LAX 1 hr 20 minute layover - enough time?

[AndyP7]

Hi,

 

I'm looking at flights from Vancouver, BC to Miami for Oct 27th (cruise leaves Oct 29). The best price I can find with only 1 stop is Alaska Airlines (operated by American Airlines) leaving Vancouver at 6:20am (yikes!) with a 1 hr 20 minute layover at LAX before the second leg leaves for Miami. I will go through customs at Vancouver airport and will have a carry on (no checked luggage unless I'm forced to gate check due to space). Price, including taxes, for the return flight is $491. I would arrive at 6:35pm to have that evening and the next day in Miami before the cruise.

 

Is the 1 hr 20 min layover enough time?

 

Thanks for any opinions on this.

 

Andrea

[Fattony]

Your last sentence ("I would . . ." ) refers to a second option, leaving YVR at night rather than in the morning, right?

 

The Alaska Airlines Web sites indicates that the first flight is operated by Alaska and only the second flight by American. I believe Alaska now uses Terminal 6 at LAX, and American uses Terminal 4, so it appears you'd have to change terminals (and go through the security line at 6). Having checked luggage wouldn't seem to be problematic, since your bags should be transferred automatically. But you'll have to hustle. It is a legal conneciton time. If you get to YVR to check-in and find the flight is late, Alaska should look for alternatives to you so you don't end up having to take the flight that night (due to the length of the delay), but you may want to confirm this. Of course, if it's a weather delay, things get complicated.

 

You don't give details on your return flight so folks can't see if they can find a cheaper flight. Just looking at one-way fares for 10/27 on Expedia, Alaska shows at $275, and Air Canada (with a 3-hour layover in YYZ) at $273, albeit an overnight flight.

[frugaltravel]

Your last sentence ("I would . . ." ) refers to a second option, leaving YVR at night rather than in the morning, right?

 

Wrong. 6.35pm is the ARRIVAL time of the flight from LAX.

 

I believe Alaska now uses Terminal 6 at LAX, and American uses Terminal 4, so it appears you'd have to change terminals (and go through the security line at 6).

 

They would go through security in Terminal 4 not Terminal 6. You don't go through security when you leave a terminal, only when you enter it :)

 

The security issue might be the only bugaboo in the system.

[scottbee]

Hi,

 

I'm looking at flights from Vancouver, BC to Miami for Oct 27th (cruise leaves Oct 29). The best price I can find with only 1 stop is Alaska Airlines (operated by American Airlines) leaving Vancouver at 6:20am (yikes!) with a 1 hr 20 minute layover at LAX before the second leg leaves for Miami. I will go through customs at Vancouver airport and will have a carry on (no checked luggage unless I'm forced to gate check due to space). Price, including taxes, for the return flight is $491. I would arrive at 6:35pm to have that evening and the next day in Miami before the cruise.

 

Is the 1 hr 20 min layover enough time?

 

Thanks for any opinions on this.

 

Andrea

 

I would try the pricing on flights out of BLI and SEA as well, as well as into FLL vs MIA. For example, AS operate a non-stop (redeye) SEA-FLL, and SEA-MIA return is $100 cheaper than YVR-MIA.

[mjesf]

You should be fine. The AS flight will arrive in Terminal 6 and the AA flight will depart from Terminal 4. When arriving at LAX, go to Gate 65A for the shuttle bus to Terminal 4. You might even have time for a bio break.

[frugaltravel]

You should be fine. The AS flight will arrive in Terminal 6 and the AA flight will depart from Terminal 4. When arriving at LAX, go to Gate 65A for the shuttle bus to Terminal 4. You might even have time for a bio break.

 

I knew 5/6/7 were connected but I didn't realize 4 was connected too with a shuttle. Thanks for the info.

[AndyP7]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

 

I thought about looking at other options but when I priced out of Bellingham the prices were (surprisingly) actually higher with 2 or more stops. The cost of getting to Seattle and back may negate any savings (I don't drive :().

 

Sounds like the connection is doable but could still be tight. I'll keep looking to see what else I can find before deciding. Taking a red eye on Oct 26 might be an option. I return Nov 3, anytime after 1pm, as the ship docks in Miami at 8am.

 

Also, hypothetically speaking, if there was a delay and I missed my connection is it the airline's responsibility to get me on another flight? Does it vary by airline?

 

Thanks again.

 

Andrea

[Fattony]

Wrong. 6.35pm is the ARRIVAL time of the flight from LAX.

 

 

 

They would go through security in Terminal 4 not Terminal 6. You don't go through security when you leave a terminal, only when you enter it :)

 

The security issue might be the only bugaboo in the system.

