Los Angeles LAX Airport

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.