As one of the busiest airports in the world, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can be a daunting place to navigate. If you’re concerned about how early to get to LAX to make your flight in plenty of time, you’re not alone. More than four in 10 (43%) flyers from California arrive early to reduce anxiety about missing their flight.
Read on to find out how early to arrive at LAX before your departure. We’ll cover tips on when to arrive for domestic and international flights, when to check in your bags, and what time TSA opens at LAX to help you catch your flight without a hitch.
In this guide:
- How early should I get to LAX?
- How early to arrive at LAX for a domestic flight
- How early to arrive at LAX for an international flight
- When should I check my bags at LAX?
- What time does security/TSA open at LAX?
- How to check in online for a flight at LAX
How early should I get to LAX?
According to the TSA, travelers should arrive at least two to three hours before their flight departure at LAX Airport. How early to arrive at LAX depends on the type of flight you’re getting – whether you’re flying domestically or internationally. You should always allow more time if you’re flying outside of the country. Plus, you’ll also need to consider time for parking or public transport before your arrival.
From check-in and security to finding your gate, make sure you allow plenty of time for everything to run smoothly ahead of your scheduled flight. If you’re navigating LAX airport with kids or pets, or require any accessibility support, it’s often a good idea to allow extra time on top of the recommended two to three hours.
Why arrive early?
Arriving two to three hours ahead of your flight gives you time to check in, hand in your baggage, go through security and find your gate before boarding closes. Once boarding closes, you’ll no longer be allowed on the plane.
To learn more about people’s flying habits, we surveyed flyers from California to find out why they prefer to arrive at the airport early. At the top of the priority list, 56% of travelers said to allow enough time for check-in and security procedures.
Nearly five in 10 (47%) people said they like to reach the airport early to handle any unexpected issues or changes with their flight. Meanwhile, almost two in five travelers (37%) arrive early to avoid unwanted traffic and transportation delays – and one in three (30%) prefer to arrive early to relax, unwind and enjoy the airport amenities.
How busy is LAX?
With more than 70 airlines and a total daily average of 1,500 flight operations, millions of travelers pass through LAX every year. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Los Angeles International Airport is the fifth busiest airport in the US by the number of passengers boarded.
LAX is home to nine passenger terminals, which are connected by a U-shaped, two-level road system. Inside the airport, travelers can walk between terminals using ground-level walkways and sky bridges, allowing them to reach other terminals without going through security again.
While flight times can vary across the day, peak travel periods at LAX include:
- Domestic flights – 6:30 am to 9:00 am
- Domestic and international flights – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Domestic and international flights – 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
However, LAX can get even busier during the holidays, including:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- Memorial Day
- 4th July
- Labor Day
Top Tip: When you’re flying from one of the busiest airports in the country, it helps to streamline your travel plan of action. Searching for available parking during high capacity can push back your schedule. Meanwhile, paying for airport parking at LAX on the day of travel can cost significantly more than if you book even a week in advance.
Prebooking long-term parking can help you secure a spot and avoid added stress and delays. For more advice and information, read our guide on key reasons to prebook parking at LAX.
How early to arrive at LAX for a domestic flight
The TSA recommends that travelers flying from LAX arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight to allow time for check-in and security. If you think you might need more time to navigate LAX, you might want to arrive even earlier to familiarize yourself and get ready to board.
According to Delta, check-in for domestic flights closes:
- Without checked bags – 30 minutes before departure
- With checked bags – 45 minutes before departure
Travelers are expected to be at their gate and ready for boarding at least 15 minutes before a domestic flight. However, always check and follow your flight’s boarding status for any specified cut-off times.
Top Tip: For domestic connections, make sure to allow at least two hours before your next departure at LAX. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to travel between terminals and find your gate.
How early to arrive at LAX for an international flight
Los Angeles International Airport hosts more than 1,890 international flights per week. It’s highly recommended that travelers arrive at LAX at least three hours before an international flight to navigate check-in, drop off their baggage, and head through security. Check-in often closes one hour before departure for international flights, and travelers are expected to be at their gate at least 45 minutes before departure.
Top Tip: If you have an international connection through LAX, it’s recommended to allow at least three hours before your next flight.
When should I check my bags at LAX?
Check your baggage at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Most US airports will not accept check-in bags earlier than six hours before your departure. LAX offers a range of self-service kiosks to check in your luggage and print boarding passes.
While the cut-off for check-in is 30 to 45 minutes for domestic flights, these are the minimum guidelines and do not consider the time it takes to navigate security or find your gate. Wherever possible, it’s important to check in at least two to three hours before your flight – particularly if you’re flying internationally.
Top Tip: Before you hand over your hold luggage, remember to check that you have everything you need in your cabin bag. Most importantly, keep hold of your boarding passes, wallet and driver’s license, passport, and any prescribed medications.
What time does security/TSA open at LAX?
LAX is open for passengers 24/7, but check-in counters and TSA screening are open between 4:00 am and 5:00 am, closing between 11:30 pm and 2:30 am. However, this may vary depending on the terminal and flights scheduled that day.
Common TSA LAX wait times
On average, it can take between 10 and 20 minutes to get through security at LAX. However, you can often expect security to take longer during peak hours, so make sure to schedule extra time to board if you’re flying at peak time.
Download the My TSA app to check TSA LAX wait times in real-time. The app gives you an accurate idea of how long you can expect to wait, as well as updates for potential delays.
Top Tip: Remember to keep your ID and boarding pass easily available to help you breeze through security at LAX. You can also apply for TSA PreCheck, helping to reduce your waiting time and speed up the screening process. With TSA PreCheck, you’ll be guided to a dedicated screening lane where you won’t have to remove your shoes, laptops, belts, jackets or liquids.
How to check in online for a flight at LAX
Depending on the airline, you’ll often be able to check in online up to 24 hours before your flight departure. You may be prompted with an email to remind you to check in ahead of time, or you can visit the website of your airline provider. Many airlines also have apps you can check in early with.
To check in early online, you’ll often need your:
- Departure airport
- Confirmation number
- Ticket number
- Credit/debit card number
Next, download your mobile boarding pass or print it out at home. You can also arrive early to print your boarding pass at a kiosk or check-in desk at LAX.
Checking in online lets you prepare your boarding passes early, skip the check-in line and save time when you arrive. That way, if you don’t have any checked luggage, you can head straight to security.
Top Tip: Flying with a mobile boarding pass? Remember to charge your phone and bring a portable charger so you can always access your ticket. Traveling with a group? Check everyone in online at the same time to avoid any nasty surprises at the airport. Always confirm the early check-in windows with your airline, as they can vary between 24 to 48 hours.
Remember these top tips next time you fly from LAX. Unless you’re in a romantic comedy and your true love is about to disappear into the horizon, no one wants to hurry through a busy airport. It’s always better to arrive a little earlier for your flight than to stress about missing it.
Arrive in plenty of time feeling calm and collected by pre booking parking and hotels at Los Angeles International Airport. Got extra downtime at LAX? Discover the best places to eat at LAX with our expert guides on flying from California and beyond.
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