Transfer terminals at LAX

The Tom Bradley International terminal is a separate building at LAX. From our experience, we were at Terminal 8. We came in on United from Sacramento where we transferred to Lufthansa out of TBIT. We chose to pick up our luggage and walk it over to save one luggage transfer. We had another transfer in Frankfurt. We had about 2hrs between arriving at LAX and departing around 6:20pm in the late afternoon on Lufthansa. We still had to check in our luggage and clear security once again. I would suggest a good 2hrs to make the transfer if you can. Depending on the airline you fly in on, it could take you a good 20 minutes to exit the aircraft and make your way to the TBIT check-in area. Then, there could be a check-in line. Then, you go through security again. Again, I suggest 2hrs.

Thanks Larry ~ Good to have an estimated time between flights, and for the info about picking up and rechecking luggage! Did you return the same way - what are LAX's arrival immigration and customs like? About how long does that take?

Terry, we retuned via Washington DC from Zurich. There's a direct United flight from DC to Sacramento. We went through Customs and Immigration at Dulles. With United, we had the time to catch our next flight. I can't comment on Customs and Immigration at LAX.

LAX,international terminal is being remodeled. I suggest getting there early!
I will be departing the terminal 9/17 and can update after that. Happy Travels!

Thanks Debi, I would appreciate the update!

I just went through LAX on my way to Asia last month and returned 2 weeks ago. You should be able to check your bags all the way through. Especially on the outbound, I would not plan on just checking it through to LAX. If you inbound aircraft is delayed, you could be screwed waiting for your bags. Security at LAX was quite speedy when I went through it a month ago (around 10:30 in the morning). On the return, you will obviously have to clear immigration and customs. You can then choose to recheck your bag with the Airline right in TBIT or if you try for an earlier flight like I did, walk to the next departure terminal and check in with an agent there. Note: our arrival into TBIT from Tokyo was around 1pm and the immigration line was very long. Plan for at least 45 - 60 minutes from touchdown to getting out of customs. Overall, on the outbound to Europe, you should give yourself at least 90 minutes if your checking your bags all the way through. On the return, I would plan for at least 2 hrs given that immigration could take a long time depending on how many arrivals are being handled.

If you have the opportunity to re-check your luggage with your arrival airline at LAX do so. Check in lines for domestic airlines at LAX can be very long and very slow. However as Tom Bradley is in the middle of the horse shoe (terminal 4) walking between Tom Bradley and any other airline terminal (1-8) is not onerous- say 10 minutes max

Thanks for all the information!! Have decided to give myself about 6 hours between domestic arrival at LAX and Int'l departure and an overnight (free with Avios points) in LA on the return. And I will walk between terminals. Happy travels!