Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has nine terminals arranged in a horseshoe. Southwest is in Terminal 1. Delta is in Terminals 2 and 3. American is in Terminals 4 and 5. Alaska is in Terminal 6. United is in Terminals 7 and 8. International flights depart from the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). This guide covers which airline is in which terminal, lounge access, rideshare changes, and car service pricing from LAX to every LA neighborhood.
Since 2023, all Uber and Lyft pickups at LAX are from the LAX-it lot — off 98th Street, south of the terminals. You must take a free shuttle from your terminal to the lot to meet your rideshare driver. This adds 15–25 minutes. Pre-arranged black car service with meet-and-greet at baggage claim avoids this entirely.
| Airline | Terminal |
|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | Terminal 1 |
| Delta Air Lines (domestic) | Terminal 3 |
| Delta Air Lines (international) | Terminal 2 |
| Alaska Airlines | Terminal 6 |
| American Airlines (mainline) | Terminal 4 & 5 |
| JetBlue Airways | Terminal 5 |
| United Airlines (domestic) | Terminal 7 |
| United Airlines (international) | Terminal 8 |
| Spirit Airlines | Terminal 5 |
| Frontier Airlines | Terminal 1 |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Terminal 5 |
| Air Canada | Terminal 2 / TBIT |
| Cathay Pacific | TBIT |
| China Airlines | TBIT |
| Korean Air | TBIT |
| Japan Airlines (JAL) | TBIT |
| ANA | TBIT |
| Air China | TBIT |
| Singapore Airlines | TBIT |
| Qantas | TBIT |
| Air New Zealand | TBIT |
| British Airways | TBIT |
| Air France | TBIT |
| Lufthansa | TBIT |
| Emirates | TBIT |
| Etihad Airways | TBIT |
| Philippine Airlines | TBIT |
| LATAM | TBIT |
Southwest Airlines · Frontier Airlines
Terminal 1 at LAX is entirely Southwest Airlines' domain. Southwest runs one of the busiest domestic operations at LAX and the terminal was redesigned to match Southwest's open-seating boarding style. There are no airline club lounges in Terminal 1 — no Southwest lounge exists at any airport.
Pro tip for Southwest travelers: Southwest does not assign seats. Check in exactly 24 hours before your flight to get an A boarding group. The earlier your boarding position, the better your seat selection — aisle/window seats go fast.
Delta Air Lines · Air Canada · KLM (partial)
Delta completed a $2.3 billion renovation of Terminals 2 and 3 at LAX in 2023, creating the Delta Sky Way — a seamlessly connected two-terminal facility. It's one of the most modern airport facilities in the US and a showpiece for Delta's west coast expansion. The terminals connect via a secure connector bridge so you can transfer between T2 and T3 without re-clearing security.
Delta Sky Club at LAX: The Delta Sky Club in Terminal 3 is one of the largest in the country, featuring an outdoor terrace with runway views, a full bar and dining area, and premium seating. Access requires a Delta Sky Club membership, Delta Amex Reserve card, or business/first class ticket on Delta. This lounge is often cited by frequent flyers as a top-5 domestic airline lounge.
American Airlines · JetBlue · Spirit
Terminal 4 is American Airlines' main hub at LAX, housing mainline domestic and international flights, the Admirals Club, and the Flagship Lounge. Terminal 5 handles American overflow, JetBlue, and Spirit. A pedestrian connector links Terminal 4 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal for code-share connections.
No airline lounges in Terminal 5 directly. T5 connects to T4 for Admirals Club access.
Alaska Airlines · Some Delta overflows
Terminal 6 is Alaska Airlines' hub at LAX. Alaska runs significant operations on the West Coast and Pacific Northwest from T6. The Alaska Airlines Lounge is located in Terminal 6 post-security.
Access: Alaska Lounge+ membership, Alaska Airlines first class ticket, or Priority Pass (select tier). The lounge has views of the apron and serves Pacific Northwest-inspired food and beverages.
United Airlines domestic (T7) · United international (T8)
United operates from Terminals 7 and 8 at LAX. Terminal 7 is the primary hub for United domestic flights; Terminal 8 handles international United departures and some longer domestic routes. The terminals are connected.
United Club access via membership or complimentary with Polaris/United First ticket. No Polaris Lounge at LAX as of 2026 — United uses the standard United Club for international business class passengers at this location.
All major international carriers · Connected to T4 and T5
The Tom Bradley International Terminal is LAX's primary international hub and home to most major foreign carriers. It's connected to Terminals 4 and 5 (American side) via the Bradley West connector — passengers can transfer between T4/T5 and TBIT without exiting security.
TBIT has undergone major renovations through the LAX Modernization Program (LAXMP). The Bradley West concourse (gates 145–238) added significantly more international gate capacity. International arrivals clear U.S. Customs & Border Protection inside TBIT before accessing ground transportation.
