6 things every agent needs to know about LAX
LAX is one of those airports that feels like it’s been around forever. A little bit like your grandma.
But it’s not just another airport anymore – there are changes going on – lots of changes. It’s the true gateway into the States, after all!
So to fill you in and make sure you’re ahead of the game when it comes to client bookings, we’ve got six fast, red hot tips on the fresh faced LAX.
Here they are:
1. Stay connected
A USD $115 million project is taking Terminal 4 and keeping it connected. Creating a multi-use, multi-level facility by providing a secure connection between the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) and Terminal 4.
Good news for Qantas passengers looking to transfer to American Airlines, the Terminal 4 Connector will make it quicker and more efficient to make connecting flights out of different terminals. The new CAL Green Certified space will include a Checked Baggage Inspection System, South Matrix Interline Baggage Transfer facility and a five lane Passenger Security Screening Check Point.
A Passenger Bus Port is also being added for travellers transferring between Terminals 5 through 8 and a Public Plaza will be built for outdoor seating on the upper level. For your clients, their experience will be greatly improved, reducing the walking distance between terminals and making things easier for passengers with checked baggage.
2. Rail link
The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has approved a USD$4 billion plan to transform LAX’s ground transportation and arrival and departure experience.
The future Landside Access Modernisation Program includes a new automated LAX Train that will connect passengers to the airline terminals from new facilities at the airport, including a Rental Car Centre, multiple locations for passenger pick-up and drop-off, and Metro’s planned Crenshaw Line station at 96th Street/Aviation Boulevard.
The plan is designed to relieve congestion in the Central Terminal Area (CTA) as well as on local streets surrounding the airport. Construction is expected to begin in 2017. Once completed, it will provide free, fast, reliable and convenient access to terminals for passengers and visitors to LAX 24/7, 365 days a year.
3. Aloft crops up near LAX
The Aloft El Segundo – Los Angeles Airport is the hot new hotel coming to the LAX surrounds, ideally located less than a mile from the buzzing airport hub. Now accepting reservations on or after March 1 2016, the hotel boasts design-forward guest rooms with ultra-comfortable signature beds, fast & free WiFi, plug & play connectivity stations, and Bliss® Spa amenities.
The hotel also offers a free 24-hour shuttle to ensure you’re on time for your flight, and also has the best of Los Angeles and Southern California right outside your door, including popular sites like Manhattan and Hermosa Beach just a few miles away, as are Dodger Stadium and the Staples Centre.
A number of corporate offices are minutes from the hotel as well, including Mattel, Boeing and Accenture.
4. Single rent-a-car centre
Hate the idea of traversing around looking for your car rental place? LAX knows the feeling. That’s why as part of their Modernisation Program, they will create one single Rent-A-Car Centre that will consolidate all rental car companies into one convenient location, connected to the airport by the LAX train.
This essentially improves the customer experience for visitors renting cars from LAX, eliminates the need for rental car shuttles, and provides rental car customers direct access to major freeways.
5. Kick it to the curb
The Curbside Appeal and Roadway Improvement Project will provide a new, dramatically upgraded look for LAX with the installation of modern LED street lighting, wayfinding components and a new canopy for Terminal 4.
The project will also include traffic safety and roadway improvement measures including a second level (departures) retrofit and traffic improvements to World Way South and Centre Way. Project components expand to incorporate things like the installation of custom-made sculptural LED light poles, sleek, metallic silver canopies in front of terminal facades evoking the glory days of aviation and an LED light band running the length of the Central Terminal Area.
Practical benefits include better lighting for pedestrians and motorists, a revitalised look and feel of LAX, and enhanced circulation and access infrastructure throughout the airport.
6. You don’t need to be VIP for first class tips
The www.LAXisHappening.com website has all the goods to ensure LAX continues to be the gateway to America, and not just a pretty face. On the website you’ll find tips for travelling to LAX, getting around LAX, maps for once you’re inside, and tricks to get out of LAX.
Whether you’re coming from the north, south or elsewhere to the airport, there are insider traffic shortcuts, plus traveller guides in English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.
You can even get a head-start on your journey to LAX by watching video tips on the LAX project highlights and various changes.
For more information on LAX, please visit www.LAXisHappening.com.
Main image credit: Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Latest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.