Transiting through LAX On Separate Tickets

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Hi @chooms
We were very lucky in the end, all 4 of our LAX-related flights were on time, resulting in stress free transfer time between flights.

Landing into Tom Bradley International Terminal from our Qantas flight (~8am) passing through customs and immigration, then walking down to terminal #6 (10 minute walk landside, didn't use the underground inter-terminal connector walkway this time) and checking in at terminal 6 took a total of 45-60 minutes.

Very similar transit times through LAX for our journey in reverse when flying home.

I must say that we did not have any checked luggage on this trip, so certainly saved some time with that (perhaps an extra ~30 mins?).

Your flights have great gap allowing for transit time at LAX. Even if your QF11 is delayed, you will still have lots of time to burn once you get into LA.
I believe your American Airlines flight will depart from terminal 4 (adjacent to TBIT) or its neighbouring T5, so that's nice and close for you.
I'm not experienced enough to say whether or not Qantas will be able to through-check your bags from BNE to MIA....but I would think it's at least a 50% chance at this stage given the codeshare relationship between the two airlines.
I'm hoping someone else can answer whether or not 2/3pm(LA time) would be considered too early to check your bags in for your 10:30pm MIA flight. I don't think so, but perhaps something worth looking into - if your bags aren't able to be through-checked from BNE.

Depending on any possible delay with QF11's arrival into LAX and whether or not your luggage will be through-checked, in terms of passing time between flights, are you happy just to do a bit of a walk outside the terminal and spend the rest of the time inside the terminal waiting for your MIA flight?
Or, if you don't have to worry about checking in your bags, would you consider a bus/taxi/rideshare to Santa Monica or another beach/tourist attraction nearby the airport (say between 4-7pm)?
Or perhaps check into an airport hotel to sleep/shower/pass the time?
I don't think many hotels around LAX off 'day-room' bookings beyond 5pm, however depending on price and your budget, you could book any nearby hotel room 'for the night' - eg. 3pm to 8pm then make your way back to the airport to check in for your MIA flight.

 

[SYD]

Hi @chooms
We were very lucky in the end, all 4 of our LAX-related flights were on time, resulting in stress free transfer time between flights.

Landing into Tom Bradley International Terminal from our Qantas flight (~8am) passing through customs and immigration, then walking down to terminal #6 (10 minute walk landside, didn't use the underground inter-terminal connector walkway this time) and checking in at terminal 6 took a total of 45-60 minutes.

Very similar transit times through LAX for our journey in reverse when flying home.

I must say that we did not have any checked luggage on this trip, so certainly saved some time with that (perhaps an extra ~30 mins?).

Why did you go landside if there was no luggage to re-check?

Re clearing security at TBIT is usually much quicker than fronting back up at another terminal (despite the more direct waking route landslide). You might have lucked in on the day!

 

[Lynda2475]

Why did you go landside if there was no luggage to re-check?

Even without luggage you are deposited landside when arriving at LAX from somewhere international, so after clearing immigration you have to drop checked through bags off and go back through security. Whether you clear security again at the same terminal or another is much of a muchness.

 

[SYD]

Even without luggage you are deposited landside when arriving at LAX from somewhere international, so after clearing immigration you have to drop checked through bags off and go back through security. Whether you clear security again at the same terminal or another is much of a muchness.

No, not really. The transfer TSA security at TBIT is usually a doddle. Rarely much of a line and you’re deposited right near the entrance to the QF lounges or a short stroll to AA etc (plus there’s the other new connector going the other way).

Going to another terminal landside, you run the risk of joining a sea of humanity at those TSA check points. Can be really horrible and I certainly would never do it if I had the choice.

 

[Lynda2475]

No, not really. The transfer TSA security at TBIT is usually a doddle. Rarely much of a line and you’re deposited right near the entrance to the QF lounges or a short stroll to AA etc (plus there’s the other new connector going the other way).

You must be luckier than me, the last two times I flew SYD-LAX and then LAX-JFK (same flight number) the queue post bag drop at TBIT was significant, over 45mins then had to run to gate to board QF flight with no time for lounge or even to visit the bathroom; as the time to get through immigration at LAX was also lengthy.

Much prefer to fly into DFW or SFO where you are landside within 10 mins.

 

[SYD]

You must be luckier than me, the last two times I flew SYD-LAX and then LAX-JFK (same flight number) the queue post bag drop at TBIT was significant, over 45mins then had to run to gate to board QF flight with no time for lounge or even to visit the bathroom; as the time to get through immigration at LAX was also lengthy.

Ironically, my last SYD-LAX was due to the late restart of SYD-SFO but if you on the 6am into LAX, it’s otherwise very quick. Later arrivals are a cough shoot. I’d still stick with TBIT TSA - unless you look up the website to find which terminal is working best.

Much prefer to fly into DFW or SFO where you are landside within 10 mins.

Wouldn’t argue with that. Although DFW used to be horrendous also.

 

[Lynda2475]

Although DFW used to be horrendous also.

Never in my experience, always quick and ive been flying the route since SYD-DFW was launched.

 

[SYD]

Never in my experience, always quick and ive been flying the route since SYD-DFW was launched.

Pre QF flying into DFW we misconnected after a 2+ hrs immigration line…. The AA staff member said it’s always like this and to order a wheelchair transfer if in a hurry .

Significantly better on subsequent arrivals but I’m still hesitant to arrive there if there are better options.

 

[tomster204]

Hi thank you for all the information. Im in a similar situation where i have a return flight from MEL to LAX (which i got on sale with QF very cheap) then need I get a second ticket LAX to CUN return. There is an AA ticket with a 2.5hr layover in LAX which QF offers in as single ticket (MEL-CUN return) but i was wondering if I were to purchase the AA ticket separately, would 2.5hr be enough time? Am I able to do online check in in melb so that i dont need to pass security in LAX? I know most of the post say to wait 6hr to over night, however I dont have a check in (only carry on) and have a canadian passport.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Silvia]

Can you get your bags checked all the way through interline agreement? I wouldn't recommend less than 3 hours for separate bookings unless you like to run over terminals. Back in the day, I used to do 4-5 hours and that was even stressful. I had to rely on my first flight to go as planned which it doesn't always happen.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Can you get your bags checked all the way through interline agreement? I wouldn't recommend less than 3 hours for separate bookings unless you like to run over terminals. Back in the day, I used to do 4-5 hours and that was even stressful. I had to rely on my first flight to go as planned which it doesn't always happen.

Almost a moot point when travelling to the USA as you have to collect your bags and either drop-off or re-check in regardless. If you do have your connecting boarding pass already, there are counters at most of the collection points that can provide you with the necessary baggage tags for your onward flights, and I've NEVER seen these busy, so it's unlikely to add much time.

The biggest pain is moving through immigration and then security to re-enter the terminals.