About LAX Airport
The LAX Airport came into existence in 1928. Private pilots and flying schools initially used it. At the time, Los Angeles Airport was just called LA airport. The airport was officially opened for commercial purposes in 1946. In 1947, when the aviation industry began flourishing in the US, airport codes expanded to 3 letters, adding “X” to LA, making it LAX.
LAX is the 2nd busiest airport in the US and the 5th busiest in the world. It has 25,000 parking spaces in total. Passengers can be dropped off and picked up at the dedicated area in the central terminal building. As you can see on the LAX Airport parking map, the lots are across the passenger terminal roadways and have approximately 8,000 parking spots. Passengers can park for long and short-term stays at LAX parking lots.
LAX is amidst a $15 billion redevelopment project that began in 2009. It is expected to be completed in 2023. These improvements will include an automated people mover to shuttle passengers between terminals and Metro Rail connections, a new car rental facility, and road projects to relieve congestion.
| Airport Name | Los Angeles International Airport |
| Los Angeles Airport Code | LAX |
| Terminals | 9 passenger terminals, 146 gates |
| Airport Address | 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045 |
| Distance from LA | 15 miles approx. |
| Official Website | www.flylax.com/ |
| Contact Number | (855) 463-5252 |
| No Of Destinations | 197 destinations |
| Hub For | Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Polar Air Cargo, United Airlines |
| Flight Status: Departures and arrivals | www.way.com/lax/flight-status |
| TSA Wait Times | www.way.com/lax/tsa-wait-times |
LAX Airport Terminals
The Los Angeles International Airport has nine passenger terminals. A U-shaped, two-level highway connects these terminals. You can check the layout on the LAX Airport map above.
The main terminal, Tom Bradley International Terminal, houses most of the major international airlines, with the exception of those headquartered in Terminal 2. The terminal contains 18 gates, nine on the north concourse and the remaining nine on the south concourse.
There are nine more satellite gates for foreign flights at the American Eagle satellite terminal on the west side of LAX Airport. Buses take passengers to these gates.
Ground Transportation at LAX
Passengers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport have various ground transportation choices. Among the possibilities are airport shuttles, buses, auto rentals, and trains. Passengers can also use ride-hailing services such as Lyft, Uber, and taxis.
Car rental
Several car rental businesses provide pick-up and drop-off services for clients. Avis, Almano, Fox, Hertz, Sixt, and Thrifty are just a few examples.
Airport shuttles
The Los Angeles International Airport is connected to the Metro Rail Green Line railway infrastructure by a free airport shuttle service. In addition, the airport provides complimentary shuttle vans to transfer passengers between airline terminals. LAX-it is a new service that allows passengers arriving at LAX Airport to connect to their Taxi, Opoli, Lyft, and Uber trips as they depart the airport.
Buses and trains
Several buses go from the Los Angeles International Airport to locations around Los Angeles and the neighboring areas. Another popular and handy means of nonstop transit between LAX and areas across the city is the LAX FlyAway Buses. It costs $9.75 one way.
LAX Airport parking directions (long-term)
Directions to LAX
From Southbound 405
Exit Howard Hughes PKWY to bypass traffic and go right towards Sepulveda BLVD. Take a left at Sepulveda BLVD and head south for approximately 10 minutes through downtown Westchester. You will see the entrance to LAX on the right-hand side once you pass In-n-Out Burger.
From Northbound 405
Take 105 West FWY and exit Sepulveda North. Stay in the right lane and follow directions to departures and arrivals.
From 105 West FWY, exit Sepulveda North and stay in the right lane. Directions will lead you to departures and arrivals.
Directions from LAX
To Downtown Los Angeles
Turn left at S Sepulveda Blvd, take the ramp onto I-105 E, and exit onto I-110 N toward Los Angeles.
The total distance is about 18.4 miles. Allow up to 1 hour of travel time to Downtown Los Angeles when traveling Monday through Friday.
Useful information about LAX Airport
EV parking
There are several EV chargers across the Central Terminal Garages and the LAX Economy Parking site as part of the airport's Smart Parking initiative. EV owners can reserve EV parking in advance. This service is not free; you'll need to pay $2 per session plus 0.45 per kWh.
Oversized parking
There are height restrictions at certain parking lots, as given below. Due to this, camper vans, trucks, and trailers are encouraged to use economy parking lot C.
- 8 ft - Central Terminal Area parking lots 1,2A,3,4,6 and 7
- 7 ft - Central Terminal Area parking lots 2B and 5A
Motorcycle parking
The central parking lots allow motorcycles to be parked free of cost. Riders should not park in spaces meant for cars
Accessible parking
For those with disabilities, the Los Angeles International airport provides wider parking spaces near elevators in every parking lot.
Pet Relief areas
Eleven pet relief areas are available at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), three of which are located outside the terminals. You can use the three outdoor areas before going through security on the Lower Level near Arrivals. Terminals 1 and 2, Terminals 5 and 6, and Terminals 7 and 8's east end all have these sections.
Helpful Phone Numbers
- To request pick-up of disabled passengers through free shuttle buses equipped with lifts for passengers in wheelchairs, please call +1 310 646 8021. This is useful for travel between lots B and C and the terminals.
- LAX Airport Police Lost & Found - (424) 646-5678 (Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PST, Mon – Fri)
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Lost & Found at LAX (310) 242-9073 (Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PST, Mon – Fri)
- First Aid Station - (310) 215-6000 - Located at the Upper/Departure Level of the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Hours of operation: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day.
- Paramedic Ambulance Assistance - (310) 646-7911 (in the Central Terminal Area)
- LAX shuttle buses are operated by ABM (424) 273-7266
Frequently asked questions
How do I contact LAX airport?
You can contact LAX Airport via the LAX Helpline, (855) 463-5252
Is there a shuttle from Burbank Airport to LAX?
Private shuttles run to and from between Burbank Airport and LAX.
Is there a shuttle between LAX and Long Beach Airport?
Some private operators offer shuttle services between LAX and Long Beach Airport (LGB).
Is Tom Bradley Airport the same as LAX?
Tom Bradley is not an airport. However, Tom Bradley International Terminal is one of the terminals at LAX Airport and hosts most of the international airlines.
Is LAX the same as Los Angeles International Airport?
Yes, it is. LAX is the airport code for Los Angeles International Airport.
How much time do you need between connecting flights at LAX?
Most of the time, if you are not switching from one airline to another, a layover of 1 hour at the Los Angeles International Airport is sufficient when you do not need to change terminals. At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the minimum time you'll need to make a connection from a domestic flight to an international flight is 2 hours, provided that you already have a boarding pass.
How many terminals does LAX have?
There are 9 passenger terminals at Los Angeles International Airport, including the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal TBIT) and Terminals 1 through 8.
How can I get through LAX faster?
LAX Fastlane, TSA Precheck, Global Entry, and Clear are some ways to skip the TSA waiting line.
Can you go through security in a different terminal?
In most cases, you can go through security in a different terminal. After being screened at one of the checkpoints, passengers can freely walk from one terminal to the other without exiting and re-clearing security.
What airlines are in Terminal 4 at LAX?
Los Angeles Airport Terminal 4 is made exclusive for American Airlines flights. American Airlines international flights will arrive at Terminal 4 and TBIT, but the passengers disembark at Tom Bradley International Terminal.