Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles, California KLAX #5 US airport by passengers

In the Westchester area on the west side of Los Angeles, next to the Pacific coast and about 15 to 20 miles from downtown.

FAA status
Airport closure Updated 3 min ago
Weather now
VFR 70°F Observed 55 min ago
Late departures
23.5%May 2026 to July 2026
Security line
No recent reportsAdd yours

LAX at a glance

LAX is laid out as a U-shaped loop around its central terminal area. Terminals 1 to 8 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) line the loop, and traffic circles it in one direction. That is why the roads are so slow at peak times and why the airport tells people to use the LAX-it lot if they are taking rideshare.

There is no single train that connects all terminals inside security, which is the biggest planning point. Most airline connections within the same airline are in the same terminal or in adjacent ones, and a short outdoor walk or a free airport shuttle handles the rest.

Main airlines: No single airline dominates. Delta, United, American, Alaska and Southwest all run large operations, and the Tom Bradley International Terminal hosts a wide range of foreign carriers.

FAA delay status for LAX

  • Airport closure !LAX 05/277 LAX AD AP CLSD TO NON SKED TRANSIENT GA ACFT EXC 24HR PPR CTC ATLANTIC AVIATION 310-258-9884 OR SIGNATURE AVIATION 310-410-9605 2605271826-2705281600 From May 27 at 18:26 UTC. until May 28 at 16:00 UTC.

Source: FAA National Airspace System Status, checked 3 min ago. Airline-specific delays are not shown here.

Current conditions at LAX

VFR

70°F21°C

Good visibility and high cloud base. Normal operations are typical.

Wind
250° 9 mph
Visibility
10+ mi
Clouds
FEW 1,500 ft, BKN 6,500 ft, OVC 8,000 ft
Ceiling
6,500 ft
Pressure
29.49 inHg

METARMETAR KLAX 111253Z 25008KT 10SM FEW015 BKN065 OVC080 21/18 A2949 RMK AO2 RAB03E28 SLP984 P0000 T02110178 $

Source: NOAA Aviation Weather Center. Observed 55 min ago.

Active weather alerts

  • High Surf AdvisoryHigh Surf Advisory issued October 10 at 1:51PM PDT until October 11 at 10:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
  • Coastal Flood WarningCoastal Flood Warning issued October 10 at 1:51PM PDT until October 11 at 3:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
  • Coastal Flood AdvisoryCoastal Flood Advisory issued October 10 at 1:51PM PDT until October 13 at 2:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

Full weather, TAF, forecast and runways →

On-time performance at LAX

Based on 50,435 departures from May 2026 to July 2026. A flight counts as late when it leaves 15 or more minutes after schedule.

23.5%Departures late
22.6%Arrivals late
0.81%Cancelled
17.0 minAverage departure delay
On-time performance by airline at LAX
AirlineDeparturesLateCancelled
SkyWest Airlines 10,273 14.7% 0.13%
Delta Air Lines 10,210 19.6% 1.16%
American Airlines 8,324 28.2% 1.30%
United Airlines 8,185 16.2% 0.27%
Southwest Airlines 6,778 44.2% 0.40%
Alaska Airlines 3,122 25.8% 0.70%

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, On-Time Performance of reporting carriers. Smaller regional carriers and some airlines are not included.

Late departures by month

AprMayJunJul

Terminals

Terminals 1, 2 and 3

The eastern side of the loop. Southwest is based in Terminal 1, and Delta and its partners are mainly in Terminals 2 and 3.

Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)

The international terminal. Most foreign carriers are here, together with international flights from the U.S. airlines.

Terminals 4, 5 and 6

Home to American Airlines and Alaska Airlines among others. Airlines have moved between terminals in recent years, so confirm yours.

Terminals 7 and 8

United Airlines is based in Terminals 7 and 8.

Moving between terminals

Neighboring terminals are connected by pedestrian walkways, and LAX runs a free shuttle that loops the terminals. The loop is long enough that you should keep extra time if your connection involves changing terminals.

Terminal guide →

Getting to and from LAX

  • Rideshare

    LAX-it

    Uber, Lyft and similar services pick up from a dedicated lot east of the terminals, not at the curb. A free shuttle takes you from the terminals to the lot.

  • Rail

    Metro rail (via shuttle)

    A free airport shuttle connects the terminals with Metro rail stations near the airport, such as Aviation/LAX on the C Line, which connect on to the wider Metro network. Check the LAX website for the current rail connection.

  • Bus

    FlyAway

    A scheduled bus that connects LAX with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and Van Nuys. It runs at fixed times; check the LAX website for current routes and fares.

  • Taxi

    Taxi stands

    Taxi lines are near the baggage claim areas and inside the terminal loop. Some destinations, such as downtown Los Angeles, have posted flat fares; ask the dispatcher before you get in.

All ground transportation →

Tips for LAX

  • LAX-it is for rideshare pickups only. Dropping off at the curb is still allowed.
  • The airport is far from many parts of Los Angeles; leave extra time for freeway traffic.
  • Marine layer in the morning, particularly in late spring and early summer, can slow arrivals.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I get an Uber or Lyft at LAX?

At the LAX-it lot. Follow the signs for rideshare pickup and take the free shuttle there.

Is there a train to LAX?

Not directly to the terminals. A free shuttle connects the airport to Metro rail stations.

Which terminal for international flights?

Most international flights use the Tom Bradley International Terminal, but some also use other terminals. Check your boarding pass.

How busy is LAX?

About 36,497,303 passengers boarded flights at Los Angeles International Airport in 2025, according to FAA enplanement data. That ranks it number 5 among US airports.

How often are flights late at LAX?

Over May 2026 to July 2026, 23.5% of departures at LAX left 15 or more minutes late, and 0.81% of flights were cancelled (Bureau of Transportation Statistics).

Guide content last reviewed October 8, 2026. Report a correction