TBIT international arrivals customs wait: International arrivals at TBIT clear CBP in TBIT before accessing ground transportation. Customs wait times range from 15 minutes to 90+ minutes depending on the number of simultaneous international arrivals. Detailed Drivers tracks your inbound flight and adjusts your chauffeur's meet-and-greet time accordingly.
| Option | Cost | Time to Downtown LA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Car Service (sedan) | $85–$120 | 30–60 min | Meet at baggage claim, no LAX-it lot |
| Black Car Service (SUV) | $115–$155 | 30–60 min | Best for groups/luggage |
| Uber/Lyft (all types) | $40–$90+ | 45–75 min* | *Must go to LAX-it lot (+15-25 min) |
| Metro K Line | $1.75–$3.50 | ~50–60 min | Transfer at Aviation/96th + people mover |
| FlyAway Bus | $9.75/person | 45–80 min | LAX to Union Station, Van Nuys, Westwood |
| Yellow Taxi | $50–$80 + tip | 30–60 min | Can be hailed at terminal curb |
| Destination | Sedan | SUV | Sprinter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) | $90–$120 | $120–$160 | $175–$230 |
| Beverly Hills | $85–$115 | $115–$150 | $165–$220 |
| West Hollywood / Sunset Strip | $80–$110 | $110–$145 | $160–$210 |
| Santa Monica | $55–$75 | $75–$100 | $115–$150 |
| Malibu | $95–$130 | $130–$170 | $190–$250 |
| Hollywood / Los Feliz | $85–$115 | $115–$150 | $165–$220 |
| Pasadena | $105–$140 | $140–$185 | $205–$270 |
| Long Beach | $75–$100 | $100–$135 | $150–$200 |
| Orange County (Anaheim/Disneyland) | $125–$165 | $165–$215 | $240–$315 |
| San Diego (downtown) | $275–$345 | $345–$440 | $505–$645 |
| Burbank Airport (BUR) | $85–$115 | $115–$150 | $165–$220 |
| Santa Barbara | $195–$255 | $255–$325 | $375–$480 |
Meet-and-greet at baggage claim. No LAX-it lot. Flight tracking included.
Available 24/7 — all terminals including TBIT
Delta Air Lines operates from Terminals 2 and 3 at LAX (together called the Delta Sky Way, renovated in 2023). Domestic Delta flights use Terminal 3; international Delta flights use Terminal 2. The terminals are connected via a secure bridge. The Delta Sky Club lounge is in Terminal 3.
United Airlines operates from Terminals 7 and 8 at LAX. Terminal 7 handles most domestic United flights; Terminal 8 handles international United departures. The United Club lounge is in Terminal 7.
American Airlines operates from Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX. Terminal 4 is the primary hub with the Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge. Terminal 5 handles JetBlue and some American overflow flights. Terminal 4 connects to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) via a pedestrian bridge.
Southwest Airlines is entirely in Terminal 1 at LAX. No other major carrier uses Terminal 1. Frontier also operates from Terminal 1. There are no airline lounges in Terminal 1.
Uber and Lyft no longer pick up at the terminal curbs at LAX. Since 2023, all rideshare pickups are from the LAX-it lot, located off 98th Street south of the terminals. Arriving passengers take a free shuttle from their terminal to the LAX-it lot. This process adds 15–25 minutes to your pickup. Pre-arranged black car service with meet-and-greet inside the terminal is faster and doesn't require the LAX-it lot.
If you're arriving and connecting between terminals, you can use the free LAX shuttle bus (the white 'A' Shuttle) that runs along the outer roadway — no re-clearing security needed if staying on the secure side. Terminals 2–8 and TBIT are connected by pedestrian walkways inside security. Terminal 1 (Southwest) is the only terminal without an airside connection to others.
The best lounges at LAX are: (1) Cathay Pacific The Pier in TBIT — widely considered the top lounge at the airport with business and first class cabanas; (2) The Centurion Lounge in Terminal 3 — Amex Platinum/Centurion access, exceptional design and food; (3) Delta Sky Club in Terminal 3 — renovated as part of the Delta Sky Way, with an outdoor terrace; (4) American Airlines Flagship Lounge in Terminal 4 — full dining for international premium passengers.
Yes — the LAX Modernization Program (LAXMP) is an $8.5–$14 billion overhaul of LAX infrastructure. Key projects include: the Automated People Mover (AMP) — an elevated rail connecting the terminals to remote parking, rental cars, and Metro K Line; upgrades to TBIT and the Bradley West concourse; terminal renovations at T1 (Southwest), T3 (Delta Sky Way — complete), and others. The AMP is expected to open in 2026–2027.