Los Angeles Airport

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Airport GUIDE

Airport Lounges

Airport WiFi

Airport Hotels

Traveller Comments....

"The wheelchair bound person I saw who was asked to get up so it could be scanned defied logic" - aussiepaul

"There are thousands of touts and shuttle drivers - its like being in Mumbai" - aussiepaul

"There's no fixing this place. Level it and start over" - Carrie

"I was awoken by an airport employee running his hand up my legs" - momma

"LAX doesn't belong on this list at all [worst airports]. The only to things wrong with LAX is that it is a crowded airport there is heavy traffic and that it has no direct axcess to the metro rail or tram." - kd_ncali4nia

"I mean connecting is alright but never stay overnight at this airport because it will be a rough night. - kaka_salad

"wow... I have seen grown men in my company sit down and cry a little, when they were told they had to fly through LAX." - IrmainNewberin

"It's a shame that many visitors from the pacific flying into LAX get their first impression of America and Americans at this dump." (DonP)

"forget about Guantanamo Bay - just send the prisoners here for some torture tactics"  (?)

"I couldn't relieve myself in the terminal bathroom because the stench was so horrible" (Disgruntled)

"1 AM a security guard woke me and told me I had to leave because the 'airport was closed'!" (Savvy)

"Africa, Asia, South America... I've not been through a single airport in any of these developing countries with an airport as putrid as LAX. " (Kirby)

"It wasn't too bad, except I was the ONLY person there. An American Airlines employee offered me a pillow and blanket" (Robbie)

"LAX is a revolting airport. The amenities are rubbish and thanks to the warnings from your site I organised to visit the Qantas Club which is a haven in an otherwise horrible experience." (Ron)

"About 6am we were woke up by a security guard that told us we should gather our things together so someone didn't make off with them and that the airport was open for business" (AFtrek)

"The staff at LAX unfortunately are most accurately described as the stereotypical American: rude, arrogant, clueless about the world outside the USA and loud-mouthed." - nebulouseye

"LAX is California's greatest embarrassment and probably the worst airport in the USA, and that says a lot because the competition for crappiest airport is pretty fierce. " (?)

"there are constant announcements in languages that I think someone just makes up to annoy everyone." (?)

"The Intl Terminal is ALWAYS overcrowded and security and crowd control is second only in severity to the train platforms at Auschwitz." (Jerry)

"we were treated as imbeciles by the USA staff who even yelled at all you "stupid idiots" because the queue at the immigration counter wasn't straight enough." (?)

"No alarm clocks necessary, the kind staff are far too noisy to let anyone dare to try sleeping here." (?)

"Sleeping at LAX can be an adventure not to be undertaken by the faint at heart, but it can be done." (The Andersons)

"You couldn't pay me money to sleep on the floor in the UA terminal ....there is a Cinnabon there and with it, Cinnabon trash: sticky boxes, wrappers stuck to the floor, and moldy buns. " (?)

Recent Review

by JoeS
The Bradley International terminal used to be the one place at LAX where you could get free WiFi, but that's gone now, and in it's place is the usual pay-for-access plan you find at many large US airports. The lack of Internet makes for a long, boring night, especially given that sleeping is a solid 'maybe' here.

The best spots at TBI are located on the second floor at either end of the food court. Here you will find a small number of padded seating areas (these are about 3-4 feet long, so your legs will dangle), a bunch of plastic chairs, and some carpeted spots. There are also electrical outlets and bathrooms nearby. As you move closer to the center of the food court you find some not-so-padded benches.

LAX can be very noisy at night because of the bright lights, the frequent announcements about suspicious packages/USO Club/no smoking, and especially the cleaning crew, who run their machines all night long with no mercy. One reason to avoid the benches in the center section is that they overlook the ground floor check-in area, which at night becomes a virtual racetrack for the noisy floor polishing machines. Oh, and late night is also a popular time for airport maintenance, so don't be surprised if you wake up to the sounds of hammering, scissor lifts, or workers shouting orders.

I ended up giving up on sleep and spent the rest of the night reading a book. None of the 20-odd travelers near me got anything close to a good sleep- you could see them toss & turn, or get up and glare at the floor polishers for a while before trying to sleep again.

Earplugs or an MP3 player are essential for this airport!

The last review for this airport was in 2011. Have you been there recently? Tell us about it!

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Los Angeles Airport Guide

LAX features nine terminals connected by a U-shaped two-level roadway. The Tom Bradley International Terminal is the largest of the terminals. For an airport this size, one would think there would a few passenger services other than an abundance of greasy food and newstand shopping. LAX is merely a processing center and not a place to enjoy one's pre-flight or in transit time. Go with low expectations and your time here will be tolerable.

If you are using LAX to connect to another city, go armed with a map and plan your route ahead of time. Inter-terminal transportation is still handled by shuttle buses. If spending the night, you shouldn't have problems, but you will probably have to sleep on the floor, so be prepared with something to lay on and a blanket.

Airport Lounges

• reLAX Lounge - The only pay-per-use lounge at LAX that is open to all travellers. Offers complimentary refreshments (including beer and wine), snacks, free WiFi. There are no showers in the lounge.
  Located: Tom Bradley International Terminal (between Terminals 3 and 4) on the departures level near the food court.
  Rates: from $10 (one hour) to $50 (full day)
  Hours: 8:00am - 12:00am
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge - Terminal 2, airside, Mezzanine level
• American Admiral's Club Lounge
• Continental President's Club Lounge - Terminal 6, airside, Gate 62
• Delta Sky Club Lounge
• United Red Carpet Lounge
• US Airways Club Lounge - Terminal 1, airside, gate 2
• Air France Business Class Lounge - Terminal 2, airside
• Alaska Airlines Board Room - Terminal 3, airside
• Skyteam KAL Business Class Lounge - Tom Bradley International Terminal, airside

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the Los Angeles Airport does not appeal to you (and we wouldn't blame you), there are hotels near the airport that offer free airport shuttle....

• Sheraton Gateway - 24 hour shuttle runs every 15 minutes. Pick-up: next to the baggage claim area under the red Hotel Courtesy Pick-Up sign.
• Courtyard by Marriott - located less than a block from the airport. Free 24-hour airport shuttle.
• Radisson Hotel - walking distance to the airport. Free airport shuttle.

Airport WiFi / Internet

• Wireless internet access is available at the Los Angeles for a fee. Connect to the T-Mobile network. Cost: a DayPass is available for $9.99.
• Internet kiosks can be found in all terminals and are available on a pay-per-use basis.

More Services, Facilities and Things to Do at the Airport

• Food
  There are no 24 hour food concessions at LAX. Stock up on supplies before they start shutting down for the night.
• Showers
  There are no showers at this airport.
• Luggage Storage / Lockers
  Not available

Airport Hours

open 24 hours

Airport Maps

Download a Terminal Map.

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Last Updated:

The information in this Airport Guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airport's and their web sites. When you see "information not available" and "unknown", the airport has a lousy web site and/or has been uncooperative in providing information. The information above is subject to change without notice. Use it for informational purposes only to help you during your stay. To report errors, or to add/change any items quoted in the guide, please email me.