Advice on LAX Change

Hi All

I'm flying out on VS7 to LAX on 20/10 and changing to a Southwest Airlines plane at LAX to land in Las Vegas. I've always flown direct before and never changed. I just needed some advice on what the changeover process at LAX is like and likely times.

I'm not even sure if I have to clear customs and then re-board as a new passenger and re-do all the fingerprints etc??

Anyone who has done this/knows the process, could you help??
N

[Darren Wheeler]

Not sure about transferring to Southwest but the basics are easy,

Once you land, you must clear US Immigration, collect your bags and then clear US Customs. Once land-side, you head to the Southwest check-in desks and get processed as normal, then clear security again to get to the gate. No need for fingerprints etc. for an internal flight.

Clearing Immigration is the big unknown. Sometimes it can be very slow, other times you fly through. Forget the glitz and glamour of LA, the immigration hall is dreary hole...

You go through immigration and customs at LAX, and then check in for your onward flight to Vegas. You should allow enough time for all of this, and given the unpredictability of US immigration lines that means at least a few hours (in my view).

Thank you guys, this site is so good for info, much better than the offical LAX site which is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

You will almost certainly need to change terminals as well (there are 7) but depending which you arrive at (I cannot recall for sure but I think it is 3) it may be quicker to just walk to the terminal (obviously depending on what you are carrying and which one.

[Neil]

You need to change terminal at LAX, but SouthWest are in the next terminal so just walk between the two, it at max a 10min walk after immigration/customs.

Southwest is terminal 1. As you walk out of arrivals from your virgin flight, just turn left. It's less than 5 mins. The Southwest terminal is really, really busy.

I am generally really conservative on timing. So I would not book a southwest flight that leaves any less than 2 1/2 hours after your virgin flight arrived. 2 hours if you are flying UC.