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Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to as LAX, is one of the world's major gateways into and out of the USA. It is the primary international airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area and is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 18 miles (30 km) southwest of Downtown Los Angeles. The airport was constructed in 1928 and opened on October 1, 1928, after 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 quickly growing aviation industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of establishment | 1928 |
| Year of recognition by Los Angeles City Council and Chamber of Commerce | 1926 |
| Year of renaming to Los Angeles International Airport | 1949 |
| Year of construction of the first structure, Hangar No. | 1928 |
| Year of beginning of passenger operations by American Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA), United Airlines, Southwest Airways, and Western Airlines | 1946 |
| Year of beginning of passenger operations by Pan American Airways (Pan Am) | 1947 |
| Year of the construction of the old control tower | 1961 |
| Year of construction of the new air traffic control tower | 1996 |
| Year of installation of LAX Gateway Pylons | 2000 |
| Year of closure for cleanup after the 1992 Los Angeles Riots | 1992 |
| Year of closure for 2 hours as a precaution after the Northridge earthquake | 1994 |
| Year of LAX's ranking as the world's eighth-busiest airport | 2023 |
| Year of LAX's ranking as the fourth busiest airport in the world | 2018 |
| Year of LAX's ranking as the second busiest airport in the US | 2018 |
| Year of LAX's ranking as the fifth busiest US airport for passenger movements | 2022 |
| Year of LAX's ranking as the second busiest pre-COVID | 2019 |
| Year of LAX's ranking as the world's busiest origin and destination airport | 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
- Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, was constructed in 1928
- The airport was used by private pilots and flying schools before major airlines began operations in 1946
- LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving over 75 million guests in 2023
- The airport has undergone several improvements and expansions over the years, including a new air traffic control tower
- LAX is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 18 miles southwest of downtown LA
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, was constructed in 1928
The story of Los Angeles International Airport began in 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 quickly growing aviation industry. Several locations were considered, but the final choice was a 640-acre field in the southern part of Westchester. The location had been promoted by real estate agent William W. Mines, and Mines Field, as it was known, 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 into dirt landing strips. The airport opened on October 1, 1928, with the first structure, Hangar No. However, the airport initially failed to entice any carriers, as airlines preferred Burbank Airport (then known as Union Air Terminal) or the Grand Central Airport in Glendale. During the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration funded improvements such as site grading and the construction of a new runway, but still no airlines moved to the airport.
The airport became a key wartime airfield during World War II, with the military assuming control in January 1942. After the war, four temporary terminals were erected, and on December 9, 1946, American Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA), United Airlines, Southwest Airways, and Western Airlines began passenger operations. The airport was officially renamed Los Angeles International Airport in 1949.
LAX has continued to expand and upgrade its facilities over the years, including a $29 million air traffic control tower built in 1996 and a $4.11 billion renovation unveiled in 2008. In 2023, LAX was the eighth-busiest airport in the world, handling over 75 million passengers.
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The airport was used by private pilots and flying schools before major airlines began operations in 1946
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to as LAX, is one of the world's busiest airports. It has grown significantly over the last 70 years, from a dirt landing strip to a major hub for international travel.
The story of LAX began in 1926 when the Los Angeles City Council recognised the need for the city to have its own airport to tap into the burgeoning aviation industry. The airport opened on 1 October 1928, and the first structure was Hangar No. Before the 1930s, US airports used a two-letter abbreviation, and "LA" served as the designation for Los Angeles Airport. In 1947, the identifiers were expanded to three letters, and "LA" became "LAX".
During the early years, the airport was used by private pilots and flying schools, but the city had a vision to make it the main passenger hub for the area. However, the airlines were not initially interested. The airport struggled to attract any carriers away from the established Burbank Airport (then known as Union Air Terminal) or the Grand Central Airport in Glendale. This situation persisted through the Great Depression and even after the city purchased the land under the airport in 1937.
World War II paused development, and the military assumed control of the airport in 1942. After the war, four temporary terminals were erected, and on 9 December 1946, major airlines including American Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA), United Airlines, Southwest Airways, and Western Airlines began passenger operations. Pan American Airways (Pan Am) joined them in January 1947.
