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Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. LAX is the largest and busiest airport on the West Coast of the United States and serves as a major gateway for international travel. With a rapid increase in the aviation industry, the airport's identifier was expanded to three letters in 1947, evolving from LA to LAX. LAX covers 3,500 acres of land, features four parallel runways, and is located 18 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles in the Westchester neighbourhood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Los Angeles International Airport |
| IATA | LAX |
| ICAO | KLAX |
| FAA LID | LAX |
| Location | Westchester, Los Angeles, California |
| Distance from downtown LA | 18 miles |
| Operator | Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) |
| Area | 3,500 acres |
| Number of runways | 4 |
| Number of gates | 146 (expansion underway to increase to 182) |
| Number of parking spaces | 4,300 |
| Number of passengers (2023) | 75,050,875 |
| Ranking | 11th busiest airport in the world |
| Number of passengers (2024) | 76,587,980 |
| Year with three-letter airport codes | 1947 |
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What You'll Learn
LAX is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, it is about 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. The airport is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government. LAX covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land and has four parallel runways.
LAX is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States. In 2023, it handled 75,050,875 passengers, making it the world's eleventh-busiest airport according to the Airports Council International rankings. The following year, in 2024, LAX served 76,587,980 passengers, a 2.04% increase from the previous year. LAX serves as a major international gateway for the country, connecting passengers to and from various regions, including East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America.
LAX has nine passenger terminals arranged in a U or horseshoe shape, with 161 gates in total. The terminals are currently undergoing refurbishment, including the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which was substantially rebuilt with a West Gates satellite concourse added. Outside the terminal area, the LAX West Intermodal Transportation Facility provides 4,300 parking spaces and opened in 2021. Additionally, a new LAX/Metro Transit Centre station and a LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility are under construction, with plans to connect these to the terminal area via the LAX Automated People Mover.
LAX is easily accessible, with various transportation options available, including airport buses, door-to-door shuttle vans, local buses, light rail, taxicabs, ride-share services, and rental cars. A free shuttle bus connects LAX with the Metro Rail C Line (Green) light rail, and free shuttle buses are also available for passengers travelling between the airline terminals. For domestic flights, passengers are advised to arrive at LAX two hours before departure, while international flights require a three-hour buffer.
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It is the busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles area
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to by its airport code, LAX, is the busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles area. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, it is around 18 miles (29-30 km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. 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, in the U.S. state of California. The airport covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land and has four parallel runways. In 2019, LAX served approximately 88 million passengers, and in 2023, it handled 75,050,875 passengers, making it the world's eleventh-busiest airport, according to the Airports Council International rankings. The airport is also the eighth busiest in the world by passenger traffic and the eleventh busiest by cargo traffic.
LAX is a major international gateway to the United States, serving as a connection point for passengers travelling to and from various regions, including East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America. It holds the record for the world's busiest origin and destination airport, as a high proportion of travellers begin or end their trips in Los Angeles rather than using it as a connection. The airport serves as a hub, focus city, or operating base for a significant number of passenger airlines in the United States.
While LAX is the busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles area, other airports also serve the region. These include Burbank, John Wayne (Orange County), Hollywood Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario, and San Bernardino.
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The airport is located 18 miles southwest of downtown LA
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is situated 18 miles (29km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. The airport is located in the Westchester neighbourhood, with commercial and residential areas to the north, El Segundo to the south, and Inglewood to the east. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west of the airport, and residential communities surround it on all other sides.
LAX is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its metropolitan area. It is the largest and busiest airport on the West Coast of the United States and serves as a significant gateway for international travel. The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways. In 2023, it handled over 75 million passengers, making it the world's eleventh-busiest airport. The following year, in 2024, that number increased to 76,587,980 passengers, a 2.04% increase.
LAX is the closest airport to the Westside and the South Bay. It is also the busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles area, although other airports, such as Burbank, John Wayne, and Long Beach, also serve the region. The airport is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government. LAWA also manages the Van Nuys Airport for general aviation.
