Operated by the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the key airport serving Los Angeles and the nearby metropolitan area. With an annual passenger traffic of over 75 million, LAX Airport remains one of the busiest airports in the country and globally.
The airport comprises nine terminals – Terminals 1-8 and B (Tom Bradley International Terminal), with almost all domestic airlines serving the airport. LAX is a hub for Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.
LAX Airport History
1926
In 1926, due to the rapidly growing aviation industry, the Chamber of Commerce and Los Angeles City Council identified the need to have an airport for the city. After considering various locations, they zeroed in on a 640-acre field in south Westchester known as the Mines Field. The city leased this land on August 13, 1928, and the fields started getting converted to dirt landing strips by the newly created Department of Airports.
Between 1928 and 1939
On October 1, 1928, the airport was opened, and the first building (Hangar No. 1) was built in 1929. Expansion happened the very next year with the introduction of an all-weather surface runway, additional hangars, a control tower, and a restaurant. The facility was completed and dedicated on June 7, 1939, and was renamed as Los Angeles Municipal Airport.
Between 1942 and 1949
Many private pilots and flying schools initially used the airport. Though the plan was to establish LA as a major passenger hub, the airport didn’t succeed in luring any airlines from Grand Central Airport or Burbank Airport. There was a halt in passenger use when World War II started. The military assumed control of the airport in 1942, stationing fighter planes and making naval gun batteries.
However, in 1943, the airport managers made a master plan for the airport. They convinced the voters to support a $12.5 million bond for improving the facilities. With that, many carriers were convinced to operate from the airport. Four temporary terminals came up on the airport’s northern side when the war ended.
Also, United Airlines, Southwest Airways, American Airlines, Western Airlines, and Trans World Airlines started their operations on December 9, 1946. Pan American Airways started operations from the airport the next month. In 1949, the airport was renamed as Los Angeles International Airport.
Between 1956 and 1984
The temporary terminals served the airport for 15 years. However, as the air travel industry entered the “jet age,” there was a need to revamp the terminals. So, on June 5, 1956, the airport managers again convinced the votes to support a $59 million bond. The existing layout of the passenger amenities was designed in 1958.
Following the revamp, the first of the newly built passenger buildings, Terminals 7 and 8, opened on June 25, 1961, for United Airlines. Terminals 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were also opened in 1961. Another great expansion of the airport happened in the 1980s before the 1984 Summer Olympics. Terminals 1 and B (Tom Bradley International Terminal) opened in June 1984.
After 2008
After 2008, other major revamps were underway in LAX, including refurbishing all other terminals. A parking area with 4,300 parking spots opened in 2021. Also, there are plans to build new terminals and add new gates.
Where is LAX Airport?
LAX Airport is located at 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045. The airport is around 18.8 miles away from Downtown Los Angeles.
LAX Airport Map
The airport consists of nine terminals.
- Terminal 1
- Terminal 2
- Terminal 3
- Terminal 4
- Terminal 5
- Terminal 6
- Terminal 7
- Terminal 8
- Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B)
LAX Parking & Transportation
There are onsite and offsite lots that offer parking at LAX. Central Terminal Area Parking, Economy Parking, and Budget Parking are the onsite parking lots. If you’re looking for cheaper LAX parking rates, then you must book parking at any offsite lots near the airport. Reserving via GlobalAirportParking.com assures you the cheapest rates available.
You can use public transportation, car, taxi, or rideshare services to get to and from the LAX Airport.
How to get to LAX Airport
If you’re driving to LAX Airport, these are the directions you must follow.
From I-405 Northward: Use exit 45A to turn into I-105 W to El Segundo and use exit 1C onto Sepulveda Boulevard. Make use of the right two lanes to use the Century Boulevard exit onto World Way, from where you can enter the airport parking area or curbside drop-off.
From I-405 Southward: Use the exit via the Howard Hughes Parkway and turn left onto Sepulveda Boulevard, driving south through downtown Westchester. Take a right turn onto Vicksburg Avenue and again right turn onto World Way, from where you can enter the airport parking area or curbside drop-off.
Public Transportation
Metro C Line (Green): If you want to use this shuttle bus service, you must wait at the PINK LAX Shuttle signage located on the Lower/Arrivals Level in each terminal’s front and board the “Metro Green Line.”
