You can never step into the same LAX twice.
Like a river (but louder), the airport is always changing. And July is when summer traffic peaks. On the busiest days over the next few weeks, authorities expect more than 230,000 tourists and 85,000 cars a day, their passage complicated by heavy construction.
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new, what’s coming, and what could make it easier for you, whether you’re flying from LAX this summer or just doing a pick up or drop off.
Start by taking a deep breath. When JD Power measured customer satisfaction at the largest US airports last year, LAX ranked 18th out of 20, surpassed only by O’Hare of Newark and Chicago. (The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has the highest rating.)
But big changes are coming. The information here comes from LAX spokespersons and websites.
Status of pick-up and drop-off
The most important thing to know is what won’t happen until 2024. The biggest airport change in decades — the launch of the 2.25-mile autonomous shuttle has been awaited since and a new car rental center — can significantly reduce traffic around the regional station. But testing of the new system, which could take a year, has yet to begin at the end of June.
An automated passenger train was unveiled at Los Angeles International Airport in August.
(Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
Until its opening, the airport was still a construction site and the existing LAX-it system for carpooling and taxi users was still in place on the land just east of Terminal 1 , same as since 2019.
However, many travelers don’t realize that there are two taxi pick-ups elsewhere at the airport. One is located in Parking Structure 3, convenient to Tom Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 3. The other is at the east end of Terminal 7, where United Airlines dominates.
If you are picking up someone at the airport, there are two The phone waits a lot you can use until your passenger is at the curb. It’s free for up to two hours (and doesn’t allow carpooling or commercial vehicles). The main parking lot is located at 96th Street and Alverstone Avenue. There is also a second lot – which opened in May – at 96th Street and Vicksburg Avenue.
Ways to save on parking
As of late 2021, the LAX Economy Class Parking area is a 4,232-seat structure at 6100 W. 94th St. A 15-minute shuttle bus ride from the stations. To park there, customers driving must pay up to $35 per day. You can save up to 36% by online reservation (and free to change or cancel). You can also reserve parking spots in the parking structures P1-P7 adjacent to the station.
If you don’t make a reservation, you can check in real time to see how full the airport parking areas are.
More than 230,000 travelers and 85,000 cars per day are expected to pass through LAX on its busiest days over the next few weeks.
(Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
At its most expensive, valet parking in structures adjacent to the station is available at P1, P3, P4 and P7 for $75 a day (with discounts as low as $20) dollars daily for pre-booked guests).
Prices at non-airport facilities such as Wally Park and Parking may be lower or higher, depending on amenities and needs.
What’s new in terminals, including restaurants
Waiting for food while precious minutes are ticking away is never fun. But you can go online in advance to order food to be picked up from LAX eateries. The LAXordernow.com program currently has 40 restaurants, including Border Grill (Bradley International Terminal), Barney’s Beanery (Terminal 2), Campanile (Terminal 4) and Monsieur Marcel (Terminal 5).
In Terminals 2 and 3, Delta territory, the airline expanded from 16 to 25 gates, with two more expected to open, timetable uncertain.
Since last summer, Terminal 3 has opened a new “West Headhouse” — the passenger check-in and ticketing area — with self-service kiosks for baggage check-in and card printing. get on the plane. There’s a new Hudson Nonstop store near Gate 36 (no cashier; you scan your own credit card).
For those booking the airline’s best seat, Delta One, the airline added a lower-tier TSA screening lane. Delta has also revived a ’60s passenger tunnel for baggage claim, finished in colorful mosaic tiles. A new secure post-connection bridge from Terminal 3 to Bradley International Terminal is also underway (complete date unknown).
In addition, there are new food and drink options at Terminal 3 since fall: Nyesha’s Native near Gate 33A; coffee, beer, wine and Alfred cocktails near Gate 32; Homeboy sandwiches and bakery items near Gate 33; and Jamba: juice and the like near Gate 33. Chicken + Beer (co-owned by rapper Ludacris and featuring chicken, waffles, and comfort food) is expected to open any day.
In Terminal 4: American Airlines’ Terminal 4.5 core opened in November between terminals 4 and 5, to ease pedestrian traffic on four floors by escalators, elevators and stairs security in advance. In 2024, American is expected to open a new headquarters with a modernized ticketing and baggage claim carousel as well as new escalators and elevators.
At the Tom Bradley International Terminal, airport officials said they expect six new franchises, including retail and restaurants, to open in the next few months.
In Terminals 7 and 8, where United and United Express flights are located, LAX is testing a pilot program, LAX nhanh fast lane, which allows travelers to pre-book TSA checkpoints. You can reserve a time (actually a 15-minute period) up to three days in advance or after arriving at the airport for departure, and then use the QR code to go through. The program does not have a TSA Pre-Check or DELETE component, so if you already have a Pre-Check or DELETE status, you will lose that advantage when going through LAX Fast Lane.
More tips for a smoother airport experience
In addition to the advice above, keep some regular tips in mind: Any LAX experience is usually easier if you’ve pre-booked your flight and limited your baggage as hand baggage, because so you don’t need to check in luggage. Also, do not attempt to pass through the TSA with any container containing more than 3.4 ounces (100ml) of liquid.
If you take a FlyAway bus to or from Union Station or Van Nuys ($9.75 per adult for either, first come, first served), your trip to the airport may take longer but you can avoid it the hassle and expense that can come with parking, carpooling or taxiing.
A kinetic light system by Paul Tzanetopoulos at the entrance to LAX.
(Paul Morse/Los Angeles Times)
