Advice: 3h25m QF to AA connection at LAX workable?

[encryptededdy]

Looking to book a trip through to Vancouver in late November. Never been or transited through the USA before, so wondering what folks think about a QF11 (lands LAX 6:05am) to AA1717 (departs LAX 9:30am) connection? Doable? Risky? Don't even try?

I know QF11 has not been the most reliable recently... If I miss my connection, what would AA likely do? They only have one direct to YVR a day.

My other option is WestJet WS1697 at 11:40am. Not the biggest fan of this option since no seat select or lounge access in LAX, and a 5h35m layover seems... excessive.

In both cases, everything will be on the same QF award ticket. Travelling on non-US (NZ) passport.

TIA for any thoughts/input.

 

[bcdaus]

I did the BNE-LAX then LAX-MCO flight on Sunday on Qantas and AA Codeshare. Had only a 3.5hr layover due to the late departure of the QF55 from BNE - it was supposed to be a less stressful 4.5hr layover. LAX immigration was not to bad as long as you don't hang around excessively when you get off the plane. Doing the bag collect then drop after immigration was pretty quick, but walking from International Terminal to T4 or T5 for the AA flight took maybe 15 minutes. Shuffling through the TSA security took probably 45 mins end to end.

I had time to drop into the AA Lounge (even as a lowly Gold FF travelling Economy I got an invite to the Flagship lounge) in T4 for a shower and some brekky before getting down to the T5 where my flight was departing from. There is an underpass from T4 to T5 so you don't leave the secure side once you go through the TSA line.

 

[jpp42]

I think 3.5 hours is plenty. If QF11 is delayed and you have much less time (say an hour or less), AA reps will meet you at the gate and give you a neon coloured express pass like thing which you can use to jump the queues at customs and immigration. This works reasonably well.

One note on the TSA - you can also clear security in TBIT (and possibly use the Qantas lounge there); there is a connecting bridge to T4 on the secure side. Sometimes this security line is a lot faster than T4.

 

[UP4014]

I've haven't managed to make a connection through LAX since 1997. Every time since (about 15) has failed even when 5 hours.

It's a bit of the luck of the draw, could be a late arrival or could be bad weather at your final destination.

Go with the the 3.5 hours but don't dawdle.

 

[djkelly69]

Damn I have a (currently) 2hr15m LAX transit at the end of November, not filled with confidence now!

 

[UP4014]

Damn I have a (currently) 2hr15m LAX transit at the end of November, not filled with confidence now!

If you passport works at the auto gate you should be fine.

But I've had the gate not work so an hour to get through and then 40 mins security line on the domestic side at the AA terminal.

If one thing goes wrong you'll scrape through, if two things go wrong then it's back to the check in desk.

 

[blackcat20]

If you passport works at the auto gate you should be fine.

But I've had the gate not work so an hour to get through and then 40 mins security line on the domestic side at the AA terminal.

If one thing goes wrong you'll scrape through, if two things go wrong then it's back to the check in desk.

There were no auto gates when we went through last month off QF11, just straight up to an officer who processed us.
However we were at baggage claim 5 minutes after deplaning and out on the kerb not long after that, so 3ish hours was plenty.

 

[bcdaus]

One note on the TSA - you can also clear security in TBIT (and possibly use the Qantas lounge there); there is a connecting bridge to T4 on the secure side. Sometimes this security line is a lot faster than T4.

Thats good to know. I went the AA lounge option as it was in the same (or very close) terminal. I didn’t know about the TBIT to other terminal tunnel after security and the website was a bit unclear so I didn’t want to risk finding myself having to go through TSA twice.

 

[jpp42]

Here is a map that shows how to connect between terminals B (Bradley International) and 4,5,6,7, and 8 while remaining airside:

LAX Official Site | Inter-Terminal Connections

LAX Official Site | Use Alexa to "Ask LAX" about terminal locations, flight status and road closures at Los Angeles International Airport.

www.flylax.com

The TBIT to Terminal 4 connection is on the upper level - a bridge, not a tunnel. The connections from T4 to T5 and onward to T6 are underground tunnels.

There are also buses to connect you airside to the other terminals (1,2,3) that don't have the physical connections. But that is less relevant for most travellers here.

