How early to arrive at LAX?
 

We will be taking an 8:50am flight from LAX to PHL on Friday, Dec. 21. I was planning to get to the terminal by 7:30 a.m. We will have only carry-on luggage.

I haven't been to LAX in a while. Will that give us enough time to get through security and to the gate?

I know it's all inexact, but any information would help.

Thanks!

Thats a holiday weekend and it will be extremeley busy. However, if you only have carry-on luggage you might make it.

If you have your tickets and seats already assigned and are just going to the gate, it should be fine.

You should be fine if you are dropped off by 7:30 am. We allow about that much time for departure for morning flights out of LAX. That even includes Southwest Air on July 4th weekend, where the lines are always outside on the curb to get in the terminal.

Be sure and have your boarding pass printed out.

How early does your airline request you be there?

I never go to an international airport these days with less than 2 hours to spare, but I am cautious and prefer to avoid giving myself an anxiety attack.

That gives you 50 minutes to get thru security and be at the gate 30 minutes before departure. With bp in hand and carry-on only that is enough time.

What airline?

7:30am should be fine if you check in online in advance, print your boarding pass, and are not checking bags. The security line will be long, but just make sure to go up to the front and let an employee there know if you're getting close to your flight departure and you are still in line at the time. They usually let people with flights that are about to leave cut in line, if you tell them.

Thanks, everyone. We are flying United which I believe is Terminal 7. We're coming from Anaheim, and I'm really hoping to avoid a 5:30am pickup time! Even 6am seems a little better.

I'll have the boarding passes and everything, so we'll aim for 7:30 at the latest.

Thanks again!

United has two LAX-PHL nonstops today. The morning one used T7 but the redeye tonight is planned for T6. Subject to change, of course. The two terminals are connected airside. The security line is usually shorter at T6, so definitely use it if your gate is there.

I'll definitely keep an eye on the gate assignment. It's usually in T7, and then waaaaay down at the far end in that little pod area. Ugh.

Thanks again...