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  #681  
Old Posted May 13, 2015, 9:08 PM
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Originally Posted by jg6544 View Post
Flashier, but no real improvement. LAX is a rathole and always will be.
Right. The only "real improvement" would be to tear down the airport in its entirety and start from scratch, as you say. Sounds like a tangible, practical plan! Any other brilliant ideas?

You will be getting no more responses from me.
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  #682  
Old Posted May 14, 2015, 12:06 PM
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CONVENIENCE, COMFORT AND CLASS TO AWAIT UNITED AIRLINES CUSTOMERS AT LAX
United investing $573 million to refresh nearly all of its customer-facing space at LAX. Joined by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Councilmember Tom LaBonge and airport officials, United Airlines executives today previewed its $573-million major-hub investment that promises to deliver a superior experience for the airline’s customers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). United’s LAX redevelopment project will refresh virtually all of its customer-facing space at the airport, offering more of the conveniences and premium amenities travelers value.
Outside on an aircraft apron for a boarding gate at LAX’s Terminal 7, United executives outlined the company’s plans during a ground-breaking ceremony that was also attended by Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners President Sean Burton, Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey, and employees from each of the airline’s work groups.
The airline also unveiled several design renderings depicting some of the flyer-friendly changes that will greet customers between now and December 2017, when United expects to complete its renovations
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  #683  
Old Posted May 14, 2015, 5:00 PM
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Originally Posted by LAX_Alex View Post
CONVENIENCE, COMFORT AND CLASS TO AWAIT UNITED AIRLINES CUSTOMERS AT LAX
United investing $573 million to refresh nearly all of its customer-facing space at LAX. Joined by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Councilmember Tom LaBonge and airport officials, United Airlines executives today previewed its $573-million major-hub investment that promises to deliver a superior experience for the airline’s customers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). United’s LAX redevelopment project will refresh virtually all of its customer-facing space at the airport, offering more of the conveniences and premium amenities travelers value.
Outside on an aircraft apron for a boarding gate at LAX’s Terminal 7, United executives outlined the company’s plans during a ground-breaking ceremony that was also attended by Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners President Sean Burton, Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey, and employees from each of the airline’s work groups.
The airline also unveiled several design renderings depicting some of the flyer-friendly changes that will greet customers between now and December 2017, when United expects to complete its renovations
It's about time.
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  #684  
Old Posted May 14, 2015, 5:01 PM
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My heart bleeds.
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  #685  
Old Posted May 14, 2015, 10:22 PM
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Being the biggest O&D airport doesn't mean transfers aren't important though. Any airport this size and this important has a LOT of business going to both. Connecting flights are still a very important business for LAX and the lack of efficient airside connections continues to hurt LAX in this regard.
Let's break this down because otherwise you are just not making sense.

1. Domestic to domestic connections

LAX is geographically nonsensical for vast majority of this type of connections. East coast to secondary west coast cities have plenty of transit options at major hubs: ORD, DEN, SLC, DTW, DFW, IAH... No airline likes to fly those passengers across the country to LAX, then fly them north to OAK/PDX/SJC etc... they would rather ship those passengers to the Midwest hubs and send them on their way. The only kind of transit at LAX that makes sense is to Hawaii. And generally, this type of transfer is with the same airline so those passengers never leave the terminal anyway, making air side connection to another terminal a moot point.

2. Domestic to international connections

There is some of this type of connection at LAX, mainly for flights to Asia and South Pacific and more efficient air side connection is helpful. However, SoCal has more than enough demand to fill those flights to Asia and South Pacific from an O&D stand point so airlines are not tripping over themselves to cater to the lower profit margin connecting traffic. That's why Qantas shifted connecting transit traffic to DFW, Air New Zealand is starting IAH for the same reason, and Asian airlines (KE to ATL, CX to ORD, BR to IAH etc) are flying to interior hubs of their alliance partners - those places are more efficient transit points for people going to/from east coast.

3. International to domestic connections

This is the reverse pattern of #2. However, note that US regulation requires all incoming passengers to clear immigration and customs at first port of entry so more efficient air side connection doesn't help these passengers. They HAVE to make land side connections.

4. International to international connections

This is not a meaningful segment of people using LAX. Again, the main reason is geography. Two types of international to international connection takes place at LAX: South Pacific to Europe, and Asia to Central/South America. US regulations require all passengers to clear immigration and customs so having more efficient air side connection is worthless.

Quote:
It would take a lot longer than 5 minutes to stay airside from one side to the other side of the horseshoe. Not all transfers are neighboring, mind you.

The other thing is making all those stops on an APM is still way more pleasant than having no alternative to walking the entire length with all carry-ons. The horseshoe is just a bad design. Even with airside connectivity for pedestrians, it's a very long walk. There should be some kind of airside shortcut tying both opposing sides of the horseshoe, either underground or via some bridge. Even some segregated connector through the eventual CTA check-in facility would go miles to improving the experience. I'm surprised such an easy and relatively cost-effective solution like that wasn't on the table.

