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Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to by its airport code LAX, is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, it is approximately 18 miles from Downtown LA. LAX is the world's busiest origin and destination airport, serving as a major hub for seven airlines, more than any other airport in the United States. The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways, with an average of 1,500 daily flight operations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Los Angeles International Airport |
| Airport Code | LAX |
| Location | Westchester, Los Angeles |
| Distance from Downtown LA | 16-18 miles |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Length of Runways | 8,926 ft, 10,285 ft, 12,091 ft, 11,095 ft |
| Number of Terminals | 7 |
| Number of Gates | 146-182 |
| Number of Passengers (2023) | 75,050,875 |
| Number of Passengers (2024) | 76,587,980 |
| Ranking | 4th busiest airport in the world, 2nd busiest in the US |
| Cargo Traffic Ranking | 10th in the world, 4th in the US |
| Cargo Handled (2018) | 2.4 million tons |
| Number of Airlines | 69 |
| Number of Cargo-only Airlines | 23 |
| Hotels Nearby | Many within 1 mile |
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What You'll Learn
Location and surroundings
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 18 miles (29 km or 30 km, according to different sources) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It 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, and it is also close to the Pacific Ocean.
The airport covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land and has four parallel runways. 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 south of the terminals.
LAX is situated in a highly urbanised area, with residential communities on all sides except the west, where the Pacific Ocean lies. The airport is surrounded by various hotels located within a 1-mile (1.5 km) radius, providing convenient accommodation options for travellers.
The iconic Theme Building, designed in the "Googie" style, resembling a Space Age flying saucer, is a notable landmark at LAX. It blends aeronautics, pop culture, design, and architecture and was designated a Los Angeles Historical-Cultural Monument in 1993.
LAX is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is the largest and busiest airport on the West Coast of the United States and serves as a major gateway for international travel, particularly to and from Asia and the Pacific.
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History
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to by its airport code, LAX, is the primary international airport serving the Greater Los Angeles area. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, it is about 16 to 18 miles from Downtown LA, with the Pacific Ocean to its west and residential communities on all other sides.
The history of LAX can be traced 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 burgeoning aviation industry. Several locations were considered, but the final choice was a 640-acre field in the southern part of Westchester, promoted by real estate agent William W. Mines. Known as Mines Field, it had already been selected to host the 1928 National Air Races. On August 13, 1928, the city leased the land, and the newly formed Department of Airports began converting the fields, once used for agriculture, into dirt landing strips.
Before the 1930s, US airports used a two-letter abbreviation, and ""LA" served as the designation for Los Angeles Airport. In 1947, with the rapid growth in the aviation industry, the identifiers were expanded to three letters, and "LA" became "LAX". The "X" does not hold any specific meaning.
LAX has since undergone significant developments and expansions. The iconic Theme Building, designed like a Space Age flying saucer and exemplifying the "Googie" style of Mid-Century Modernism, opened in 1961 and was named a Los Angeles Historical-Cultural Monument in 1993. The Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Control Tower, standing 277 feet tall, began operations in April 1996, utilising state-of-the-art equipment. The old control tower, built in 1961, served LAX for 35 years and now functions as the Los Angeles World Airports Clifton A. Moore Administration Building.
In 2021, the LAX West Intermodal Transportation Facility, featuring 4,300 parking spaces, opened, replacing Lot C. The Tom Bradley International Terminal has also been substantially rebuilt, with the addition of the West Gates satellite concourse. Furthermore, LAX has embarked on a $15 billion modernisation programme, which includes the LAX-it initiative, providing a centralised area for guests to access taxi and ride-sharing services, enhancing convenience and avoiding traffic in the Central Terminal Area.
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Terminals and runways
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to 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 18 miles (29-30 km) southwest of Downtown Los Angeles and close to the Pacific Ocean. LAX is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States, serving as a major gateway to the country and an important connection point for international travel.
LAX has four parallel runways, designated as the North Airfield Complex and the South Airfield Complex. The North Airfield Complex includes runways 24R/06L and 24L/06R, which are north of the airport terminals. The South Airfield Complex comprises runways 25R/07L and 25L/07R, situated south of the terminals. The runways vary in length, ranging from 8,926 feet to 12,091 feet, and are 150 feet wide, except for runway 25L/07R, which is 200 feet wide.
