Open the way app
Use promo “WAY5” to get an extra 5% off.
Cut your travel costs with 60% off on Airport Parking.
Park from
Park to
Please select valid checkin and checkout date times.
LAX Terminal 1 is one of the main passenger terminals at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), serving Southwest Airlines and several other carriers. Located at the airport’s north side, Terminal 1 has undergone major modernization and expansion as part of LAX's ongoing airport improvement program.
Flying from Terminal 1 is fairly straightforward once you know where your airline checks in, where your gate is, and whether your flight departs from Terminal 1 or another part of the airport.
| Terminal 1 | |
|---|---|
| Information | Details |
| Gates | 13 |
| Gate range | 9-18B |
| Built | 1984, for Pacific Southwest Airlines |
| Primary airlines | Southwest Airlines (operating base), JetBlue |
LAX Airport Terminal 1 works a little differently depending on which airline you’re flying. Southwest Airlines and JetBlue operate gates at Terminal 1, while several other airlines check in passengers here and then bus them to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT, also called Terminal B) West Gates for boarding. Check your boarding pass, because your check-in terminal and departure terminal may not be the same.
Airlines that check in at Terminal 1 but depart from TBIT’s West Gates include:
Terminal 1 has 13 gates, numbered 9, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13-16, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, plus a dedicated bus gate for passengers being transferred to TBIT. The airport has permanently renumbered some departure gates as part of the terminal’s modernization work and notes that rotating gate closures can occur during construction. Check the flight information display screens inside the terminal for your latest gate assignment rather than relying only on an older map or boarding pass.
Like the rest of LAX, Terminal 1 follows a two-level layout: ticketing, check-in kiosks, and security screening checkpoints are on the Upper/Departures Level, while baggage claim and ground transportation pickup are on the Lower/Arrivals Level.
Your first stop at Terminal 1 depends on your airline.
Southwest passengers use Terminal 1 for domestic flights, while several other airlines also have ticket counters there. Some international passengers check in at Terminal 1 and then take an airport-operated shuttle to Terminal B for their flight.
Before heading to LAX, have your airline confirmation or boarding pass available.
If you’re checking in a bag, allow enough time for the airline’s check-in and baggage process before going through security.
Terminal 1 has a modernized security screening checkpoint. The terminal's completed and ongoing upgrades include improvements to the passenger screening area and baggage handling systems.
Once through security, passengers can access Terminal 1's post-security dining, shopping, and gate areas. LAX also says passengers with a valid boarding pass for same-day departure can access other terminals for dining and retail. That can be useful during a long layover, but make sure you leave enough time to return to your departure gate.
For current airport security information, check the dedicated LAX TSA Wait Times page.
LAX has added pedestrian connections between many terminals, but travelers shouldn’t assume that every terminal-to-terminal transfer can be completed without leaving the secure area. For some connections, passengers can use post-security walkways.
Terminal 1 has a post-security connection to LAX Terminals 2 and LAX Terminal 3, but connections to some other terminals may require leaving the secure area and going through screening again. The terminal’s recent extension included a vertical core built to eventually connect to a walkway leading to the future SkyLink station.
Terminal 1 offers the standard range of traveler amenities you’d expect at a major terminal, including:
Terminal 1 has a substantial selection of food, drinks, and retail services.
The current official Terminal 1 map lists restaurants and retail options including:
| Restaurants, Food & Beverages | Newsstands & Shops |
|---|---|
| Urth Caffe & Bar | The New Stand |
| Ace Tacos | Treat Me Sweet |
| Betcha Burger | Sol Surf |
| California Pizza Kitchen | Stellar News Express |
| Einstein Bros. Bagels | I Love LA |
| Chick-fil-A | Brookstone |
| Panda Express | MAC Cosmetics |
| Rock & Brews Concert Bar and Grill | Kiehl's |
| Reilly’s Irish Pub | Hudson |
| The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf | Be Relax |
| Wetzel’s/Quench | 7-Eleven |
The airport continues to add and update dining and retail options as Terminal 1 modernization work progresses.
Terminal 1 has a nursing room near Gate 13 for traveling parents. Terminal 1 also has adult changing rooms and family restrooms at the west end of the terminal. Parents traveling through LAX can also use family facilities elsewhere in the airport.
Terminal 1 has a service animal relief station and pet relief area near Gate 13. LAX also has additional animal relief locations elsewhere in the Central Terminal Area. The airport advises travelers with service animals to follow their airline’s procedures and use designated relief facilities while at LAX.
Terminal 1 is connected to LAX’s broader ground transportation network, including:
The exact pickup location depends on the transportation service.
Terminal 1 is part of the Central Terminal Area, where the airport's parking structures sit inside the terminal loop.
You don’t necessarily need to park directly next to Terminal 1. Travelers can compare onsite and offsite LAX Airport parking based on price, distance, shuttle service, and reservation availability.
For current parking rates, long-term parking information, and reservations, use Way’s LAX Airport Parking page. If you’re using an offsite parking facility, allow extra time to park and take the shuttle to the airport.
Yes, but your international flight may not actually depart from Terminal 1. Some international passengers check in at Terminal 1 and are then bused to the West Gates at Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Yes. Charging stations and power outlets are available at Terminal 1, and more are being added during modernization.
Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available at Terminal 1.
LAX-it, the airport’s centralized rideshare and taxi pickup lot, sits right next to Terminal 1. Travelers can walk there or take the free LAX-it shuttle from the Lower/Arrivals Level.
Yes. LAX says passengers with a valid same-day boarding pass can access other terminals for dining and retail. However, allow enough time to return to Terminal 1 and reach your gate.
