Los Angeles International Airport

Terminal 6 at LAX, served predominantly by Alaska Airlines
Source: Image link: http://www.airteamimages.com/-___326084.html
IATA: LAX ICAO: KLAX FAA LID: LAX WMO: 72295
Airport typePublic
OwnerCity of  Los Angeles
OperatorLos Angeles World Airports
ServesLos Angeles metropolitan area, Inland Empire metropolitan area
LocationWestchester, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Opened1930
Hub forPassenger airlines : Alaska Airlines,American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Cargo airlines: Atlas Air
Focus city forAir New Zealand, Allegiant Air, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Qantas, Southwest Airlines, Volaris
Built1928
Elevation AMSL128 ft / 39 m
Coordinates33°56′33″N 118°24′29″WCoordinates: 33°56′33″N 118°24′29″W
Websitewww.flylax.com

Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX, FAA LID: LAX), commonly referred to as LAX (with each of its letters pronounced individually), is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles, California, and its surrounding metropolitan area.

LAX is located in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, 18 miles (30 km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles, with the commercial and residential areas of Westchester to the north, the city of El Segundo to the south and the city of Inglewood to the east. Owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), an agency of the government of Los Angeles, formerly known as the Department of Airports, the airport covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land. LAX has four parallel runways.

In 2019, LAX handled 88,068,013 passengers, making it the world’s third busiest and the United States’ second busiest airport following Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As the largest and busiest international airport on the U.S. West Coast, LAX is a major international gateway to the United States, and also serves a connection point for passengers traveling internationally. The airport holds the record for the world’s busiest origin and destination airport, since relative to other airports, many more travelers begin or end their trips in Los Angeles than use it as a connection. It is also the only airport to rank among the top five U.S. airports for both passenger and cargo traffic.

LAX serves as a hub or focus city for more passenger airlines than any other airport in the United States. It is the only airport that four U.S. legacy carriers (Alaska, American, Delta and United) have designated as a hub and is a focus city for Air New Zealand, Allegiant Air, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Qantas, Southwest Airlines, and Volaris. While LAX is the busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles Area, several other airports, including Hollywood Burbank Airport, John Wayne Airport, Long Beach Airport, as well as Ontario International Airport, also serve the area.

A United 737-800 and A Lufthansa 747-400 taxiing
Source: United Airlines – N16217

Runways

24R/06L and 24L/06R (designated the North Airfield Complex) are north of the airport terminals, and 25R/07L and 25L/07R (designated the South Airfield Complex) are south of the airport terminals.

ELengthWidthW
06L →8,926 ft
2,721 m
150 ft
46 m
← 24R
06R →10,885 ft
3,318 m
150 ft
46 m
← 24L
Terminal Area
07L →12,923 ft
3,939 m
150 ft
46 m
← 25R
07R →11,095 ft
3,382 m
200 ft
61 m
← 25L

Since 1972, Los Angeles World Airports has adopted the “Preferential Runway Use Policy” to minimize noise. During daylight hours (0630 to 0000), the normal air traffic pattern is the “Westerly Operations” plan, named for the prevailing west winds. Under “Westerly Operations”, departing aircraft take off to the west, and arriving aircraft approach from the east. To reduce noise from arriving aircraft during night hours (0000 to 0630), the air traffic pattern becomes “Over-Ocean Operations”. Under “Over-Ocean”, departing aircraft continue to take off to the west, but arriving aircraft approach from the west unless otherwise required to approach from the east due to reduced visibility or easterly winds. As the name implies, “Easterly Operations” is used when prevailing winds have shifted to originate from the east, typically during inclement weather and Santa Ana conditions. Under “Easterly Operations”, departing aircraft take off to the east, and arriving aircraft approach from the west.

The “inboard” runways (06R/24L and 07L/25R, closest to the central terminal area) are preferred for departures, and the “outboard” runways are preferred for arrivals. During noise-sensitive hours (2200 to 0700) and “Over-Ocean Operations”, the “inboard” runways are used preferentially, with arrivals shifting primarily to 06R/24L and departures from 07L/25R. Historically, over 90% of flights have used the “inboard” departures and “outboard” arrivals scheme.

