Flight layover from Sydney to Detroit

[Wavelet]

Good morning,

    On a transpacific cruise we are flying home from Sydney to Detroit on Delta. There are no direct flights, the 1stop flights have either 3, 5, or 7 hr LAX layover options. For those familiar with LAX, is it possible to clear customs and change planes with a 3 hr layover? 
 

Thanks in advance.

[Zach1213]

LAX, despite its size, is fairly efficient. Three hours should be fine. Five would absolutely be fine and even too much. Seven is way too much. All of this is based on the old "if you're on time" statement, but of course you won't know that until it happens. If you do misconnect, Delta will have tons of flights from LAX-DTW and your chances of getting seats on a subsequent flight are decent. I would probably do the three hours, personally, assuming you are flying economy and don't have lounge access (which would make a longer layover more pleasant - meals, drinks, showers, etc.) 

[AF-1]

Yes, you can make your connection with 3hr layover.  There will be Delta reps right outside the customs area, directing you to your new gate.  

[FlyerTalker]

1 hour ago, AF-1 said:

Yes, you can make your connection with 3hr layover.  There will be Delta reps right outside the customs area, directing you to your new gate.  

 

Not as seamless as it used to be.  Due to construction issues at LAX, DL has posted the following notice on their website (under Los Angeles Airport Information):

 

If Connecting from an International Flight or a Domestic Flight at LAX

Delta International flights arrive on Terminal B, where customers are required to go through immigration, claim their bags, go through customs and walk (or take an airport shuttle) to Terminal 2 to recheck their bags to their destination.

 

Sounds like you have to schelp your own bags from TBIT to T2, where you then recheck them at the ticket counter.  Not the old "bag drop".   Disclaimer - I have not done this kind of connect since the construction project started, so this is merely passing along information that I discovered when looking up LAX info for myself on their website)

 

 

[AF-1]

FlyerTalker;  you may be right; but when Delta built their new terminal, they now have their own TSA checkpoint just for them; which makes getting thru security a little smoother than before.

[travelplus]

Isn't there a Short Check belt like at SFO white you place your tagged luggage for it to go to the final destination outside Customs?

 

TSA security to AA terminal is located to the left on the connector bridge. Follow the signs to AA terminal if your checked luggage is handed over on the connecting flight conveyor belt. 

Edited June 16, 2021 by travelplus