Airport operations have gotten complicated with all the changes and updates flying around. As someone with extensive travel experience, I learned everything there is to know about this topic. Today, I will share it all with you.
LAX: What Nobody Tells You About Flying Through LA
I’ve flown through LAX more times than I can count, and every time I have this moment where I wonder why I didn’t just drive. It’s chaotic, it’s under construction basically always, and the traffic getting there is legendary for all the wrong reasons. But if you’re heading to or from LA, you probably don’t have much choice, so let’s make the best of it.
Food That Won’t Ruin Your Day
Here’s where LAX actually shines. The food situation has gotten dramatically better in the last few years.
Tom Bradley International Terminal: This is the good one. Umami Burger does excellent smash burgers. Wolfgang Puck’s place is surprisingly solid for airport fare. Osteria by Fabio Viviani serves actual respectable Italian. If you’ve got time before an international flight, TBIT’s the place to eat.
Terminal 5: Rock and Brews has decent pub food and cold beer. Shake Shack – yeah, it’s a chain, but the line’s usually reasonable and you know what you’re getting.
Terminal 7: Lemonade does healthy-ish California food. Real Food Daily if you’re vegan and don’t want to eat sad airport salads.
Lounge Access Worth Having
If you can get into one, the lounges here make a real difference.
Star Alliance Lounge in TBIT: Business class access gets you in. Nice enough space to decompress before a long international haul.
Qantas First Lounge: One of the best airport lounges I’ve ever been in. If you’re flying Qantas First or have status, don’t skip this.
American Flagship Lounge in T4: Solid option if you’re an AA flyer with the right status.
Alaska Lounge in T6: Reliable, nothing fancy, does the job.
Shopping Reality
TBIT has the serious shopping – DFS duty free, some actual designer stores like Hermes and Gucci. Whether airport prices make sense is another question, but it’s there if you want it.
The other terminals have the standard stuff – electronics, snacks, gifts, magazines. Nothing special but functional.
Stuff You Actually Need to Know
- Construction is constant. LAX has been under construction for what feels like a decade. Follow the signs carefully because things change.
- FlyAway Bus saves money. Goes to Union Station and a few other spots for like $10. Takes longer but you’re not dropping $80 on a ride-share.
- Traffic is real. I cannot stress this enough. Double whatever time you think you need to get to LAX. Triple it if it’s a holiday weekend.
- The people mover is coming. When it finally opens, it’ll connect the terminals. Until then, changing terminals means going back through security. Plan accordingly.
Travel Gear That’s Saved Me at LAX
Long layovers happen here constantly. These have made mine more bearable:
Portable Power Bank
Every outlet in LAX is either taken or broken. Don’t rely on finding one. Just bring your own power.
Decent Travel Pillow
For when your delayed flight finally boards at midnight. You’ll thank yourself.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
LAX is loud. Announcements, construction, crowds – it’s a lot. Block it all out.
Clear Toiletry Bag
Security at LAX is already annoying. Don’t make it worse by fumbling with your liquids.
Getting Around When You Land
Rental cars work if you’re comfortable driving in LA traffic. Personally, I’d rather not, but you do you.
Ride-shares have designated pickup areas – follow the LAX-it signs. Sometimes there’s a walk involved. And surge pricing during peak times is real.
FlyAway bus is genuinely the best deal if you’ve got time and you’re heading downtown.
Download the LAX app before you go. Real-time gate info, security wait times, maps. It won’t make LAX pleasant, but it’ll make it slightly less chaotic.