During westbound operations during the daytime, airplanes parked on the north complex tend to use Runway 6R/24L for almost all departures, and airplanes parked on the south complex use Runway 7L/25R for all departures requiring the left turn, and Runway 24L if they are making an immediate right turn. For arrivals, flights coming from the north tend to use Runway 6L/24R, and flights coming from the south tend to use Runway 7R/25L. For flights having a long final westbound, it could depend.

The South Airfield Complex tends to see more operations than the North, due to a larger number of passenger gates and air cargo operations.Runways in the North Airfield Complex are separated by 700 feet (210 m).  Plans have been advanced and approved to increase the separation by 260 feet (79 m), which would allow a central taxiway between runways, despite opposition from residents living north of LAX.  The separation between the two runways in the South Airfield Complex has already increased by 55 feet (17 m) to accommodate a central taxiway.

During westbound operations during the daytime, airplanes taking off to the west with an eastbound destination will generally depart the south runways and make a left turn over the Palos Verdes Peninsula, due to terrain and airspace conflicts with the nearby Santa Monica Airport and Burbank Airport. Meanwhile, northbound flights primarily depart the north runways, climbing over the Santa Monica Bay. Westbound flights may depart either complex, as air traffic demands dictate.

An Avianca Airbus A321 with numerous American Airlines aircraft in the background
Source: N697AV Avianca Airbus A321-231 s/n 6190

Terminals

LAX has nine passenger terminals with a total of 132 gates arranged in the shape of the letter U or a horseshoe that are identified by numbers except for the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The Midfield Satellite Concourse North, an expansion for international flights reached through the Tom Bradley Terminal, is scheduled to open by the summer of 2020.[citation needed] There are 2 million square feet (190,000 m2) of cargo facilities at LAX, and a heliport operated by Bravo Aviation.

Future developments

LAWA currently has several plans to modernize LAX. These include terminal and runway improvements, which will enhance the passenger experience, reduce overcrowding, and provide airport access to the latest class of very large passenger aircraft.

These improvements include:

A 24-hour automated people mover is under construction. This small train will include three stations in the central terminal area and three outside east of the terminals at a new intermodal transportation facility hub, connecting passengers between the central terminal area and the Metro Green Line, the future Metro Crenshaw/LAX Line regional, local bus lines and a consolidated car rental facility.

New Tom Bradley West International Terminal “Bon Voyage” screen that greets travelers about to depart through the expanded concourse
Source: Taken on an Apple iPhone 4S during LAX Appreciation Day 2013

