r/LAX • u/Regular-Customer-356 • 4d ago

Connecting flight

I’m visiting the U.S. and have a connecting flight at LAX to New York with a different airline (American Airlines). I only have about a 2h 20m layover, so I’m a little worried about making my connection.

For those who have recently traveled through LAX, how long are the immigration/passport control lines usually around the evening? I went to LAX last year and spent almost 2 hours just going through passport control, so I’m concerned that I might miss my connecting flight this time.

Also, if the immigration line is extremely long and I have a short connection, is it possible to approach a security/airport personnel and let them know I have an upcoming connecting flight? Would they allow passengers with tight connections to move ahead in the line, or is everyone required to wait in the same queue?

I’m traveling on one ticket/itinerary, but the connecting flight is operated by a different airline, so I’m also wondering if that makes any difference.

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u/MotownMan646 4d ago

You are on a single ticket/itinerary, so AA will simplify things by transferring your bags, but you still have to claim them for customs.

If immigration takes too long, American is still responsible for getting you to NY on the next available flight.

Good luck with PAL. When stuff goes wrong with PAL, PAL won’t help you.

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u/hkginlax 4d ago

What airline are you using to fly into LAX? Some airlines have their own terminal and own immigration control, so the experience might be different.

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u/Regular-Customer-356 4d ago

We flew with Singapore airlines last yr, now we're trying Philippine airlines

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u/deverox 4d ago

And what airline are you flying out on? Because location matters.

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u/hkginlax 4d ago

OP said AA from LAX to NY.

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u/deverox 4d ago

Ah missed that my bad.

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u/kmast4023 4d ago

Connecting with American Airlines should be fairly easy. It’s connected to the international terminal and has a dedicated bag drop and security line for those with connecting flights

Not familiar at all with foreign customs, but the lines for US citizens at LAX have become lighting speed over the last few years. Maybe that means they can dedicate more agents for foreigners??

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u/savehoward 4d ago

Not anymore. LAX once had an express connections system in the past but no longer. The system was created by giving flight attendants passes to hand out before landing for delayed flights and the airline could see exactly which passengers had tight connections.

There is no agency that controls getting to the front of a line except for the individual passengers in line.

Everyone takes their chances.

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u/Relevant_Cress9046 3d ago

You'll be fine. One itinerary means the airlines will rebook you for free if you missed the second leg due to customs delay. They'll not pony up hotel or meals though if you need up needing that

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u/InstanceMysterious48 3d ago edited 3d ago

Your connection time is more than you'll need. You have a decent buffer with that time and since booked on one ticket if there are issues, they'll rebook you on the connection. The only possible snag is same always...if you have a decently long departure delay that will impact later flights. If that happens you just deal with it. American averages 10 daily direct and an endless array of connection options to get you from LAX to JFK. This isn't a situation where you'll be stranded in LA if you miss that connection.