LAX Airport 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, lawa.org
How early to arrive at LAX for domestic flights?
When flying through Los Angeles to other cities in the United States, the time you arrive at the airport will depend on when you’re flying out. Most airports recommend arriving at least two hours before your flight. If your flight is between 6:30- 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and 8:00-11:00 p.m., you’ll be traveling during peak times. You’ll want to arrive at the airport a little earlier than normal to account for the extra busy lines. If you’d like to get estimates based on past wait times, you can download the MyTSA app from the Apple Store or from the Google Play store.
How early to arrive at LAX for international flights?
If you’re flying out of LAX to catch an international flight, the commonly recommended time to arrive at the airport is least three hours before your flight. Flying between 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. or 8:00-11:00 p.m.? You’ll want to have a little bit of extra buffer time for the flight as these are the LAX international travel peak times. Additionally, if you want to gain a better sense of what wait times will be like, you can also check the MyTSA app as well.
As one of the busiest airports in the world, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can be a daunting place to navigate. For more information read our blog on how early to arrive at LAX before your departure.
How early to check your bags?
Checking bags at the Los Angeles International Airport? The allowed check-in time will vary depending on the airline you take. For example, if you’re checking in with a bag through Delta at LAX, you’ll want to check in at least 30 minutes before your flight. For international flights, the recommended time is 1 hour before your flight. The specifics will change depending on the airline and the airport.
What time is security/TSA open?
Although LAX is open 24/7, the actual terminals only operate from 4 a.m. to 1 a.m., depending on the terminal. According to the official LAX site, the operational hours for the check-in desks and security for each terminal are below:
LAX Terminal 1 Operation Hours: 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
LAX Terminal 2 Operation Hours: 4:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
LAX Terminal 3 Operation Hours: 4:15 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
LAX Terminal 4 Operation Hours: 4:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
LAX Terminal 5 Operation Hours: 4:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
LAX Terminal 6 Operation Hours: 4:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
LAX Terminal 7 Operation Hours: 4:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Tom Bradley International Airport South Operation Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Tom Bradley International Airport North Operation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
If you'll be flying with children help make your experience from pre-planning to departure stress-free, by reading our tips on navigating LAX Airport with kids.