All LAX Terminals Now Connected Airside Via Walkways

Here’s a pretty exciting milestone for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which should make some connections at the airport easier.

In this post:

LAX has nine separate terminals, including Terminals 1-8, as well as Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). Each terminal has its own security checkpoint. Below is an outdated map that gives you a sense of the airport’s horseshoe layout — the terminal locations are accurate, but ignore everything else about the connectors.

Going back many years, there were limited options to get between some terminals without taking a bus, or without leaving security altogether. However, there have been significant improvement over the years, as we’ve increasingly seen the opening of airside walkways between terminals. Some of these are above ground and have great plane views, while others are underground.

There’s an exciting update on that front. The Delta Sky Way at LAX project has just been completed, and with that, an airside walkway has opened between Terminal 3 and TBIT. This also means that all terminals are now connected airside at the airport. That’s right, you can walk between all terminals at the airport without leaving security.

Note that the one exception to the above is that if you’re on an American Eagle flight, you’ll still have to take an airside bus. That’s because American has a separate satellite terminal that’s known as the “Eagle’s Nest,” which is quite a ways from the carrier’s primary terminal.

Anyway, the ability to get between terminals airside could be useful if you have a connecting flight, if you’re looking to visit a specific lounge or restaurant, or just if you’re looking to get as many steps in as possible.

While it’s great to be able to walk between terminals airside, don’t necessarily expect that it will be quick. As you can see, LAX’s layout means that you have to go through each terminal sequentially, and in some cases there’s quite a detour to get to the terminal connectors.

So while getting from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 might just take 10 minutes, expect that it’ll take a lot longer to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 8, for example. That could actually be a fun experiment at some point, to see just how long it would take. I could easily see it taking over an hour for most people.

That’s just something to be aware of. In some situations, it might still be more efficient to just exit security and cut straight across the airport to get to a different terminal.

For the first time ever, all nine terminals at LAX are connected airside, which is great for passengers. A lot of work has happened to get to this point, but the most recent thing that makes this possible is the connector between Terminal 3 and TBIT.

Expect that it’ll be pretty quick to get one or two terminals over, though anything more than that could be quite a time consuming process. Fortunately TBIT, which is the primarily international terminal at the airport, is pretty close to the center.

What do you make of this update to LAX connectivity?

It would be great if they can just make all the airside areas one giant loop connecting all the terminals, by building a walkway connecting t1 with t8, so one can either choose walking clockwise or counter clockwise depending on the distance.

Damn even these so called new terminals are still the same old boxy buildings with low and dull ceilings lmao how could the 3rd largest city GDP in the world, despite having less than half the population of seoul and london, still have terrible infra in 2020s?

Because they don’t feel like they need to try harder, just like your SO. What, you have another option?

I often walk from TBIT to T7 or T8. I visit the star alliance lounge before my flight home to Denver. It takes me about 20min from the lounge to gate, walking at a brisk pace. We did it once with our toddler in a stroller and it was around 30min. I bet going T1 - T8 would be around 30min if you’re walking quickly and don’t stop.

Having just arrived at LAX yesterday, I can say what a total shambles it is. Definitely reminiscent of a 3rd world mob scene. Few if any signs, masses of people with no idea where to go, dirty floors, walkways, toilets etc. Try finding the way to get to Uber rides for example. Compared to LGA, or JFK, it's shameful. But so is SFO, so maybe it's just a California thing.

That’s strange as I’ve never encountered any issues there. Always fast. I guess if you visit an airport enough you know all the short cuts too. Then again at LAX my last experience was just 25 mins waiting at immigration considering there were multiple arrivals, my bag was already on the carousel and walked straight out to curbside. Took a shuttle, was in an uber within 10 mins and West Hollywood 30 mins later. No...

Hmm. Yea I noticed a lot of construction on my trip last week, but it was all manageable. I fly here 1-2x a year. And I've been to many "third world" airports. I wonder if the poster ever has been? SFO is also really quite good. I have never has issues and I fly there several times a year too.

What terminal? I think the only ones that still needs love is terminals 5 and 6.

This is about 22 years overdue ever since 9/11 and the increased security! Having to go outside, wait forever for a bus and then go through security again at your connecting terminal was such terrible experience if your plane was late. Wish this was available the past when I was often changing planes in LAX

Along with that, 20+ years ago it wasn't as necessary to change terminals at LAX. Airlines were smaller so they only operated in one terminal. With the mergers, you now have one airline taking up multiple terminals at LAX. Plus codeshares with international airlines increase the need for more airside transfers. Additionally in the past, if you flew in on one airline but then flew out on another on a separate reservation, you had to leave the terminal anyway just to get your boarding pass. But now with mobile/print-at-home boarding passes, people want to be able to make their transfers without needing to reclear security if they only travel with a carry-on.

