Located 18 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles in the Westchester neighborhood, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) covers 3,500 acres and operates four parallel runways. Managed by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), LAX stands as the primary international gateway to Southern California, connecting travelers across the Pacific, North America, and beyond.
Handling over 76 million passengers in 2024, LAX holds the record as the world's busiest origin and destination airport, with roughly 88% of travelers beginning or ending their journeys here. It is also a vital hub and operating base for more passenger airlines than any other airport in the United States.
The passenger complex is organized in a distinct U-shape around a central terminal area highlighted by the historic 1961 Googie-style Theme Building. Terminals are linked airside through secure pedestrian tunnels and above-ground connectors, supported landside by dedicated shuttle routes as major modernization projects continue to expand gate capacity.
01 Terminals & concourses
Serving as LAX's primary international hub, this heavily modernized terminal includes the West Gates satellite concourse.
First opened in 1984 and renovated in 2018, Terminal 1 connects directly to Terminal 1.5.
Originally opened in 1961, Terminal 2 completed extensive interior and passenger facility renovations in 2023.
Serving passengers on the north side of the central complex, Terminal 3 underwent complete modernization finished in 2023.
First constructed in 1961, Terminal 6 received comprehensive facility updates completed in 2025.
Historically opened in 1961 for United Airlines, these south-side terminals completed full renovations in 2019.
Airport map
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the whole airport — terminals, concourses, access roads and the parking garages. Zoom in for gate-level detail.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free). Official gate/terminal maps are copyrighted — we link to them.
Lost, delayed or damaged baggage at LAX
If your checked bag doesn't turn up on the belt, act before you leave the baggage-claim area — that's where every airline keeps its Baggage Service Office.
- Go to your airline's Baggage Service Office in the baggage-claim hall of your arrival terminal.
- File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and get your file reference (WorldTracer) number. Keep your bag-tag receipt and boarding pass.
- Track it online using that reference on your airline's baggage-tracking page — most bags are located within 24–48 hours.
- Claim your essentials. On delayed bags airlines reimburse reasonable interim purchases (toiletries, clothing) — keep receipts. International trips are covered by the Montreal Convention.
- If it's truly lost (generally after 21 days) or damaged, file the claim at the same office — damage must be reported before you leave the airport.
Left something in the terminal (not a checked bag)? That's handled by the airport Lost & Found. Items left at a TSA security checkpoint are held by the TSA, not the airline.
02 Getting to & from LAX
These are the ground-transport options connecting the airport with the city. Fares and schedules change — check the operator before you travel.
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| FlyAway Bus | Nonstop motorcoach service operating between all LAX terminals and Union Station in Downtown LA or Van Nuys Airport. |
| Metro Connector Shuttle (Route M) | Free shuttle connecting the Central Terminal Area to the LAX/Metro Transit Center on the Metro C and K lines. |
| Terminal Connector Shuttle (Route A) | Operates a continuous counter-clockwise loop around the Central Terminal Area for transferring passengers. |
| SkyLink / Automated People Mover | Future rail system connecting terminals to economy parking, Metro Rail, and the LAX Rental Car Center. |
03 Lounges & amenities
Military travelers can access the Bob Hope USO located on the first floor of the Theme Building.
Los Angeles International Airport in pictures