LAX has undergone significant development, with all terminals currently being refurbished. The Tom Bradley International Terminal has been substantially rebuilt, featuring the West Gates satellite concourse with 15 gates that offer modern amenities and cutting-edge technology. Terminal 1.5, which opened in February 2022, connects Terminals 1, 2, and 3 via an airside walkway, allowing post-security passengers to move conveniently between these terminals. The Delta Sky Way project is another initiative aimed at enhancing inter-terminal connectivity, with a planned connector bridge from Terminal 3 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
LAX has a total of nine terminals, including the Tom Bradley International Terminal. These terminals offer various amenities, such as restaurants, shops, and currency exchange booths. The airport also provides a range of transportation options, including airport buses, shuttle services, 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 similar shuttle buses facilitate easy movement between the airline terminals.
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Transport and parking
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to as LAX, is the primary international airport serving the Greater Los Angeles area. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, it is about 18 miles from Downtown Los Angeles and close to the Pacific Ocean. LAX is the world's busiest origin and destination airport, serving as a major hub for several airlines and handling a large volume of passenger and cargo traffic.
LAX offers various transportation options for passengers and visitors, including public transportation, taxis, ride-sharing apps, and private vehicles.
Public Transportation:
The FlyAway express bus system connects LAX with Los Angeles Union Station, the region's primary rail transportation hub. The C Line of the Metro also connects to LAX at Aviation/LAX Station, with a free Metro Connector bus shuttle running between the station and the airport terminals every 15 minutes. Additionally, the K Line provides a free bus service between the K Line Westchester/Veterans Station and the C Line Aviation/LAX Station.
Several bus lines also serve Aviation/LAX Station, including Culver CityBus, Beach Cities Transit (Redondo Beach), and Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica). The GTrans Line 5 connects Aviation/LAX Station to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station, while the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Line 3/Rapid 3 goes to the Santa Monica Public Library. Torrance Transit 8 provides service to the LAX Transit Centre, and Long Beach Transit Bus offers multiple lines connecting to the Metro A Line.
Taxis and Ride-Sharing:
Only authorised taxis with an official seal from the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation are permitted to pick up passengers at LAX. Accessible taxis can be requested by calling the taxi dispatch number. Ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are also available at LAX and operate from designated pick-up areas.
Private Vehicles and Parking:
For those arriving at the airport by private vehicle, LAX offers several parking options, including the LAX Economy Parking lot located at 6100 W. 94th Street, with a daily maximum fee of $35. Shuttle services are provided to and from the LAX terminals, with stops located at the PINK LAX Shuttle signs on the Lower/Arrivals Level. The LAX West Intermodal Transportation Facility, which opened in 2021, provides an additional 4,300 parking spaces.
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Hotels and amenities
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, about 16 to 18 miles from Downtown LA. LAX is the world's busiest origin and destination airport, serving as a major international gateway to the United States. With its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and LA's beach communities, LAX is a popular airport for travellers to and from Asia and the Pacific.
LAX offers a wide range of amenities to cater to the needs of travellers. The airport has an extensive transportation network, 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, and there are also free shuttle buses between the airline terminals. The LAX FlyAway bus service provides frequent, non-stop transportation between LAX, Union Station, and Van Nuys.
For travellers looking for accommodation near the airport, there are numerous hotels located within a 1-mile radius of LAX. These hotels provide convenient options for those with early morning flights or late arrivals. The Discover LA website offers a helpful list of hotels in the Beach Cities/LAX neighbourhood, making it easy to find accommodation close to the airport.
LAX also boasts a variety of dining and shopping options. An interactive terminal map is available on the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) website, providing information on restaurants and shopping within the airport. The Tom Bradley International Terminal, with its modern design and cutting-edge technology, offers a particularly enhanced guest experience. Additionally, the airport has currency exchange booths located in Terminals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
LAX has also introduced LAX-it, a centralised area that provides a convenient and amenity-rich experience for guests using taxi or ride-share app services, helping them to avoid traffic in the Central Terminal Area.
The airport is currently undergoing a $15 billion modernisation program, which includes the recently completed Terminal 1.5, connecting Terminals 1-3 via an airside walkway. The Delta Sky Way project, scheduled for completion in 2023, will add a post-security connector bridge from Terminal 3 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. These improvements aim to enhance the overall experience and convenience of travellers passing through LAX.
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Frequently asked questions
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area.
LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2023, it was ranked as the world's eighth-busiest airport, handling 75,050,875 passengers. In 2024, that number increased to 76,587,980 passengers. It is the busiest airport for origin and destination passengers, with approximately 88% of travellers at LAX falling into this category.
LAX is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It is close to the Pacific Ocean and LA's beach communities.
There are various transport options available at LAX, 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 there are also free shuttle buses that transport passengers between airline terminals.