 

[encryptededdy]

One note on the TSA - you can also clear security in TBIT (and possibly use the Qantas lounge there); there is a connecting bridge to T4 on the secure side. Sometimes this security line is a lot faster than T4.

Good info, thanks. Can I re-deposit my bags at TBIT too, or can that only happen in T4?

Additionally, I know American has their Flagship First checkin in T4, which is accessible for me as OWE. I wonder if security via. this would be faster at all.

 

[jpp42]

Good info, thanks. Can I re-deposit my bags at TBIT too, or can that only happen in T4?

Yes, after you exit customs at TBIT, there is a special area where you can re-check your bags , for all major airlines. This is just before you exit the terminal. After this you have two choices, you can go upstairs and re-enter TBIT to pass through security there and access the Qantas/oneworld lounge (if you want/are eligible), and then use the T4 connector bridge mentioned above. Or you can proceed outside along the roadway to T4 (which is only about 2 minutes' walk) and pass through TSA there - this would be the shortest route to the AA Flagship Lounge. I am not sure if there is any easy way to know in advance which security line is longer, at my last visit they didn't have anything like the signs at DFW that tell you the queue length at each entry point. However, the TBIT lanes have much more capacity overall and are in an open area. The T4 security lane is very claustrophobic and when I was there during a Covid wave, this was the point at which I was most worried due to lack of distancing and mask-wearing in the USA.

Additionally, I know American has their Flagship First checkin in T4, which is accessible for me as OWE. I wonder if security via. this would be faster at all.

The arrangements at T4 seem to change quite regularly (and are adjusted at different times of day), but last time I was there there was no elite security lane per se. I think actual First Class travellers get an escort to the front of the queue (just the first part before the ID check, there can be further extensive queues after that), but this isn't extended to OWE's in economy. Maybe someone can come along with more current information as I was last there 6+ months ago. I think there is less demand for this since most frequent travellers in the US will be enrolled in pre-check and will use that method for a faster line, unfortunately this is only available for US citizens & PR's.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Might jinx myself on my flight next week but I've been forced to transit LAX several times this year and have made every connection, the shortest of which was 1h30m. Time of arrival obviously can make a difference, but I've still made them all, even when having to schlep all the way to T6 afterwards.

Early/mid morning still isn't nearly as busy as it used to be given traffic from Asia remains relatively low. Mid/late arvo busier given traffic from Europe has picked up.

3 hours should be manageable given current conditions, though; anything below 2.5 and you still have a decent chance but are more likely to sweat, mentally and physically.

 

[blackcat20]

AA did not have their TBIT bag drop in operation when we went through last month, so we had to lug bags to T4.

 

[ksthommo]

AA did not have their TBIT bag drop in operation when we went through last month, so we had to lug bags to T4.

AA Bag drop was operating 24 August.
Scanned bag tags, no weighing and off they went.

 

[blackcat20]

AA Bag drop was operating 24 August.
Scanned bag tags, no weighing and off they went.

No joy in the 19th

 

[jrfsp]

Helps if you get given (or save up....) the express transit cards or whatever they called them

 

[SeatBackForward]

I have a 2hr transit coming up at LAX in a couple of weeks time, will let you know. WP/OWE travelling in Economy for this one.

BTW, what happened to the Global Entry trial for Australians that was happening just before Covid hit?

 

[bcdaus]

Can confirm Bag drop at TBIT was in operation on Sunday when I passed through. Drop, scan and pray !

T4 security was a standard TSA rabble - Not enough trays, converging lines and random moving of people from body scan to walk through when they seemed to feel like it and my pet hate - People spending ages just fluffing with their stuff on the exit belt of the machine. Just take your shoes, go to the provided seats and put them back on there darn it !!

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Can confirm Bag drop at TBIT was in operation on Sunday when I passed through. Drop, scan and pray !

T4 security was a standard TSA rabble - Not enough trays, converging lines and random moving of people from body scan to walk through when they seemed to feel like it and my pet hate - People spending ages just fluffing with their stuff on the exit belt of the machine. Just take your shoes, go to the provided seats and put them back on there darn it !!

As noted above, definitely recommend trying your luck at TBIT security next time and then walking over to T4. If nothing else, it's at least a touch less claustrophobic.

 

[QF029]

I would be comfortable with a 3.5 hour transit.