I did it again! I booked LAX to Auckland for Christmas/New Year's for only $1,440.00 on Air Pacific's website. (AA gives miles with Air Pacific flights) Now I need to book a flight from Florida to LAX. How much time would you recommend in LA. I know, if the flight is late into LAX, I've got problems. I do have a Continental airlines club pass for having a Continental credit card.

The flight from LAX to Nadi is at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, December 18.

I also booked Miami to Barcelona on British Airways for Thanksgiving for $619.00. I did it last year with Swiss ($594.00) and the weather was cool, (55-70), and the hotel prices were much cheaper than high summer. Days were short, tho.

LAX is a huge airport and you are going to have to change terminals. It has never struck me as being very efficent. I would want at LEAST four hours.

It won't take me long to get to the international terminal, but I'm concerned about bad weather, mechanical problems with the plane (my sister missed the first three days of her cruise because her Delta flight had mechanical problems) or a delayed flight. Also, Air Pacific doesn't fly the next day.

Since Air Pacific doesn't fly the next day, I would go to LAX the day before your flight. There are plenty of cheap hotels right by the airport. This sounds like a big trip so I wouldn't chance missing it. This would also give you time to get some exercise before that long flight.

I absolutely agree w/ Lynnaustin.

Even if there are no weather issues on your route - just look at this week. Bad weather on the east coast has screwed up travel all over the country.

If at all possible - fly into LAX on the 17th.

Depends on how you judge risk but in this case I'd get there the day before as it would be rather expensive if you missed the flight

another vote for the day before !! No doubts !!

another vote - we did the same thing when we flew SFO-LAX-AKL. Got a cheap Priceline room and it was great to have no worries.

Thanks. I'll book the 17th.