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Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to by its airport code, LAX, is the primary international airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area. LAX is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 18 miles southwest of Downtown Los Angeles, and is close to the Pacific Ocean. The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways. In 2023, LAX handled 75,050,875 passengers, making it the world's eighth-busiest airport. LAX is open 24 hours and has nine passenger terminals. The region surrounding Los Angeles is served by several other airports, including John Wayne Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Ontario International Airport, and Long Beach Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Los Angeles International Airport |
| Airport Code | LAX |
| Location | Westchester, Los Angeles |
| Distance from Downtown LA | 18 miles (29-30 km) |
| Nearby areas | El Segundo, Inglewood, Westside, South Bay, Pacific Ocean |
| Operator | Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) |
| Number of Terminals | 9 |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Number of Gates | 18 |
| Number of Passengers (2023) | 75,050,875 |
| Ranking | 8th busiest airport in the world |
| Facilities | Restaurants, shopping, shuttle services, taxi services, bus services |
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What You'll Learn
- LAX is the primary airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding areas
- The airport is located 18 miles southwest of downtown LA
- LAX has four runways, two on the north and two on the south
- The airport is open 24 hours, with check-in counters operating between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m
- LAX is the world's busiest origin and destination airport
LAX is the primary airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding areas
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to by its airport code, LAX, is the primary airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, it is 18 miles (29-30 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. LAX is the closest airport to the Westside and the South Bay.
LAX is a major international gateway to the United States and is the world's busiest origin and destination airport. In 2023, it handled 75,050,875 passengers, making it the world's eighth-busiest airport. The airport covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land and has four parallel runways. Nearly every major domestic carrier services LAX, and many international carriers as well. LAX serves more new-generation aircraft flights (Airbus A380, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and Boeing 747-8) than any other airport in North America.
LAX 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. The airport has nine passenger terminals, connected by a U-shaped, two-level roadway. The Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) has 18 gates, including nine on the north concourse and nine on the south concourse. The West Gates, which opened in May 2021, feature 15 gates with modern amenities, cutting-edge technology, and stunning architecture.
LAX is easily accessible by road, with Interstate 105 located to the south via Sepulveda Boulevard, and the LAX City Bus Center located a quarter-mile away from Terminals 1 and 7/8. The FlyAway bus service also provides a nonstop connection between LAX and Union Station in Downtown LA. In the future, the regional light rail system will provide improved access to LAX from downtown Los Angeles and other areas.
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The airport is located 18 miles southwest of downtown LA
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is located 18 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. The airport is situated in the Westchester neighbourhood of the city of Los Angeles, with the Pacific Ocean to the west and residential communities on all other sides. LAX 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 primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling a large volume of passenger and cargo traffic. The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and features four parallel runways. It 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.
Being located just 18 miles from the heart of Los Angeles, LAX provides easy access to the city for travellers. The airport offers various transportation options, including rental cars, airport buses, door-to-door shuttle vans, local buses, light rail, taxicabs, ride-share services, and the FlyAway bus service. The FlyAway bus provides a nonstop connection between LAX and Union Station in Downtown LA, with buses departing from and arriving at the Upper/Departures Level of each terminal.
LAX has nine passenger terminals connected by a U-shaped, two-level roadway. The terminals feature various amenities, including dining options, shopping, and baggage claim areas. The airport has undergone modernization projects to enhance the experience for travellers, such as the LAX-it shuttle bus service, which provides a convenient and amenity-rich pickup location for taxis and ride-share services outside the Central Terminal Area.
LAX is also known for its iconic Theme Building, designed like a Space Age flying saucer and designated a Los Angeles Historical-Cultural Monument in 1993. The airport serves as a hub for many major domestic and international carriers, accommodating new-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
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LAX has four runways, two on the north and two on the south
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of the city of Los Angeles, 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. The airport covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land and is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).
LAX has four parallel runways, two on the north and two on the south. The runways in the North Airfield Complex are designated 24R/06L and 24L/06R, and are located north of the airport terminals. The runways in the South Airfield Complex are designated 25R/07L and 25L/07R, and are located south of the airport terminals. The South Airfield Complex tends to see more operations than the North Complex due to a larger number of passenger gates and air cargo operations areas on the south side of the airport grounds.
