The Configuration of LAX Airport
Los Angeles International Airport, one of the busiest and largest airports in the world, spreads over a 3.500-acre (1.400 ha) area. It consists of 9 terminal buildings, forming a U-shape layout. In the middle of the horseshoe design lies the Central Terminal Area (CTA), which houses the main parking zone of LAX. A two-level road traverses this area. The terminals are numbered from 1 to 8, while the ninth terminal is the newest terminal facility of LAX and goes by the name “Tom Bradley International Terminal”, or TBIT (also terminal B).
Useful Info: All LAX terminals have their unique layout and offer different services and amenities. Still, all the necessary services, as well as various shopping and dining options, are to be found in all terminals.
Important Fact: LAX undergoes fundamental renovation as Los Angeles is going to be the host of the 2028 Olympic Games.
Los Angeles Airport Terminal 1
Los Angeles international airport terminal 1 was built in 1984. It is part of the north terminals of LAX, and has two levels; one hosts the Arrivals (baggage carousels, arrivals, etc.) and is directly linked to the airport’s ground transit modes, and the other houses the Departures. In total, terminal 1 has 14 gates (Gates 9, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13-16, 17A, 17B, 18A, and 18B). It exclusively handles the domestic flights of Southwest Airlines. Moreover, the check-in process for several airlines (Air Transat, Condor, Breeze Airways, VivaAerobus, Lynx Air, Southwest (for international flights), etc. takes place in terminal 1. However, the passengers for those flights have to take the bus to the West Gates of Tom Bradley Terminal to access their airplanes. Please note that the terminal underwent renovation in 2018, while in 2021, a post-security bridge was added to its facilities, facilitating the transfer from terminal 1 to terminal 2 (without having to re-pass through security).
Los Angeles Airport Terminal 2
Terminal 2 of LAX Airport is even older. It opened its doors in 1962. However, it was rebuilt in 1984. It has two levels as well (Arrivals and Departures) and used to be an international terminal. Nowadays, a construction project is still in progress. Thus, its 13 gates (20-28) are now part of Delta Air Line’s terminal 3 complex. Moreover, the WestJet passengers check in at terminal 2 but fly from terminal 3. However, for the time being, the access to terminal 2 is through the adjacent terminal building 3.
Los Angeles Airport Terminal 3
LAX terminal 3, along with terminal building 2, is the Delta Air Line’s hub. It was constructed in 1961 but was partially demolished and was constructed anew in 2022. Its two levels host the Arrivals and the Departures, respectively. For the time being, it houses Gates 30-38 as well as the check-in points for Delta Air Lines’ passengers (however, they fly from both T2 and T3) and Aeroméxico (however, its passengers have to take the bus to Tom Bradley International Airport and fly from TBIT). Moreover, the clients of WestJet fly from T3 even though they do their check-in in T2.
Los Angeles Airport Terminal 4
Los Angeles terminal 4 was constructed back in 1961 but has been renovated ever since. As a matter of fact, it’s under renovation for the time being. Its first floor houses the Arrivals (from that level, passengers also have access to the airport’s ground transit system) and the second one, the Departures (Gates 41-49). When the renovation project is completed, terminals 4 and 5 are expected to share a Departure hall. Terminal 4, along with Terminal 5 and Regional Terminal, is dedicated to American Airlines. In detail, the check-in procedures take place in terminals 4 and 5, but the relevant flights depart from Tom Bradley International Terminal as well. What’s more, passengers arriving from international destinations arrive at TBIT.
Los Angeles Airport Terminal 5
LAX terminal 5 is home to JetBlue, Spirit, and American Airlines. It houses Gates 50-59, but Gates 52A-52I are located on the Regional Terminal. Terminal 5 used to be the base of Delta Air Lines. However, Delta now operates from terminals 2 and 3. Thus, nowadays, it is home to JetBlue (all its flights depart from T5, but only the domestic ones arrive at the terminal). Please note that the flights of American Eagle fly from and land at a Satellite terminal east of T8, which has just 9 gates.
Los Angeles Airport Terminal 6
Housing Gates 60-69, LAX terminal 6 is situated in the south part of the airport complex. It first began its operation in 1963 under the name “Satellite 6” or “Ticketing Building 6”. At the moment, it is being refurbished and modernized and is the base of Alaska Airlines and Air Canada. What’s more, it is a key terminal for smaller air carriers as well. Specifically, Advanced Air, Horizon, and Southern Air (Mokulele) operate at this terminal.