Previously published on my Facebook timeline. www.facebook.com

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Aer LingusDublin
AeroflotMoscow–Sheremetyevo
AeroméxicoGuadalajara (resumes June 1, 2020),  Mexico City
Aeroméxico ConnectMonterrey (resumes June 1, 2020)
Air CanadaCalgary, Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson, Vancouver
Air ChinaBeijing–Capital, Shenzhen
Air FrancePapeete, Paris–Charles de Gaulle
Air New ZealandAuckland, Rarotonga
Air Tahiti NuiPapeete, Paris–Charles de Gaulle
Alaska AirlinesAnchorage, Baltimore, Boise,  Boston, Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas–Love, Everett, Fort Lauderdale (ends May 20, 2020; resumes October 8, 2020),  Guadalajara, Honolulu, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Kahului,  Las Vegas, Liberia (CR), Loreto, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, Missoula, Newark, New York–JFK, Portland (OR), Puerto Vallarta, Redmond/Bend, Salt Lake City (ends May 20, 2020),  San Francisco, San Jose (CA), San José del Cabo, San José (CR), Santa Rosa, Seattle/Tacoma, Spokane, Washington–Dulles, Washington–National
AlitaliaRome–Fiumicino
All Nippon AirwaysTokyo–Haneda, Tokyo–Narita
Allegiant AirBellingham, Boise, Cincinnati, Eugene, Medford,  Memphis, Provo, Springfield (MO), Tulsa
Seasonal: Billings, Bozeman, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Des Moines, Grand Rapids (begins June 5, 2020),  Fargo, Fayetteville/Bentonville, Glacier Park/Kalispell, Grand Junction, Great Falls, Idaho Falls, Las Vegas, Little Rock, McAllen, Missoula, Montrose, Oklahoma City, Sioux Falls, Tri-Cities (WA), Wichita
American AirlinesAtlanta, Austin, Beijing–Capital, Belize City, Boston, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Charlotte, Chicago–O’Hare, Columbus–Glenn, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Hartford, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Houston–Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Kahului, Kailua–Kona, Las Vegas, Lihue, London–Heathrow, Louisville, Mexico City, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York–JFK, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Raleigh/Durham, Reno/Tahoe, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Francisco, San José del Cabo, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Seattle/Tacoma, Shanghai–Pudong, Sydney, Tokyo–Haneda, Washington–Dulles, Washington–National
Seasonal: Anchorage, Auckland, Eagle/Vail,  Oklahoma City
American EagleAlbuquerque, Denver, El Paso, Eugene, Fayetteville/Bentonville, Fresno,  Houston–Intercontinental, Mazatlán, Medford, Montrose,  Oklahoma City, Omaha, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Portland (OR), Puerto Vallarta, Redmond/Bend, Reno/Tahoe, Sacramento,  Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA), Santa Fe, Seattle/Tacoma, Tucson, Tulsa, Vancouver
Seasonal: Aspen, Bozeman (resumes June 4, 2020),  Durango (CO), Glacier Park/Kalispell, Jackson Hole, Santa Rosa
Asiana AirlinesSeoul–Incheon
Austrian AirlinesSeasonal: Vienna
AviancaBogotá
Avianca El SalvadorSan Salvador
Boutique AirMerced
British AirwaysLondon–Heathrow
Cathay PacificHong Kong
China AirlinesTaipei–Taoyuan
China Eastern AirlinesChengdu, Nanjing, Shanghai–Pudong
China Southern AirlinesGuangzhou, Shenyang
Copa AirlinesPanama City–Tocumen
Delta Air LinesAtlanta, Austin, Boston, Cancún, Cincinnati, Columbus–Glenn, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Guatemala City, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Kahului, Kailua–Kona, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Lihue, Memphis, Mexico City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville, New Orleans, New York–JFK, Orlando, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Portland (OR), Puerto Vallarta, Raleigh/Durham, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San José del Cabo, San José (CR), Seattle/Tacoma, Shanghai–Pudong, Sydney, Tampa, Tokyo–Haneda, Washington–National
Seasonal: Amsterdam (resumes June 1, 2020),  Bozeman, Liberia (CR), San Jose (CA)
Delta ConnectionAlbuquerque, Boise, Las Vegas, Omaha, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Jose (CA), Spokane, Tucson
Seasonal: Bozeman, Jackson Hole
El AlTel Aviv
EmiratesDubai–International
Etihad AirwaysAbu Dhabi
EVA AirTaipei–Taoyuan
Fiji AirwaysNadi
FinnairHelsinki
Frontier AirlinesAtlanta, Denver, Las Vegas
Seasonal: Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Phoenix—Sky Harbor
Hainan AirlinesChangsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an
Hawaiian AirlinesHonolulu, Kahului, Kailua–Kona, Lihue
IberiaMadrid
InterjetGuadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
Seasonal: Cancún
Japan AirlinesOsaka–Kansai, Tokyo–Haneda, Tokyo–Narita
JetBlueBoston, Buffalo, Fort Lauderdale, New York–JFK, Orlando
KLMAmsterdam
Korean AirSeoul–Incheon
LATAM ChileLima, Santiago
LATAM PerúLima
LOT Polish AirlinesWarsaw–Chopin
LufthansaFrankfurt, Munich
Mokulele AirlinesEl Centro
Norwegian Air ShuttleBarcelona, London–Gatwick, Madrid, Paris–Charles de Gaulle
Seasonal: Oslo–Gardermoen, Rome–Fiumicino
Philippine AirlinesCebu (resumes June 2, 2020),  Manila
QantasBrisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
Qatar AirwaysDoha
SaudiaJeddah, Riyadh
Scandinavian AirlinesCopenhagen
Sichuan AirlinesChengdu, Hangzhou, Jinan
Singapore AirlinesSingapore, Tokyo–Narita
Southwest AirlinesAlbuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, El Paso, Houston–Hobby, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans, Oakland, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Portland (OR), Reno/Tahoe, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose (CA), San José del Cabo, Tucson
Seasonal: Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Tampa
Spirit AirlinesAtlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Chicago–O’Hare, Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville ,  New Orleans, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
Seasonal: Denver
Sun Country AirlinesMinneapolis/St. Paul
Seasonal: Honolulu, Las Vegas, Nashville
Swiss International Air LinesZurich
Turkish AirlinesIstanbul
United AirlinesBoston, Cancún, Chicago–O’Hare, Cleveland, Denver, Hilo, Honolulu, Houston–Intercontinental, Kahului, Kailua–Kona, Las Vegas, Lihue, London–Heathrow, Melbourne, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco, Shanghai–Pudong, Sydney, Tokyo–Haneda, Tokyo–Narita, Washington–Dulles
Seasonal: Anchorage (begins July 6, 2020),  Baltimore, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Puerto Vallarta, San José del Cabo, Vancouver
United ExpressAustin, Boise, Bozeman, Colorado Springs, Eugene, Eureka, Fresno, Las Vegas, Madison, Medford, Monterey, Palm Springs, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Prescott, Redding, Redmond/Bend,  Reno/Tahoe, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria (CA) (begins October 1, 2020),  Seattle/Tacoma, St. George (UT), Stockton, Vancouver
Seasonal: Aspen, Glacier Park/Kalispell, Hayden/Steamboat Springs, Jackson Hole, Mammoth Lakes, Missoula, Montrose, Rapid City, Sun Valley
Virgin AtlanticLondon–Heathrow
Seasonal: Manchester (UK)
Virgin AustraliaBrisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
VivaAerobusGuadalajara
Seasonal: Monterrey
VolarisAguascalientes, Cancún (begins May 23, 2020), Durango, Guadalajara, León/Del Bajío, Mexico City, Morelia, Oaxaca, Uruapan, Zacatecas
Volaris Costa RicaGuatemala City, San José (CR), San Salvador
WestJetCalgary, Edmonton, Toronto–Pearson, Vancouver
XiamenAirQingdao, Xiamen
  1. ^ Qantas also flies to/from New York–JFK, but only for international, connecting traffic. Due to U.S. federal law, foreign airlines may not transport revenue passengers solely between U.S. destinations.
Los Angeles International Airport Aerial Photo by D Ramey Logan & Taylor Mullin September 15 2014
Source: Don Ramey Logan

