Layover time in Los Angeles
 

I am flying from Charlotte to Cabo with a layover in Los Angeles.
How much time should I realistically allow for the change of planes.
There is no change in terminals. Thank you.

It depends entirely on how late your plane from Charlotte arrives. You do have to go through customs at some point.

>>You do have to go through customs at some point.<<

No you don't - there is no Customs leaving the US.

bettyjane: is this one ticket or two? Is it already booked (and if it is, it might be a bit late to be asking how much time you need). And which airline(s)?

Assuming it is one booking, you will get both boarding passes at CLT and they will check your passport there.

If it is two separate tickets - all bets are off.

I am flying on one ticket on American Airlines. i have not as yet bought my ticket. I am trying to avoid a long layover in Los Angeles if I can help it.

Suggest Minimum connecting time of 60 minutes. 90 minutes would be bettter.

Murphy’s Law of air travel always applies. It states the shorter your connecting time the greater the chance your in-Bound flight will be delayed, when your plane arrives the gate will be blocked and finally the arrival/departure gates will the furthest possible distance apart. Conversely, if you have a long connection time your inbound flight will arrive early, your connecting flight will leave from the next gate and your outbound flight will be late in boarding.

>>There is no change in terminals.<<

I haven't looked at those flights -- but just an FYI. AA uses 3 different terminals (4, 5 and remote). You won't be using the Remote terminal but just double check both flights use the same terminal.

>>your in-Bound flight will be delayed, when your plane arrives the gate will be blocked and<<

The last three times I've connected at LAX (all on AA or American Eagle) there have been long delays before a gate opened up. Latest one - just last Saturday - the commuter flight up from San Diego was actually the same length as the time we sat out on the taxiway waiting for an open gate.

Murphy's Law: With airlines, as elsewhere, remember that Murphy was an optimist.

same terminal, I'd allow an hour. Two if you want to feel secure and you can, but I'm sure it depends on options.

Last year I made a zero connection time at LAX on Southwest, walked off one plane and right onto the other which was just about to close its doors. They were only a few gates apart. And amazingly, Southwest even got my luggage transferred, they probably only had about 15 minutes!

It might be more useful if you outlined your options, I imagine there is only 1-3 realistic choices.

I allow one hour for going TO Mexico (because it's just gate to gate typically) and three hours coming back FROM Mexico (because you have to do Immigration & Customs at your first entry point).

If there is no change in terminals and you have both boarding passes then the only problem is how late will the first flight be getting to the gate (quite often they show as on time but it takes a while to get to a gate and disembark). And it is't unheard of for planes to go to a different gate or terminal than originally scheduled.

Personally I like at least 90 minutes unless you are on one ticket and there are a few more flights that day.

I allow 90 minutes at LAX (two hours if I have to change terminals). While I dislike spending time in the airport, the time I am forced to spend will increase if I miss a connection.

Have a great time in Cabo!!