LAX to MEX layover time

[Hedges99]

Hey,

I am planning in October to fly QF11 to LAX then catch AA2546 to MEX.

QF11 arrives in LAX at approx. 6:05 and AA2456 departs at 8:15. Is this enough time between layovers? I'm presuming since they are within Oneworld baggage will be checked through. Would I just need to clear customs, or would immigration need to be cleared too?

Cheers

 

[TheInsider]

Hey,

I am planning in October to fly QF11 to LAX then catch AA2546 to MEX.

QF11 arrives in LAX at approx. 6:05 and AA2456 departs at 8:15. Is this enough time between layovers? I'm presuming since they are within Oneworld baggage will be checked through. Would I just need to clear customs, or would immigration need to be cleared too?

Cheers

Baggage will be tagged through, but you will absolutely have to collect them, clear customs and then drop them off again, just as soon as you exit the terminal. But that should be more than enough time, lately LAX hasn't been too bad.

 

[Hedges99]

Baggage will be tagged through, but you will absolutely have to collect them, clear customs and then drop them off again, just as soon as you exit the terminal. But that should be more than enough time, lately LAX hasn't been too bad.

What's the avg waiting time for customs been?

 

[justinbrett]

To be frank it's not enough time if you absolutely must make that connection. It's not your liability, AA will rebook you if you miss the connection so there's no risk of being out of pocket.

However, immigration time at LAX (and long haul flight arrival times) can vary and I've nearly missed a three hour connection just before covid. By next year I'd say things will be back to normal so that could happen again even if it's been OK recently.

But if you've got some flex at the start of your trip, not worth worrying about. If it's a wedding or something, I'd try to get a longer connection.

 

[justinbrett]

And yes, you need to clear US immigration and customs as if you are staying in the US. You will also need an ESTA.

There is no international transit in the US.

 

[snabbu]

What's the avg waiting time for customs been?

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - CBP Airport Wait Times (AWT)

 

[justinbrett]

Average and max wait times for LAX TBIT from Oct 22; note a couple of hours with max waits close to 2 hours and average wait over 60 minutes.

 

[encryptededdy]

Next October? I think that's too far out to tell, but my experience last week at LAX says you can get through immigration and customs in only 20 mins or less if you arrive at 6am and get off the plane relatively early. However, by next October there could be a lot more Asian traffic with similarly early arrivals.

 

[Hedges99]

Brilliant, thank you all.

There is no hard and fast place we need to get to, but would prefer to avoid any time stress. Maybe we will spend a few nights in LA before heading down to Mexico.

 

[BD1959]

And yes, you need to clear US immigration and customs as if you are staying in the US. You will also need an ESTA.

There is no international transit in the US.

Just to be 100% clear ...

If you transit at LAX you need to clear immigration, retrieve bags, enter US, drop bags and clear security back airside.

If you were to transit QF to AA at DFW then you still clear immigration, enter US and clear security back airside. You do not need to retrieve bags QF -> AA they will be transferred. This page talks to this, though I also experienced this on a BA -> QF transit about 5 years ago at DFW which is not detailed, so unsure whether that luggage transfer still exists.

Regards,

BD

 

[Hedges99]

Just to be 100% clear ...

If you transit at LAX you need to clear immigration, retrieve bags, enter US, drop bags and clear security back airside.

If you were to transit QF to AA at DFW then you still clear immigration, enter US and clear security back airside. You do not need to retrieve bags QF -> AA they will be transferred. This page talks to this, though I also experienced this on a BA -> QF transit about 5 years ago at DFW which is not detailed, so unsure whether that luggage transfer still exists.

Regards,

BD

Thanks BD - I was struggling to find rewards seats from AUS to DFW - maybe because these potentially haven't been released yet given its ~11 months out?

 

[BD1959]

Thanks BD - I was struggling to find rewards seats from AUS to DFW - maybe because these potentially haven't been released yet given its ~11 months out?

If you are seeing AUS-LAX but not AUS-DFW (and assuming AUS is Australia not Austin!) then it is unlikely to be a timeline thing and more a inventory thing. Airlines have bled through the pandemic and if they can hold back award inventory and sell revenue inventory (or if there's any chance of this) then I'm thinking that will be taking precedence. Regardless of routing, if you see award for the time you want, I'd grab it!!

Regards,

BD

 

[RooFlyer]

Just chiming in as well that the Customs and Border Security wait times webpage is a great resource but only tells half the story. You also have to factor in wait times for security to get back airside. PLUS for available transit time, deduct at least 15 minutes to get off your arriving aircraft and then 30 minutes more for the time you’d have to be at the AA departure Lounge.
Also, maybe have a look at the historic delay times of the arrival of QF11, although this may not be much relation to what happens next October. But if it’s historically 30 or so minutes late, you might need to factor that possibility in as well.

Frankly, if you’re able to, I would try and open up that connection by an hour or two just to save yourself some worry if your incoming flight is late.

By the way you plan to get an ESTA, don’t you?