Cargo

AeroUnionGuadalajara, León/El Bajío, Mexico City, Monterrey
AirBridgeCargo AirlinesAmsterdam, Anchorage, Hong Kong, Shanghai–Pudong
Air China CargoBeijing–Capital, Shanghai–Pudong
Aloha Air CargoHonolulu
Asiana CargoAnchorage, San Francisco, Seoul–Incheon
CargoluxAnchorage, Calgary, Glasgow–Prestwick, Indianapolis, Luxembourg, Mexico City, Milan–Malpensa, Seattle/Tacoma
Cathay Pacific CargoAnchorage, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Portland (OR)
China Airlines CargoAnchorage, Osaka, San Francisco, Taipei–Taoyuan
China Cargo AirlinesShanghai–Pudong
China Southern CargoGuangzhou, Hefei, Shanghai–Pudong, Tianjin, Vancouver, Zhengzhou
DHL AviationAnchorage, Calgary, Cincinnati, Guadalajara, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Huatulco, Leipzig/Halle, Mexico City, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Portland (OR), San Francisco, San Jose (CA), San José (CR), Seattle/Tacoma, Seoul–Incheon, Tokyo–Narita, Tucson, Vancouver
Emirates SkyCargoCopenhagen, Dubai–Al Maktoum, Mexico City, Zaragoza
EVA Air CargoAnchorage, Taipei–Taoyuan
FedEx ExpressBoston, Burbank, Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Edmonton, Fort Worth/Alliance, Fresno, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville, Newark, Oakland, Ontario, Orange County, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Portland (OR), San Diego, Seattle/Tacoma, Sydney, Tulsa
Seasonal: Hartford
Kalitta AirOrlando
Korean Air CargoAnchorage, San Francisco, Seoul–Incheon, Tokyo–Narita
LATAM Cargo MexicoGuadalajara, Miami, Mérida, Mexico City, Quito
Lufthansa CargoFrankfurt, Manchester
National Airlines (N8)Anchorage, Nagoya–Centrair, Shanghai–Pudong
Nippon Cargo AirlinesSan Francisco, Tokyo–Narita
Qantas FreightAuckland, Chongqing, Honolulu, Melbourne, Sydney
Qatar Airways CargoDoha, Luxembourg, Mexico City
Singapore Airlines CargoAmsterdam, Anchorage, Brussels, Hong Kong
Sky Lease CargoMiami, Tokyo–Narita
UPS AirlinesDallas/Fort Worth, Louisville, Ontario, Orlando
Western Global AirlinesHong Kong

