I have a friend flying soon from Sydney to Las Vegas via LAX, Virgin/Delta, the travel agent said her luggage will be checked straight through with 1 hour between flights!Â
I suggested she get back on to the travel agent to firstly book a later connecting flight as immigration will slow her for sure and to check on the baggage as I'm sure she will need to collect it at LAX and check it again. The agent says she will be fine, I doubt it. Thoughts?Â
It is self service through passport control and then to the desk where your passport is stamped. Painless process as long as your ESTA is there as they have a lot of scanners. The problem will be luggage, recheck and the next gate. Leave a good 90 mins for all of this at LAX. Of the US airports I find DFW the easiest to navigate.
Luggage won’t be checked straight through to Vegas; as Nick above, she will have to collect after passport and clear customs then recheck. I’ve had lax take 20 min and I’ve had lax take 3hrs. Advantage is if it’s all on one booking then if she misses flight, delta should be able to put her straight on the next one.
Last time I connected to Las Vegas on a seperate booking with 90 minutes of time (super risky). However, I arrived at around 12 noon which is after the peak time so security wasn't bad. For your arrival, many others are also arriving including qantas and virgin flights from all the cities in AUS as such expect a delay in security. I doubt the luggage is checked through and rechecking would take some time, around 15 minutes. However, if she did miss her connection, as long as it is all within one booking, they would move her to a later flight free of charge. It's certainly not impossible, but it will be very TIGHT. However, she does have a backup in that she can move to a later flight in the event she misses the connection.
Travelling regularly to the USA this year, I've had the best and worst transfers. Two weeks ago, landed 7:10am with VA7, self serve kiosks not working, manual process took 1 hr and 15 minutes. Attempted to recheck bags and told this was not an option as the connection time had lapsed to get the bags on the flight. Ran to T3 with 2 checked bags in tow - check in counter allowed as through, cleared domestic security as my name was being called...... a minimum 2hr transfer is recommended. As much as I love a good run between terminals lugging two suitcases made it a challenge.
Travelling regularly to the USA this year, I've had the best and worst transfers. Two weeks ago, landed 7:10am with VA7, self serve kiosks not working, manual process took 1 hr and 15 minutes. Attempted to recheck bags and told this was not an option as the connection time had lapsed to get the bags on the flight. Ran to T3 with 2 checked bags in tow - check in counter allowed as through, cleared domestic security as my name was being called...... a minimum 2hr transfer is recommended. As much as I love a good run between terminals lugging two suitcases made it a challenge.
Thanks Tracie and others who responded, it's as I thought then. Wouldn't you think a travel agent would know their job, especially about checked baggage at LAX? I can see problems, hopefully her flights are on the one booking.
55 mins is close to impossible. The biggest delay would be at security. If kiosks are on, then this should take no more than 10-15mins, rechecking is a breeze. However, those TSA “officers’ are incredibly obnoxious in regards to your time.
I think 2 hrs is good and 3 hrs is awesome, especially if your incoming flight is going to be slightly delayed, no need to be moved around and also the last thing you want is to be on standby after a long flight.
My experience with missed connections at LAX incoming from Australia is that the US carrier has a desk or agent inside the recheck area at TBIT who can sort things out. They’ll prefer to put you on the same carrier that you’re booked on but if they can’t they’ll put you on another carrier. There are inter airline agreements in place to cover that sort of thing.
Plus as your friend exits the aircraft on arrival she will be offered an express card for incoming clearance. There are dedicated lanes for that as you go through.
I know some people who regularly do this in two hours, arriving into LaX from Sydney and then connecting onto a flight to Las Vegas, with the help of that orange express arrivals card. This also involves a change in terminals, although I'd feel more confident if both flights used the same terminal!
My experience with missed connections at LAX incoming from Australia is that the US carrier has a desk or agent inside the recheck area at TBIT who can sort things out. They’ll prefer to put you on the same carrier that you’re booked on but if they can’t they’ll put you on another carrier. There are inter airline agreements in place to cover that sort of thing.
Plus as your friend exits the aircraft on arrival she will be offered an express card for incoming clearance. There are dedicated lanes for that as you go through.
