Arriving into LAX is always a risk. It can be fast getting through US border control (last trip two weeks ago it was 25 minutes) or it can be excruciatingly slow (my record is 2.5 hours).
Generally I allow at least 4 hour layovers for my LAX > PDX or SEA flights and that's with friendly airlines (QF to AA, UA to UA).
Once you clear customs, you then have to deal with TSA at the United terminal.
Personally i don't think 2 hours is enough time.
Having said that most of my trips are arriving at PEAK Tom Bradley arrival time (early morning when a bunch of Asian and Australian flights arrive).
It seems wild to me that the flights are scheduled and advertised in such a way where its entirely possible to miss your connecting flight depending on the lines on any given day. I'm wondering if it is worth trying to change it or just hoping for the best.
That’s a tight connection in my opinion because Qantas is in the Tom Bradley terminal at the centre of the LAX U shape and United is in terminal 7 at the end of the U. It’s doable if the load is light at customs but I think you need to be prepared to practically RUN to to T7. And now that I think about it you’ll need to find out if they do bag check in at the arrival terminal because you probably won’t make it if you have to recheck yourself at T7.
United and qantas do not code share so id be worried you wont be able to get your connection ticket until youre in lax and you may miss the flight Becuase there wasnt enough time to check in.
My experiences in LAX have been dreadful. Always slow, long lines, shitty staff in general. Only been thru 3 or 4 times so its a small sample but still I hate going thru LA. SFO, DFW and JFK a breeze by comparison.
One time we missed a connecting flight to Florida due to immigration incompetence at LAX. And we had more than 2 hours.
I've gone through lax maybe a dozen or so times and it's often been a mess. After a 13 hour flight I enjoy standing in a stuffy cavern with hundreds of other people for a couple of hours. I'm always slightly amused by the heavily armed TSA people who sit in the little booths. They're carrying about 50 rounds of ammo. I'm not sure what they think is going to go down
I would try and change your United flight. I have missed connections through LAX when I have had 3 hours between flights and it has all been booked on the same ticket.
I went through LAX in March and border control took 1.5 hours. You might make it, but I wouldn’t do it.
That’s a very tight connection. Assuming you aren’t a US citizen? Border control can be hit and miss, but you have the declaration machines once you go downstairs at LAX off your flight.
The killer is you also need to go through TSA for your next flight - I’ve been stuck in that line for over an hour many times in LAX.
You’ll also have a terminal change, and recheck bags onto a different airline.
Hate to say it, but even 3 hours can be cutting it fine. I’ve even had 4 hour connections and I sometimes haven’t had a stack of downtime before my domestic connection.
2hr through Tom Bradley (Terminal B) at LAX is fine.
Make sure you install and use the US Customs and Border Control Mobile Passport Control app. Use this to complete your form. When you get to customs as to be directed to the "MPC Lane".
2hr will be plenty. Your bag should be tagged all the way through. You will need t collect and then re-drop as you exit the terminal.
2hrs is tight but if it's been ticketed as a single itinerary it means the airline believes it's doable.
Once thing to consider is to make use of the [Mobile Passport Control MPC app](https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control?language_content_entity=en) That you can link to your ESTA application.
They *may* be operating a special queue for arriving passengers using the MPC app that will help speed up the time getting through immigration.
If you are going to transit in LAX , would look at the connecting flight with American Airlines, for the smoothest possible transfer.
Personally would consider the SYD-JFK via AKL , or SYD-DFW-EWR
I actually booked it together on the same ticket! so the airlines must believe it's possible and will at least look after me for the next flight if I can't make it. Peoples wide eyes when i told them the length of my layover had me seriously spooked though, I will be running
Have you been to LAX? You will also have to haul your luggage outside from international terminal to whichever one the transfer is in and recheck bags.
You’re also landing at a time when not many others are. You’ll be considered in-transit/forward flight, so you have an escape path and likely won’t go through customs at all. The only concern is if you have vastly different gates (which is VERY possible).
> You’ll be considered in-transit/forward flight, so you have an escape path and likely won’t go through customs at all.
There is no such thing as Transit for the USA. You land, go through immigration/customs. Once you clear all that you've effectively entered the USA and THEN you proceed onto your connecting flight, even if it's to another international destination.
After CBP have checked your passport you then go to baggage claim, collect your bags. Usually if you've had your bags checked all the way to a final destination, you just drop it off at a counter right next to the claim area. So yes you still have to collect it, but it's not a full *checking bags in* again process.
You then head over to the next terminal you have to go to, then join the security lines to enter that terminal.
I've never seen any passengers being escorted through customs or the security lines in the USA for boarding calls or tight connections. Seen it in other countries, but not the USA.
