Los Angeles International Airport Guide

IATA LAXICAO KLAXLos AngelesUpdated 2026-07-21
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Los Angeles International Airport sits in the Westchester neighborhood, 29 km southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It is the busiest airport on the US West Coast and the primary international gateway for Southern California. The airport holds the distinction of being the world's busiest origin-and-destination airport — a higher proportion of passengers begin or end their trips here compared to other major hubs.

LAX is spread across a U-shaped terminal complex with nine passenger terminals and 161 gates. It operates four parallel runways and handled over 76 million passengers in 2024, ranking it among the top five busiest airports in the United States. Delta, United, American, and Southwest each operate major hubs here, while the Tom Bradley International Terminal connects passengers to more than 45 international carriers.

The airport is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a department of the Los Angeles city government. Major modernization projects are underway, including the Automated People Mover connecting the terminals to a consolidated rent-a-car facility and the Inglewood station on the Metro K Line, which opened in 2022 and provides a rail link to downtown Los Angeles.

Services

5 of 6 available

Compare 51 listed options at Los Angeles International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Los Angeles International Airport.

Location

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Key facts

Size
77M passengers (2024)4 runwaysopened 1946
Location
33.943, -118.408
Operator
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)

Terminals

9 terminals

Los Angeles International Airport has 9 passenger terminalsTerminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, Terminal 6, Terminal 7, Terminal 8, Tom Bradley International Terminal and Regional Terminal, handling both international and domestic flights for around 27 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.

  • Terminal 1Domestic

    JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Frontier, Allegiant Air

  • Terminal 2Mixed

    Delta Air Lines, Norse Atlantic Airways, Spirit Airlines, WestJet

  • Terminal 3Mixed

    Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic

  • Terminal 4Mixed

    American Airlines, American Eagle

  • Terminal 6Mixed

    Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Air Canada, Porter Airlines

  • Terminal 7Mixed

    United Airlines

  • Terminal 8Mixed

    United Airlines

  • Tom Bradley International TerminalInternational

    British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, Qantas

  • Regional TerminalDomestic

    American Eagle

Nearby cities

4 cities

Los Angeles International Airport is closest to Inglewood (10 km east), and also serves Santa Monica, Los Angeles and other nearby areas. With 4 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.

  • Los Angeles29 km northeast
  • Santa Monica15 km north
  • Inglewood10 km east
  • Long Beach35 km southeast

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the airport codes for Los Angeles International Airport?

Los Angeles International Airport uses the following codes: IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX. These codes are used by airlines, pilots, and travel systems to identify the airport.

Where is Los Angeles International Airport located?

Los Angeles International Airport is located in Los Angeles, California, United States. The airport coordinates are 33.9425°, -118.4080°.

What services are available at Los Angeles International Airport?

Los Angeles International Airport offers: 11 parking options, 13 car rental companies, 16 lounges, 6 nearby hotels, 5 shuttle services, public transport connections. Click on each service type above to view detailed information.

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