My experience with missed connections at LAX incoming from Australia is that the US carrier has a desk or agent inside the recheck area at TBIT who can sort things out. They’ll prefer to put you on the same carrier that you’re booked on but if they can’t they’ll put you on another carrier. There are inter airline agreements in place to cover that sort of thing.
Plus as your friend exits the aircraft on arrival she will be offered an express card for incoming clearance. There are dedicated lanes for that as you go through.
Express cards in the US???
Yes. For international arrivals at TBIT with connecting flights. Normally agents will be standing at the air bridge as you exit your arriving flight handing them out. Been there for years. Perhaps they do the same at other terminals as well, I’ve only ever arrived international at TBIT or terminal 4.
My experience with missed connections at LAX incoming from Australia is that the US carrier has a desk or agent inside the recheck area at TBIT who can sort things out. They’ll prefer to put you on the same carrier that you’re booked on but if they can’t they’ll put you on another carrier. There are inter airline agreements in place to cover that sort of thing.
Plus as your friend exits the aircraft on arrival she will be offered an express card for incoming clearance. There are dedicated lanes for that as you go through.
Express cards in the US???
Yes. For international arrivals at TBIT with connecting flights. Normally agents will be standing at the air bridge as you exit your arriving flight handing them out. Been there for years. Perhaps they do the same at other terminals as well, I’ve only ever arrived international at TBIT or terminal 4.
Never seen these people at the door as I exit - maybe they arrive after business class have disembarked. They certainly weren't present 2 weeks ago when it would have been ideal to have an express pass.
My experience with missed connections at LAX incoming from Australia is that the US carrier has a desk or agent inside the recheck area at TBIT who can sort things out. They’ll prefer to put you on the same carrier that you’re booked on but if they can’t they’ll put you on another carrier. There are inter airline agreements in place to cover that sort of thing.
Plus as your friend exits the aircraft on arrival she will be offered an express card for incoming clearance. There are dedicated lanes for that as you go through.
Express cards in the US???
Yes. For international arrivals at TBIT with connecting flights. Normally agents will be standing at the air bridge as you exit your arriving flight handing them out. Been there for years. Perhaps they do the same at other terminals as well, I’ve only ever arrived international at TBIT or terminal 4.
Never seen these people at the door as I exit - maybe they arrive after business class have disembarked. They certainly weren't present 2 weeks ago when it would have been ideal to have an express pass.
Found this relevant and helpful item from Chris which explains the cards. Maybe speak to your airline before departure to make sure they organize one.
My sister’s adult struggling student son (Aust Passport) is
flying home for Xmas on a Lufthansa ticket LHR to LAX to SYD and return- all
legs operated by United Airlines
LHR to LAX arrives 17-00, Terminal 7
LAX to SYD departs some five hours later at 22-45, also Terminal
7
This leg to SYD all good- I think, particularly if luggage
is checked all the way through.
Return to UK –maybe not so good
SYD-LAX arrives 06-00 Terminal B
LAX –LHR depart 17-00 same day Terminal 7
11 hours layover in LAX, daytime, which equates to max 5
hours hotel sleep-deplane to exit Customs/Immigration 2 hours, travel to hotel,
try to sleep, travel back from hotel, check in prior to next flight allow 3
hours travel, queue
Some questions-
1.
Anybody know if luggage is automatically checked
through all the way on both inbound to SYD and outbound back to LHR flights?
2.
Looks like there are no hotels airside LAX for
the return to UK leg. Correct?
4.
I doubt he will he need to go through Customs/Immigration
on the LHR-LAX-SYD leg-All his flights to SYD arr/dep T7? Any experiences of
this? I know the world has changed somewhat.
5.
On the return SYD-LAX-LHR he has to change from
Terminal B to Terminal 7
6.
Is there a Customs/Immigration requirement transiting
direct from Terminal B to T7?
7.
Clearly, if he does stay in an outside hotel
(for all of maybe 5hours) he will need to clear Customs/Immigration
8.
If so, what type of Visa will he need?
9.
From the map, Terminal B is a different building
completely, but how far away from T2?
