Beat of Hawaii flew to Los Angeles yesterday on Hawaiian Airlines flight 10 from Honolulu, and we’ll have much more to say about that coming right up. In the meantime, let this serve as a tip on what to expect after leaving the plane and navigating to baggage claim at LAX.
Late last year, Hawaiian moved from Terminal 5 shared with their partners JetBlue and American, among others, to Terminal B/Tom Bradley International Terminal. Sounds okay, right? In theory, this would improve the passenger experience and provide enhanced shopping and other amenities. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
Here’s our experience of their new location after our A330 wide-body pulled at the last of the west gates in Terminal B.
1 1/3 mile walk from the gate to baggage claim or check-in to the gate.
No matter whether you’re arriving or departing LAX, you need to be prepared and arrive early. We entered a veritable maze starting soon after the arrival gate, which snaked mysteriously through the airport. It included escalators up, down, and many very long corridors. In a word, it was disorienting after disembarking from a 5-hour flight from Hawaii.
No Hawaiian Air lounge at LAX.
Hawaiian mentioned that there were more food and beverage options in the new international terminal, plus lounges. It must be pointed out, however, that Hawaiian no longer has any lounges other than at its Hawaii airport locations.
When Jeff checked back in at LAX this morning for his flight to Maui, he asked the ticketing agent about the new location. He was told that it catches many visitors off-guard, as they aren’t expecting the 15-minute “brisk walk” required to get to the gate. “Some people have actually missed their flights,” according to the agent.
Is Tom Bradley International Terminal even relevant for west-coast-centric Hawaiian?
While it is now much easier to transit between other international carriers and Hawaiian, that is obviously a small part of their business. For the bulk of their passengers who are starting and ending on the west coast, this is a big nuisance, at least for now, and there’s more.
Hawaiian Airlines flights from LAX.
The airline flies three times daily to Honolulu, at 7 am, 10 am, and 6 pm. They also fly once each day from LAX to the three neighbor islands. So it seems that the choice of terminals is important.
When the move occurred, the airline said, “Hawaiian’s guests traveling to and from Hawai’i via LAX will enjoy a modern and comfortable facility featuring more amenities, expanded dining and shopping options, and a spacious gate area.”
Options for guests regarding the limited amenities.
What we found this morning is that there was almost nothing open anywhere near the gates Hawaiian uses. Instead, the only dining options were located soon after check-in and before embarking on the very long walk. For most people unaware of the circumstances, there would not be time to return to where these amenities are currently located.
What guests can do who don’t want to walk 1 1/3 miles?
Many porter-driven golf carts were located at both ends of the very long passageways. There are escalators, but there are also elevators. So either using the golf carts or limiting some walking via the elevators is possible.
We suggest that Hawaiian Airlines’ guests, who can walk reasonably quickly, plan on an extra 20 minutes at LAX after security or before heading to baggage claim. There will also be crowded areas, and the signage to baggage claim is definitely lacking.
What’s your experience with Hawaiian at LAX?
Disclosure: We receive a small commission on purchases from some of the links on Beat of Hawaii. These links cost you nothing and provide income necessary to offer our website to you. Mahalo! Privacy Policy and Disclosures.
Pat P says
There are non stop flights to Honolulu from San Diego and. San Diego is an easy airport to get to, Park, and it is a small airport. It may be worth the drive. The nonstop leaves at 8:30 am so the drive down is pretty fast.
Gloria A says
I just arrived in Oahu from LAX. The amount of walking is exhausting, especially if you have heavy carry-on luggage. Fortunately for me, I tore the ligaments of my left ankle, so I had to walk with a boot. I requested a wheelchair and was able to avoid all the walking. It is a very long walk, I recommend you get a wheelchair if you are over 70 yrs of age, or you won’t be able to make your flight! The change Hawaiian Airlines made is not for the traveler , but for the benefit of Hawaiian Airlines. Not sure why Hawaiian Airlines made these changes. I won’t be traveling on HA in the near future, if I have to go to LAX.