To minimise noise levels in the surrounding communities, Los Angeles World Airports has adopted a "Preferential Runway Use Policy" since 1972. This policy takes into account the fact that the loudest operations at an airport are typically from departing aircraft, with engines operating at high power settings. By using specific runways for departures and arrivals, the airport can help to distribute the noise impact across the nearby communities.
In addition to the runway configuration, LAX also has nine passenger terminals arranged in a U-shape or horseshoe design. The Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) is a notable feature of the airport, with 18 gates divided equally between the north and south concourses. The West Gates at TBIT, which opened in May 2021, offer a modern experience with cutting-edge technology, stunning architecture, and enhanced amenities for travellers.
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The airport is open 24 hours, with check-in counters operating between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of the city of Los Angeles, 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. The airport is open 24 hours, with check-in counters and federal passenger security screening operating between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Pacific Time. It is important to note that the opening hours for passengers and personnel may vary between terminals, so it is advisable to check with the relevant airline or employer.
LAX has nine passenger terminals, connected by a U-shaped, two-level roadway. The Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) serves as a major hub for international carriers, boasting 18 gates across its north and south concourses. The West Gates, which opened in May 2021, offer a modern experience with cutting-edge technology, stunning architecture, and enhanced amenities.
The airport has undergone significant modernisation, with projects aimed at improving the ticketing lobby, bag claim, and concourse areas. These projects have introduced expanded lobbies, additional security checkpoints, and improved seating with more charging stations. The $15 billion modernisation program includes the LAX-it shuttle service, which provides a centralised location for guests to conveniently access taxi or rideshare services while avoiding traffic in the Central Terminal Area.
LAX is easily accessible via various transportation options. The LAX City Bus Center offers several bus routes, including the Los Angeles Metro lines 40 (overnight only), 117, and 232, as well as the Torrance Transit line 8. Additionally, the FlyAway bus service provides a nonstop connection between LAX and Union Station in Downtown LA or the Van Nuys Airport. For those arriving by car, parking is available in the parking structures, although fees apply.
LAX is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government. It covers 3,500 acres of land and features four parallel runways. In 2023, the airport handled over 75 million passengers, making it the world's eighth-busiest airport.
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LAX is the world's busiest origin and destination airport
Los Angeles International Airport, or LAX, is the world's busiest origin and destination airport. It is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States, serving as a major gateway to the country. LAX is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown LA. The airport 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 eighth-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. LAX is a hub, focus city, or operating base for more passenger airlines than any other airport in the United States. It serves more new-generation aircraft flights, including the Airbus A380, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and Boeing 747-8, than any other airport in North America.
The high volume of passenger traffic at LAX is attributed to the fact that a significant proportion of travellers are origination and destination passengers, rather than connecting passengers. Indeed, in 2019, approximately 88% of travellers at LAX were O&D passengers, contributing to the airport's record for the world's busiest origin and destination airport. This high percentage of O&D passengers is due to LAX's position as a key international gateway, serving as a connection point for passengers travelling to and from East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America.
To accommodate the growing number of passengers, LAX has undergone significant expansion and improvement projects. The airport has embarked on a $15 billion modernisation program, which includes the LAX-it shuttle service, providing a convenient and amenity-rich area for taxi and rideshare pickups. Additionally, a $30 billion upgrade is planned ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games, which will bring new road infrastructure, dedicated buses, an Automated People Mover, and a centralised car rental facility, among other enhancements. These improvements aim to address the current challenges with landside capacity and traffic congestion, transforming LAX into an "almost entirely different airport."
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Frequently asked questions
No, LAX is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. However, there are four runways, two on the north and two on the south.
There are nine passenger terminals at LAX.
LAX is the busiest airport in the Los Angeles area, serving 63 million passengers annually. It is also the world's busiest origin and destination airport.
The region is served by five airports with commercial air service, including John Wayne Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Ontario International Airport, Long Beach Airport, and San Bernardino International Airport.
The FlyAway express bus system connects LAX with Los Angeles Union Station, the region's primary rail transportation hub.
