LAX is the Pacific gateway, with more than 60 airlines competing on domestic and transpacific routes.
LAX handles roughly 88 million passengers per year and ranks as the busiest West Coast airport by a wide margin. Nine passenger terminals spread along a horseshoe-shaped road create chaotic ground access, but the upcoming Automated People Mover promises to simplify transfers by 2026. Most major US carriers operate here, alongside heavyweights like Emirates, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas on long-haul sectors.
Transpacific fares from Los Angeles swing with demand patterns that differ from East Coast seasonality. Cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) drives Tokyo and Seoul prices up, while off-peak February flights to Asia can be 40% cheaper. European routes behave more predictably — summer is expensive, January is cheap. Domestic fares to the East Coast are at their best on Tuesday and Wednesday red-eyes.
Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) handles most long-haul departures and has the best food and lounge options in the complex. If your domestic and international flights use different terminals, the connector bus operates every 15-20 minutes, but plan at least 90 minutes for inter-terminal connections during peak hours. Ride-share pickups moved to the LAX-it lot — add 15 minutes to your post-arrival timeline.
Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) handles most long-haul departures. Some carriers like American operate international flights from their own terminals (T4, T5). Always confirm your terminal before heading to the airport.
March through May generally offers the best balance of mild weather and lower fares. January and early February drop further but coincide with rainy season. Avoid Thanksgiving week and Christmas — domestic fares can double.
You can ride the free inter-terminal bus, but during peak hours it takes 30-45 minutes door-to-door. The new People Mover (due 2026) will speed this up significantly. For now, allow generous connection time.
