Is 2.5 hrs connecting time in Los Angeles enough to catch the connecting flight after customs and immigration
Is 2.5 hrs connecting time in Los Angeles enough for customs and immigration and catch the flight to Austin. Its a single ticket but different airlines.
I would be arriving at LA on a Monday/Tuesday evening around 4 PM.
Arriving via Asiana Airlines - Terminal B and Departing Via United Airlines Express domestic - Terminal 8
Best Answer
Typical immigration wait times are so-so around 4pm at TBIT: the average is often around 20 minutes (depends if you're a US citizen or not), but the max wait if you're in the back of the line can be closer to an hour. And it doesn't help that Terminal 8 is about as far as it gets at LAX: there's a shuttle bus outside that runs every 10 minutes or it's about 6/10ths of a mile walk.
It should be doable if all goes well (since the airline sells it as a single ticket, they at least consider it possible): your inbound flight isn't delayed, no extra-long line at immigration or customs, no extra-long line at TSA security. But it doesn't leave a ton of margin if there are delays. Since this is a single ticket, the airline will rebook you on a later flight if you don’t make it.
The catch is, it looks like that evening flight to Austin is the last United direct flight there of the night (there's a Southwest flight at 7:20), so if you miss it, you could well be stuck in Los Angeles overnight, as there really isn't an alternate routing that makes sense to get you there faster. Whether that's a risk you're comfortable assuming will depend on your circumstances and your need to be in Austin on time.
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How much time do you need for a connecting flight LAX?
As a general rule, 60 to 90 minutes should be enough for a transfer between domestic flights that doesn't require leaving security. Two hours is more reasonable for domestic transfers that require leaving security and rechecking, and three hours is a good idea if arriving from another country.Is 2 hours enough to transit LAX?
Have you travelled through LAX or entered the US before? You actually have only about 1.5 hours 'transit', considering that you have to be at the departure gate about 30 mins before departure. If you have to check in, that's at least 45 mins before departure.Is 2 hours enough for immigration?
I've flown into SEA many times and made domestic connections. Assuming that you are US Citizens I'd say yes two hours is fine; I've always cleared immigration, customs and security in plenty of time to make a 2 hour connection (even with being sent to secondary once in customs).How long does it take to get through immigration and customs at LAX?
Passing through immigration and customs at LAX takes between 30-90 minutes. This time can reduce/increase depending on the number of people currently waiting, the number of TSA officers on duty, and the number of flights that have landed at the airport at the same time.Simplified Arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, Tom Bradley Terminal
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Answer 2
You should be OK if you hustle. I like to leave 3hr or so when flying in to LAX from overseas. The longest part of your journey will be the walk from the international terminal to terminal 8, and going through security when you get there. Luggage push carts are free in the international terminal, and that can make the walk a little easier if you have big bags.
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