Advice for LAX transit

[ChrisMars]

I'll transit in LAX international to international in a few weeks, for the first time.

I understand I ll have to pass immigration, pick up laggages, go landside, checkin, pass immigration and security. I am wondering if I have access to any fast track lane, or if there is any trick to make the transfer a bit less painfull, considering:

• 1 WP + 1 SG + 1 infant
• J BA to J QF
• Australian passports if that matters, with just a valid esta for each pax.

Thanks!

 

[Quickstatus]

@ChrisMars
Yes you have to enter the US only to leave again.

How much time between arrival and departure? as this will inform your options. BA to QF at LAX suggests you have about 6hrs??

Fast track only in the sense that J/F pax get a separate security lane upon exit.
There are other expedited processing like TSA precheck but it is very unlikely that everyone in your travelling party will get the same pass.

If BA tags your luggage all the way back to Australia you can drop off your luggage upon arrival just as you arrive landside past the customs and up the ramp

You will get entry into QF Flounge.

 

[justinbrett]

I'll transit in LAX international to international in a few weeks, for the first time.

I understand I ll have to pass immigration, pick up laggages, go landside, checkin, pass immigration and security. I am wondering if I have access to any fast track lane, or if there is any trick to make the transfer a bit less painfull, considering:

• 1 WP + 1 SG + 1 infant
• J BA to J QF
• Australian passports if that matters, with just a valid esta for each pax.

Thanks!

Close, but not quite. It’s a bit more streamlined.

Once you debark, you go through immigration, collect your luggage, walk through customs (you rarely have to stop). Take a turn to the right to follow connections, drop your bags to the agent (all airlines are together and they’ll tell you where you drop your bags). Then you keep walking though TBIT transfer security which has quite short queues, then you’re back in TBIT departures airside. It’s all pretty quick apart from immigration. There is no outbound immigration.

There is no fast track but it’s not really needed.

 

[Himeno]

The US had no exit immigration. The airline sends that data to CBP when the flight departs.

You pass through CBP when you arrive, exit customs and drop bags at the transfer belt to the side. Keep moving past the transfer belt to the transfer TSA checkpoint, then back upstairs to the departures side (left for T4, right for TBIT).

 

[elanshin]

There is no fast track but it’s not really needed.

Wouldn't technically the AA flagship first check in count as fast track. They whisk you to the front of the TSA queue.

 

[justinbrett]

Wouldn't technically the AA flagship first check in count as fast track. They whisk you to the front of the TSA queue.

If you want to walk outside over to T4, but the short queue at TBIT transfer TSA will be quicker. It’s exclusive to transferring pax, you can’t walk of the street into it (they check your BP)

Also I’m pretty sure you have to be flying AA to use the Flagship check in.

 

[offshore171]

How long is your layover?

 

[RichardMEL]

Wouldn't technically the AA flagship first check in count as fast track. They whisk you to the front of the TSA queue.

True, but nit helpful in this case as you need to be flying AA.

 

[Himeno]

True, but nit helpful in this case as you need to be flying AA.

It can also be hard to access if you aren't on their list (pax booked in F on the 3 class transcons or F on long haul international).
If you aren't on the list, you need to show them a non AA/AS OWE membership card. (and walk over to the flagship first check in between T4 and 5)

 

[RichardMEL]

It can also be hard to access if you aren't on their list (pax booked in F on the 3 class transcons or F on long haul international).
If you aren't on the list, you need to show them a non AA/AS OWE membership card. (and walk over to the flagship first check in between T4 and 5)

Indeed. I told them I was a QF emerald before they would check me in, though I guess the accent was enough, and obviously confirmed by my reservation, but they definitely were wary when I walked in.

We then had a laugh as they had trouble understanding me when I was giving my destination (Augusta, GAl and they kept asking "Where?" lol.

Once I was verified OWE they were great, got the embarassing escort to the front of security etc. It's a good service.

 

[ChrisMars]

How much time between arrival and departure? as this will inform your options. BA to QF at LAX suggests you have about 6hrs??

How long is your layover?

4.5 hours transit

 

[Himeno]

It’s exclusive to transferring pax, you can’t walk of the street into it (they check your BP)

Since when? I've used that checkpoint a number of times after checking in for flights at T4.

 

[Quickstatus]

4.5 hours transit

Enough time if BA arrives on time.
There is really no spectacular stress reducing, painless way to transfer. J ticket and WP makes it slightly less painful - checkin, slightly faster priority security line, F Lounge but other than that there is nothing special.

 

[justinbrett]

Since when? I've used that checkpoint a number of times after checking in for flights at T4.

It was when I was there about 6 weeks ago. A bouncer was turning people away. Guessing too many people exploiting it?

Maybe just had an over zealous bouncer, but it does make sense to restrict it to prevent international pax missing connections.