Domestic Flight transfer in LAX to International Flight to Australia

Traveling from Portland, OR to Australia with a connection in LAX.
Domestic Flight on Alaska Airlines to LAX with an International Flight (on seperate itinerary) on Qantas. Arrive in terminal 6 at LAX.

Can checked baggage go from PDX to Australia without being rechecked in LAX?
Do I have to go through security again in LAX?

Best Answer

By booking separate tickets, you are taking on a number of risks, most importantly that it there is a problem with your PDX-LAX flight and you miss boarding for your Qantas flight, you are a no-show and Qantas has no legal obligations to honor your ticket or rebook you, although they may put you on standby on another flight as a customer service gesture.

In the event that you are not able to interline your bags, you will need sufficient time between the flights to reclaim your bags, transfer terminals, re-check your bags, and clear TSA security. I would allot four hours for peace of mind.

In general, U.S. airlines are much less willing to interline now than they were even five years ago. Alaska will still do this with partners, of which Qantas may be counted, but you will need an agent who is willing and able to do it on separate tickets.

Check in for both flights before you leave home. Go to the counter at PDX early, with a printout of your Qantas itinerary. If it is not too busy and you get an amenable agent, you may be able to get your bags checked through to the final destination, which would be ideal.

If your bags are interlined to Australia, then your experience at LAX will be very straihtforward. You will most likely arrive at Terminal 6. Your bags will be transferred automatically by the airline, and you will not need to pay any additional fees. You can then take the airside underground passageway from T6 to T4, then take the pedestrian walkway to the Tom Bradley International Terminal, where Qantas flights depart from. You will not need to re-clear security.

While there is a shuttle bus, it goes counterclockwise around the terminals, which is the opposite direction you need to go, and is subject to epic traffic jams going through the airport loop.

If Alaska will not interline your bags to Qantas things will be more complicated. After you arrive at Terminal 6, you will need to exit the secure area and collect your bags at the baggage claim area. You can then walk on the arrivals level from Terminal 6 back to TBIT.

You will need to check the bags with Qantas; their counters are in Aisle B. If any Qantas baggage fees apply, you will pay them at this time. You must then re-clear TSA security at TBIT to get to your departure gate.

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Domestic Flight transfer in LAX to International Flight to Australia - Through glass modern aircraft parked near airbridge in contemporary airport against picturesque dusk sky

Domestic Flight transfer in LAX to International Flight to Australia - Cheerful female manager checking time on wristwatch standing with bags near bus station

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How long to transfer from domestic to international at LAX?

International - Domestic: 1 hour 25 minutes if your connection is T2-T3, T3-T2, T2-TBIT, T3-TBIT, or TBIT-TBIT; 1 hour 45 minutes if your connection is TBIT-T2 or TBIT-T3.

Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight in LAX?

Flight Connections at LAXPassengers connecting from a domestic flight won't need to clear immigration or customs, and any checked baggage will be transported to your onward flight (provided it has been tagged to your final destination).

How do I get from domestic to international at LAX?

To use our shuttle service, travelers should board the LAX Shuttle under the LAX Shuttle & Airline Connections blue sign on the Lower/Arrivals Level islands in front of each terminal. "A" Route transports passengers between terminals. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and runs every 10 minutes.

How long do you need to transfer flights in LAX?

Switching terminals at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can take ten minutes or a couple hours. It all depends on whether your arrival and departure terminals are connected gate to gate, or whether you have to exit the terminal and wait in a security line again.

Complete Guide to LAX Airport from Domestic transfer or straight to Tom Bradley International

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Images: Gustavo Fring, ArtHouse Studio, Gustavo Fring, Vincent Albos