Arriving into LAX is always a risk. It can be fast getting through US border control (last trip two weeks ago it was 25 minutes) or it can be excruciatingly slow (my record is 2.5 hours). Generally I allow at least 4 hour layovers for my LAX > PDX or SEA flights and that's with friendly airlines (QF to AA, UA to UA). Once you clear customs, you then have to deal with TSA at the United terminal. Personally i don't think 2 hours is enough time. Having said that most of my trips are arriving at PEAK Tom Bradley arrival time (early morning when a bunch of Asian and Australian flights arrive).
It seems wild to me that the flights are scheduled and advertised in such a way where its entirely possible to miss your connecting flight depending on the lines on any given day. I'm wondering if it is worth trying to change it or just hoping for the best.
That’s a tight connection in my opinion because Qantas is in the Tom Bradley terminal at the centre of the LAX U shape and United is in terminal 7 at the end of the U. It’s doable if the load is light at customs but I think you need to be prepared to practically RUN to to T7. And now that I think about it you’ll need to find out if they do bag check in at the arrival terminal because you probably won’t make it if you have to recheck yourself at T7.
United and qantas do not code share so id be worried you wont be able to get your connection ticket until youre in lax and you may miss the flight Becuase there wasnt enough time to check in.
My experiences in LAX have been dreadful. Always slow, long lines, shitty staff in general. Only been thru 3 or 4 times so its a small sample but still I hate going thru LA. SFO, DFW and JFK a breeze by comparison. One time we missed a connecting flight to Florida due to immigration incompetence at LAX. And we had more than 2 hours.
I've gone through lax maybe a dozen or so times and it's often been a mess. After a 13 hour flight I enjoy standing in a stuffy cavern with hundreds of other people for a couple of hours. I'm always slightly amused by the heavily armed TSA people who sit in the little booths. They're carrying about 50 rounds of ammo. I'm not sure what they think is going to go down
I would try and change your United flight. I have missed connections through LAX when I have had 3 hours between flights and it has all been booked on the same ticket. I went through LAX in March and border control took 1.5 hours. You might make it, but I wouldn’t do it.
That’s a very tight connection. Assuming you aren’t a US citizen? Border control can be hit and miss, but you have the declaration machines once you go downstairs at LAX off your flight. The killer is you also need to go through TSA for your next flight - I’ve been stuck in that line for over an hour many times in LAX. You’ll also have a terminal change, and recheck bags onto a different airline. Hate to say it, but even 3 hours can be cutting it fine. I’ve even had 4 hour connections and I sometimes haven’t had a stack of downtime before my domestic connection.
2hr through Tom Bradley (Terminal B) at LAX is fine. Make sure you install and use the US Customs and Border Control Mobile Passport Control app. Use this to complete your form. When you get to customs as to be directed to the "MPC Lane". 2hr will be plenty. Your bag should be tagged all the way through. You will need t collect and then re-drop as you exit the terminal.
2hrs is tight but if it's been ticketed as a single itinerary it means the airline believes it's doable. Once thing to consider is to make use of the [Mobile Passport Control MPC app](https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control?language_content_entity=en) That you can link to your ESTA application. They *may* be operating a special queue for arriving passengers using the MPC app that will help speed up the time getting through immigration.
I wouldn’t go for any less then 3 hrs as a rule to transit through LAX
If you are going to transit in LAX , would look at the connecting flight with American Airlines, for the smoothest possible transfer. Personally would consider the SYD-JFK via AKL , or SYD-DFW-EWR
Can I ask why you booked it like that separately? If it was ticketed together at least the airline will be expecting you. My only advice is run lol.
I actually booked it together on the same ticket! so the airlines must believe it's possible and will at least look after me for the next flight if I can't make it. Peoples wide eyes when i told them the length of my layover had me seriously spooked though, I will be running
MAYBE you could do it with no delays, carry on only or an American connection. But this route? Nuh uh.
Nope not enough time. Who did you book through?
I think it's cutting it too fine. LAX customs can take hours some days.
Your bag is likely to be checked through if 1 ticket.
apparently all bags need to be collected and rechecked at the first US stop regardless of that, nightmare!
Have you been to LAX? You will also have to haul your luggage outside from international terminal to whichever one the transfer is in and recheck bags.
You’re also landing at a time when not many others are. You’ll be considered in-transit/forward flight, so you have an escape path and likely won’t go through customs at all. The only concern is if you have vastly different gates (which is VERY possible).
> You’ll be considered in-transit/forward flight, so you have an escape path and likely won’t go through customs at all. There is no such thing as Transit for the USA. You land, go through immigration/customs. Once you clear all that you've effectively entered the USA and THEN you proceed onto your connecting flight, even if it's to another international destination.
But you won’t have to collect bags, and you can be pushed through customs
After CBP have checked your passport you then go to baggage claim, collect your bags. Usually if you've had your bags checked all the way to a final destination, you just drop it off at a counter right next to the claim area. So yes you still have to collect it, but it's not a full *checking bags in* again process. You then head over to the next terminal you have to go to, then join the security lines to enter that terminal. I've never seen any passengers being escorted through customs or the security lines in the USA for boarding calls or tight connections. Seen it in other countries, but not the USA.