It really was a problem that popped up in the last 20 years, and thankfully LAX finally solved it. Now if they could just build an airside bridge from T1 to T7/T8.

Was on a Breeze flight last week. Check in at Terminal One, then a longish bus ride to the 200 gates at TBIT.

Does this now mean that one can use the Centurion Lounge when flying Southwest out of Terminal 1?

Sure, don't see why not.

I'd guess it'll be about a 25-30 minute walk, but it should work.

You can. But I wouldn't say that the Centurion Lounge is all that great at LAX

When you exit immigration are you still forced to exit TB terminal? A month ago you did and then back to security for the domestic flight.

Yes, and that’s normal on an international flight arrival as you must clear immigration and customs. Apart from Aer Lingus since there’s pre-clearance at Dublin. TBIT is central and it’s easy to walk too. In addition, there will be the option to take the train once it opens.

Except the pre-clearance, it's impossible to connect international-domestic without re-clearing security because you get mixed with checked baggage prior to customs clearance, thus, need to re-clear security.

The LAX underground hamster tunnels are the worst.

Why can’t they have a train like most of the other airports have that circle all the terminals on top of them? Dallas has that Atlanta has that many airports have the circular train riding above the terminals that you just get on that and take that to your next terminal. Walking is simply not possible and some of these long airports.

I think, even though I don't have the numbers, LAX may be a smaller footprint than DFW. I was recently able to walk from T8 to TBIT in about 10-15 minutes. Last trip through Dallas I thought it was much more sprawling and thus a train between terminals was really necessary. I presume it is pretty accessible for most to walk between terminals at LAX. I do hope they have some support for disabled to get between the terminals at LAX though.

What LAX needs is an AIRSIDE DFW-style SkyLink (above ground) or IAD-style AeroTrain (underground).

There is maybe one other " exception". I just arroved today, August 30th at TBIT on a Delta flight from Japan. After Immigration, to transfer to T3 for my Delta domestic flight, I had to walk outside, and re-enter security, as directed on arrival. This may be the case for all arriving international flights, same process for transfer as in the past, or maybe I did something wrong!

This is true and it's strange that it isn't mentioned in the article...

Of course you do guys….your entering the us you need to go through customs. You won’t go through customs again on your next domestic flight.

That’s normal for an international arrival. And it’s a short walk too. In fact at LAX it’s always been pretty easy to walk roadside from t1 - t7 unlike say jfk, where it’s more or less impossible

I have walked from the end of terminal 8 to the Star Alliance lounge in Tom Bradley in under 20 minutes. Never ran but I was fast-walking at times.

Lucky, how feasible is it to visit the Qantas Lounge if you're arriving on a Qantas flight and connecting on a domestic AA flight the same day?

Depends if you're checking a bag. If you check, you'll need to pick up your bag, exit, and then recheck in terminal 4 or 5, then you'd walk back over to TBIT to get to the Qantas lounge.

If you're not checking and have your boarding pass, just exit customs, go upstairs and through security, and then right to the lounge. Then you will need to allot extra time to walk to terminal 4 (close) or 5 (further) when it's time to go.

Would love to hear from someone keen enough to walk the entire connected circuit and tell us how long it took them. As a point of reference, I once walked the similarly horseshoe-shaped terminal arrangement at wonderful Changi airport, from one end to the other. It took me 48 minutes. But the paths were mostly straight, and I only had to turn around two corners. LAX would take MUCH longer, I presume.

Lovely, now do SFO next!

One can only hope SFO gets it together someday...It's only 2023

I’m sure they’ll get it done before LH rolls out the first plane with Allegris. Oh wait, it’s SF

There’s only one piece left and it’s under construction. D pier to E pier opened some months ago. You can’t go from B pier to C pier airside yet.

To go from G pier to A pier will still require walking the entire circle, or exiting airside, as there are no plans that I know of for an airside passageway between the two international piers.

Future (unfunded and unapproved) development plans include making the back half of the SFO international building a secure area, which would allow post-security walk between A and G. Essentially would move security checkpoint closer to the front of the building, similar to what has been completed at DC Terminal 2. Also includes a new gate pier south and west of the G pier.

https://www.flysfo.com/sites/default/files/default/about/Terminal_Development_Projects.pdf

That's helpful to know! Thank you for posting.

Related: I dream of a day the Eagles Nest no longer carries passengers. I loathe that building. They don't even fix the kiosks or keep super consistent bus schedules...

