Visiting an airport can be a very disconcerting experience, especially if you are flying for the first time. The Los Angeles International Airport is certainly no small feat — it is one of the largest and most prominent airports in all the world and serves as Los Angeles' primary airport, ranked as the fifth busiest airport in all the world. The Los Angeles International Airport is located in southwest Los Angeles in Westchester, about 16 miles from downtown LA. However, the Los Angeles International Airport need not be a confusing experience. Many Californians find the airport quite enjoyable, especially when they know exactly where they're going and how to navigate through the area. Using this Guide to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you can find the most important information you need and answers to the most common questions.
To become comfortable with the Los Angeles International Airport, first discover the different terminals. There are nine passenger terminals that are arranged in a horseshoe (or "U") shape. Terminals are served by a shuttle bus. The first terminal has 15 gates and is the largest terminal in the airport. It services gates 1-3, 4A-4B and 5-14. The first terminal is serviced by Southwest Airlines and US Airways, with stops to big cities like Las Vegas, Austin, San Francisco and Nashville. The second terminal has 11 gates, 21 to 21B, 22 and 22B, 23, 24 and 24B and 25-28. This terminal serves the as the secondary international terminal and is serviced by Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Air China, Air France, Air Mobility Command, Air New Zealand, Frontier Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and others.
Terminal 3 has 13 gates, 30, 31A-31C, 32-36, 37A-37B, 38 and 39. It is serviced by prominent airline companies like Alaska Airlines, AirTran, ATA and Sun Country. Terminal 4 has 11 gates, 41, 42A-42B, as well as 43A to 43B and 44-49. This terminal is serviced by airlines such as American, Qantas and Cathay Pacific. Terminal 5 has 13 gates, from 50B to 58B and is serviced by Delta Airlines and Air Jamaica. Terminal 6 has 14 gates from 60 to 69B and is serviced by Continental Airlines, United and Copa Airlines. Terminal 7 has 11 gates from 70A to 77 and is considered one of the better-kept terminals of the airport. Terminal 8 has 9 gates 80-88 and was originally added to host smaller jets, courtesy of United Express. Finally, there is the Tom Bradley International Terminal, with 11 gates, and named after Tom Bradley, the first African-American mayor of Los Angeles.
There are also Charter flight services available. Ground transportation includes bus, flyaway bus, metro rail, taxis and private shuttles. ATMs are conveniently located in terminals, as are Internet access facilities, public phones and free electrical charging stations for laptops and cell phones. There are numerous fast-food outlets, restaurants, bars and coffee shops across from the airport and duty-free shopping stores in terminals 2-7. There are also gift shops and bookshops available in the TBI terminal. The Los Angeles International Airport covers 3,425 acres of land... but with the right guidance flying can be a cinch.
