How much time to allow between flights at LAX?

8 replies

Longview48

One world

Member since 05 Jul 2014

Total posts 10

Hi,

Could the experienced travellers give me some advise please.

We will be arriving in LAX on flight QF11 in October. We are planning on booking a flight on American Airlines to travel to Seattle on the same day. My question is, how long should we safely allow between our arrive and departure to Seattle (taking into account QF11 arrives on time).

driley28

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 May 2012

Total posts 299

AA does not fly to SEA.  QF code shares with Alaska Airlines (AS) and they are pretty good, considering they are an American airline.  If you have the AS flight in your ticket and bags are tagged through to SEA once collecting your bags in LAX proceed to the transfer area and proceed to terminal 6. Takes about 10 mins to walk from TBIT to T6.  Proceed through security.  If you a QF club member you can access the Alaska lounge in LAX only. Probably would allow around 3 hours if the QF 11 is on time. Say around 9.30am departure.  

AlG

Member since 04 Nov 2010

Total posts 155

American Airlines codeshares with Alaska Airlines, so I suspect this is what Lyn is talking about.

Lyn, most airlines don't allow less than two hours for connecting time and because this is LAX we are talking about I would make it three. That's because at LAX you need to wait to collect your bags from QF then take them to a drop-off point to be dispatched to your onwards AA/AS flight, and then you have to leave the international terminal and go back in through the domestic terminal, which means another long security queue, although with the right QF status you can join the fast track line. So I would not allow less than three hours for all this.

markpk

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 29 Nov 2013

Total posts 459

Hi Lyn

I'm based in Brisbane and take this flight 2x per year as it's an A380 service. What I've learnt though is that this service seems to arrive just after a lot of flights from Asia which means US Customs is generally a debarcle (my polite opinion) - long delays, disorganised inbound passengers and maybe at best a 90min experience from when you arrive in the Customs hall to when you then have your bags (physically) for rechecking to your ultimate destination.

You then need to trek from the Terminal B to the terminal of your onward carrier - American Airlines is the closest terminal at about a 10mins walk. And then you have to confront re-security screening...Let frustration begin again!

I allow no less than 4hrs from QF11 arrival to onward departure time. 

Keep in mind that in my experience I've had arrivals to onward where I've had over 3hrs of on-feet time as I've battled all measure of US air travel disfunction - which is exhausting...

I'm also a top tier traveller so I can short cut some lines...

I'd suggest 4-5hrs as a layover time...

BNE0077

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 08 May 2013

Total posts 24

Hi Lyn 

I think if you allow 3-3:30 that should be sufficient. AA have flight up to Seattle via San Fran so  if that's your airline of choice you may be limited  by the timetable.  Driley28 makes some great points also worth considering . 

 

Enjoy your trip. 

 

driley28

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 May 2012

Total posts 299

AA does not fly direct to SEA from either LAX or SFO. Only via an AS code share.

Longview48

One world

Member since 05 Jul 2014

Total posts 10

Thank you to all,

We have not actually booked the flight to Seattle as yet. I realise that it would be Alaska Airlines, but there seem to be quite a few flights so was just wondering the time difference.  Obviously we need quite a few hours between flights. It looks as though we will need a good sleep on the QF flight to cope with the walking to the domestic terminal.

thanks once again to all

Lyn

msport2012

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

Member since 14 Apr 2013

Total posts 294

Hi Lyn,

I fly with Delta SYD - LAX - NYC all on DL16. They only give us 1 hour 10 min to connect. Generally if its the same airline it sould be fine and if its a code share give it 2 -3 hours 

reno

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Sep 2013

Total posts 317

Lyn, As i understand it your doing QF 11,this is a flight that is most always not on time.While the Alaska terminal is a 10 min walk to your left upon exit of TBIT,Getting to the terminal and thru security is no big issue,but can be lenghty if 2 large aircraft block at the same time and getting your luggage is more of a concern.QFhas an interline agreement with most carriers but give yourself a break. Thru QF res do a meet and assist,it gets you a wheel chair at the gate,a separate line for assist Pax and while your last off the plane you get thru immigration even before US passport holders.And by US law you do not have to be disabled ..just fatiged. Try it

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