SFO is pretty well connected now. Boarding Areas C-D-E-F-G are connected, as are Boarding Areas A-B. The only disconnected points are between:

• Terminal 1 Boarding Areas B and C (due to construction at Harvey Milk Terminal) • International Terminal Boarding Areas A and G (presumbaly, eventually these will be connected when TSA Checkpoints A and G are consolidated to the east of the terminal).

Currently, it is inconvenient for Alaska passengers (in...

SFO is pretty well connected now. Boarding Areas C-D-E-F-G are connected, as are Boarding Areas A-B. The only disconnected points are between:

• Terminal 1 Boarding Areas B and C (due to construction at Harvey Milk Terminal)• International Terminal Boarding Areas A and G (presumbaly, eventually these will be connected when TSA Checkpoints A and G are consolidated to the east of the terminal).

Currently, it is inconvenient for Alaska passengers (in D) to connect to OneWorld codeshare partner American (in B). But Alaska's request to move to Boarding Area B was approved. I do not know Alaska's move date.

You have more updated info than I did as I was unaware of the international terminal plans.

Getting out of LAX is real world Maze Runner.

Except the terminal 5 which caters to only regional jets

How do people from LA Count? 1, 2, 3, Tom Bradley, 4, 5, 6, 7. I love my hometown.

It is a great update, but as Ben points out, the use of the word "walkways" is critical to know, as it can be quite a long and tiring walk!!!

I've only ever used the walkways from/between T6-T5-T4-TBIT and the TBIT Midfield concourse. It is LONG and very tiring, and would be confusing for anyone not knowing the terminal tunnel configuration.

The aside walkway between T4-TBIT at least has some moving walkways (and...

It is a great update, but as Ben points out, the use of the word "walkways" is critical to know, as it can be quite a long and tiring walk!!!

The aside walkway between T4-TBIT at least has some moving walkways (and awesome views), but just for a short distance...and the same between TBIT and the TBIT Midfield concourse, though no views. That connector alone is a miserable distance, and a surprisingly ugly design.

Worth noting that the TBIT Midfield concourse does offer direct bus connections (looks like a bus station actually; one level down from Departures level; impossible to miss because you have to transit that level regardless if exiting or connecting). Looks very convenient, but they don't offer the bus connection to T4/T5, which I would often need....though I live in LAX, I sometimes have to connect at my home airport onwards.

Those moving walkways are broken 50% of the time. I'm there every 6 weeks or so.

I have personally seen that LAX T1 to T2 walkway is opened. I'm in T2 regularly and noticed it about three weeks ago. Overall new is excellent.

Will never forget my experience years ago sprinting from T7 to TBIT. Delayed United flight from SFO (thanks fog!) connecting to Austrian (J to VIE). Did not want to get rebooked on a United flight through Frankfurt or Munich so literally was sprinting through each terminal. Traversing each terminal connector is not the easiest experience when in a hurry.

There is a T9 planned that would be a dedicated Star Alliance international terminal (right next to UA domestic). Ten years out. LAX leadership understands that the airport's pattern of growth will ultimately choke TBIT, even with the recent mid-field expansion. Remember, TBIT was built before airline alliances existed. They know they need more than one "international" waypoint and a move to an alliance-centric terminal model make sense. There's a T0 in the mix as...

Don’t use the connectors without budgeting extra time: I used a lounge in TBIB and the realized the bridge to T4 was closed temporarily : no sign, no airport staff or passengers know what happened. There is no construction at all. Some crew were just waiting there in case they reopen it soon but I almost missed my flight. How can they do this without even putting up a sign?

My advice to airport :...

My advice to airport : don’t put a walkway on map unless they plan it keep it open all the time. People do read map and want it make use of it… In all the airport I have been to (100+) lax (unfortunately one of my home airports) is the only one had such issue.

How did you "realize this" if there was no sign?

Should they not put roads on a map if its not open 365 days per week?

Are there any moving sidewalks for those with slight mobility issues?

Very, very few. And on the Terminal 4 through 7 side you're constantly moving from above ground to below ground. I would not recommend it.

There's the people mover between terminal 3 and Bradley. I'm standing on it right now.

No, there are not. From T6 Gate 64, take the escalator down. Walk all the way to T4 and then walkway near Gate 41. The entire walk is a solid 20+ minutes

Gonna miss connecting via those horrible underground corridors with no air that seemed oddly devoid of human life almost every time I walked them.

Meanwhile the roadside traffic at LAX outside the terminals is worse than ever due to the endless construction. The easiest way to or from this airport is by ... plane!

Once the train starts operating there should be some relief. I believe it’s the stations that have to be completed rather than the actual tracks which are finished.

