LAX Los Angeles International Airport Passenger Reviews and Customer opinions

I flew from Phoenix to Hawaii with a connecting flight layover of 1 hour in LA - intolerable. The plane before us had mechanical issues so they held up the gate and had all passengers on my flight sweating because their connecting flights were going to take off. The layout of LAX is abominable. In a logical airport, your connecting flight gate would be two steps to the left after disembarking. In LAX, It's 800-1200 meters away. We had 5 minutes to make our flight before doors closed. LAX to Bangkok on Singapore Airlines, again, I gave myself a 3 hour layover this time and it was barely enough. Shuttles that transferred via Southwest to the Bradley (international) airport rarely came. I dragged luggage 20 minutes to the Bradley. Finally got to Singapore airlines ticketing counter and was greeted by hundreds of people standing in long lines, with of course, LAX only supplying 6 ticketing counters. Both security check points had 250+ passengers waiting in line. LAX should get a warning in all areas of service for this. Got to the airplane and everyone was confused to where to go and stand because LAX doesn't have a gate that supports the A380's. Service and inadequacy in all areas.

After using both LAX and DFW as my international gateways in the last month, I honestly have to give LAX the overall edge. Maybe DFW offers a more comfortable mode of making your connection with its Skylink tram system. However, I made a similar connection at LAX by taking a 5 minute walk outside between Terminal 4 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Sure, I had to re-enter the secure area, but 9 out of 10 times, you have time built into your itinerary to spend elsewhere (area hotel, restaurant etc) when connecting domestic with international and vice versa at LAX. As for TSA lines, Los Angeles' moved faster and had more lane options. The clincher, in this day and age of flying with the latest and greatest of technology, I prefer the quiet comfort of the Airbus A380 over the older Boeing 747. The Airbus flies into LAX, but not into DFW until they fork out the money for a serious terminal upgrade. Until then, I won't even consider Dallas unless my back is to the wall, and I have no other option.

Flew in on Virgin Australia from Melbourne. Flight arrived early but was held up in the tarmac for 30 min since gate was occupied by another aircraft. Ground staff courteous and made sure documentation was filled up prior to reaching immigration counter. They selected passengers with connecting flights to go through first. I had a 4 yr old who was very tired, and ground staff gave us priority at immigration. Immigration officers have an attidute - they need to be taught basic customer service skills. For that reason I will think twice about entering the USA through LAX in future. Getting to and from airport, as well as checking in was all organised and hassel free.

The airport is old, the concessions in Tom Bradley are questionable for the 21st century, but things over the years have changed for the better. I used to get hassled by people asking for donations for a battered woman's shelter. These people would be nice at first, giving directions etc. but would get surly if you did not give them money. I have not noticed them in the past couple of years. But as I said, things are improving.

Arrived on time from London on BA at 15.05. Took at least 2 hours to clear immigration and customs. Immigration queues very full, most lines being dealt with by one or two officials at the most. Immigration staff seemed to have little concern in processing people speedily, they were slow to get set up and there were frequent personnel changes at the desks. The management of the queues is amateur at best with passengers being moved between lines on an apparently random basis. I would have been very concerned if I had been try to catch a connecting flight. The line to clear customs was the worst I have experienced with several passengers being selected for further checks. What should have been a prompt start to a drive to Palm Spring turned into a very slow drive through the LA traffic. I cannot understand how, in a country which prides itself on delivering a high standard of service, his situation - which I have experienced before - goes unnoticed by airport management. Next time I think I will fly to San Diego. Avoid LAX if you can.

Departed from Terminal 1, US Airways, so experienced almost no traffic on the hotel shuttle to the terminal. Facilities were fine. Security quick as most airports. Encounters Restaurant in the centre of the airport rather good, and with great views of arriving and departing planes.

A pity United Airlines does not see that their LAX International Lounge has very poor food after late afternoon. Many international flights depart in the evening and just snacks and liquor is rather poor for this major US airline and in particular a major port of LAX.

Arrived late afternoon and expected long queues but was pleasantly surprised that immigration was largely empty. My partner and I visit the USA a couple of times a year and it is about time they got some consistency. Do you approach singly or together? Either way could be wrong. Filling one customs form or two? Again it is guesswork. All that said we were processed, singly, quickly and on our way within 40 minutes of landing.

It is simply beyond me that with as many travelers that fly through LAX each year, as well as it being a major airport representing the U.S. that it is as ineffective, inefficient and outdated as it is. Especially with airports such as San Francisco, San Diego and even SNA/Orange County being so on par with everything from wi-fi, to food options, to efficient flow coming through security. If the hotels near LAX can command top shelf pricing, one would think they would have a top shelf experience upon arrival to go to that hotel. Send me through Cancun any day over LAX.

