Los Angeles International Airport – LAX Los Angeles

Los Angeles International Airport is the largest airport in California and one of the busiest in the entire world. Situated in Westchester area of Los Angeles, California, it holds the record for busiest origin and destination airport in the world and is the only one to land among the top five U.S. airports for both cargo and passengers. LAX traces its roots to 1928, when the Los Angeles City Council converted 640 acres of wheat, barley, and lima beans into dirt landing strips. Originally named Mines Field, it began operating as Los Angeles’ airstrip in 1930. It was christened Los Angeles Airport in 1941, eventually getting its current name in 1949.

Best Time to Visit

LAX has nine passenger terminals and 132 gates arranged along a U-shaped or horseshoe layout. Transfer between terminals can be done via shuttle bus, or through various walkways, passages, and tunnels. Terminals 1 to 8 are housed in the Main Airport Terminal Building, while the ninth, Terminal B, is located at the west end of the passenger terminal area between Terminals 3 and 4. Named Tom Bradley International Terminal after the first African-American and longest-serving mayor of Los Angeles, it was opened for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, hosts 29 airlines, and serves 10 million passengers a year. Sitting on 3,500 acres (1,400 hectares) of land, LAX has four parallel runways, a heliport, and 2,000,000 square feet (190,000 square meters) of cargo facilities. The LAX is a great choice for visitors headed to El Segundo, Lennox, Malibu, and Hawthorne, as well as Manhattan Beach, Hermosa, and Redondo Beaches.

What to Do & Area Attractions

While there are no hotels within Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but the Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport next to Terminal 1 is less than half a mile away and offers free 24-hour transfer service. You can book your stay at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Los Angeles-International Airport, or at the luxurious Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport, which are both 1km from LAX airport and likewise have free 24-hour shuttle service.