Top domestic destinations

RankAirportPassengersCarriers
1San Francisco, California1,762,000Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, United
2New York–JFK, New York1,815,000Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue
3Las Vegas, Nevada1,558,000Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest, Spirit, United
4Chicago–O’Hare, Illinois1,418,000Alaska, American, Frontier, Spirit, United
5Seattle/Tacoma, Washington1,239,000Alaska, American, Delta, Spirit, United
6Honolulu, Hawaii1,146,000Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Sun Country, United
7Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas1,205,000American, Delta, Spirit, United
8Atlanta, Georgia1,089,000American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit
9Denver, Colorado1,135,000American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, United
10Newark, New Jersey904,000Alaska, United

Top international destinations

RankAirportPassengersCarriers 
1London–Heathrow1,626,448Air New Zealand, American, British Airways, United, Virgin Atlantic
2Mexico City1,205,870Aeroméxico, Alaska, American, Delta, Interjet, United, Volaris
3Seoul–Incheon1,184,160Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore
4Hong Kong1,094,555American, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Air
5Guadalajara976,159Aeroméxico, Alaska, Interjet, VivaAerobus, Volaris
6Vancouver936,745Air Canada, American, United, WestJet
7Sydney922,575American, Delta, Qantas, United, Virgin Australia
8Toronto–Pearson881,952Air Canada, American, WestJet
9Tokyo–Narita868,925All Nippon Airways, American, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United
10Paris-CDG861,792Air France, Air Tahiti Nui, Delta, Norwegian, XL Airways
FAA airport diagram
Source: https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/1811/00237AD.PDF
Los Angeles airport diagram of terminals
Source: Julien.scavini

Access

Transiting between terminals

Shuttles operate to and from the terminals, providing frequent service for connecting passengers. However, connecting passengers who use these shuttles must leave and then later reenter security. Tunnels connect between terminals 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, and an above-ground connector between TBIT and terminal 4 opened in February 2016. People don’t generally have to leave and reenter through security checkpoints.

Bus

LAX City Bus Center

The closest bus stops to the terminals are the pair of opposites on Sepulveda Boulevard and Century Boulevard, served by Metro 117, Torrance 8, Metro 232, Commuter Express 574, Metro 102 to USC and the Metro Expo line, and Metro 40 to Los Angeles Union Station (owl service only).

In addition, out of a number of bus systems, many routes (local, rapid and express) of the LACMTA Metro 232 to Long Beach, Line 8 of Torrance Transit, Line 109 of Beach Cities Transit, the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus system’s Line 3 and Rapid 3 via Lincoln Boulevard to Santa Monica and the Culver CityBus’s Line 6 and Rapid 6 via Sepulveda Blvd to Culver City and UCLA, LADOT Commuter Express 438 to Downtown LA (Monday-Friday Rush hours AM) and Commuter Express 439 to Downtown LA (Monday-Friday Rush hours PM), all make stops at the LAX Transit Center in Parking Lot C. on 96th St.,  where shuttle bus “C” offers free connections to and from every LAX terminal, and at the Green Line, where shuttle bus “G” connects to and from the terminals.

The Taiwanese airline China Airlines operates a bus service from LAX to Monterey Park and Rowland Heights. This service is only available for China Airlines customers.