Lot South / LAX City Bus Center: If you’re going to the LAX City Bus Center, you must wait at the PINK LAX Shuttle sign on the Lower/Arrivals Level in each terminal’s front and get inside the Lot South / LAX City Bus Center shuttle. The service is inoperational daily from 2 a.m.-4 a.m.
Amtrak: The closest place to get this service is the Union Station. You can use the FlyAway Bus, which travels directly to Union Station. A one-way ticket costs you $9.75.
FlyAway Bus: For a ride directly to Van Nuys and Union Station, follow the signs to reach the pick-up area that mentions “FlyAway, Buses & Long Distance Vans.”
Other services: Some local operators like Culver City Bus Lines, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and Torrance Transit offer service to and from LAX Airport.
Car Service and Rideshares
Taxi: A taxi ride to Downtown Los Angeles may cost you around $51.50. There are three locations where you can pick up a metered taxi at Los Angeles International Airport.
- Outside of the baggage claim area at a far-off end of Terminal 7
- The LAX-it lot to the east of Terminal 1
- In parking structure 3, crossways from Terminal 3.
Rideshare services: Uber, Lyft, and Opoli are the authorized rideshare services operating at LAX Airport. The rideshare services can drop you off directly at the terminal on the upper/departures level. For pick-up, you can wait at the Lax-it lot near terminal 1. You can either walk or use the shuttles to reach the Lax-it lot.
On average, a trip from LAX Airport to Downtown Los Angeles costs you $49. However, the rate can vary based on the ride type, time of journey, traffic conditions, etc. Lyft can cost you anywhere between $28-$120, based on the ride type.
Amenities in LAX Airport
These are some amenities that you can find at LAX Airport.
- Medical and First Aid
- Automated External Defibrillators
- Nursing Station (all terminals)
- ATM
- Currency Exchange
- Animal Relief Station (all terminals except T3 and T8)
- Free Wi-Fi
- Charging stations
- Children’s play areas
- Smoking areas
Hotels near LAX Airport
The following are some of the LAX Airport hotels.
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
- Address: 6101 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Aloft El Segundo – Los Angeles Airport
- Address: 475 N Pacific Coast Hwy, El Segundo, CA 90245
- Address: 850 N Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX
- Address: 5985 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Embassy Suites by Hilton Los Angeles International Airport North
- Address: 01 Airport Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Travelodge by Wyndham LAX
- Address: 1804 E Sycamore Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245
Super 8 by Wyndham Inglewood/LAX/LA Airport
- Address: 4238 W Century Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90304
Sonesta Select Los Angeles LAX El Segundo
- Address: 2000 E Mariposa Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245
Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel
- Address: 9620 Airport Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport
- Address: 6225 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
LAX Airport Lounges
These are the various lounges you can see at Los Angeles International Airport.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
Location: Terminal 6, close to Gate 65B
Alaska Lounge
Location: Terminal 6, close to Gate 64B
American Admirals Club
Locations:
Terminal 4, close to Gate 40
Terminal 5, close to Gate 53B
Regional Terminal, close to Gate 52D
American Flagship Lounge
Location: Terminal 4, close to Gate 40
Centurion Lounge
Location: Terminal B, to the left after security area
Delta One Lounge
Location: Terminal 3
Delta Sky Club
Locations:
Mezzanine level, Terminal 2
Terminal 3 SkyWay
Emirates Lounge
Location: Terminal B
Oneworld Los Angeles Business Lounge
Location: Terminal B
Qantas Lounge
Location: Terminal B
SkyTeam/Korean Air Lounge
Location: Terminal B
Star Alliance Lounge
Location: Terminal B
United Club
Location: Terminal 7, close to Gate 71A
United Polaris Lounge
Location: Terminal 7, close to Gate 73
USO Lounge
Location: Center Way
LAX Airport Shops and Stores
If you’re trying out LAX Airport food or shopping, these are some of the shops and stores you can see in various terminals. You can check out the complete list of shops and stores via the LAX Airport official website.
