LAX

LAX
Name	Los Angeles International Airport
IATA	LAX
ICAO	KLAX
FAA	LAX
Owner	City of Los Angeles
Operator	Los Angeles World Airports
City-served	Greater Los Angeles
Location	Westchester, Los Angeles
Elevation-f	128
Elevation-m	39
Coordinates	33, 56, 33, N...
Website	https://www.flylax.com

LAX. Los Angeles International Airport is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. Located in the Westchester district, it is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a branch of the Los Angeles city government. As a major gateway to the United States and a global hub for passenger and cargo traffic, it is one of the busiest airports in the world, consistently ranking among the top in categories such as aircraft movements and international travel.

History

The site began operations in 1928 as Mines Field, a modest airmail stop. Significant expansion occurred during World War II when it was leased to the United States Army Air Forces. The modern era began with the 1959 opening of the iconic Theme Building, a Googie-style structure designed by Paul Williams and Welton Becket. The airport was a key arrival point for the 1960 Summer Olympics and later underwent massive redevelopment for the 1984 Summer Olympics. Major milestones include the 1984 opening of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, named for the city's first African American mayor, and the ongoing LAX Modernization Program initiated in the 21st century.

Facilities and terminals

The airport features nine passenger terminals arranged in a horseshoe-shaped U-shaped layout, connected by the Airline Connection bus and a post-security pedestrian walkway. The central landmark is the Theme Building, housing a restaurant. The Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B) is the largest and handles the majority of overseas flights, featuring the Great Hall with luxury retailers like Louis Vuitton and dining concepts by chefs such as Wolfgang Puck. Other major terminals include the recently modernized Terminals 1, 2, and 3, and the West Gates at Tom Bradley International Terminal, a new concourse opened in 2020. Cargo operations are extensive, with facilities for carriers like FedEx Express and UPS Airlines.

Airlines and destinations

LAX is a major global hub and a primary focus city for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. It is also a key gateway for international carriers including Air France, British Airways, Qantas, and Korean Air. The airport is the largest operating base on the West Coast for Alaska Airlines and a major base for Southwest Airlines. It serves as the principal transpacific hub for Air New Zealand, Philippine Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. Domestically, it offers extensive connections to cities like New York City, Chicago, and Dallas. Internationally, it offers non-stop flights to over 90 destinations across six continents, including London, Tokyo, and Sydney.

Ground transportation

Road access is primarily via Century Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard, which intersect with the I-405 and I-105 freeways. The airport is served by the Metro bus system and private shuttle services. The LAX FlyAway bus provides direct service to locations like Union Station and Van Nuys. A major transformation is underway with the construction of the LAX People Mover, an automated train system that will connect to the new LAX/Metro Transit Center station, providing direct access to the Metro Rail network via the K Line. Rental car facilities are consolidated off-site at the LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility.

Accidents and incidents

LAX has been the site of several notable aviation accidents. In 1969, a Douglas DC-8 operated by TWA crashed into Santa Monica Bay on approach. A significant terrorist attack occurred in 1974 when Palestinian militants bombed a Pan Am flight, killing all aboard. In 1991, a USAir Boeing 737 collided with a SkyWest Airlines Metroliner on the runway, resulting in 34 fatalities. The deadliest accident was the 1978 crash of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182, which collided with a Cessna 172 over San Diego, killing 144 people; the flight had departed from LAX. Security was dramatically heightened following the September 11 attacks.

In popular culture

The airport's distinctive architecture and status as an icon of Southern California have made it a frequent setting in film and television. It has been featured in numerous movies, including *Airport* (1970), *Die Hard 2* (1990), and *The Terminal* (2004). The Theme Building was notably used as a location in the science fiction film *Battle of the Worlds* (1961). Television series such as *24* and *Mad Men* have also utilized LAX for key scenes. Its cultural footprint extends to music, being referenced in songs by artists like Randy Newman and The Beach Boys, and in literature.

Category:Airports in California Category:Transportation in Los Angeles Category:Buildings and structures in Los Angeles