Airport Guide

History of LAX

What is now one of the busiest and most iconic airports on the planet started life in the 1930s as little more than a dirt landing strip with no terminal situated in the outskirts of the city. LAX was originally named Mines Field after the real estate broker who acquired the farmland upon which it is stood, though it took its present name in 1941, by which point its first building, Hangar Number One, had been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Increased demand for air travel led to an inevitable rapid expansion, with LAX becoming the first airport in the world where a major road was made to pass under the runway. Notable additions to the massive campus include the [FLYING] lying saucer-esque Theme Building, completed in 1961 and renovated in 1997, while millions were invested in the airport in the run up to the 1980 LA Olympic Games.

More recently, 14 glass cylinders were constructed just outside of the airport, giving passengers arriving by night a spectacular light show.

Travelling to LAX

Given its size, LAX is served by its own major loop road, which in turn connects the airport to downtown LA. That said, even those unfamiliar with this part of California will find it easy to navigate, though many will probably prefer to jump into a taxi to ensure they get to their departure gate on time.

Far quicker than a private car are the regular buses which run 24 hours a day between various points of the city and the terminal buildings. Taking advantage of special lanes on the highway, the buses take hardly any time at all, with a one-way trip costing just $4.

Likewise, it's also possible to get onto LA's Metro system soon after disembarking by making use of the special shuttle running between the airport and the Aviation station on the green line. Plans are in place to extend the Metro right into the airport, though this has been the case for some years and has always been hit by budgetary concerns.

For travellers thinking of flying into LA, it may be worth noting that Bob Hope Airport is better located for Hollywood, while John Wayne Airport is closer to Disneyland.

Airlines Flying from LAX

With flights leaving every few minutes westwards to the Pacific and Australasia, eastwards to the rest of the US and Europe and southwards to Latin America, it is not surprising that LAX is used by dozens of different carriers offering routes to hundreds of varied destinations (currently 87 domestic and 69 international destinations).

The airport is a major hub for United Airlines, as well as a focus city for American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines, which serve most international destinations between them.

As well as the US-based carriers, Lufthansa and Air France both operate two services a day between LAX and their native countries, while Mexicana Airlines hops over the border and offers affordable links to South America.