
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to as LAX, is one of the busiest airports in the world. Handling over 75 million passengers in 2023, it is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. LAX covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways. These runways are 24R/6L, 24L/6R, 25R/7L, and 25L/7R, with the former two runways north of the airport terminals and the latter two to the south.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of runways | 4 |
Runway surface | Concrete/grooved, asphalt-concrete/grooved |
Runway condition | Good |
Runway lighting | Medium-intensity approach lighting, high-intensity approach lighting |
Visual slope indicator | 4-light PAPI on left (3.00-degree glide path), 4-light PAPI on right (3.00-degree glide path) |
Touchdown | Touchdown, midfield, rollout |
Length | 12,091 ft, 11,095 ft, 10,285 ft, 8,926 ft |
Width | 150 ft |
Elevation | 127 ft |
What You'll Learn
LAX has four runways
LAX is the closest airport to the Westside and the South Bay. It is located 18 miles (29 km; 16 nmi) 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.
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 busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles area, serving as a hub, focus city, or operating base for more passenger airlines than any other airport in the United States. In 2023, it handled 75,050,875 passengers, making it the world's eighth-busiest airport.
The airport has a Preferential Runway Use Policy to minimize noise levels in the surrounding communities. During daytime hours, LAX prefers to operate under the "Westerly Operations" air traffic pattern, with departing aircraft taking off to the west over the ocean and arriving aircraft approaching from the east.
Airports and Socks: To Remove or Not?
You may want to see also
They are 12,091, 11,095, 10,285 and 8,926 feet long
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has four runways, with lengths of 12,091, 11,095, 10,285 and 8,926 feet. These runways are all made of concrete or asphalt-concrete, and are in good condition.
LAX is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of the city, 18 miles (29km) southwest of downtown LA. The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States.
LAX has a "Preferential Runway Use Policy" to minimise noise levels in the closest communities. Typically, the loudest operations at an airport are from departing aircraft, so during the daytime, LAX prefers to operate under the "Westerly Operations" air traffic pattern, with departing aircraft taking off over the ocean. To further reduce noise, LAX prefers to use the "inboard" runways for departures and the "outboard" runways for arrivals.
The North Airfield Complex, consisting of runways 24R/06L and 24L/06R, is located north of the airport terminals, while the South Airfield Complex, consisting of runways 25R/07L and 25L/07R, is located to the south of the terminals. The South Complex tends to see more operations than the North Complex due to the larger number of passenger gates and air cargo operations areas on the south side of the airport grounds.
Linate Airport: A Gateway to Italy's Northern Delights
You may want to see also
The airport covers 3,500 acres of land
Covering 3,500 acres of land, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a sprawling complex located 9 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It is the primary international airport serving the city and its metropolitan area. With four parallel runways, LAX is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States. It is a major gateway for the country, serving as a connection point for passengers travelling to and from various regions, including East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America.
LAX's vast acreage encompasses not only the runways but also numerous terminals, parking facilities, and other essential infrastructure. The airport's layout includes a series of terminals and parking structures arranged in a U-shape, providing efficient traffic flow and passenger movement. The airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years, including the addition of new terminals and the refurbishment of existing ones.
The history of LAX began in the late 1920s when the Los Angeles City Council recognised the need for an airport to tap into the growing aviation industry. The site chosen for the airport was a 640-acre field in the southern part of Westchester. The airport opened on October 1, 1928, and over the years, it has expanded and evolved to accommodate the increasing demand for air travel.
Today, LAX handles a significant volume of passenger and cargo traffic, ranking as the world's eighth-busiest airport in 2023. The airport is a hub for various airlines and plays a crucial role in connecting Los Angeles to the rest of the world. With its extensive acreage, multiple runways, and modern facilities, LAX is well-equipped to handle the high volume of air traffic and continues to be a vital transportation hub for the region.
Salt Lake City Airport: Location and Travel Tips
You may want to see also
It is located 18 miles (29km) southwest of downtown LA
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located 18 miles (29km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles, in the Westchester neighbourhood of the city. The airport covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land and is surrounded by 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. LAX is the closest airport to the Westside and the South Bay.
LAX is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States, serving as a major gateway for the country. In 2023, LAX handled 75,050,875 passengers, making it the world's eighth-busiest airport. The airport holds the record for the world's busiest origin and destination airport, as a high percentage of travellers begin or end their trips in Los Angeles rather than using it as a connection. LAX also serves as a hub for more passenger airlines than any other airport in the United States.
The airport has four parallel runways and nine passenger terminals arranged in the shape of a U or a horseshoe. It is currently undergoing a major expansion, with all terminals being refurbished and new facilities being added. The expansion is expected to cost $30 billion and will bring the total number of gates at LAX to 182.
LAX is accessible by various transportation options, including the LAX Automated People Mover, which connects the terminals to parking facilities and the LAX/Metro Transit Center station. The airport is also served by the FlyAway bus, which provides nonstop service between LAX and Union Station in downtown LA or the Van Nuys Airport.
San Francisco Airport: Fire Impacts and Safety Measures
You may want to see also
LAX is the world's eighth-busiest airport
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the world's eighth-busiest airport. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California, it covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways. In 2023, LAX handled 75,050,875 passengers, and this number increased to 76,587,980 in 2024, making it the busiest airport in California and the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States.
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. It holds the record for the world's busiest origin and destination airport, with approximately 88% of travellers at LAX being origination or destination passengers. The airport is also unique in that it is the only airport to rank among the top five U.S. airports for both passenger and cargo traffic.
The airport has nine passenger terminals arranged in a U or horseshoe shape, with 161 gates in total. It is currently undergoing a major expansion, with all terminals being refurbished and new facilities being added, such as the West Gates satellite concourse and the LAX Automated People Mover. These improvements aim to enhance the passenger experience, reduce overcrowding, and provide access to larger aircraft.
LAX has a complex system of runways and taxiways to manage the high volume of air traffic. The airport typically operates under "Westerly Operations," where departing aircraft take off towards the west over the Pacific Ocean, and arriving aircraft approach from the east. This helps to minimise noise levels for nearby residential communities. During nighttime hours, additional changes are made to reduce noise, including shifting to "Over-Ocean Operations," where both departing and arriving aircraft fly over the ocean.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1928 when it first opened as a dirt landing strip. Over the years, it has undergone significant expansions and improvements to accommodate the growing aviation industry. Today, LAX is a bustling hub of activity, serving millions of passengers and tons of cargo each year.
The Idlewild Airport Incident: Khrushchev's Controversial Visit
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
LAX has four runways.
Yes, the runways at LAX are parallel.
The runways at LAX vary in length, with the shortest being 8,926 feet and the longest being 12,091 feet.
The runway numbers at LAX are 24R/06L, 24L/06R, 25R/07L, and 25L/07R.