As a regular traveller both business and leisure also with a young family, you are going to have to do a bit of research. LAX has its good points and bad points. The screening is quite fast, security is a fact of life. Too many people still don't know how to pack or travel smart. Grant there are the odd staff that have sour faces etc, its not an excuse but smile, understand and know first hand what is required. I do admit that TBIT is going through refurbishment and renovation and should be completed soon to ensure they can move the volume of people efficiently as possible.

I have traveled to and from LAX many times via Air New Zealand out of terminal 5. It saddens me how uninviting that place is. As an entry port to The USA it seems like a horrible way to welcome visitors. The dozen different immigration officers over the years have all been robotic. The bathrooms are nasty and the security lines long. When we were traveling with 2 young kids, we still couldn't get ushered up the queue as we have often at other airports. The prices for food are also astronomical. I had to switch Terminals to get to Delta which is in Terminal 5 and the first time, I was quite flustered when getting any direction on finding the correct shuttle bus to take. Sadly, when making the trips, this airport visit had simply been something that we had to deal with. Because of our past experience we are now pretty confident going through there, since we know where we are going we can deal with it. To sum it up, the main issue is the attitude of the staff. Yes the airport is old and out dated, but if people were greeted better and treated like real human beings then the whole experience would be a 100 times better.

My experience at this airport was not positive. Despite using LAX during the off season and there being much below average attendance, the staff were still very unfriendly and unhelpful. It was clear that the staff were annoyed that they were asked for help, and questions were met with blunt and unhelpful responses. One of our two tickets did not list a seat, and we were referred to the boarding attendants for answers in regards to this. However despite admitting that this was her issue, the boarding attendant told us that it would be handled at a later time, and to just sit down. As a result my partner and I were forced to sit apart, despite reserving our seats far in advance. No help was given at all. It is very clear the staff here have no incentives to help customers and as frequent travelers this is something LAX seems to repeatedly stand out for. I would avoid this dirty and unhelpful airport if you are able to.

What a disgrace this horrible airport is as it is dirty, passenger unfriendly, and does not have enough clean inviting eating places. Staff at the bars were surly and wanted passports shown to order a lager even though we had obviously passed through security and were senior UK citizens. No shops worth looking at. What a shock after my experience of Miami International which I thought would be the normal standard in the USA. How wrong I was and never wish to return to LAX.

Traveling from Australia to Houston with connecting United flight through LAX terminal 7. The United counter is horribly laid out with the ticket and check in counters competing with the entrance to security. The security line was also crowded with security personnel yelling at passengers in order to maintain the 'obvious' three lines they are trying to pack in one cramped space. Those who were running close to their plane schedule would have a very difficult time navigating through the process in a timely manner. Try to space connecting flights if possible especially if you are flying international and must clear customs. Only redeeming factor is free wifi. I used to think Houston's Bush and Hobby were bad, but in comparison, those airports seem much more manageable. LAX is in serious need of re-engineering traffic flows and layout plans. An absolute mess!

I live in LA so I've gone to LAX a lot. It can be a bit annoying if you're traveling on the big airlines (AA, Delta, Southwest, or United). I just flew Virgin America and it was so easy, no lines for security with was a huge shock. IF you're flying out of LAX then arrive 2.5 hours early just for checking bags and security. I would suggest to use other LA airports like Long Beach, Burbank, Ontario or Santa Ana.

Having heard the horror stories of 4 hour queues and surly staff, travelling with two young children I was not looking forward to clearing immigration and customs. Having seen that the terminal building is a dump and needs replacing with a modern facility my expectations were very low. However, immigration staff were helpful and the queue took about 45 minutes to clear. We were using a shuttle bus service to Disneyland, while this was signposted it was a bit vague and we needed assistance from a rival bus company to find the right spot - which turned out to be a tiny traffic island overcrowded with fellow tourists. Overall, the people at the airport are friendly but the facilities are terrible.

If you're going to Southern California then LAX is your only choice for arrivals but I must admit that arrival or departure from Tom Bradley makes me, as an American, somewhat ashamed of the facility. Its old, not user friendly, security and immigration staff efficient but not friendly at all, and the TBIT has hardly any facilities for shopping or meals. The upstairs food area is crowded and very expensive as well. Shops are minimal and offer very little. There is no airport in America that can come close to Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok or Singapore. Overseas visitors to LAX, SFO, JFK or ORD cannot have a good impression of our country when they arrive at these old, and disorganized airports.

Going through airport security is like going through prison security. The lady who directed me was pretty aggressive. The line for the Delta baggage drop was extremely long and the handlers were working at a frantic pace. The people at custom were also intimidating, cold and stern. So long for nice pleasant airports and staff, like the ones in Asia.