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LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving over 75 million guests in 2023
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to as LAX, is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area, located in the Westchester neighbourhood of the city, 18 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. In 2023, LAX served over 75 million guests, making it the world's eighth-busiest airport according to the Airports Council International rankings.
LAX has grown out of the wheat and barley fields of southern California to become one of the world's most important aviation hubs. The story of Los Angeles International Airport began in 1926 when the Los Angeles City Council recognised the need for the city to have its own airport to tap into the quickly growing aviation industry. The airport was constructed in 1928 and opened on October 1 of that year. It was used by private pilots and flying schools, but the city's vision was for it to become the main passenger hub for the area.
LAX has expanded significantly over the past 70 years and continues to grow. In 1949, the airport was renamed Los Angeles International Airport, and in 1958, the current layout of the passenger facilities was established. The airport has four parallel runways and covers 3,500 acres of land. It is owned and 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 serves as a major hub or focus city for several airlines, including Alaska, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. It is the busiest domestic O&D passenger market in the US, with approximately 88% of travellers being origination and destination passengers, and 12% connecting. The airport has also invested in various improvements over the years, including a new air traffic control tower, a major public art installation, and plans for a $4.11 billion renovation to upgrade the International Terminal and develop facilities in the central terminal area.
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The airport has undergone several improvements and expansions over the years, including a new air traffic control tower
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, has been in existence for over 70 years and has undergone several improvements and expansions over the years, including a new air traffic control tower.
The airport was constructed in 1928 on a 640-acre site in the southern part of Westchester, chosen by real estate agent William W. Mines. The airport opened on October 1, 1928, and was initially used by private pilots and flying schools. However, the city's vision was for it to become the main passenger hub for the area. During the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration funded improvements such as site grading and the construction of a new runway, while the city installed runway and field lights.
In 1942, the military took control of the airport, and after World War II, temporary terminals were erected, with several major airlines beginning passenger operations in December 1946. The airport was officially renamed Los Angeles International Airport in 1949. However, the temporary terminals soon became inadequate, and in 1956, voters approved a $59 million bond for improvements. The current layout of the passenger facilities was established in 1958, with a plan to build a series of terminals and parking facilities.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, LAX saw further improvements, including a new $29 million, 277-foot-tall air traffic control tower built in 1996, a major public art installation at the airport entrance, and a $4.11 billion renovation unveiled in 2008. The airport is currently undergoing a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program to modernise its campus, including initiatives to enhance efficiency and dependability, such as an Automated People Mover and a Consolidated Rental Car facility. With the Olympics returning to Los Angeles in 2024, another major upgrade program is underway, with a $30 billion investment to get the airport ready for 2028 and beyond.
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LAX is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 18 miles southwest of downtown LA
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown LA. The airport was constructed in 1928 on a 640-acre plot of land, formerly used to grow wheat, barley, and lima beans. The site was chosen by real estate agent William W. Mines, who promoted the location due to its selection to host the 1928 National Air Races.
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 over 75 million passengers in 2023. The airport is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government. LAX covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways. The airport holds the record for the world's busiest origin and destination airport, with 88% of travellers being origination and destination passengers, and the remaining 12% being connecting passengers.
The airport has undergone numerous renovations and improvements over the years, including the construction of the distinctive Theme Building in 1961, which resembles a flying saucer. In 1996, a new air traffic control tower was built, standing at 277 feet tall. More recently, LAX has seen terminal expansions and modernisations, with projects totalling hundreds of millions of dollars.
LAX is surrounded by commercial and residential areas, with the Pacific Ocean to the west. The airport has implemented a Preferential Runway Use Policy since 1972 to minimise noise levels in the surrounding communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to as LAX, was constructed in 1928.
Before it was renamed Los Angeles International Airport in 1949, the airport was known as Mines Field.
The airport was originally intended to be a dirt landing strip with a single hangar built for Curtiss-Wright.
The airport began its operations as an international airport after World War II.
