Realistic connection time for LAX terminal 1 (domestic) to 4 (international)

[glenn1]

It's been about 15 years since I flew through LAX and never international (always SFO when flying west). What's a realistic timeframe to get from Terminal 1 (domestic) to Terminal 4 (International - Qantas)? And on the return, how good/speedy/not batshit insane are the folks at Customs? Any better than the goatfvck at JFK?

 

[TraumaRN]

I went to Australia through LAX in 2007, i had a 2 hour 10 minute layover, I managed to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4 OK. I was definitely a little rushed. By the time I got to my gate I only had to wait a few minutes before they started first boarding. Just remember LAX is a double decker terminal. I walked past the Qantas terminal the first time cuz I was on the wrong level

And customs at LAX if you are american citizen is relatively speedy, it mostly depends on how fast you can get off the plane and beat other people to the checkpoint.

And if you are going to Australia and Sydney specifically the customs there took for fvcking ever since my flight and another international arrived at the same time.


EDIT: I'm going through LAX this summer for my honeymoon in Bora Bora, from Terminal 2 to Tom Bradley Terminal, we have exactly 2 hours between flights. We should be fine if a little rushed.

EDIT EDIT: And a thought, for long international flights dont have a super long layover...I would say no longer than 3 hours. Otherwise you just brutalize your body more as far as jet lag is concerned. First time I went to Australia we had a 5 hour layover in LAX, I thought I was going to die when we got to Australia because my body had partially adjusted to LA time.

 

[glenn1]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA
I went to Australia through LAX in 2007, i had a 2 hour 10 minute layover, I managed to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4 OK. I was definitely a little rushed. By the time I got to my gate I only had to wait a few minutes before they started first boarding. Just remember LAX is a double decker terminal. I walked past the Qantas terminal the first time cuz I was on the wrong level

And customs at LAX if you are american citizen is relatively speedy, it mostly depends on how fast you can get off the plane and beat other people to the checkpoint.

And if you are going to Australia and Sydney specifically the customs there took for fvcking ever since my flight and another international arrived at the same time.

It's either a 1hr 55m layover, or 4hr 25m. Unfortunately either would be connecting to the last flight of the day, so we may need to bank in the extra time to ensure we make it as 1:55 sounds like it might be a bit tight.

We're actually flying into Melbourne rather than Sydney, hopefully that will help some on the AUS side.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: glenn1

Originally posted by: DeathBUA
I went to Australia through LAX in 2007, i had a 2 hour 10 minute layover, I managed to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4 OK. I was definitely a little rushed. By the time I got to my gate I only had to wait a few minutes before they started first boarding. Just remember LAX is a double decker terminal. I walked past the Qantas terminal the first time cuz I was on the wrong level

And customs at LAX if you are american citizen is relatively speedy, it mostly depends on how fast you can get off the plane and beat other people to the checkpoint.

And if you are going to Australia and Sydney specifically the customs there took for fvcking ever since my flight and another international arrived at the same time.

It's either a 1hr 55m layover, or 4hr 25m. Unfortunately either would be connecting to the last flight of the day, so we may need to bank in the extra time to ensure we make it as 1:55 sounds like it might be a bit tight.

We're actually flying into Melbourne rather than Sydney, hopefully that will help some on the AUS side.

Yikes that sucks....

And actually LA to Melbourne is usually 1-2 hour longer flight than LA to Sydney.

But if those are your true only choices I'd say do the longer of the 2. And keep yourself kinda busy for that four hours...definitely dont sleep until you get on the plane. I'm guessing you get to Australia in the morning in Melbourne.

And I'm doing the 2 hour layover because I know me and my future wife can make it, shorter distance to walk and I've done it twice now.

 

[abaez]

I would say it's about one half to three quarters of a mile, since terminal 1 is at the start of entrance. However long it takes you to walk that.