When reviewing LAX, whether for international or domestic arrivals, we should specify the Terminal Number (or at least the airline name), since there are nine terminal buildings at this airport. International arrivals at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) and those at the Delta terminal (Terminal 5) get much better reviews than those at the United Terminal (Terminal 8). My recent experience at United's international arrivals was shocking. The wheelchair I requested never arrived. The escalators were out of order both going down and later going back up. There were no moving sidewalks, and the distances to cover were among the longest in the world. The ceilings were low. The queues were the longest I've ever seen at any US arrival point, and, in general, the experience was comparable to those I have had in the worst of Third World terminals. I usually arrive at SFO, which is ten times better. I would say avoid LAX, but I guess I am really saying avoid UA arrivals from overseas. The other terminals might be better.

Old decrepit buildings, poor signage and next to no facilities. However on this trip no queues at immigration, for the first time, pleasant immigration staff and luggage came quickly. For a country that demands high standards, it doesn't seem to include their airports.

We arrived at TBIT on October 1 and were in a scene of mass chaos for almost 2 hours. The lines were endless and the area was so congested that moving was a challenge. Most of the third world airports I have used have been infinitely better and the first-time visitor could not have a worse first impression of the US. Miserable!

My last three arrivals at LAX international have been terrible. Immigration is chaos. It is a long walk from the gate, and when you arrive at immigration there are visible, clear signs or direction of where foreign and US passport holders should go. On the afternoon of 09/27/12 there was a woman acting as traffic cop but no one could hear her. A guard then starting directing but he seemed more interested in the show he was putting on than helping anyone. Customs was worse. Extremely poor and stupid setup, with lines running right through the midst of baggage arrival. Just a mess. People were lined up in a very long queue on the left (from the arrivals point of view), that queue was then split into two lines by a rope, the left side of the split was serviced by 2 agents, while the right had 1 agent. Meanwhile, across the room and hard to see, was another that had a tenth of the number of people and two agents. No one seemed to care! It has been like this for the last year. Unbelievable.

Arrived from Heathrow on United at terminal 7. Walked directly to the immigration and customs ( a long walk - wonder what people do who are not in decent shape physically). When I got there it took 5 minutes to get through. All in all, much better than Heathrow on this trip. But the terminal needs some paint and maintenance. They could use a little "Hollywood" for visitors new to the US. Many others have commented on the poor attitude of airport employees and TSA at LAX.

This has to be the worst airport experience of my 50 years of travel! Arriving from London, the entire management of process was rude and amateurish with surly, rude and obnoxious immigration people and no clear plan for dealing with queues other than "let's hope for the best"! This is one airport in the US I will in future avoid as an international arrival point in the US - never again! It took hours to get through immigration and customs and then to make my way to another terminal for a connection to Honolulu. Having allowed over 3 hours, I literally just made it! I dropped my bag into the check-in and walked straight onto the aircraft.

Having read the reviews I was dreading arriving in LAX. I arrived at lunchtime, on a KLM flight from Amsterdam, into T2. We disembarked, went down an escalator and straight into the immigration hall. Queue was c.20 minutes and although the questions were very thorough there wasn't anything asked that was out of the ordinary or unexpected. Plus obviously the usual photo and fingerprinting (all 10 fingers). The only thing was the business class bags were taken off the belt first and left in a heap to one side, so I was waiting for my bag for 20 mins and beginning to panic, before realising this had happened! Would definitely not be afraid to use it again.

For such a major international airport, I have to say that LAX has to be one of, if not the worst I have ever experienced! From the time we disembarked our flight, got screamed at by a grumpy old man at immigration, then having to stand in a massive queue for our next flight, which spilled outside the terminal building and onto the roadside kerb! In my opinion, the staff at LAX and the airport itself is in desperate need of an overhaul. I have travelled through many airports around the world and I'm very disappointed at the rudeness and hostility of the staff and the lack of facilities that a major airport such as LAX should have! I don't think I will travel through LAX again after this experience, unless they improve their standards.

A recent flight out of LAX, United Terminal 8 found the most under equipped terminal I've seen. The entrance to the terminal areas involved having to go upstairs where the entrance to the security checkpoint required passengers to wait across the hall from the checkpoint and were only allowed to queue up one at a time to prevent blockage of the hallway. Once inside the terminal there was a single bar and hallway vendor with very limited offerings. The gate itself was where things became inexcusable. The entire area had a single electrical outlet. Checking the hallway opposite the gate I was unable to find any other outlets. In an age of electrical gadgets needing recharges while waiting for flights, most airports are now offering charging stations or a number of seats with outlets built in. This airport seems to have decided this trend will pass. If presented with alternate flights from one of the many other airports in the LA area, I recommend choosing an airport other than LAX.

