Killing time at LAX (with a 6-month old)

We're travelling back from LAX on Easter Saturday (VS008 in PE), but have been told we need to be at the airport early to make sure we can get moved to bulkhead seats for the bassinette. Given that we also get "kicked out" of our accommodation before noon, does anyone have any suggestions for how to kill what might otherwise be a very dull 4 hours or so in T2 at LAX (or at the very least some reassurance that the seats in the departure lounge are at least half-comfortable!)?

Unfortunately LAX is (IMHO) one of the worst major airports in the world. T2 is currently going through major refurbishment and facilities are extremely limited. Things may have improved by the time you fly but it'll still be limited by the way LAX was designed - like JFK, it's several small, largely unconnected terminals that weren't made for lingering.

Dare I say if you don't have lounge access I'd even consider checking in then heading downstairs to arrivals and catching a shuttle to one of the nicer airport hotels nearby, where you're at least guaranteed a comfy seat and some space away from the madness for 90 minutes or so before it's time to head back.

Gumshoe got it in one, do check in but don't go through security because T2 is dire in its lack of facilities and crampedness. Unfortunately however your choice is the airport hotels or potentially a taxi to Venice Beach or Manhattan Beach unless you still have your car?

We had the misfortune last Easter of having a four hour connection on the way back from Hawaii. We weren't aware of the limited offering and struggled! When wewere there there were a few bar type restaurants, a few newsagents and a tourist shop.

I would strongly recommend checking in and leaving, either to another terminal or to a nearby restaurant/airport hotel/mall for a meal....obviously it depends how early you check-in

Unfortunately LAX is (IMHO) one of the worst major airports in the world. T2 is currently going through major refurbishment and facilities are extremely limited. Things may have improved by the time you fly but it'll still be limited by the way LAX was designed - like JFK, it's several small, largely unconnected terminals that weren't made for lingering.

Dare I say if you don't have lounge access I'd even consider checking in then heading downstairs to arrivals and catching a shuttle to one of the nicer airport hotels nearby, where you're at least guaranteed a comfy seat and some space away from the madness for 90 minutes or so before it's time to head back.

Right on the money. Was through LAX last week and yet again a total shambles. The current refurb at T2 in conjunction with Westfield should improve things though. With a new CH opening soon too, for those with lounge access, it cannot come soon enough. The current arrangements are dire on all levels.

Jon

I can't add anything productive to what has already been said...

...but I can't let pass an opportunity to mourn the loss of the Encounter restaurant, which was so convenient for T2. The food was pretty ordinary in my experience, and not cheap, but the location and view were great fun.

It is appalling. Limited seat space, extortionate prices (the mark up at Starbucks is shocking!)... you'll need to bring your own entertainment with a little one to keep happy. Sorry, I wish I could be more positive, but LAX is an embarrassment. I'm excited to see the refurbishment and new lounge, they can't come soon enough.

When flying out of T3 in the past on VX, if I had a wait I'd go into the international terminal (TBIT) and have a martini at the Daily Grill, or two ... but I think that's gone now.

Thanks all. I'll definitely make sure we check in before taking the car back and then just spend some time at one of the nearby hotels (which is next to the car hire place anyway!)

As others have said it is a pretty dire place without any lounge to go into. Don,t know whether you could pay to go into the Loft or another traveller lounge. Especially with your little one to keep him/her amused. Terminal 2 is quite small and all the eating places are over priced and very crowded.

If you could get to the boarding area and grab a good seat there is room to stretch out before the masses of people arrive, runway to view and space to walk around. Security might take some time to go through, so factor in all these, take something to eat/drink (within the liquid guidelines) with you.

In and Out Burger is only a short cab ride from the Airport (probably cheaper to cut across the car parks and pick it up from the other side of the Airport).

Have a burger whilst watching the planes land.

Such a shame about LAX - used to always enjoy it compared to other US Airports. The Air New Z lounge was excellent.

