About Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport, known to almost everyone simply as LAX, is the main airport for Los Angeles and Southern California. It opened in 1928 and has grown into one of the busiest airports on the planet. A large share of its passengers start or end their journey in the region rather than just changing planes, which makes LAX one of the world's biggest origin-and-destination airports.

Location: how far is LAX from downtown Los Angeles?

LAX sits in the Westchester neighbourhood on the Pacific coast, about 29 kilometres (18 miles) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. Beach towns such as Santa Monica, Venice and Manhattan Beach are close by, so many visitors head to the coast first.

Terminals and facilities at LAX

Nine passenger terminals form a horseshoe around the Central Terminal Area. They include Terminals 1 to 8 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B), the hub for most long-haul international flights. Right in the middle stands the Theme Building, a 1961 landmark shaped like a flying saucer on four legs. Terminals offer a wide range of dining and shopping, airline lounges and duty-free outlets in the international areas.

Airlines and destinations from Los Angeles

LAX is a hub for several major US carriers, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Dozens of international airlines also fly here, linking Los Angeles with Asia, Australia and the Pacific, Europe and Latin America, alongside a dense network of flights across North America.

Getting to and from LAX

Ground transport at LAX is going through a big overhaul. Useful options include:

• LAX-it, the dedicated pick-up area for taxis and ride-hailing, reached by free shuttle from the terminals
• FlyAway buses to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and to Van Nuys
• The LAX/Metro Transit Center, served by Metro light rail, including the K Line
• Hotel shuttles and rental cars, with a new automated people mover being built to tie the terminals, transit and car rental together

What to see near Los Angeles International Airport

From LAX it is an easy trip to the Santa Monica Pier, the canals and boardwalk of Venice, and the Getty Center in the hills. Further afield lie Hollywood, Griffith Observatory and the theme parks of the wider Los Angeles area.

Travel tips for LAX

Traffic around the terminal loop can be very slow at peak times, so allow extra time whether you arrive by car or by shuttle. Check which terminal your airline uses before you set off, since walking between some terminals takes a while.

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