A guide to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Locals tend to call Los Angeles International Airport by its IATA callsign, LAX.

As one of the largest airport hubs in the United States with nine terminals, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a busy place, so having an airport map to help you find your way can be helpful.

Airlines flying out of LAX

Most international airlines operate out of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at LAX, though many international flights leave or arrive at the numbered terminals (1 through 8). Take a look at this helpful list to know where to head at LAX to find your airline.

Terminal 1

• Southwest Airlines

Terminal 2

• Aer Lingus
• AeroMexico
• Virgin Atlantic
• WestJet

Terminal 3

• Copa Airlines (departures only)
• Delta Airlines
• Virgin Australia

Terminal 4

• American Airlines

Terminal 5

• Allegiant Air
• American Eagle
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines

Terminal 6

• Air Canada
• Alaska Airlines
• Boutique Air
• Horizon Air
• Mokulele Airlines
• Thomas Cook Airlines
• Viva Aerobus
• XL Airways France

Terminals 7 and 8

• United Airlines

Tom Bradley International Terminal

Lounges at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

LAX has virtually dozens of airport lounges to help you relax before you fly. For a more comprehensive guide, check out our article on all the LAX lounges available to yo.out LAX lounges Check out the airport’s lounges and clubs to see which ones are available to you.

Terminal 2

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

This beautiful lounge serves a continental breakfast, with table service dining available during afternoon and evening hours, with a menu of small plates and specialty cocktails designed by noted L.A. restaurant Hinoki and the Bird.

Delta Sky Club

This lounge offers an ample hot and cold buffet, specialty coffee drinks, and a couple of self-serve bars. Power outlets are available all over the lounge, including at workstations. Four shower suites are also available if you want to freshen up.

Terminal 3

Delta Sky Club

This Delta Sky Club is a bit smaller than the Terminal 2 club, but it’s open almost around the clock. You’ll find a wide range of grab-and-go meals available, as well as hot soups and a full bar.

Terminal 4

American Airlines Admirals Club

This Admirals Club includes a dedicated TV viewing room and a room with semi-private pod chairs with built-in power outlets. Shower facilities are available, as is a playroom for kids. At the cold buffet, you can expect an extensive display of snacks plus an espresso machine.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge

This lounge, located within the Admirals Club, welcomes first-class and business-class travelers on qualifying American Airlines flights. It features a small business center with computers and a printer, as well as a dedicated TV room. Eight shower suites let you freshen up, and a quiet room in the lounge features daybeds. The main buffet includes a self-serve bar with excellent wines, top-shelf liquor, and Bollinger Champagne, as well as a superb hot and cold buffet with a live cooking station. First-class passengers also have access to Flagship First Dining, a private restaurant serving an innovative, high-end menu.

Terminal 5

American Airlines Admirals Club

Because a walkway connects Terminals 4 and 5, you can choose either Admirals Club if you’re flying on American. Amenities are similar, with plenty of fresh food available on the hot and cold buffet and several shower suites.

Terminal 6

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

This lounge, which is open to Star Alliance flyers as well as Air Canada premium passengers, features a cold buffet, great views of the tarmac, and a small business center.

Alaska Airlines Lounge

A children’s play area and a dedicated business center make this lounge a practical spot to wait for your flight. The cold buffet includes a pancake machine and craft beers, with premium food and liquor available for purchase.

Terminal 7

United Polaris Lounge

This newly renovated lounge features shower suites with rainfall showers and private daybed suites with upscale bedding. Diners can enjoy a private table-service dining room with a menu that highlights the diversity of L.A.’s food scene, including elevated Mexican and Korean options, as well as a signature cocktail menu. This lounge is open to first-class and some business-class travelers on same-day long-haul United flights.

Tom Bradley International Terminal

Qantas Club Lounge

Fine dining awaits you in the table-service restaurant, where the à la carte menu changes seasonally and top-shelf liquor is poured at the bar. You can also take advantage of shower suites before you fly.

Oneworld Alliance lounge

This massive lounge, which services business-class passengers on Qantas, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific, features a hot and cold buffet with a wide variety of dining choices, including a juicer that lets you make your own juices from fresh fruits and vegetables. Shower suites are available for those changing planes after long-haul flights.