If not wanting to leave the Airport you could try the International Terminal (Tom Bradley) - think it has been updated but not sure on what is to do land side but got to be better than T2?

Ditto the above, T2 is dire. As the new CH is still being built I used the "Loft" last week which is also hopeless. I was hoping to eat before taking VS008 so I could get my head down straight away on the flight but the food offering totalled bagels, bread, muffins, peanuts & fruit.

Typical US lounge I'm afraid - AA, DL and UA are (in general) no better. Makes you appreciate how spoilt we are by the Clubhouses.

Sadly while T2 is being refurbished and the new LAX Clubhouse is being built, taking over the space previously occupied by the NZ Koru lounge which VS used to use, there isn't much alternative.

Mmmm the Loft is all mouth and no trousers isn't it - it's unfortunate for VS but with ANZ gone from T2 there''s currently a big hole in the VS experience there. Can't wait for the new clubhouse to open though and I hope it is on a par with others and not dredging the bottom like the Loft does.

I do wonder why VS didn't move to the new TBIT? I hear terminal fees are higher there so maybe a factor, but most of the non-US long haul carriers are there, and airside it's similar now to SFO international (aka miles better).

Ditto the above, T2 is dire. As the new CH is still being built I used the "Loft" last week which is also hopeless. I was hoping to eat before taking VS008 so I could get my head down straight away on the flight but the food offering totalled bagels, bread, muffins, peanuts & fruit.

Passing through for the VS8 last week having once again been presented at check in with "do you want alcohol or not...." I went across to the Loft (the other option was the Air Canada lounge) which as we know doesn't have a liquor licence!

I have been in the Loft a few times before and it was ok though has gradually gone down hill over time...I have never heard so many negative comments in such a short space of time from the 20 of us for the VS8 who were in there. The food offering was a few slices of bread for toasting, some cheese, peanuts, cereals and a fridge of juice. The whole place seemed dirty and if I hadn't have had to wait for the bus back to T2 I would have just knocked it on the head. The bar service was ok, though the bar tender was somewhat distracted!

The loft does offer excellent runway views which was a plus though!

On my return, I sent some photos to VS who confirmed they were colllating feedback due to "extensive feedback" but clearly until the new CH opens nothing will change which can't come soon enough.

Thankfully once onboard in UC it was top-notch service all the way....

Jon

In and Out Burger is only a short cab ride from the Airport (probably cheaper to cut across the car parks and pick it up from the other side of the Airport).

Have a burger whilst watching the planes land.

Not been to LAX but In and Out has been recommended to me by a friend. I also see on the map a place just to the south of In and Out at the end of r'way 25L called Proud Bird, seems to be a restaurant with landing views and what looks like mock-ups of planes sitting around a beer garden.

Another echo I'm afraid. LAX is dire....I've seen livestock kept in better conditions and with a little one on your hands there really is nothing to do and on busy days nowhere to even site half the time.

On my last visit I checked in, got back in the hire car and headed out to Venice for an hour or two.

Can you bring your own "drinks" into the lounge? Probably wouldn't get through security of course but is there not a bar/restaurant/fast food place downstairs where you could bring a drink or two upstairs. More to the point why does a airport lounge in the US not have a drinks license.

Anyway LAX is bad but I used to always like siting in the Air NZ lounge as the Sun went down watching the planes take off towards the sea. It also had great showers.

When you say kicked out of your accommodations, are you staying in a hotel? If so, ask them for a late check-out would be my advice, if you have status with them you're usually guaranteed them within reason.

When you say kicked out of your accommodations, are you staying in a hotel? If so, ask them for a late check-out would be my advice, if you have status with them you're usually guaranteed them within reason.

No - it's a holiday rental so there won't be any status benefits (not that I have any hotel ones anyway). To be fair, I think the owner would probably let us stay a couple of hours extra, but we'll be about an hour from the airport and I want to be at check-in pretty much as it opens so that I can make sure we get the bassinette sorted.