14.
In addition, he may need assistance getting from
Terminal B to Terminal 7, as he has a mild disability, which btw has not
stopped him backpacking all over a lot of the world, except the US.
Any details of assistance available
appreciated.
Sorry I haven’t yet checked with
United/Lufthansa, but I think I know the answer to that already.
Again apologies for the War and Peace thing, and I haven't yet taken in all of the above posts.
No need to post identical questions in multiple threads. I've cleared the duplicates, and in future for a post of that length, you might consider creating a brand new discussion thread to yield the best results, as more people may read it and be able to help. :)
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
Time needed for transfer in LAX
Chrisor
Chrisor
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Apr 2013
Total posts 134
Nick Sydney 2
Nick Sydney 2
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 Jul 2015
Total posts 83
It is self service through passport control and then to the desk where your passport is stamped. Painless process as long as your ESTA is there as they have a lot of scanners. The problem will be luggage, recheck and the next gate. Leave a good 90 mins for all of this at LAX. Of the US airports I find DFW the easiest to navigate.
Brassy
Brassy
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 15 Apr 2016
Total posts 36
Luggage won’t be checked straight through to Vegas; as Nick above, she will have to collect after passport and clear customs then recheck. I’ve had lax take 20 min and I’ve had lax take 3hrs. Advantage is if it’s all on one booking then if she misses flight, delta should be able to put her straight on the next one.
djtech
djtech
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Sep 2018
Total posts 375
Last time I connected to Las Vegas on a seperate booking with 90 minutes of time (super risky). However, I arrived at around 12 noon which is after the peak time so security wasn't bad. For your arrival, many others are also arriving including qantas and virgin flights from all the cities in AUS as such expect a delay in security. I doubt the luggage is checked through and rechecking would take some time, around 15 minutes. However, if she did miss her connection, as long as it is all within one booking, they would move her to a later flight free of charge. It's certainly not impossible, but it will be very TIGHT. However, she does have a backup in that she can move to a later flight in the event she misses the connection.
Tracie
Tracie
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 30 Oct 2015
Total posts 105
Travelling regularly to the USA this year, I've had the best and worst transfers. Two weeks ago, landed 7:10am with VA7, self serve kiosks not working, manual process took 1 hr and 15 minutes. Attempted to recheck bags and told this was not an option as the connection time had lapsed to get the bags on the flight. Ran to T3 with 2 checked bags in tow - check in counter allowed as through, cleared domestic security as my name was being called...... a minimum 2hr transfer is recommended. As much as I love a good run between terminals lugging two suitcases made it a challenge.
Chrisor
Chrisor
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Apr 2013
Total posts 134
Thanks Tracie and others who responded, it's as I thought then. Wouldn't you think a travel agent would know their job, especially about checked baggage at LAX? I can see problems, hopefully her flights are on the one booking.
mspcooper
mspcooper
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2013
Total posts 443
55 mins is close to impossible. The biggest delay would be at security. If kiosks are on, then this should take no more than 10-15mins, rechecking is a breeze. However, those TSA “officers’ are incredibly obnoxious in regards to your time.
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
My experience with missed connections at LAX incoming from Australia is that the US carrier has a desk or agent inside the recheck area at TBIT who can sort things out. They’ll prefer to put you on the same carrier that you’re booked on but if they can’t they’ll put you on another carrier. There are inter airline agreements in place to cover that sort of thing.
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,016
I know some people who regularly do this in two hours, arriving into LaX from Sydney and then connecting onto a flight to Las Vegas, with the help of that orange express arrivals card. This also involves a change in terminals, although I'd feel more confident if both flights used the same terminal!
mspcooper
mspcooper
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2013
Total posts 443
Express cards in the US???
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
Plus as your friend exits the aircraft on arrival she will be offered an express card for incoming clearance. There are dedicated lanes for that as you go through.
Express cards in the US???
Yes. For international arrivals at TBIT with connecting flights. Normally agents will be standing at the air bridge as you exit your arriving flight handing them out. Been there for years. Perhaps they do the same at other terminals as well, I’ve only ever arrived international at TBIT or terminal 4.
