NON OFFICIAL. Visitors intending to reach the official website should visit flylax.com
Pros and Cons of LAX Airport
Quick questions
What do travelers value most at LAX?
The route network and the renovated terminals: Terminal B, the Delta complex at Terminals 2 and 3 and Terminal 4, with good food, shops and lounges after security.
What do they criticize most?
Ground logistics: traffic in the horseshoe, the mandatory transfer to LAX-it for Uber, Lyft and taxis, shuttle waits and long walks between terminals.
What is changing?
Terminal 5 is closed for reconstruction until 2028, the Rental Car Center and the LAX/Metro Transit Center are already open, and the People Mover train is expected no earlier than January 2027.
Three patterns that repeat across reviews
Extra time on every trip
User experience:
- Between traffic, shuttles and walks, many travelers feel that LAX adds 45 to 60 minutes compared with more compact airports, both on arrival and departure.
Strategy: Add 30 minutes to the airport's recommendation if you arrive by car, and avoid connections that require a change of terminal with little margin.
Signage that does not keep up
User experience:
- Confusing signs to LAX-it, the shuttles and between terminals, made worse by construction, appear in almost every area of the airport.
Strategy: Check your route in the airline app before landing and learn the curb colors: green LAX-it, purple rental cars, blue FlyAway, pink LAX Shuttle.
Very uneven experiences
User experience:
- The same service (security, immigration, rental car counters, lounges) can be very fast or very slow depending on the terminal, the company and the time of day.
Strategy: Use the fast-track programs that exist (TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, Global Entry, Mobile Passport Control and rental car loyalty programs) and avoid peak hours when you can.
Terminals, flights and connections
- Terminals
👍 Terminal B, the Delta complex and Terminal 4 are modern and comfortable.
👎 Older areas have worn seats and few working outlets, and Terminal 5 is closed. - Connections between terminals
👍 A post-security connector links most terminals on foot.
👎 Walks of 15 to 30 minutes, confusing signs and still no train. - Airlines
👍 More than 40 airlines and hubs for Alaska, American, Delta and United.
👎 Buses to Terminal B and remote gates add time and confusion. - Departures
👍 TSA PreCheck and CLEAR save a lot of time.
👎 Access traffic and uneven security lines. - Arrivals
👍 Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control shorten immigration.
👎 Immigration can take more than an hour when several international flights land together.
Getting to and from LAX
- Taxis and ride apps
👍 Available 24 hours, with a flat taxi rate of USD 46.50 to Downtown LA.
👎 The transfer to LAX-it and full shuttles at peak times. - FlyAway
👍 Nonstop to Union Station and Van Nuys for USD 12.75.
👎 Uses the same freeways as cars and fills up at peak times. - Public transportation
👍 Metro C and K lines and city buses from USD 1.00.
👎 A shuttle is still needed between the terminals and the Transit Center. - Scheduled shuttles
👍 Direct to Anaheim, Santa Barbara, Ventura or San Diego.
👎 Fixed schedules and a confusing curb with many operators. - Car rental
👍 All on-airport brands together at the new Rental Car Center.
👎 Slow shuttles and waits of hours at some counters. - Parking
👍 Options from USD 5 a day at Van Nuys and discounts when booking online.
👎 The central garages cost up to USD 60 a day.
Time inside the airport
- Food and drink
👍 Local LA brands, healthy options and places open early.
👎 Very high prices and few options at remote gates. - Shopping
👍 Wide duty free and luxury offer in Terminal B.
👎 Higher prices than in the city and errors in gate deliveries. - Lounges
👍 Premium lounges with à la carte dining, showers and terraces.
👎 Waitlists at peak times and limited real access with Priority Pass. - Services
👍 Free Wi-Fi, nursing rooms and pet areas in almost every terminal.
👎 Few working outlets and uneven wheelchair assistance.
What travelers recommend
- Plan the ground transport before landing and go straight to the right sign.
- Check your terminal on the day of the flight, especially if you used to fly from Terminal 5.
- Book parking and rental cars online and join the company's loyalty program.
- Buy food before going to a remote gate and carry a power bank.
- Leave margin on every connection: 2 hours for domestic flights and 3 hours if you arrive from abroad.
More advice in tips and precautions and the FAQs.
Sources
The facts come from the official LAX website and the operator of each service. The pros and cons summarize hundreds of recent traveler reviews on Google Maps and other review sites.