Had a layover at LAX in August of 2012 while waiting for a domestic Virgin America flight. Very disappointed at the lack of seating for the volume of the people waiting. The air conditioning could not keep up with the outside heat and internal body heat from the crowd of people there. Reminded me of a inner city bus terminal on Christmas eve. There were 3 cell phone charging stations which were being used and no electrical outlets. Glad I was only there an hour.

The staff were rude from the minute I arrived. The airport is filthy, our luggage was delayed and took over 2 hours to reach the carousel and I had 2 small children with me. I had limited time for a connection and the staff went out of their way to delay me even further, such as holding me up at security, making me wait for an elevator while the janitor moved his trolleys in and out, and not helpful in giving directions etc. I would be happy if I never had to go there again.

The immigration and airport staff on arrival are very unfriendly. The arrival terminals are also very unwelcoming. The departure procedure is also unnecessarily lengthy. The departure terminals are however a bit cosy.

Flew in on 29th June at about 10am in Terminal 5 and breezed through. I was expecting things to go wrong by reading other reviews about the airport, but there were none present. Immigration officer was tough but if you smile, then they tend to do the same so they aren't as unfriendly as most people are making them out to be. Although cleanliness of the toilets are another matter. But all on all it was a pleasure flying in and out of LAX.

Arrived at LAX 15 minutes early and from leaving the aircraft I was through immigration picked up my luggage and through customs in 25 minutes. Admittedly I was in business class so one of the first of the plane but I was impressed. The immigration officer was friendly and efficient as was the customs officer. I was expecting a really awful experience after reading the reviews but honestly I have had far worse experiences in Europe traveling on a British passport. Leaving LAX was fine. Yes there aren't many signs but if you look around you can generally work out which way to go. Again staff were friendly going through luggage screening. Unfortunately it was the other travellers that let the place down by deciding they need to re-pack and pull out all their liquids whilst their luggage is on the belt. Come on people, get yourselves organised and we could all get through a lot quicker!

I am probably in minority of people who don't mind using LAX, as it's the easiest option for my USA to Australia flights. I agree that past the security gates at TBIT there needs to be more food options as you can't bring water/sodas through security so are stuck with what's available. I usually have a 10 hour layover between my east coast US flight and my overnight flight to Australia, use the airline lounge in terminal 5 and then wander over to TBIT to check in and enjoy a Pinks turkey dog before going through security to the gates. There are charging stations and plugs around the terminal so tablets, ipods and other gadgets are ready to go for the long flight wherever you go. Bring a good novel or use wifi and watch movies, etc on your tablet. It's not up to the airport to provide you entertainment. As for the queues at customs, when I passed through in October there were close to 1000 people from two full flights and I spent a total of 15 minutes waiting to clear as more booths were opening up, alleviating the congestion. My favourite airport, Atlanta.

Flew from Brisbane on Qantas into Tom Bradley terminal. Was concerned after reading reviews of this airport as I only had 2 hours to clear immigration and customs and get to terminal 4. Immigration was speedy but unfriendly, case was already on the carousel after immigration, customs officer friendly and welcomed me to the US. People were there to say where to recheck your baggage, walked to terminal 4 through their security and still had an hour to spare. Maybe as it was early in the morning I had such a smooth run. Seemed to be lots of queuing for coffee etc in Terminal 4.

This airport was hard to navigate. We flew from Newark and had to find the International terminal and there were no signs anywhere. We had to ask several people who seemed annoyed by the questions. We had to run for a shuttle that drove to what seemed to be a completely different location. The signage in the airport is lacking.

This airport was hard to navigate. We flew from Newark and had to find the International terminal and there were no signs anywhere. We had to ask several people who seemed annoyed by the questions. We had to run for a shuttle that drove to what seemed to be a completely different location. The signage in the airport is lacking.

Long lines, bad transportation service, poor to fair food, poor and often rude staff and just an unfriendly, somewhat confused atmosphere. I have been to over 25 international airports including others in the USA. It is just not a good facility compared to almost any other. I give it a 3 and that is being very nice I think. A long way to go before I'd give it a better rating.

Been through here seven times since the late 90's and it hasn't improved one bit. Not their fault, but last time (May 2012) there was a backlog of travellers waiting to pass through which took one and a half hours, but the staff attitude is disgusting and assumes we are all criminals. One "lady" with a gun on her belt that has been working there for years is appallingly rude and simply seems to hate everybody. It is not clear where you should queue and heaven help you if you dare ask anyone for assistance. Use another airport if you can.