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Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles, United States
Los Angeles International Airport
Gateway to the Pacific and America's entertainment capital.
- ›LAX is the third-busiest airport in the United States and among the top ten busiest in the world by passenger volume.
- ›The iconic Theme Building, opened in 1961, is a futurist-style landmark designed in the Googie architectural style.
- ›LAX served over 88 million passengers in 2019, its record year before the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ›The airport is scheduled to host operations during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, prompting accelerated infrastructure upgrades.
- ›The Tom Bradley International Terminal, opened in 1984 and renovated in 2013, is one of the largest international terminal facilities in the United States.
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is the primary commercial airport serving the Greater Los Angeles area and one of the busiest airports in the world by passenger volume. Opened in 1930 and significantly expanded over subsequent decades, it handles over 88 million passengers annually across nine passenger terminals. LAX serves as a major hub for United States international travel, particularly trans-Pacific routes, and is a base for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
- Terminal 1 — Home primarily to Southwest Airlines, offering a renovated concourse with updated dining and retail.
- Terminal 2 — Serves several international and domestic carriers including WestJet and Spirit Airlines.
- Terminal 3 — Used by Delta Air Lines and select partners, featuring improved passenger amenities post-renovation.
- Terminal 4 — American Airlines' primary domestic hub terminal at LAX with extensive gate capacity.
- Terminal 5 — Hosts Delta Air Lines international and domestic operations along with several smaller carriers.
- Terminal 6 — Serves Alaska Airlines and several other domestic carriers with standard LAX facilities.
- Terminal 7 — Primary home for United Airlines domestic flights with a modern, renovated interior.
- Terminal 8 — United Airlines international operations terminal, connected to Terminal 7 airside.
- Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) — LAX's flagship international terminal handling the majority of overseas carriers with luxury retail and dining.
- LAX FlyAway Bus — direct service to Union Station, Van Nuys, Hollywood, and other city hubs
- Metro C Line (Green Line) via free LAX Shuttle G to Aviation/LAX station
- Rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) from designated LAX-it pickup lot
- Shared-ride and private shuttle operators serving hotels and city destinations
- Taxi service from designated taxi stands outside each terminal
- Car rental center accessible via free rental shuttle buses from all terminals
- Los Angeles Airport Marriott
- Sheraton Gateway Hotel LAX
- Hilton Los Angeles Airport
- The Westin Los Angeles Airport
- AC Hotel by Marriott Los Angeles Airport
Inside LAX, passengers will find a wide range of options from national chains like Starbucks and Shake Shack to local California concepts, with the Tom Bradley International Terminal offering the strongest selection including sit-down restaurants. Terminal dining has been steadily upgraded in recent years, though prices reflect the airport premium. The surrounding El Segundo and Century Boulevard corridor offers more affordable sit-down dining for those with time before heading to the terminals.
- Allow extra time for ground transportation — traffic on the Century Boulevard airport loop can cause significant delays, especially during peak hours.
- Use the LAX-it lot for rideshare pickups rather than waiting at terminal curbs, and factor in the shuttle ride from baggage claim.
- International arrivals should be prepared for lengthy CBP processing times; Global Entry enrollment significantly speeds up re-entry.
- The free LAX shuttle system connects all terminals and the remote parking lots, but shuttles run on separate routes — confirm you board the correct one.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (149 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Official airport contacts
Official contacts sourced from the airport authority. Verified 2026-08-11.
Stay, Eat & Explore: Los Angeles
Where dreams are filmed
- •Hollywood & Walk of Fame — Stars underfoot from the Chinese Theatre to the Dolby.
- •Griffith Observatory — Free telescopes and the classic Hollywood Sign view.
- •Santa Monica Pier & Venice Beach — Ferris wheel sunsets and boardwalk culture.
- •Getty Center — Hilltop art, gardens and architecture — free entry.
- •Universal Studios Hollywood — Movie-set thrills and the Wizarding World.
Getting around: LA is a car city — rideshare or rent; Metro E and B lines link Santa Monica, Hollywood and Downtown. LAX's people-mover connects Metro.
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Passport, Visa & Immigration
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Los Angeles International Airport is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of California. LAX is located in the Westchester neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles, 18 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, with the commercial and residential areas of Westchester to the north, the city of El Segundo to the south, and the city of Inglewood to the east. LAX is the closest airport to the Westside and the South Bay.
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