Etihad Airways lounge

This small, elegant lounge features several semi-private seating areas that can be enclosed as VIP suites. A cold buffet is augmented by a luxurious à la carte menu and an elaborate signature cocktail and wine list. Shower suites and a prayer room are also available.

Los Angeles international lounge

This lounge features a wide variety of seating, including a balcony that allows you to look over the terminal itself. The dining room doubles as the TV room, and the cold buffet consists mainly of pre-packaged snack and sandwich options. This lounge is open to premium flyers on several international airlines.

Star Alliance lounge

The Star Alliance lounge is divided into business-class and first-class sections. The large business-class lounge features an outdoor terrace that lets you view the tarmac, breathe some fresh air, and relax around a fire pit. In addition, a balcony with a full-service bar overlooks the terminal. The hot and cold buffet is well-stocked with a wide variety of fresh food, with a cheese bar and a self-service noodle bar as well.

In the first-class lounge, you can choose between a small buffet and an à la carte menu, with your meal served in a small, white-tablecloth dining area. Showers are only available in the business-class lounge.

Korean Air SkyTeam lounge

While this lounge is very large, it can become crowded in the business-class section. Both the business-class and first-class sections have terraces that overlook the terminal, and their cold buffets are also similar (the first-class lounge also enjoys some hot snacks). The business lounge also offers shower suites.

Emirates Lounge

A wide variety of excellent hot and cold dishes await you at the buffet in this luxurious lounge, as well as top-shelf liquor at the self-serve bar. A couple of shower rooms let you freshen up, and a business center features several computers and a fair amount of work-space.

Hotels near LAX

While Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) doesn’t have any hotels in the airport itself, just to the east is Century Boulevard, a street lined with hotels at every price point and luxury level.

If you’re looking for luxury hotels that can provide top amenities including meeting space for your team or clients, fine dining, and fitness centers and pools, check out the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, The Westin Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles Airport Marriott, Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel, Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Airport, and the H Hotel Los Angeles (part of Hilton’s Curio Collection).

Shopping at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Head to the Tom Bradley International Terminal for top choices in fashion and luxury goods. You’ll find travel essentials and some intriguing choices at LAX’s other terminals as well.

Terminal 1

At BeRelax, you can pick up an eyeshade for the plane or enjoy a chair massage. Sol Surf is ready to help if you realize you need a swimsuit, and LA Original and I Love LA feature Los Angeles-branded gear. Stop at Brookstone for travel tech and other fun gadgets.

Terminal 2

A DFS Duty Free Shop in this terminal lets you stock up on duty-free luxury goods including watches, leather goods, fragrances, and liquor. Pick up travel gadgets at InMotion Entertainment.

Terminal 3 and Terminal 4

Shopping in Terminal 3 and 4 is limited to travel essential shops such as Hudson and a DFS Duty Free Shop.

Terminal 5

If your trip involves the beach, a stop at Rip Curl is a must for swimwear and sunglasses. Kids awaiting your return will be happy when you pick up a gift at The Mattel Experience.

Terminal 6

One of LA’s most popular casual boutiques, M. Fredric, is here to help you find the trendy clothes you need for your SoCal sojourn. MAC Cosmetics provides those missing items for your makeup kit, and Belkin fills out your need for travel electronics. Head to Tumi to upgrade your luggage or carry-on.

Terminals 7 and 8

Complete your outfit for an upcoming meeting with a stop at Hugo Boss, or stop at the Harley-Davidson store to indulge your love of bikes. L.A.’s famed bookstore Book Soup has an outpost here as well.

Tom Bradley International Terminal

Fashionistas head straight to Fred Segal for cutting-edge fashion and accessories from international and local designers. Don’t miss the duty-free designer boutiques scattered throughout the terminal’s Great Hall, where your high-end choices include Coach, Burberry, Gucci, Hermes, Porsche Design, Bvlgari, Emporio Armani, Hugo Boss, and Michael Kors.

