Los Angeles International Airport Check-in

LAX check-in options

LAX check-in is possible in three ways:

• You can go through the online check-in on the official website of your airline. The majority of companies allow passengers to print a special pass 24 hours in advance of the flight. If you have a boarding pass and do not need to check your suitcases, you can immediately head to security.
• Pass security and check-in counters within the airport after arrival. The working hours of these services are from 4 am to 5 am. The breaks depend on the schedule of the flights but usually start at 11:30 pm. and end at 2:30 am.
• Self-checking through the high-tech kiosks, which print bag tags and have a facial recognition feature.

American Airlines self-check-in

American Airlines check-in at LAX goes without pressure if you use online services. There, passengers pick up inspected suitcases, sometimes make an additional payment, and receive a pass. Feel free to use an official website or an app that is available both on Android and iOS.

The requirements for the check-in are as follows:

• The flight does not exceed the borders of the U.S.;
• The reservation includes only one passenger;
• You need to pay the additional fees for the luggage;
• Book only in the Main Cabin.

If you are confused about how to use American Airlines' self-check service, follow the steps below:

• Open the official website or download the app and open it;
• Choose the number of suitcases for registration;
• Make extra payments (optional);
• Download the boarding pass, which you can print or display using your mobile phone at the airport.
• Scan the boarding pass at one of the Express Bag Tags kiosks.
• Tag the luggage, and then, with an agent, you can drop it off.

Spirit Airlines self-check-in

LAX Spirit Air check-in counters are available at the airport, allowing travelers to go through inspections at their own pace. The company provides automated self-bag drop machines which inspect the suitcases and use a biometric face-control system. They are reliable, safe, and, most importantly, fast, which is crucial in airports. With such a machine, you do not need to deal with the agent.

Here is a detailed instruction about how to examine your luggage via Spirit Airlines' automated machines:

• Tag your suitcases after registration and then reach the self-check-in bag drop counter at LAX for Spirit Airlines passengers;
• Show your boarding pass and use the biometric system for identification;
• Let the machine scan your ID;
• If the operation is successful, put the suitcases on the conveyor connected to the machine. The unit will weigh, scan your luggage, and, if necessary, will request an extra payment.
• You do not need to take any further action. Expect the suitcases to transfer to the checked luggage area of the airport.

Special LAX baggage check-in program

LAX check-in baggage program called FlyAway implies the usage of special passes, which reduce waiting time at the terminal curbs and ticketing counters. That is how the process is going:

• Before arriving at the airport, register your luggage at a specially designated place outside the LAX.. You will obtain a baggage claim ticket and a boarding pass. There is no need in transferring suitcases to the airport on your own, since the staff will do it for you.
• Then, at LAX, they can immediately head to the security inspection.
• The check-in service receives the luggage and transfers it to the Transportation Security Administration. At this point, suitcases undergo screening and further inspections.
• After all examinations, the staff transfers luggage to the planes.

The service has the following requirements and restrictions:

• It is available for all passengers whose flight is domestic and departs from Los Angeles to any state of the US.
• Travelers with international transfers, and trips to the Pacific and Caribbean territories, cannot use the special LAX luggage program.
• Be ready to pay a $5 fee per passenger, which does not include the price for one bus ride.
• It is possible to check in only two suitcases, each weighing not more than 50 pounds (22.7 kg).

The special program works for the passengers of these airlines:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• Horizon Air
• American Eagle
• United Express/Skywest Airlines
• Ted Airlines
• Northwest Airlines
• United Airlines

Airline and luggage registration working hours start at 4:30 a.m. and end at 7:00 every day. Find the service at any location of the FlyAway.

If you have any questions regarding charges for the check-in service at the Los Angeles Convention Center, contact Baggage Airline Guest Services, Inc.: [email protected]. To learn more about the fees for inspection services at the Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center, contact the cruise line you use.

Service locations

There are a total of 3 FlyAway locations where passengers can find baggage check-in for flights at LAX:

• Union Station is at Berth 9 of Patsaouras Transit Plaza, East Portal of Union Station, downtown Los Angeles;
• Westwood is at the bus stop Kinross Ave. which resides on the western part of Gayley Ave at UCLA Parking Structure 32;
• Van Nuys has the following address: 7610 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys, in the San Fernando Valley. Find it at the intersection of Woodley Avenue and Saticoy Street.

The other two locations are:

• Port of Los Angeles World Cruise Center is at the address: Berth 91-93, World Cruise Center, San Pedro, CA
• Los Angeles Convention Center resides at 1201 South Figueroa Street, downtown Los Angeles.

FAQs about Los Angeles Airport check-in

How early can I check in at LAX?

Check-in at LAX for international air trips depends on the airlines you choose. The more flights from LA your air travel provider has, the longer their registration counters will operate. Typically, check-in starts 3 hours before the plane departs, but, for example, Virgin Atlantic begins the process earlier - 4 hours in advance. Sometimes airlines have so many flights from LA that their luggage inspection counters are available throughout the day.

At the same time, low-cost air travel companies provide less time for the baggage examination - up to 2 hours on average. The reason lies in the size of the small planes, which cannot handle a large number of passengers onboard.

So, to not be late for your flight, study the airline you choose for a trip, and arrive no less than 3 hours before departure. The rule does not apply to those who have gone through luggage registration online and have a boarding pass.

How to get your ticket from LAX after making the check-in online?

Upon finishing an online registration, download the file with a ticket and print it at home. If it is impossible, feel free to use Los Angeles Airport printing services before your plane departs.

The other option is to use an app that allows you to see your boarding pass as well as display it at the airport. Airlines usually provide their applications on both Android and iOS.

It is also possible to receive a ticket in your email, from where you can open it to show at the airport.

Where to go to check in at LAX Airport?

Firstly, enter the terminal and look through the schedule of flights, where you will find the number of your LAX check-in counter. Next, look for a registration desk that displays the same number, your destination, and the airlines you travel with. For example, if your flight is from Alaska Airlines, look for the counter with the same title on the screen near. Not to get lost, navigate via an online interactive airport map. Upon entering the airline name and adding "check-in" to the search query, expect the map to designate the available counters.

When you reach the right desk, wait until the luggage registration ends and obtain the boarding pass.

How long should I allow for check-in at LAX?

The unexpected situations and congestion of the airport and its staff influence LAX check-in time. Though the process of luggage examination and boarding pass obtaining takes less than 6-7 minutes, the queues are what make waiting hours increase. Please, be patient and arrive 2 or 3 hours in advance if your flight is domestic. You will have plenty of time to pass all inspections and registration processes. If your flight is international, consider arriving 4 hours before departure.

Is there curbside check-in at LAX?

Yes, there is, and you can use it if you are a passenger flying with American Airlines. Here are the requirements for a curbside luggage register:

• Your ticket or reservation is confirmed and belongs to the Basic Economy type or higher;
• Use a domestic flight;
• Have a debit or credit card to make payments for the service.

At the curbside, it is possible to use concierge assistance, which Bags, Inc. provides as a result of cooperation with the AA. The service price reaches only $3 per suitcase and does not include checked baggage fees