Tracie
Tracie
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 30 Oct 2015
Total posts 105
Plus as your friend exits the aircraft on arrival she will be offered an express card for incoming clearance. There are dedicated lanes for that as you go through.
Express cards in the US???
Yes. For international arrivals at TBIT with connecting flights. Normally agents will be standing at the air bridge as you exit your arriving flight handing them out. Been there for years. Perhaps they do the same at other terminals as well, I’ve only ever arrived international at TBIT or terminal 4.
Never seen these people at the door as I exit - maybe they arrive after business class have disembarked. They certainly weren't present 2 weeks ago when it would have been ideal to have an express pass.
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
Plus as your friend exits the aircraft on arrival she will be offered an express card for incoming clearance. There are dedicated lanes for that as you go through.
Express cards in the US???
Yes. For international arrivals at TBIT with connecting flights. Normally agents will be standing at the air bridge as you exit your arriving flight handing them out. Been there for years. Perhaps they do the same at other terminals as well, I’ve only ever arrived international at TBIT or terminal 4.
Never seen these people at the door as I exit - maybe they arrive after business class have disembarked. They certainly weren't present 2 weeks ago when it would have been ideal to have an express pass.
Found this relevant and helpful item from Chris which explains the cards. Maybe speak to your airline before departure to make sure they organize one.
Brianb
Brianb
Member since 08 Aug 2018
Total posts 5
Sorry, bit long –winded but …
My sister’s adult struggling student son (Aust Passport) is flying home for Xmas on a Lufthansa ticket LHR to LAX to SYD and return- all legs operated by United Airlines
LHR to LAX arrives 17-00, Terminal 7
LAX to SYD departs some five hours later at 22-45, also Terminal 7
This leg to SYD all good- I think, particularly if luggage is checked all the way through.
Return to UK –maybe not so good
SYD-LAX arrives 06-00 Terminal B
LAX –LHR depart 17-00 same day Terminal 7
11 hours layover in LAX, daytime, which equates to max 5 hours hotel sleep-deplane to exit Customs/Immigration 2 hours, travel to hotel, try to sleep, travel back from hotel, check in prior to next flight allow 3 hours travel, queue
Some questions-
1. Anybody know if luggage is automatically checked through all the way on both inbound to SYD and outbound back to LHR flights?
2. Looks like there are no hotels airside LAX for the return to UK leg. Correct?
3. Has anybody stayed at any of these in this link, or others nearby? 2 mins from airport sounds wildly optimistic.https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/los-angeles-airport-guide.htm#hotels. Any advice?
4. I doubt he will he need to go through Customs/Immigration on the LHR-LAX-SYD leg-All his flights to SYD arr/dep T7? Any experiences of this? I know the world has changed somewhat.
5. On the return SYD-LAX-LHR he has to change from Terminal B to Terminal 7
6. Is there a Customs/Immigration requirement transiting direct from Terminal B to T7?
7. Clearly, if he does stay in an outside hotel (for all of maybe 5hours) he will need to clear Customs/Immigration
8. If so, what type of Visa will he need?
9. From the map, Terminal B is a different building completely, but how far away from T2?
10. https://www.flylax.com/en/find-my-way-in-lax?id=TINTERNATIONAL%20TERMINAL|B|TBIT&tsa=1&
11. Is walking an option getting from Terminal B to Terminal 7?
12. In case of a Visa requirement, has anybody used this “Mobile Passport Experience” below? Any comments?
13. https://www.flylax.com/en/lax-customs-and-immigration
14. In addition, he may need assistance getting from Terminal B to Terminal 7, as he has a mild disability, which btw has not stopped him backpacking all over a lot of the world, except the US.
Any details of assistance available appreciated.
Sorry I haven’t yet checked with United/Lufthansa, but I think I know the answer to that already.
Again apologies for the War and Peace thing, and I haven't yet taken in all of the above posts.
Rgds
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
No need to post identical questions in multiple threads. I've cleared the duplicates, and in future for a post of that length, you might consider creating a brand new discussion thread to yield the best results, as more people may read it and be able to help. :)