I hope they add it on later as it makes way too much sense.
The entire south side is now connected behind security so you can walk from T4 to T7/8 in about 20 minutes. And by next year, TBIT will be connected to T4 behind security too. So if you are a Star Alliance flyer (for example), you can transfer from UA domestic flight arriving at T7 to LH/BR/NH/OZ/NZ/SQ international flights leaving from TBIT completely within air side connection (e.g. DEN-LAX on UA + LAX-TPE on BR). It's about as efficient as most overseas airports with multiple terminals. What would make it better is if all the tunnels have moving walkways and that's something LAWA should probably look into doing.

Let's look at the remaining unconnected terminals:

T1 is Southwest exclusive terminal now and they don't interline with anyone so air side connection is useless. You have to pick up your bags outside security anyway if you are making a domestic to international connection using Southwest for the domestic leg (e.g. LAS-LAX on Southwest + LAX-HKG on CX).

That leave T2 and T3 unconnected. The only major airlines at LAX that could benefit from connecting T2 or T3 to the rest of the terminals are Air Canada (T2), Virgin Atlantic (T2), and Virgin America (T3).

AC has some connecting traffic with UA (T7/8) but not much.

Virgin Atlantic has a metal-neutral revenue sharing trans-Atlantic joint venture with Delta (T5) so that would help them. In the short term, other than relocating Virgin to the Delta side, there isn't any real solution other than air side buses. In the long term, I think LAWA should take your suggestion seriously and think about how to design a sterile walkway from the north to south side. If CTA becomes a reality, I can envision a two-level walkway - lower level outside security and upper level inside security... that shouldn't be hard to do if designed properly.

Virgin America is primarily O&D focused at LAX so they probably doesn't care.

Last edited by bzcat; May 14, 2015 at 10:45 PM.
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  #686  
Old Posted May 14, 2015, 11:37 PM
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Having to go through security check again, although inconvenient, is just an added safety harness (to use a zip-lining analogy) when passing through one of the busiest and most targeted airports on Earth. If only for one's own peace of mind, it's better to be safe than sorry. If should make you sleep better at night.

bzcat wins the argument (again), so I'll reverberate it. Sterile transfer connections are important but not absolutely critical to the health and success of LAX. The APM and terminal refurbishments are, however.
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  #687  
Old Posted May 14, 2015, 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by LAX_Alex View Post
CONVENIENCE, COMFORT AND CLASS TO AWAIT UNITED AIRLINES CUSTOMERS AT LAX
United investing $573 million to refresh nearly all of its customer-facing space at LAX. Joined by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Councilmember Tom LaBonge and airport officials, United Airlines executives today previewed its $573-million major-hub investment that promises to deliver a superior experience for the airline’s customers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). United’s LAX redevelopment project will refresh virtually all of its customer-facing space at the airport, offering more of the conveniences and premium amenities travelers value.
Outside on an aircraft apron for a boarding gate at LAX’s Terminal 7, United executives outlined the company’s plans during a ground-breaking ceremony that was also attended by Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners President Sean Burton, Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey, and employees from each of the airline’s work groups.
The airline also unveiled several design renderings depicting some of the flyer-friendly changes that will greet customers between now and December 2017, when United expects to complete its renovations










http://la.curbed.com/archives/2015/0...s_terminal.php
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  #688  
Old Posted May 15, 2015, 5:01 PM
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Regarding connecting traffic, you guys are missing one huge point of fact- Most people connecting at LAX do so on the same airline and need only walk a few gates away, not changing terminals and re-clearing security. The shear number of people changing terminals is miniscule and not worth considering when renovations are being made to the terminal layout.

90% of LAX traffic is O&D and of the 10% connecting most of that is on the same airline. Probably less than 5% of overall traffic has to switch terminals and go thru security again, and likely even less when you consider the entire south side is connected by tunnels and will be with TBIT shortly.

Some people are going to hate LAX no matter what, but for those of us that use it regularly it's awesome. I can be curb to gate in less than 5 min with TSA pre-check. I don't care about all the frills, get me in and out as fast as possible. Good luck doing that at ATL ORD DEN or any other of the "great" airports out there that require a train ride, tunnel walk, multiple escalators, etc to get to your gate.

Last edited by Steve8263; May 15, 2015 at 5:28 PM.
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  #689  
Old Posted May 15, 2015, 9:53 PM
bzcat bzcat is offline
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Originally Posted by Steve8263 View Post
Regarding connecting traffic, you guys are missing one huge point of fact- Most people connecting at LAX do so on the same airline and need only walk a few gates away, not changing terminals and re-clearing security. The shear number of people changing terminals is miniscule and not worth considering when renovations are being made to the terminal layout.
Exactly

Quote:
90% of LAX traffic is O&D and of the 10% connecting most of that is on the same airline. Probably less than 5% of overall traffic has to switch terminals and go thru security again, and likely even less when you consider the entire south side is connected by tunnels and will be with TBIT shortly.
And the people that have to change terminals are typically those using Southwest or Spirit on "self-connect" itinerary... so even with good air side connection, they still have to exit the sterile area to check in with those airlines and/or collect their luggage.