 

Oops. No more Cruise Critic before my second cup of coffee.

 

Getting from 6 to 4 wouldn't be a terribly long walk. Taking the free shuttle would, I believe, involve going around most of the airport terminals since the shuttle goes counter-clockwise (it did the last time we took it). OP can find a LAX terminal map online.

[FlyerTalker]

Also, hypothetically speaking, if there was a delay and I missed my connection is it the airline's responsibility to get me on another flight? Does it vary by airline?

Assuming that it is on one through ticket, with the stop being a legal connection, the airline will be responsible to get you to at least your next stop.

 

Now, having said that....it does NOT have to put you on the next flight, or the next available flight or guarantee that you make a particular arrival time. They just have to get you there sometime. (Sometime being defined by the specific airline's contract of carriage, which everyone should wade through at least once in their lives). The Alaska Airlines CoC can be found HERE.

[kickballpro]

What did I do wrong at LAX?

 

Talking about having to go back through security. Flew United from Sydney, then was connecting from United to Denver. Got off my flight, went through customs. The only door I could walk out of went onto the street. Had to go back through security and the line was the longest security line I have ever seen. I told a TSA guy what happened, "we just arrived from Oz, only had an hour (which was almost gone due to customs)" and he escorted us to the front of the line.

[FlyerTalker]

Talking about having to go back through security. Flew United from Sydney, then was connecting from United to Denver. Got off my flight, went through customs. The only door I could walk out of went onto the street. Had to go back through security and the line was the longest security line I have ever seen.

Can't speak to the specific setup that UA has at LAX - however, you will ALWAYS go through security screening after customs when you are connecting to another flight. Reason being: You have had access to your checked baggage and may have taken a prohibited item from that bag onto your person.

 

Example: You are perfectly legal flying with a carving knife in your checked bag. You pass through customs and then stop, open your bag and move the carver into your carryon. Unless you are screened before you enter the terminal sterile area, you are a giant security hole. Thus the screening.

[AndyP7]

Assuming that it is on one through ticket, with the stop being a legal connection, the airline will be responsible to get you to at least your next stop.

 

Now, having said that....it does NOT have to put you on the next flight, or the next available flight or guarantee that you make a particular arrival time. They just have to get you there sometime. (Sometime being defined by the specific airline's contract of carriage, which everyone should wade through at least once in their lives). The Alaska Airlines CoC can be found HERE.

 

Thanks for the info and link!

[Fattony]

Always need to keep in mind the need to go through security when buying duty free items before or during an international flight. My wife bought some cosmetic creme in duty free before a flight from Brazil, and put it in her carry-on bag. She forgot to move it to her checked bags when, after Customs, we handed it over to the transfer desk and it was confiscated at TSA security when we went to our next flight. No time to rush back to the transfer desk. Not the first person it's happened to.

[kickballpro]

Can't speak to the specific setup that UA has at LAX - however, you will ALWAYS go through security screening after customs when you are connecting to another flight. Reason being: You have had access to your checked baggage and may have taken a prohibited item from that bag onto your person.

 

Example: You are perfectly legal flying with a carving knife in your checked bag. You pass through customs and then stop, open your bag and move the carver into your carryon. Unless you are screened before you enter the terminal sterile area, you are a giant security hole. Thus the screening.

 

Thanks flyertalker. Makes sense. Just such a pain.

[First Time 2008]

Can't speak to the specific setup that UA has at LAX - however, you will ALWAYS go through security screening after customs when you are connecting to another flight. Reason being: You have had access to your checked baggage and may have taken a prohibited item from that bag onto your person.

 

Example: You are perfectly legal flying with a carving knife in your checked bag. You pass through customs and then stop, open your bag and move the carver into your carryon. Unless you are screened before you enter the terminal sterile area, you are a giant security hole. Thus the screening.

 

But... you just passed immigration, where you affirmed in writing that you were not a terrorist, and an officer of the United States verified and validated your statement by allowing you in the country. Therefore, having possession of that carving knife should be no problem. :D

[kickballpro]

But... you just passed immigration, where you affirmed in writing that you were not a terrorist, and an officer of the United States verified and validated your statement by allowing you in the country. Therefore, having possession of that carving knife should be no problem. :D

 

lol, and they also had the valuable information that I was not visiting a farm while I was on vacation.

[kenish]

lol, and they also had the valuable information that I was not visiting a farm while I was on vacation.

 

They are concerned about hoof and mouth disease. Not a LOL topic if you're a livestock farmer in the USA.