London-LA-Honolulu - immigration?
 

Could somebody please tell me, if our flight from London to Honolulu, changes at LA, where we would undergo immigration (fingerprints, mug shots etc)? I need to tell our condo owner in Honolulu the estimated time of our arrival. (And I'm really hoping it might be in LA, so that we can 'leave the building' to get some fresh air for an hour!)
Thanks!

US arrivals get both immigration and customs at the first port of arrival, so in your case it will be LA. You will need to pick up your checked in luggage after you go through immigration, go through customs and then drop off the luggage outside the custom's door, if it's checked all the way through. If not, then it's back to departure hall and re-check.

btw, you will have to go through security once you're done with immigration/customs.

Be careful about "leaving the building for an hour" in LAX. You will need to go through another security check-in after you depart the international terminal (Tom Bradley terminal). Do not leave yourself short of time for your connecting flight.

I would allow 45 minutes to an hour to get to your condo from HNL, maybe even more during rush hour. HNL traffic is terrible.

Thank you everybody for your replies! Our flights (from LON-LAX and LAX-HNL) are both with AA and there is more than 3 hours between flights, so, fingers crossed we might get some air! After 11+ hours on a plane it would be nice! But we will be careful not to leave enough time and won't take chances.
I'm relieved that immigration will be LA, so that we won't be help up at Honolulu. Thanks!

I would never describe the air outside the terminals at LAX as "fresh". I think I would rather breathe the recirculated air inside the terminal. :)

I believe that you will be arriving and departing from AA's terminal 4. AA has its own international arrival area, so you won't be using the TBIT. Check www.lawa.org to be sure.

Please don't discount the advice about the security lines at LAX. The AA terminal is one of the worst. Even if your LON-LAX flight is on time, customs & immigration will take some time. If you choose to exit the AA terminal, plan on spending another hour or so, standing in security line to get back to the gates. If it were me, I would walk around a bit and grab a cocktail or two inside the AA terminal.

Hi lvk
We flew home from LAX this June, and didn't find the lines too bad (but then, we were leaving, not entering!) The line at JFK, where we arrived, was VERY long for immigration, so I'm expecting LAX's to be long too (the lines haven't been long at Seattle or Phoenix airports in the past).
Our AA e-ticket doesn't say which terminal we arrive at (or which one we leave from at Heathrow, although I think it's terminal 3). I'll check the link you've given me - thanks.
Cocktails sound a good idea - but I don't really drink much, and never when flying. I will, however, be gasping for a cigarette, so getting outside is what I'll aim for! :) Strange, I never think about a cigarette when on planes, but as soon as we land ....
BTW, what's it like for you guys when you have to go through immigration at Heathrow? I've always thought their security much more FIERCE than over the Atlantic. Like, people who don't know how to smile and frisk you for fun!

wildblueyonder, sorry I couldn't resist noting that you want "some fresh air" but will be "gasping for a cigarette". Ironic, don't ya think? :-)

sf7307
Yes, of course, ironic - but I only smoke cigarettes in the fresh air - hate the smell of 'em! :)
I knew there'd be some wise cracks! I'm 50-something - probably the things will kill me sooner rather than later - but I've tried the patches and the gum and everything else - and they just make me ill! :)

Were you joking around about "fingerprints, mug shots" too? Those aren't really required, are they?

There is a camera for a photo and a fingerprint is taken for all those who arrive with non-US passports. It isn't a full fingerprint set, but it is one for the file.

Yep suze, this has been done since 2005, I think. If I recall, just the two index fingers are taken and the photo. We've had it done twice now and it's no bother, apart from the wait! The strangest thing is the form they give you on the plane. Questions like "are you a terrorist?" "have you ever belonged to the nazi party?",
and of course, nobody, even if the answer is yes, is going to tick that box!

<b>lvk</b>,

regardless if the OP choses to go outside or not, s/he will have to go through security once s/he is done with immigration/customs so it doesn't really matter.