Quote:
Some people are going to hate LAX no matter what, but for those of us that use it regularly it's awesome. I can be curb to gate in less than 5 min with TSA pre-check. I don't care about all the frills, get me in and out as fast as possible. Good luck doing that at ATL ORD DEN or any other of the "great" airports out there that require a train ride, tunnel walk, multiple escalators, etc to get to your gate.
It's a fantastic O&D airport. I can get from the curb to the AA Lounge in T4 in 5 minutes. Try doing that at LHR...
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  #690  
Old Posted May 15, 2015, 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve8263 View Post
Some people are going to hate LAX no matter what, but for those of us that use it regularly it's awesome. I can be curb to gate in less than 5 min with TSA pre-check. I don't care about all the frills, get me in and out as fast as possible. Good luck doing that at ATL ORD DEN or any other of the "great" airports out there that require a train ride, tunnel walk, multiple escalators, etc to get to your gate.
To take it a step further, having LAX as your airport base means that you're not married to any one carrier (legacy or not). I couldn't imagine having to fly United all the time, for that is the worst US airline in terms of both customer service and comfort. At least with American and Delta there is some semblance of hospitality and care, or at least in my experiences flying with them.
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  #691  
Old Posted May 16, 2015, 2:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Quixote View Post
To take it a step further, having LAX as your airport base means that you're not married to any one carrier (legacy or not). I couldn't imagine having to fly United all the time, for that is the worst US airline in terms of both customer service and comfort. At least with American and Delta there is some semblance of hospitality and care, or at least in my experiences flying with them.
united is the worst, both in terms of customer service, but also product amenities. some shabby fleet offerings as well (ife-less 737-900ERs, ratty 747-400s and 767-300s, tired domestic 757-200s and a320s). on a more la-specific note, the overreliance on 50-seat regional jets and lack of competitive offerings on non-transcontinental, asia-pacific, and hub routes is pathetic. imo, they have largely ruined, or at best, failed to capitalize on the qualities that made continental stand out as a domestic carrier.

they also fucked their frequent flyer points system, especially their minimalization of star alliance carrier earnings and redemptions. i have a decent amount of points expiring with them next month, and it is incredibly difficult to redeem or use them in a casual, leisurely manner.
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  #692  
Old Posted May 29, 2015, 3:36 AM
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Terminal 2 design elements coming along. Thanks to Instagram user pikoboi029.





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  #693  
Old Posted May 29, 2015, 5:05 AM
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Any news of terminal 1 lately? Is still under construction?
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  #694  
Old Posted Jun 4, 2015, 3:51 PM
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Oakland airport director nominated to head Los Angeles World Airports

Oakland airport director nominated to head Los Angeles World Airports

By Dan Weikel
LA Times
June 3, 2015

"The head of Oakland International Airport was nominated Wednesday to become the next executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, the operator of LAX.

Mayor Eric Garcetti has selected Deborah Ale Flint as the replacement for Gina Marie Lindsey, who will step down later this month after eight years overseeing the city's airport department and the ongoing modernization of Los Angeles International Airport.

Her appointment must be approved by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, which is scheduled to vote Thursday on her nomination, and the City Council..."

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/l...603-story.html
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  #695  
Old Posted Jun 6, 2015, 8:47 AM
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Instagram | pikoboi029


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Instagram | jenkitil
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Last edited by Quixote; Jun 6, 2015 at 9:04 AM.
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  #696  
Old Posted Jun 9, 2015, 11:26 PM
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AA announces LAX-SYD & QF will fly SFO-SYD

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/americ...190000737.html

American Airlines announces Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia by operated 777-300ER aircraft. This route will begin on December 17, 2015.

Qantas will resuming nonstop SFO-SYD by operated 744 aircraft. This route will begin on December 20, 2015. QF will reduce the frequency for LAX-SYD and they will shifting to SFO-SYD. They will have 6x weekly service. In January will became daily flight.

Congratulations to AA!! It's long overdue!!!!
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  #697  
Old Posted Jun 10, 2015, 4:55 AM
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^ Sweet!

Here's Terminal 2's new staircase all lit up. With the new finishes and many international airlines having relocated to TBIT, what was once the worst terminal should soon be among the better ones. Terminal 1's overhaul should be even more dramatic.


vancouverphotography/Instagram
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  #698  
Old Posted Jun 10, 2015, 7:02 AM
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^ Sweet!

Here's Terminal 2's new staircase all lit up. With the new finishes and many international airlines having relocated to TBIT, what was once the worst terminal should soon be among the better ones. Terminal 1's overhaul should be even more dramatic.


vancouverphotography/Instagram
Which airlines who already relocated to TBIT? Do you know?
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  #699  
Old Posted Jun 10, 2015, 7:12 AM
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^ Air France, KLM, Alitalia, and Air New Zealand; Air China will next month.

Virgin Atlantic will be the only airline flying an international transoceanic route (the rest are mostly Canada/Latin America). Seeing as they just opened their new Clubhouse in the former AF/KLM lounge space, it's obvious they'll be staying put.
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  #700  
Old Posted Jun 10, 2015, 10:57 AM
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7-11 to open store at TBIT pre- security arrivals level.

http://corp.7-eleven.com/news/06-02-...al-store-in-us

One unique item to be sold at this airport location are Dodger Dogs.
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