Had I not been so numb after sitting for 15 hours in economy class, I would have been more appreciative of the fact that I got through customs as quickly as I did. Rocketing out of LAX on my connecting down to SAN after my flight from Dubai. With only a backpack on my shoulders, they waved me through without even talking to me. In terms of standing in line to exit the customs hall, that took about five minutes. He took one last look at my passport photo, then back at me, and welcomed me home. “Long flight, eh?” he asked with a raised eyebrow (as if there was a giant piece of the pre-landing pizza still stuck to my chin). I only waited in line for several minutes before presenting my passport to a passport control officer. The overflow lane to the far left when entering passport control had just opened up as I was walking in, and they herded me towards that direction. Perhaps I was feeling numb for just having just stepped off a 15 hour flight in Emirates A380 Economy class, but getting through customs upon arrival at LAX after this flight was a breeze. The following is a detailed breakdown of how long it took me to clear customs on my last 7 arrivals: 3pm arrival from DXB: 14 minutes This is how long it took me to get through customs at LAX (for my last 7 arrivals)Įven though SAN (San Diego International Airport) is my home base, LAX is a place I frequent often due to the high number of international flights available to and from all parts of the world.

There are definitely some things you can do to speed up the process, which I will explain in greater detail below. The good news is that I’ve learned how to game the system slightly over the years. Note that this time can the double or even triple for non-US residents due to extra security checks. Other times, it has taken me up to an hour and a half. Sometimes I can breeze through in a matter of minutes. The average time it takes me (a US resident) to get through customs at LAX is 17 minutes and 57 seconds. That begs the question: exactly how long does it take to get through customs at LAX? Even more impressive is the fact that 40% of those arrive on inbound flights from international destinations.

If you have already checked in online it is recommended to still allow plenty of time for dropping off bags, collecting boarding passes where required and getting to your gate.Serving an average of 241,000 travelers per day, Los Angeles International Airport is the third busiest airport in the world. The general guidance is to arrive at Los Angeles International at least two hours before scheduled departure for a shorthaul flight and three hours before departure for a longhaul flight. How long in advance you are able to check in at Los Angeles International and when check-in closes tends to vary depending on the airline you are flying with so always make sure to check directly on their website.

When should I check in at Los Angeles International for my departing flight? The flight tracker will also show you which terminal your Los Angeles International flight will depart from or arrive at, and any delays affecting your route. Switch between arriving and departing flights from Los Angeles International and find the flight you are interested in by using the quick search to specify the airline, flight time, or the origin/destination. Los Angeles International (LAX) Arrivals and Departures BoardĬheck the status of your domestic or international Los Angeles International (LAX) flight with the help of our live arrivals and departures board.

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