Los Angeles International Airport
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| Los Angeles International Airport | |
|---|---|
| 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/ |
Los Angeles International Airport. It is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. Operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a department of the City of Los Angeles, it is a major gateway for international travel and a focal point for aviation in the Western United States. The airport is situated in the Westchester district, approximately 18 miles southwest of Downtown Los Angeles.
History
The site's aviation history began in 1928 when it opened as Mines Field, named for real estate agent William W. Mines. The City of Los Angeles purchased the land in 1937 and renamed it Los Angeles Municipal Airport. Significant expansion occurred post-World War II, with the iconic Theme Building completed in 1961 as part of a major modernization. The airport was renamed Los Angeles International Airport in 1949, reflecting its growing status. Key developments include the opening of the Tom Bradley International Terminal in 1984, named for the city's mayor, and a subsequent multi-billion dollar modernization program in the 21st century.
Facilities and terminals
The airport features nine passenger terminals arranged in a horseshoe-shaped configuration, labeled 1 through 8 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). TBIT is a primary hub for international carriers and underwent a major expansion completed in 2013. Terminals are connected by the LAX Shuttle and a new automated people mover system. The central terminal area is bisected by Sepulveda Boulevard, which passes through tunnels under the runways. Other notable facilities include the Theme Building, several Marriott hotels, and extensive cargo areas operated by entities like DHL Aviation and FedEx Express.
Airlines and destinations
It is a major hub for Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, and a focus city for Southwest Airlines and JetBlue. Internationally, it is a key gateway for carriers such as Air New Zealand, Qantas, Korean Air, and Lufthansa. The airport offers non-stop flights to over 100 domestic destinations and more than 75 international destinations across six continents, including major cities like London, Tokyo, Sydney, and Dubai. Airline alliances like Oneworld and SkyTeam maintain significant operations here.
Operations and statistics
It is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2023, it handled over 75 million passengers, making it the third-busiest in the United States by passenger traffic. The airport also handles significant cargo, managed by the Los Angeles Customs District. It has four parallel runways and is a major maintenance base for American Airlines. The airport is a critical economic engine for Southern California, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. Operations are overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration and it serves as a port of entry for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Ground transportation
Access is provided via several major freeways, including Interstate 405 and Interstate 105. Public transit options include the Metro Rail system via the LAX/Metro Transit Center station, served by the K Line. The FlyAway bus service provides direct connections to locations like Union Station and Van Nuys. Numerous private shuttle services, taxis, and rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft operate from designated areas. A consolidated rent-a-car facility is located off-site, connected by shuttle.
Accidents and incidents
Several notable aviation accidents have occurred in its vicinity. In 1969, Allegheny Airlines Flight 853 collided with a private plane near the airport. A significant disaster was the 1991 crash of USAir Flight 1493, which collided with SkyWest Airlines Flight 5569 on the runway. In 2013, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashed short of the runway while attempting to land, resulting in three fatalities. Other incidents include the 2000 crash of Southwest Airlines Flight 1455, which overran the runway, and a 2021 runway incursion involving a SkyWest Airlines aircraft and a Cessna 172.
Category:Airports in California Category:Transportation in Los Angeles Category:1930 establishments in California