LAX departure terminal

[cssaus]

Now that VA flights arrive into LAX at TBIT, is anyone aware of plans to have departures go out of the same terminal?

Currently in the Virgin America lounge at T3 waiting for my VA2 flight to Sydney.

The lounge is small and crowded with limited seating space and taken over with a large noisy group of people. Trying to do some last minute business in a quiet environment is out of the question. The lounge obviously can't cater for the two flights that will be going out . Moving to TBIT where there will be better lounge options (thinking the new NZ lounge) will be a far better and a more comfortable arrangement.

Do others have the same opinion?

 

[serfty]

At the moment the 2 to 3 year future of T3 is unclear. LAWA have deferred construction of the TBIT/T3 airside connector for that reason.

I am not sure a move to TBIT for departures is currently planned.

The TBIT has a new whiz bang immigration arrivals hall and they are closing most (all of ?) of those at the other Terminals, routing incoming PAX via TBIT.

As for the international arrivals, even those on AA flights to T4 are now being processed at TBIT with an apparently horrible bussing if unlucky enough to use a T4 gate - this is to be the case for maybe the next 15 months or so.

American Airlines solves its gate problem at LAX – at least for awhile

 

[roby]

Even though the new LAX lounge at TBIT will be managed by NZ, it's Star Alliance branded. I am unaware of any other Star branded lounges being used by a non Star member.

 

[jpk]

That lounge really is awful - form over function. Way too small and impractical, even when they pull out the temporary chairs there isn't enough space. Out in the terminal is not better either though

 

[Clivem]

cssaus ......I might have been in the T3 level 4 hell hole at the same time as you - as it was a very sad state of affairs - Monday 23rd Sept late night L.A. time - VA2 and VA8 out a short time apart late evening as normal.....???? is that the time you're referring to?

The place was fully of loud groups of what I refer to as 'NUMIES' - loud , inconsiderate , appallingly dressed yada yada.......now me and my wife aren't wowsers or prudes but I agree with you it was totally unacceptable. I had to look up and around on numerous occasions and just shake my head in disbelief.


Even taking into account the physical short falls of the place - those running the place need toenforce some basic behavioural standards ...... It's a clear case to raise the bar for entry as an interim measure if nothing else........ until they can get their ducks in a row.

 

[cssaus]

Even though the new LAX lounge at TBIT will be managed by NZ, it's Star Alliance branded. I am unaware of any other Star branded lounges being used by a non Star member.

Well, the Air NZ lounge is used for a number of non Star Alliance airlines including VA.

 

[cssaus]

cssaus ......I might have been in the T3 level 4 hell hole at the same time as you - as it was a very sad state of affairs - Monday 23rd Sept late night L.A. time - VA2 and VA8 out a short time apart late evening as normal.....???? is that the time you're referring to?

The place was fully of loud groups of what I refer to as 'NUMIES' - loud , inconsiderate , appallingly dressed yada yada.......now me and my wife aren't wowsers or prudes but I agree with you it was totally unacceptable. I had to look up and around on numerous occasions and just shake my head in disbelief.


Even taking into account the physical short falls of the place - those running the place need to inform some basic behavioural standards ...... It's a clear case to raise the bar for entry as an interim measure if nothing else until they can get their ducks in a row.

Monday nite was the worst I've seen it. I guess you were referring to the group seated just opposite the desk in the lounge, they were as you said very loud. I presume you were on VA8 so it might have quietened down after VA2 departed.

I ended up leaving the lounge early and going down to the gate where it was somewhat quieter although busier.

Unfortunately the lounge is Virgin America operated and the staff don't seem to what to manage the situation.

 

[lovestotravel]

We can only hope that VA move to TBIT for departure and then use the Air NZ Lounge

 

[Clivem]

That was it cssaus ...... the big group was the worst but there where also clusters of other loud groups in the viewing window area also ...... mainly along those 'waste of space' long red lounges type bench seats on the inner wall of that area ........ it only got a little better after VA2 departed ......We did exactly what you did and departed the lounge early also ........very sad all around........ and not a good look at all for those 'aussies' traveller either ......I hope we all don't get tarred....... god save us from the thong wearing NUMIES who don't understand dimensional limitations or the importance of manners !!!!!

 

[roby]

Well, the Air NZ lounge is used for a number of non Star Alliance airlines including VA.

Yes, but my point was it will not be a NZ lounge but a Star Alliance branded lounge.

 

[serfty]

Yes, but my point was it will not be a NZ lounge but a Star Alliance branded lounge.

NZ does the managing of it - somewhat like QF manages the TBIT oneworld lounges.

 

[roby]

NZ does the managing of it - somewhat like QF manages the TBIT oneworld lounges.

I take it the QF lounge will still be QF branded, in which case non oneworld partner EK elites will have access due to their alliance with QF?

Because the Star lounge will not be NZ branded, perhaps VA elites will not have access?

Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[serfty]

I don't believe the TBIT oneworld lounge is QF branded - the only QF specific thing I have noted are the QF desktops. (I have never been in the business lounge.)