The history of LAX dates back to the 1920s when the Los Angeles City Council and the Chamber of Commerce recognised the need for an airport to tap into the growing aviation industry. They selected a 640-acre field in the southern part of Westchester, which had been promoted by real estate agent William W. Mines. Mines Field, as it was known, hosted the 1928 National Air Races, and on August 13, 1928, the city leased the land. The dirt landing strips were established on fields that once grew wheat, barley, and lima beans.
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LAX is the world's busiest origin and destination airport
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. LAX is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 18 miles southwest of downtown LA. The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways.
LAX is the busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles area, serving as a major international gateway for the United States. It is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the country. In 2023, LAX handled 75,050,875 passengers, making it the world's eleventh-busiest airport according to the Airports Council International rankings. The following year, it served 76,587,980 passengers, a 2.04% increase.
LAX holds the record for the world's busiest origin and destination airport. This is because, compared to other airports, a significantly larger number of travellers begin or end their trips in Los Angeles than use it as a connection point. In 2019, approximately 88% of travellers at LAX were origination and destination passengers, while only 12% were connecting. LAX is the busiest domestic O&D passenger market in the US. It is also the only airport to rank among the top five US airports for both passenger and cargo traffic.
LAX is a hub, focus city, or operating base for more passenger airlines than any other airport in the United States. It is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government. LAX is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement programme to modernise its entire campus and better serve its millions of domestic and international guests.
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The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and has four runways
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is a major international gateway for the United States. It is the largest and busiest airport on the West Coast of the country, serving as a hub for numerous passenger airlines. Covering 3,500 acres of land, LAX is a sprawling airport facility with four parallel runways. The airport is strategically located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, about 18 miles southwest of downtown. Its proximity to the Westside and the South Bay makes it the closest airport to these areas.
The vast expanse of 3,500 acres that LAX occupies is comparable to the size of small towns or even some cities. This significant amount of land is necessary to accommodate the airport's extensive infrastructure, including its four runways, multiple terminals, and various support facilities. The four runways at LAX are designated as part of the North Airfield Complex and the South Airfield Complex. The North Airfield Complex includes runways 24R/06L and 24L/06R, located north of the airport terminals. Meanwhile, the South Airfield Complex comprises runways 25R/07L and 25L/07R, situated south of the terminals.
The four runways at LAX play a crucial role in the airport's operations, ensuring efficient aircraft takeoffs and landings. These runways are meticulously maintained to ensure safety and facilitate smooth air traffic flow. Each runway is equipped with the necessary lighting and navigation systems to enable operations during different weather conditions and varying levels of visibility. The layout of the runways also contributes to the airport's noise abatement efforts. Since 1972, Los Angeles World Airports has implemented a "Preferential Runway Use Policy" to minimise noise levels in the closest communities.
The vast land coverage of LAX also includes areas dedicated to terminal buildings, parking facilities, and other airport amenities. The airport has undergone expansions and renovations over the years to enhance its capacity and improve the passenger experience. For example, the LAX West Intermodal Transportation Facility, opened in 2021, added 4,300 parking spaces, and the Tom Bradley International Terminal was substantially rebuilt with a new satellite concourse. Additionally, ongoing projects, such as the LAX Automated People Mover, aim to improve connectivity within the airport and are expected to bring the total number of gates to 182.
The 3,500 acres of land that LAX occupies is a significant asset, allowing for the airport's continuous development and growth. This land was initially leased by the city in 1928, recognising the need for an airport to tap into the burgeoning aviation industry. The choice of location was strategic, and the subsequent development of the airport has transformed the once agricultural fields into a bustling aviation hub, contributing significantly to the region's economy and connectivity.
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Frequently asked questions
LAX is the three-letter abbreviation for Los Angeles Airport. In 1947, with the growth of the aviation industry, the identifiers were expanded from two letters to three, with "LA" receiving an extra letter to become "LAX".
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles area. In 2023, it was the world's eleventh-busiest airport, handling 75,050,875 passengers. In 2024, it served 76,587,980 passengers, a 2.04% increase from the previous year. It is also the world's busiest origin and destination airport, with 88% of travellers starting or ending their trips in Los Angeles rather than connecting.
Los Angeles International 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.
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