 60 minute session, add to any tour

VIEW SAMPLE GALLERY 

Champagne & Strawberries

Sip on champagne and share chocolate-covered strawberries with your partner as you soar above the city!

$50 per couple

*tax included, gratuity extra.

Wine & Cheese Pairing

Sample red and white wines from local vineyards paired with an assorted cheese platter. 

Learn more about our air tours!     Call +1 (818) 906-4024

LAX plans to update terminal and gate numbers ahead of Olympics

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Los Angeles International Airport has designated $43 million to improve the way travelers navigate the airport, which will include a renumbering of terminals, gates and stations ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

The project will focus on how travelers get from terminal to terminal, gate to gate and move between the upcoming Automated People Mover , rental car facility and parking lots.

The Board of Airport Commissioners voted earlier this month to award Webcor Construction $23.9 million for the design and construction of a new “wayfinding system” that would update airport signage. The specific cost of construction and implementation has not yet been determined.

LAX’s long-promised rail link, the People Mover, likely delayed until late 2025

A strained relationship between LAX and the People Mover contractor has led to project delays, according to credit agency Fitch Ratings.

March 29, 2024

“A perfect journey is when one doesn’t get lost,” Hans Thilenius, deputy executive director of the Terminal Development and Improvement Program, said at a recent board meeting.

The project is expected to be finished by 2027, Thilenius said. The intention is to offer an “accessible, clear, consistent” way to get around the sprawling airport, according to the proposal .

Webcor’s proposal includes a consolidation of some terminals by name: Terminal 1 and Concourse 0 would become Terminal 1; Terminals 2 and 3 would become Terminal 2; Terminal B, which includes the Midfield Satellite Concourse South and the Bradley West Gates would become Tom Bradley Terminal 3; and Terminals 7 and 8 would become Terminal 7.

The proposal also includes a new gate numbering system that would designate specific letters to specific terminals instead of the current overlapping system : Terminal 1 would have Gates A and B; Terminal 2 would have Gates C and D; Terminal 3 would have Gates E and F; Terminal 4 would have Gate G; Terminal 5 would have Gate H; Terminal 6 would have Gate J; Terminal 7 would have Gates K and L, and Terminal 8 would have Gate M.

“No final decision has yet been made regarding the numbering of terminals, gates and stations,” said LAX development projects’ director of communications Jessica Merritt. “That will be decided during the design phase, with a focus on ensuring a holistic and initiative wayfinding strategy for the airport.”

Tired of Clear travelers cutting the airport security line? A California lawmaker wants change

Saying it’s unfair that Clear customers can cut TSA security lines, a California state senator wants to require the company to operate a separate line.

April 24, 2024

The project will rely on user-testing by airlines, customers and employees, Thilenius said. Roughly 50 to 75 people have tried out the possible new gate renumbering system.

The system will also focus on customers’ reliance on technology to help people get around the airport through the use of smart devices such as mobile phones and watches and with consideration to language and accessibility for those who are hearing- or vision-impaired.

Several projects to renovate terminals, improve security checkpoints and enhance accessibility to and from the airport are underway at LAX, which saw about 6.3 million passengers last month.

These include a $1.6-billion project to update Terminals 4 and 5; a $477.5-million project to extend Terminal 1 and a $230-million project to improve Terminal 6 — all part of a $30-billion overhaul at the world’s fifth-busiest airport.

More to Read

LAX’s already-miserable traffic is expected to get a lot worse this week. Here’s what to know

April 9, 2024

Letters to the Editor: The LAX ‘horseshoe’ is a cluster. Try these solutions before the People Mover opens

April 3, 2024

As Paris Olympics near, Los Angeles officials worry about preparations for 2028

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Colleen Shalby is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She has covered education, the pandemic, the vaccine rollout and breaking news throughout California. She was part of the team that was a 2020 Pulitzer Prize finalist for coverage of a dive-boat fire off the Santa Barbara coast. Shalby grew up in Southern California and graduated from George Washington University. She previously worked for PBS NewsHour and joined The Times in 2015.

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Emergency slide falls off boeing plane, forcing la-bound delta flight to return to jfk.

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An emergency slide fell off a Delta plane while it was in the air Friday morning — forcing the Los Angeles-bound flight to return to JFK Airport, sources told The Post.

The freak accident set off an emergency alarm around 8:30 a.m. aboard Flight 520, which had departed the Queens airport an hour earlier, sources said.

The crew — who had reported a vibration, according to the FAA — had no choice but to return to JFK, on runway 22L, according to the sources. 

Cops were still searching for the missing chute early Friday afternoon and sources said it’s believed it could be in Jamaica Bay.

There were no injuries reported.

The plane is a Boeing 767, which wound up departing JFK for Los Angeles International Airport just before 11 a.m., according to FlightAware.

A Port Authority spokeswoman said there is “an ongoing investigation into what took place.” 

The airline did not immediately respond to a request for information.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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