Los Angeles Airport Terminals 7 and 8
Los Angeles terminals 7 and 8 are the United Airlines terminals. Verily, only United Airlines and United Express are present at the terminals. Terminal 7 opened its doors in 1962, whereas terminal 8 was originally named “Satellite 8”. They both have been modernized from time to time. Nowadays, they share their Departures and Arrivals. Hence, terminal 8 doesn’t house check-in points, security control, or baggage claim zones. Passengers use terminal 7’s facilities pre-security. Airside, the two terminals are separate. All in all, they house Gates 70-88 and serve both the domestic and the international flights of United Airlines.
LAX Airport: The Regional Terminal
The Regional Terminal (Terminal R) operates supplementary to terminals 4 and 5. Thus, it is the base of American Eagle (a branch of American Airlines). That’s the reason why it is commonly known as “the Eagle’s nest”. Terminal R is located at the southeast part of the horseshoe complex of LAX terminals and houses Gates 52A to 52I. Access to terminal R is possible via a shuttle bus departing from Gate 42B of terminal 4 and Gate 52 of terminal 5. Inside the terminal, passengers find a small shopping zone, restrooms, power outlets, as well as an Admirals Club.
Los Angeles International Airport Terminal B
Tom Bradley International Terminal -also referred to as terminal B or TBIT- is a huge terminal building. It is, in fact, the biggest LAX terminal, featuring the astonishing Great Hall (the lavish shopping and dining area where premium services and amenities are provided) and handling the vast majority of the airport’s international flights (it serves more than 45 airlines). It occupies the west part of Los Angeles Airport, lying right between terminals 3 and 4. The terminal spreads into multiple levels: the first level houses the Arrivals and the baggage carousels, the third the ticketing, and the fourth the Departures (Gates 130-225). The Gates are divided into five zones: the North Concourse, the South Concourse, the West Gates, the Bus Gates, and the Bus Port. The West Gates were recently added to the TBIT complex. The 15-gate area (Gates 201A-221) has a small variety of concessions. Please note that two of the West Gates can accommodate Airbus A380. Finally, the terminal’s mezzanine (level 5) and the sixth-floor house lounges.
Transfer Between Terminals
To begin with, LAX Automated People Mover is expected to connect the Los Angeles terminals in the near future. It will have 6 stations, 3 of which will be found near the parking lots of the Central Terminal Area (CTA) with bridges to T3, T4, and TBIT, to T1, T2, T5, and T6, and to T7 and T8 respectively. Moreover, it will provide connections to nearby transit hubs and parking lots.
Nevertheless, for the time being, passengers can take the free shuttle bus or walk their way from one terminal to the other. In detail, they can use the overground walkway from TBIT to T4, the tunnel linking, T4, T5, and T6, and the walkways from T6 to T7 and T8. Each terminal is within a 5-8-minute walking distance from the other. Moreover, passengers can transfer between T1, T2, and T3 on foot, using airside walkways. Landside, travelers can walk their way from one terminal to the other using the sideways. They can shortcut through the Central Terminal Area and the parking lots.
Passengers of international flights have to pass through customs and security to travel between terminals.
As far as the courtesy shuttles are concerned, A Route runs between terminals around the clock at a 10-minute frequency. It stops right outside the Arrivals of each terminal (at the Pink LAX Shuttle columns). Buses run clockwise and need about half an hour to travel through all terminals. A bus also provides airside connections between T2 T3 and TBIT. Finally, there is a shuttle bus linking T4 and T5 to the dedicated to the American Eagle Regional Terminal.
FAQs
How many terminals does LAX have?
LAX Airport has nine terminals in total. Eight out of them are numbered from 1 to 8, while the ninth is the massive, international Tom Bradley Terminal. Moreover, the terminal complex also features the Regional Terminal.
Which LAX terminal is international?
The main international terminal is the Los Angeles airport terminal B (Tom Bradley International Terminal). Verily, TBIT (as it is also called) handles the vast majority of the LAX international flights. Nevertheless, some international flights fly from and to T2, T7, and T8 as well.
What airlines use Terminal 3 at LAX?
Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico are present at Los Angeles airport terminal 3, along with WestJet. Nevertheless, the passengers of Delta Air Lines fly from either T2 or T3, the Aeroméxico clients fly from TBIT, while the travelers flying with WestJet fly from T3 but check in at T2.
What airline is terminal 2 in LAX?
Terminal 2 is dedicated to Delta Air Lines. Nevertheless, the Delta flights arrive and depart from both T2 and T3. Moreover, the WestJet passengers check in at T2 but fly from the LAX terminal 3.
Can I walk between terminals at LAX?
As part of the big renovation project for Los Angeles Airport, all terminals are now connected both landside and airside. Therefore, you can walk your way through the LAX terminals. Nevertheless, as the terminal complex resembles a giant horseshoe, you may need a considerable amount of time to travel from one side to the opposite one (at least airside, as landside you can shortcut via the central parking lots).