LAX Qantas Lounges

[thadocta]

So that means you have a few choices:

• Accept TBIT as in need of a facelift and use it as the most convenient flights (non-stop to BNE)
• Route via SYD and put up with inbound formalities and transit there
• Use CX via HKG and depart from SFO, YVR or JFK
• Use AA via NRT and depart from ORD (great AA FL there)

You can also route via SFO on the new QF service, which is planned to go daily at some stage.

Dave

 

[NM]

You can also route via SFO on the new QF service, which is planned to go daily at some stage.

Dave

Dave, that is not really a very good option since the OP is wanting to get to BNE and the SFO flight goes to SYD. So if going through SYD anyway, why not enjoy the T4 lounge and depart from LAX? The only reason to consider the QF SFO-SYD flight would be if you want to go SFO as part of the trip.

 

[rhjames]

I regularly use the AA/Qantas 1st class Lounge at LAX and it's always in excellent condition. I've walked through the business lounge, and it looks ok, but normally quite crowded.

Beware of guys offering to help you find your way - they can certainly help, but are asking for charity donations.

 

[Reggie]

I regularly use the AA/Qantas 1st class Lounge at LAX and it's always in excellent condition. I've walked through the business lounge, and it looks ok, but normally quite crowded.

Beware of guys offering to help you find your way - they can certainly help, but are asking for charity donations.

rhjames, I agree the first class lounge AA/Qantas 1st Class lounge in Terminal 4 is great. At the time of originally posting I had confused T4 with TBIT. Now, an obviously big mistake. I have since managed to avoid TBIT.

Reggie

 

[rhjames]

Hi Reggie, Thanks for the follow up.

 

[simongr]

Thanks for asking this question - it now explains why we had such a horrid experience of America when we travelled throough there on my way home from Australia to the UK a few years ago.

I wasnt a Qantas club member or a frequent flyer at that point - we hadjust been visiting my wife's parents in Oz for a couple of weeks. Our flight home was through LAX. It started badly when we were informed that although we were travelling through LAX (only there for 6 hours) we had to go through customs and immigration, collect our baggage and recheck in (even through we had been told at Sydney that our bags were checked through). The recheck in meant queueing again as if we had started our journey in LAX.

We must have been at TBIT as we were stunned at the post gate lack of facilities (we didnt find a bar - only the newsstand). After that I vowed never to go to the US again .....

 

[NM]

It started badly when we were informed that although we were travelling through LAX (only there for 6 hours) we had to go through customs and immigration, collect our baggage and recheck in (even through we had been told at Sydney that our bags were checked through). The recheck in meant queuing again as if we had started our journey in LAX.

The bags would have been tagged to London, but all passengers have to collect bags and clear customs at their first port of entry to the USA, even if in transit. The re-check usually just involves leaving the already tagged bags at the x-ray station just outside the customs area and should not take much time. But getting the boarding pass for your onward flight may involve some queuing.

We must have been at TBIT as we were stunned at the post gate lack of facilities (we didnt find a bar - only the newsstand). After that I vowed never to go to the US again .....

If departing on a BA flight to the UK, you were definitely at TBIT. If departing on a AA flight, then you were at Terminal 4.

Note for next time )) if you have 6 hours, then there is a good restaurant at LAX airport in the spider-shaped building above the car parks. Its a short walk from TBIT and has a good reputation for good food.

 

[simongr]

Thanks for that - next flight will likely be Sydney to JFK via LAX so I might use that info if I have time to kill. Mind youthat will be Qantas this time and business class and I should be Qantas gold by then so a lot will be changing

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Thanks for that - next flight will likely be Sydney to JFK via LAX so I might use that info if I have time to kill. Mind youthat will be Qantas this time and business class and I should be Qantas gold by then so a lot will be changing

The SYD-JFK flight leaves from T4 so a nice lounge, which you'll have access due to business class.

 

[simongr]

Just got an update that I am flying to Pittsburgh tomrrow - via LAX and Term 4 (then to Dallas and then Pitts - might start another thread on that though) so I shall see the lounge