I saw it was delayed again but I think now the Metro station and people mover system will open together and once thay happens things will be a lot better in the horseshoe.

Those underground connectors are still the airside connection for the T5 side

I've been watching & reading about this people mover project since they first announced it. It will be an enormous positive impact to the horse shoe traffic. I'm especially excited about the new consolidated car rental center basically at the 405. This means the end of those car rental lumbering giants clogging traffic.

I'm still fuzzy about Uber/Lyft/Taxis... will they all be located at the new transit hub stop at Airport Blvd along with...

I'm still fuzzy about Uber/Lyft/Taxis... will they all be located at the new transit hub stop at Airport Blvd along with hotel shuttles? If so, that leaves private cars only in the horse shoe. I've read differing stories over the years.

There are 7 terminals What’s known as 8 is an extension to 7. Terminal 2 no longer exists per se. To get from 1 to 7 it’s simpler to walk across or take a bus. From what I understand everything will be renumbered once you he extension to T1 goes ahead and “ T9” is completed. The AA eagle’s nest will close once the extension to the West Gates/ midfield concourse is complete

So...

There are 7 terminals What’s known as 8 is an extension to 7. Terminal 2 no longer exists per se. To get from 1 to 7 it’s simpler to walk across or take a bus.From what I understand everything will be renumbered once you he extension to T1 goes ahead and “ T9” is completed. The AA eagle’s nest will close once the extension to the West Gates/ midfield concourse is complete

So after the construction of the extension to T1:T1 gates 100-199. T2 200-299 TBIT (3) 300-399 T4 400-499 T5 500-99 etc

Thank you for coherently explaining what LAWA cannot. :)

Their website is needlessly confusing.

From personal experience, it is much quicker to leave airside from terminal 7 or 8 and walk outside to TBIT then walk airside. Airside is not a very straight path through all the terminals on that side and is much longer.

This is mostly true. It's definitely a nicer experience, considering weather should almost always be pleasant. But if you're in a rush it's quicker to stay airside and not have to clear security again.

Will security at LAX let you enter via a terminal other than the one for your departure?

@ grichard -- Yep!

Hi Ben, I'm not sure if that's entirely correct. I've come into TBIT which has a security recheck right next to the Passport/Customs exit...and though it's immediately adjacent to AA's T4, I have heard of those connecting paxs being rejected and told they have to go to T4 to clear security again. Then again, everything at LAX has been changing...maybe that's changed as well.

I've entered for a domestic flight through the TSA entry at TBIT's main hall many times (as recently as earlier this month.) That said, I haven't gone through the connecting gate near the arrivals section... that may be different.

Same, I've entered numerous times through TBIT for AA flights in 4 and 5 and never had an issue. That said, if you have to check a bag, you won't be able to in TBIT. #teamcarryon

Earlier this month I cleared security at TBIT for a T4 flight.

Hooray. I was pleasantly surprised two weeks ago to see the progress between Terminal 1 and 2 and the opening of work areas that has been walled off in both 2 and 3. Good to see the skyway finished.

Now if only Delta could do something about how crammed in everything is in Terminal 2.

I flew Delta to LAx a year or two ago for first time and found the crowding to be overwhelmingly bad! I don't fly them regularly so I will be interested to know if that has been resolved or will be soon after the construction is completed.

SFO still not yet there!

Looks like the current estimate is "late 2024".

Anyone know if you can walk from SFO intl terminal A (where PP lounges are) to domestic terminal 1?

Intl A to Terminal 1, yes.

But the Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 airside link is still under construction, leaving 2 airside zones: Intl A-Terminal 1, and Terminal 2-3-Intl G.

A mess to get on a Delta flight C gates you must go to Term 2 security then walk the long bridge over to C gates.. When You arrive at C gates you cannot exit the street or baggage claim there you must again drag your bags thru to Terminal 2,, Then there is the garage mess as so much of the parking spaces are blocked off for ???? not sure??

Indeed you can. Airside is currently split into:A 1AndG 3 2

That said the Terminal A PP game is currently weak, so don’t show up too hungry!

More like don't show up at all. Last time I was there all the PP lounges turned away anyone who wasn't flying the airline that operated the lounge.

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Gonna miss connecting via those horrible underground corridors with no air that seemed oddly devoid of human life almost every time I walked them.Meanwhile the roadside traffic at LAX outside the terminals is worse than ever due to the endless construction. The easiest way to or from this airport is by ... plane!

Once the train starts operating there should be some relief. I believe it’s the stations that have to be completed rather than the actual tracks which are finished.

What do you make of this update to LAX connectivity?