I have a 7 hour layover (6am-1pm) in Los Angeles coming up, I am flying Delta from Sydney to connect to Paris via Air France.
I will be flying economy and I don't have a significant frequent flyer status, so is there any pointers/tips that fellow travellers can give for how best to use my 'free time'?
If you are checked in all the way to Paris (ie. Bags checked through), highly recommend leaving the airport - try and stick to a back pack and go have brunch somewhere - go down to Venice and have something to eat and get some fresh(ish) air and sun....
Otherwise, I would recommend paying for lounge access to freshen up and relax. If you are flying out of T2 I believe Delta has a new lounge there that is impressive.
Agree with above, I'd definitely recommend leaving LAX.
For 7 hours I'd suggest getting an Uber to Santa Monica, walking from the Pier to Venice Beach, get something to eat/drink at Venice Beach, and then Uber back to LAX. I've done this a few times with friends and they've all loved it. It's a great walk between SM and Venice and takes around 45 minutes.
Fully endorse the Venice/Santa Monica idea. Venice has by far the better breakfast/cafe/funky vibe. If you are comfortable on a cycle there are plenty of places to hire one after your coffee at the Aussie inspired Great White and you can swing up or down the coast - to Santa Monica you pass Muscle Beach and countless TV and movie location shots. If you are more shopping inclined then Abbott Kinney boulevarde is a good option but many stores seem to open at 11 which will make the timing tight.
All the previous posts are rock solid tips. Most of all, do try to get out of the airport for a few hours. Santa Monica is excellent to while away a few hours. Then back at the airport, I'd recommend paying to access a lounge to freshen up with a shower for your second leg. Don't underestimate what some vitamin-D, walking, and a refreshing shower can do for you.
If you are checked in all the way to Paris (ie. Bags checked through), highly recommend leaving the airport - try and stick to a back pack and go have brunch somewhere - go down to Venice and have something to eat and get some fresh(ish) air and sun....
Otherwise, I would recommend paying for lounge access to freshen up and relax. If you are flying out of T2 I believe Delta has a new lounge there that is impressive.
Not sure having bags checked through is possible. I'd expect they need to be collected, clear US customs then (land side) check-ed through to Paris (assuming the Air France counter is open). Otherwise, locker hire may be required. Look forward to reading here what you were able to achieve.
Needing to store bags points to the shuttle over to an airport hotel option, bags in hand. Some of these hotels offer day rooms at good rates and you'll have the pool and gym available then a shower before heading back to AF checkin. Even if not, $20 to the driveway porter should see your bags stored while you Uber off to Santa Monica and back.
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7 hour layover in LAX
TSteele
TSteele
Member since 03 Aug 2023
Total posts 1
Hi all,
I have a 7 hour layover (6am-1pm) in Los Angeles coming up, I am flying Delta from Sydney to connect to Paris via Air France.
I will be flying economy and I don't have a significant frequent flyer status, so is there any pointers/tips that fellow travellers can give for how best to use my 'free time'?
Thanks all :)
pab2025
pab2025
Member since 25 Jun 2012
Total posts 128
If you are checked in all the way to Paris (ie. Bags checked through), highly recommend leaving the airport - try and stick to a back pack and go have brunch somewhere - go down to Venice and have something to eat and get some fresh(ish) air and sun....
Otherwise, I would recommend paying for lounge access to freshen up and relax. If you are flying out of T2 I believe Delta has a new lounge there that is impressive.
jeppetto367
jeppetto367
Member since 06 Jun 2017
Total posts 46
Agree with above, I'd definitely recommend leaving LAX.
For 7 hours I'd suggest getting an Uber to Santa Monica, walking from the Pier to Venice Beach, get something to eat/drink at Venice Beach, and then Uber back to LAX. I've done this a few times with friends and they've all loved it. It's a great walk between SM and Venice and takes around 45 minutes.
sydney slug
sydney slug
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 27 Feb 2015
Total posts 12
Fully endorse the Venice/Santa Monica idea. Venice has by far the better breakfast/cafe/funky vibe. If you are comfortable on a cycle there are plenty of places to hire one after your coffee at the Aussie inspired Great White and you can swing up or down the coast - to Santa Monica you pass Muscle Beach and countless TV and movie location shots. If you are more shopping inclined then Abbott Kinney boulevarde is a good option but many stores seem to open at 11 which will make the timing tight.
Phil Young
Phil Young
Qantas
Member since 22 Oct 2012
Total posts 253
Another option is to get one of the free Hotel Shuttle buses to a nearby hotel, and hang out in their public lounge area and enjoy their amenities.
sunnybrae
sunnybrae
Etihad - Etihad Guest
Member since 21 Jul 2019
Total posts 81
All the previous posts are rock solid tips. Most of all, do try to get out of the airport for a few hours. Santa Monica is excellent to while away a few hours. Then back at the airport, I'd recommend paying to access a lounge to freshen up with a shower for your second leg. Don't underestimate what some vitamin-D, walking, and a refreshing shower can do for you.
Boeing-Tragic
Boeing-Tragic
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 50
Originally Posted by pab2025
If you are checked in all the way to Paris (ie. Bags checked through), highly recommend leaving the airport - try and stick to a back pack and go have brunch somewhere - go down to Venice and have something to eat and get some fresh(ish) air and sun....
Otherwise, I would recommend paying for lounge access to freshen up and relax. If you are flying out of T2 I believe Delta has a new lounge there that is impressive.
Ricardo
Ricardo
SQ
Member since 23 Oct 2015
Total posts 48
you can't check bags through your first port of arrival in the US. You will be collecting and storing your bags until the AF counters open
tommygun
tommygun
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 16 Oct 2017
Total posts 282
Needing to store bags points to the shuttle over to an airport hotel option, bags in hand. Some of these hotels offer day rooms at good rates and you'll have the pool and gym available then a shower before heading back to AF checkin. Even if not, $20 to the driveway porter should see your bags stored while you Uber off to Santa Monica and back.