Terminal 1
- Ace Tacos
- Urtn Cafee & Bar
- Betcha Burger
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Rock & Brews Concert Bar and Grill
- I Love LA
- Be Relax
- Kiehl’s
- Stellar News Express
- Sol Surf
Terminal 2
- Starbucks
- Breeze
- Barneys Beanery
- Jersey Mike’s
- SLAPFISH Modern Seafood Shack
- CNBC Smartshop
- SPANX
- Univision
- In Motion
- Larchmont
Terminal 3
- Hudson News
- In Motion
- A/K Blvd
- Gameway
- Hudson evolve
- Chicken + Beer
- Jamba
- Yakumi
- Native
- Homeboy
Terminal 4
- Dunkin Donuts
- Campanile
- Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
- Natural Break
- La Provence Patisserie and Café
- Tech on the Go
- Destination LA
- Hudson Booksellers
- Sunglass Hut
- Entertainment Weekly Newsstand
Terminal 5
- I love LA
- LA Times Newsstand
- Rip Curl
- Magic Johnson Sports
- F A O Schwarz
- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
- Loteria! Grill
- Coffee Corner
- Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market & Bistro
- Farmers Market Grill
Terminal 6
- Earthbar
- Club 42 Tequiolla Bar & Bites
- Point the Way Café
- The Habit Burger Grill
- The Wine Bar by Wolfgang Puck
- MAC Cosmetics
- Belkin
- Market 8600
- M.Fredric
- Los Angeles Magazine News
Terminal 7
- Hugo Boss
- Pier No. 7
- Hudson News
- Book Soup
- Bartel’s Harley Davidson Store
- Rolling Stone Bar & Grill
- The Counter Custom Built Burgers
- Klatch Coffee
- BLD
- B Grill by BOA Steakhouse
Terminal 8
- Panda Express
- Carl’s JR
- Stella Bar
- Engine Co. No 28
- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
- E! News
- People News
Tom Bradley International Terminal
- 800 Degrees Pizza
- Asian Street Eats
- Chaya Sushi
- Santa Monica Brew Works
- Vino Volo
- Book Soup
- Duty Free
- Lego
- Victoria’s Secret
- Tumi
Accessible Services
LAX Airport has many provisions in place that ensure people with restricted mobility have an easy and happy experience. Each of the Lax-it shuttles is ADA-accessible. There are large and small buses operating. The large buses are low floor and have wheelchair ramps. At the same time, small buses come with a wheelchair lift.
If you prefer to use the large bus, consider avoiding the smaller buses and wait till the large bus arrives.
Lost and Found
At LAX Airport, the Airport Police Division manages the lost and found. Their mission is to find lost items for the public in public areas like gate areas, baggage claims, parking lots, etc. Be aware that the Lost and Found team doesn’t collect or manage lost articles left in aircraft or TSA areas.
If you want to inquire about a lost item, you must first submit a claim. It is not a police report, just a method to initiate inquiry. The airport doesn’t charge any fee for the service.
TSA PreCheck
LAX Airport features an exclusive TSA PreCheck lane at every terminal for quicker security screening. Use this lane if you’ve enrolled in the program. Check the TSA website for PreCheck opening hours.
CLEAR
The airport has exclusive CLEAR lanes in Terminals 1 to 7 for quick security clearance. You must be enrolled in the program to use this lane. You should also undergo an interview for fingerprint and retinal scanning.
Attractions Near LAX Airport
If you’ve time to explore the nearby areas, try checking these points of interest.
- Flight Path Museum & Learning Center
- Clutter’s Park
- Santa Monica Pier
- Battleship USS Iowa Museum
- Griffith Observatory
- The Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
- Dockweiler Beach
- UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden
- Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
- Kenneth Hahn View Point
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Hollywood Sign
LAX Airport FAQs
How far is LAX Airport from Disneyland?
Disneyland is around 40 miles away from LAX Airport.
How big is LAX Airport?
The airport covers an area of around 3,500 acres.
What does the X in LAX Airport stand for?
In the 1940s, the airport codes in the US were changed from two letters to three letters. So, an extra letter was added to “LA” to meet the code standards. Otherwise, “X” in that code signifies nothing.
Is LAX 24 hours?
Yes, the airport is open 24/7. However, the operational hours of the check-in and security counters may vary.
What is the largest airport in California?
LAX Airport is the biggest and most busiest airport in California. In fact, Los Angeles International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world.
How many gates does LAX have?
The airport has more than 150 gates spread across nine terminals.