FlyAway Bus

The FlyAway Bus is a nonstop motorcoach/shuttle service run by the LAWA, which provides scheduled service between LAX and Downtown Los Angeles (Union Station), the San Fernando Valley (Van Nuys), Hollywood, and Long Beach. The shuttle service stops at every LAX terminal. The service hours vary based on the line. All lines use the regional system of High Occupancy Vehicle lanes to expedite their trips. The Los Angeles Union Station service and a late-night branch of Metro Local route 40 are the only direct transit links between the airport and Downtown Los Angeles.

Metro Rail

Shuttle bus “G” offers a free connection to and from the Aviation/LAX station on the Los Angeles Metro Rail Green Line.

LAX City Bus Center
Source: METRO96

LAX Train

The LAX automated people mover (APM) is an electric train system currently under construction by LAWA. The LAX APM will be 2.25 miles (3.62 km) in traveling distance and will have six stations serving the central area, terminals 1–8, and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Once leaving the three terminal stations, heading east, the first station is a ground transportation parking structure called the “Intermodal Transportation Facility-West” that will serve employee parking, surrounding hotel access and long term airport parking. The next station will be a second car/bus/bike transport facility called the “Intermodal Transport Facility-East” as well as LA Metro Rail’s platform, the under construction ground infill transit transfer station on the LAX/Crenshaw Metro Line. At this multi-station stop, the first (floor) level will be ground transportation. The second level will be a bridge from the main hub to the light rail platform and APM platform. The third level will be the APM platform. The last stop on the APM will be a rental car hub station called the Consolidated Rent-A-Car-Center (CONRAC). All the car rental companies and rentals will be here. The APM was designed to decrease the need for shuttle bus services and reduce traffic within the terminals World Way. The APM will have nine total trains, each operating in four car sets with capacity of containing up to 200 passengers. The APM will operate every two minutes, with a ten minute end-to-end travel time.

Los Angeles had bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics in 2016 and was one of two city finalists, due to decreasing demand to host the Olympics, the IOC awarded both Los Angeles and the city of Paris with Olympic games each, Los Angeles being awarded the latter, the 2028 Summer Olympics. The project will be completed in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics in 2023 as its original projected completion date was by 2024 before the awarding. They choose to retain the original deadline.  LAWA has split the project in three phases. The project has been approved and the construction and operating bidding process was commenced. Three firms submitted bids and LAWA announced scoring for the project would be based on “technical merit, visual appeal, user experience and price”.  LAWA proposed a public private partnership wherein a private sector partner would responsible for the construction and operation of the people mover.  Los Angeles City Council gave final approval on April 11, 2018 to “LAX Integrated Express Solutions”. The joint bid that included manufacturer Bombardier Transportation at 4.895 Billion over 30 years to build and operate. The three phase project is estimated to cost $5.5 billion, and have a completion date of 2023.

Hotels next to LAX
Source: Alfred Twu

Accidents and incidents

During its history there have been numerous incidents, but only the most notable are summarized below:

1930s

1940s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

A number of international carriers shown at Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Source: Agarre16

Aircraft spotting

The “Imperial Hill” area in El Segundo is a prime location for aircraft spotting, especially for takeoffs. Part of the Imperial Hill area has been set aside as a city park, Clutter’s Park.

Another popular spotting location sits under the final approach for runways 24 L&R on a lawn next to the Westchester In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda Boulevard. This is one of the few remaining locations in Southern California from which spotters may watch such a wide variety of low-flying commercial airliners from directly underneath a flight path.

One can also do aircraft spotting at a small park in the take-off pattern that (normally) goes out over the Pacific. The park is on the East side of the street Vista Del Mar from where it takes its name, Vista Del Mar Park.

Space Shuttle Endeavour

At 12:51 p.m. on Friday, September 21, 2012, a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft carrying the Space Shuttle Endeavour landed at LAX on runway 25L. An estimated 10,000 people saw the shuttle land. Interstate 105 was backed up for miles at a standstill. Imperial Highway was shut down for spectators. It was quickly taken off the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747, and was moved to a United Airlines hangar. The shuttle spent about a month in the hangar while it was prepared to be transported to the California Science Center.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_International_Airport