Clearing customs & changing terminals at LAX
 

We are landing at terminal 2 at LAX then have to make a connection at terminal 7. We are supposed to arrive at 11:05 and our connecting flight is at 1:00. Are we going to be running to try and catch our flight after clearing customs. I am not sure yet if we have to wait for our luggage or if Air Canada will look after getting it to United. (we booked the trip through Air Canada.

When you arrive at Terminal two you have to go through Immigration. Then you have to claim your luggage and go through Customs. Once through Customs you give you luggage to the handlers and they put it on a belt to go to the connecting flight (Air Canada will have it tagged for final destination) You can get the shuttle to Terminal 7 (they run fairly often - every 10 mins or so) or you can go upstairs and exit the building and walk to Terminal 7 if you have more time and want to stretch your legs. If your plane lands on time or isn't too late you shouldn't have any trouble. You do have to go through security though. Good Luck.

If you are travelling from Canada to LAX you will likely not have to clear customs and immigration at LAX because you will have already been pre-cleared by US Customs and Immigration in Canada before your board your flight. When you arrive at LAX or any connecting airport in the US, your flight will be treated as a domestic rather than an international flight.

Pre-clearance is the procedure at every major airport in Canada (YVR, YYC, YEG, YWG, YYZ, YOW, YUL, YHZ). If you are starting from a smaller airport without preclearance, you will have to claim your bags in Canada at the airport from which you leave for LA, so you should make sure you have an adequate connection time there. Only if you do have a direct flight to LAX from a smaller airport without preclearance will you have to clear US customs and immigration in LA.

Since you booked your entire flight thru Air Canada, your luggage should be checked through to your final destination. If you are coming from one of the major airports, as lavendrye has so kindly detailed, you will also not have to go through immigration at LAX.

I would suggest getting the first shuttle out of terminal 2 to terminal 7. Assuming your flight from Canada arrives on time, you should have plenty of time. However, the security lines at LAX can be ridiculous, so it would be wise to get to T7 as quickly as you can. Once through security at Terminal 7, if you have time to spare, you can relax and have a much needed cocktail before boarding your connecting flight. :)

Thanks everyone for your replies. From LA we are flying to Maui so I am more worried about having the time or finding a place to have a cigarette than a cocktail! Does anyone know if there are any designated smoking areas at LAX.

Please make sure I understand correcly. WE are from YYZ to Atlanta to make connnection. I assumed I would need to leave time in Atlanta for customs but instead we will go thru customs at departure in Tornonto?

Is that correct? I am ready to book flights so I need to allow time correctly. Please advise.

joebear. You will clear US customs and immigration in Toronto before boarding your flight to Atlanta.

Thanks...got the tickets.

i am traveling from Sydney aus to lax and then onto Denver and then to Canada (my home)...what do I do for customs at LAX or Denver....I am flying Delta all the way to Saskatoon....my luggage should be tagged there..

Help I leave Thursday...

El