All your skin-care needs are met at Bliss, where you’ll find intriguing travel-size choices (and complimentary mini-facials) — or head to the DFS Duty Free Shops for tax-free shopping in luxury categories including fragrances, cosmetics, liquor, tobacco, and electronics.

Dining at LAX

Recent terminal renovations have brought some of L.A.’s trendiest chefs to the airport, with excellent dining choices available no matter which airline you’re flying.

Terminal 1

• Cassell’s Hamburgers: This outpost of Christian Page’s restaurant is ready to serve you some of the best burgers in L.A.
• Trejo’s Tacos: You’ll recognize Danny Trejo’s face from the movies, but Angelenos know him as the purveyor of some fine tacos (vegans love the cauliflower and jackfruit).
• Urth Caffe & Bar: Organic coffees include a special blend only served here at LAX, and farm-to-table small plates are also on the menu.

Terminal 2

• Sealegs Wine Bar: The wine list here is quite impressive, with a few surprising choices, and the elevated pub grub is pretty tasty, too.
• Built Custom Burgers: Design your dream burger at this quick-serve spot that includes all sort of unusual toppings.
• Slapfish: Seafood turns into comfort food at this SoCal fish shack — look for lobster rolls, shrimp burritos, and spicy clam chowder.

Terminal 3

• Shake Shack: Yes, it’s from NYC, but Angelenos love the burgers and especially the shakes as much as anyone.
• The Parlor: Don’t want to miss the game? This sports bar serves great sandwiches and cocktails while you watch.
• La Familia: Tacos and tequila await you at this casual bar.

Terminal 4

• Cole’s: This 100-year-old restaurant claims it invented the French dip sandwich. The sandwich is worth a stop, as are the classic cocktails.
• Real Food Daily: Vegans can rejoice to find this LA stalwart waiting to serve them tofu and tempeh.
• Campanile: This iconic New American trendsetter from LA survives only at the airport, so enjoy.

Terminal 5

• Lemonade: You’ve never seen a cafeteria like this, with innovative salads (try the roasted broccoli with ricotta) and perfectly cooked proteins. And yes, they serve multiple flavors of lemonade.
• Ford’s Filling Station: This popular gastropub takes pub grub to a new level with dishes like bacon-wrapped dates and Cubano flatbreads.

Terminal 6

• Osteria: This Italian eatery features the famous meatballs from Top Chef star Fabio Viviani, and it’s a pleasure to relax here no matter what you order.
• Starbucks Evenings: Yes, it’s a Starbucks. But it’s one that serves craft beer.
• Earthbar: Smoothies, acai bowls, and other healthy foods are on the menu at this quick-serve spot.

Terminals 7 and 8

• B Grill by BOA Steakhouse: One of L.A.’s favorite high-end steakhouses delivers quick-serve burgers to die for.
• BLD: When you only have time for fast food, stop here for healthy diner fare and vegan options.
• Engine Co. No. 28: If you want a drink in Terminal 8, which branches off Terminal 7, this is the place to get it.

Tom Bradley International Terminal

• ink.sack: Grab a fabulous sandwich at this quick-serve spot that puts an international spin on traditional Italian deli fare.
• Border Grill: This celebrated restaurant that turned standard Mexican dishes into haute cuisine serves its specialties at this counter-service spot.
• 800 Degrees: That’s how hot the pizza oven is at this build-your-own-pizza eatery that delivers your pizza in just one minute — perfect for travelers who can’t wait.
• Chaya: Sit at the counter or grab-and-go at this innovative Japanese fusion restaurant.
• Drink LA: Whether you prefer a craft beer, a fine glass of wine, or a perfectly mixed cocktail, this bar with a great view of the terminal is the place to get it.
• Petrossian: Get your travels off to a great start with caviar and Champagne — or pick up a picnic pack to take your caviar onboard.
• Umami Burger: This quintessential LA burger joint features several burgers that are unique to the airport, all packed with umami flavor.
• Vanilla Bake Shop: End your culinary discoveries at LAX with a visit to this cupcake haven.

Los Angeles is geographically huge, so you’re likely to have many miles to go before you reach your final destination after your plane has landed. Book a reliable Blacklane airport transfer for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to finish the last leg of your journey in comfort and style.