Jim T says
Hawaiian Airlines had little choice in the matter. They are small players at LAX. The word is that another major carrier (I don’t recall which one) needs and wants more gates in Terminal 5 at LAX.
My suggestion, send an email to Hawaiian Airlines and ask them to schedule an A-330 from Long Beach!
Lisa N says
Thank you for your article. We did that long walk to Hawaiian Airline gates last year and we were very disappointed. I am handicapped and there was no one driving the golf carts, they were all parked. Once at our gate, the was no restaurant or food service, only a gift shop with sandwiches and green salads. Not a good beginning to a great Hawaiian adventure. Leaving for Hawaii again next week and we prepared for the experience but not looking forward to it.
Justice says
Do Not fly through LAX!!! Had a 9 hr layover and the terminal is closed at night Had to sit by ticketing With very limited seating.Then finally when they opened Had to walk 15+ minutes with no lounge by the gates and very few services!!! LAX Sucks! Worst Airport Ever! TSA was very condescending and Rude also! But what’s new!
Debbie N says
We had already bought our tickets when we saw this article. Went to this new terminal last Sat. It was a nightmare! We walked long hallways plus, 3 moving sidewalks, plus 3 escalators and still weren’t outside. Sometimes we had to pull our bags up steep ramps. Finally we and another couple asked how to get to baggage claim. We had to go in an elevator to get there.
Ernie S. says
While reading this I sincerely felt the feeling of the unknown along with you, reminded us of searching for baggage claim in Honolulu which is for the most part unmarked. What surprises us is that the more we travel out of the country that on arrival we can find our bags easily. Even the US Airports we have flown to/from, except Honolulu, make it known where baggage is, it’s not being held hostage. Why? Another way of saying don’t visit?
Brian A. says
I agree with this article. Never again will I use Hawaiian Airlines going through or ending at LAX. Our flight was already delayed 3x in one night, the Mrs. was trying to recover from a back injury and I was left to deal with 3 younger kids and trying to corral our baggage once we did get to baggage claim. Worst experience ever.
Jim T says
I will say that Long Beach is just down the 405 Freeway from LAX and it is a dream to fly from there! Hawaiian is great!
Gloria says
For those traveling to So Orange County, John Wayne Airport (in Irvine) is the best! No long walks, and wandering along long hallways to find where “baggage claim is”. Hawaiian Airlines does not go to JWA, but many other airlines do! I agree with other readers, LAX is one of the worst airports ever!
JimT says
The only issue is that your total flight time will be several hours longer. I do not think there are any direct flights from John Wayne (SNA) to the 50th state. Your other options are south to San Diego, east to Ontario or north to Long Beach
Jim T says
Provided you are not running late, other than being a long walk to the departure gate, it is fairly easy to find, even though you make a number of turns. It is upon return to LAX and headed to baggage claim that the signage is inadequate. I don’t know if Hawaiian Airlines can do anything about it or if it is up to the LAX operators to deal with signage.
Gabriela V. says
Wow I did not know they moved! Does this mean you have to pass through customs even though you’re doing a domestic flight? It seems crazy to have everyone do a customs check to get to the mainland from Hawaii! Thanks for the reply!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Gabriela.
No, you do not go through customs. It’s just in the same terminal.
Aloha.
Mike G says
Unfortunately LAX is a dump of an airport and sadly always will be. It wasn’t a smart move by Hawaiian to move to the mid field terminal from Terminal 5. As mentioned in the article, it is quite the hike from the ticketing counter all the way to where Hawaiian flights depart.
Jim T says
It was not a decision of Hawaiian to make the move. The powers that be at the airport do it. In the grand scheme of things Hawaiian is a small player at LAX. At first I thought it might be cool but it is one heck of a hike, particularly if you are running late!
Cindy Z says
I asked a security personnel where the Hawaiian Airlines terminal was. They chuckled and pointed at a hallway. They pointed and said, “Just keep going.” I was not prepared.
Ernie S. says
Isn’t it sad when you realize that you are about to embark on a journey that you are not prepared for. When Security “chuckles” you know that you are a part of a really bad joke.