
Los Angeles International Airport, also known as LAX, is the largest and busiest airport on the West Coast of the United States. Covering 3,500 acres of land, it has four parallel runways and is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). LAX is a major international gateway, serving as a connection point for passengers travelling to and from East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America. In 2023, it was the world's eighth-busiest airport, handling over 75 million passengers.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Area | 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) |
Number of runways | 4 |
Longest runway | 12,091 feet |
Widest runway | 200 feet |
Control tower height | 277 feet |
Number of terminals | 8 |
Distance between Terminal 1 and Terminal 8 | 2 miles |
Number of passengers in 2023 | 75,050,875 |
Number of passengers in 2024 | 76,587,980 |
Number of jobs generated in Southern California | 620,000 |
Labour income | $37.3 billion |
Economic output | $126.6 billion |
What You'll Learn
The airport covers 3,500 acres of land
Los Angeles International Airport, also known as LAX, covers 3,500 acres of land. It is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States, serving as a major international gateway for the country. LAX has four parallel runways, with the longest being 12,091 feet and the shortest being 8,926 feet. All are 150 feet wide, except for 25L/7R, which is 200 feet wide. The airport is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government. LAX recently opened a new 2-mile path of travel from Terminal 1 to Terminal 8, providing unimpeded pedestrian access across its terminals post-security. This transformation has improved the travel experience for passengers, offering convenient connections to flights and a variety of amenities, including food and beverage vendors, shopping, entertainment, lounges, children's play areas, and pet relief stations.
The history of LAX dates back to 1926 when the Los Angeles City Council and the Chamber of Commerce recognised the need for the city to have its own airport to tap into the growing aviation industry. Several locations were considered, and the final choice was a 640-acre field in the southern part of Westchester, known as Mines Field. Over time, the airport expanded to its current size of 3,500 acres.
LAX plays a significant role in the local economy, generating a substantial number of jobs and contributing to economic output. An economic study in 2014 reported that operations at LAX created 620,000 jobs in Southern California, with labour income totalling $37.3 billion and an economic output of more than $126.6 billion. The airport's modernisation projects, such as the recent terminal connector, have also provided employment opportunities and boosted the local economy.
In terms of passenger traffic, LAX is among the busiest airports in the world. In 2023, it handled 75,050,875 passengers, ranking eighth globally according to the Airports Council International. This number increased to 76,587,980 passengers in 2024, representing a 2.04% growth from the previous year. LAX's status as a major international gateway and its efficient operations contribute to its high passenger volume.
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It has four parallel runways
Los Angeles International Airport, also known as LAX, is a large airport covering 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land. It is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States, serving as a major gateway for the country.
LAX has four parallel runways, all east-west facing. The runways are as follows: 24R/6L, which is 8,926 feet long; 24L/6R, which is 10,285 feet long; 25R/7L, which is 12,091 feet long; and 25L/7R, which is 11,095 feet long. All of the runways are 150 feet wide, except for 25L/7R, which is 200 feet wide.
The airport's runways are controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Control Tower, which began operation in April 1996. The tower stands at 277 feet above ground and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Prior to this, an older control tower, built in 1961, served LAX for 35 years. This older tower is now home to the Los Angeles World Airports Clifton A. Moore Administration Building.
LAX is a significant hub for aviation, with a long history dating back to the 1920s. It has grown to become the busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles area, serving millions of passengers each year and generating a substantial economic impact for Southern California.
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It is the world's eighth-busiest airport
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the world's eighth-busiest airport, serving 75,050,875 passengers in 2023. The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways. The airport is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government, which also operates the Van Nuys Airport for general aviation.
LAX is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States and serves as a major international gateway for the country. It is a connection point for passengers travelling to and from East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America.
The airport has recently undergone modernisation to elevate the experience of guests and provide economic opportunities for the region. This includes the opening of a new 2-mile path of travel from Terminal 1 to Terminal 8, providing unimpeded pedestrian access across LAX's terminals post-security. This is the first time in the airport's almost century-long history that unrestricted terminal-to-terminal access has been available.
LAX is an important hub for the region, with operations at the airport generating 620,000 jobs in Southern California and contributing significantly to the economy.
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It has eight terminals
Los Angeles International Airport, also known as LAX, is the largest and busiest airport on the West Coast of the United States. It covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways. The airport has eight terminals, which are connected by a 2-mile pedestrian route that allows passengers to travel between them post-security. This route provides access to a variety of amenities, including food and beverage vendors, shopping and entertainment, lounges, children's play areas, and pet relief stations.
The four parallel runways at LAX vary in length, with 24R/6L being the shortest at 8,926 feet and 25R/7L being the longest at 12,091 feet. All runways are 150 feet wide, except for 25L/7R, which is 200 feet wide. The airport's control tower, operated by the Federal Aviation Administration, stands at 277 feet above ground and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
LAX is a major international gateway, serving as a connection point for passengers travelling to and from various regions, including East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America. In 2023, the airport handled over 75 million passengers, ranking eighth in the world according to the Airports Council International. The following year, it served 76,587,980 passengers, reflecting a 2.04% increase.
The airport's transformation, including the addition of the new terminal connector, has brought significant benefits. It has improved travel efficiency and convenience for passengers, provided job opportunities for local workers, and contributed to the economic development of the region. LAX's modernisation efforts aim to enhance the experience of guests travelling through this busy international hub.
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It is the largest and busiest airport on the West Coast of the US
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the largest and busiest airport on the West Coast of the US. It covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land and has four parallel runways. In 2023, LAX handled 75,050,875 passengers, making it the world's eighth-busiest airport. The following year, it served 76,587,980 passengers, a 2.04% increase from 2023.
LAX is a major international gateway for the US, serving as a connection point for passengers travelling to and from East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America. The airport has four east/west parallel runways, with the longest being 12,091 feet and the shortest being 8,926 feet. All are 150 feet wide except for one, which is 200 feet wide.
The airport is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government. LAWA also operates the Van Nuys Airport for general aviation. LAX's recent modernisation has included the opening of a new 2-mile path of travel from Terminal 1 to Terminal 8, allowing passengers to journey to connecting flights and access a wide range of amenities, including food and beverage vendors, shopping, entertainment, lounges, children's play areas, and pet relief stations.
An economic study in 2014 reported that operations at LAX generated 620,000 jobs in Southern California, with labour income of $37.3 billion and an economic output of more than $126.6 billion. The positive impacts of LAX's transformation are expected to continue, with CEO Justin Erbacci stating that the updates are making travel at LAX "efficient, dependable and user-friendly".
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Frequently asked questions
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) covers 3,500 acres of land.
LAX has four parallel runways.
The pedestrian access route between Terminal 1 and Terminal 8 is approximately 2 miles long.
An economic study in 2014 reported that operations at LAX generated 620,000 jobs in Southern California.