Novice traveler here looking for help knowing how long is needed between connecting flights. We will fly from Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport. At LAX we connect to British Airways flight to London. Is 1 hr enough time for the connection at LAX? Thanks for your help.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1891 posts
Too tight for me. Long haul international flights start boarding about an hour before flight time. Even if your connecting flight landed on time it can take time to taxi to gate, get the door open and deplane. Often this can take 10 to 20 minutes. I’ll leave it to others who are familiar with LAX for appropriate time to allow.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
Exactly what I needed to know!! Thanks so much.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5638 posts
Hopefully all travel is on the same ticket. You can have big problems if the first flight is delayed, and not ticketed with your second flight.
Especially in this case, when British Airways won't have another flight for several more hours.
Good luck!
Posted by
San Diego, California
5638 posts
There has been extended discussion recently, as many folks are frustrated with the lack of airline sales, and corresponding higher prices. Are you using Google Flights for your research? Good luck!
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/airline-ticket-prices-yikes
Posted by
Virginia
126 posts
LAX is large with multiple terminals. Which airline will you arrive from Las Vegas? British Airways will depart from the international terminal (B). If you are arriving on American Airlines they are terminal 4 and 5 so at least closer terminals. Are you able to walk a distance with your carryon?
In the old days you had to exit the terminal and catch a shuttle bus to the other terminals or walk outside and then go through security again. They have recently completed an entire pedestrian route that you can use that is within TSA security for all terminals but it can be a decent hike if you have to go very far around that the loop. Check this map (https://www.flylax.com/inter-terminal-connections)
Oh, and no on the 1hr :) Honestly for international at LAX I'd personally want 2hr MINIMUM.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5464 posts
Even if these flights are on one ticket (AA into LAX and BA to LHR?), your flights will likely arrive and depart from different terminals at LAX. That would be too tight for me, even if the flight arrived on time. I'd try to book an earlier flight out of Las Vegas to permit a longer connection time.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
I'm convinced, and thankful to each of you for your insights. I found flights that go to Phoenix instead of LAX with a 2 hour window. That feels more comfortable. This site is just awesome! 👍
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11912 posts
Are you doing two bookings ( LAS-PHX, PHX-LHR) or a single booking ( LAS-PHX-LHR)?
Posted by
OP
31 posts
Single ticket, multi city, with American Airlines. I had been trying to only fly with British Airways but American works much better for our situation - Las Vegas to Inverness with stop in Phoenix and Heathrow; return from Edinburgh to Las Vegas with atop at Heathrow. This schedule allows plenty of tome for connections. 😉