LAX Announces Expanded Services for Thanksgiving Travel

Expanded FlyAway Service, a new shuttle to Century City and Santa Monica, and free public transit through Dec. 2

Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX
Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX | Photo: LAX

Thanksgiving is always one of the busiest travel periods, and with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) forecasting a record number of travelers this year, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced expanded FlyAway Service, a new shuttle to Century City and Santa Monica, and free public transit from the airport. The special holiday services are available now through Monday, December 2.

The busiest travel days are expected to be the Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving, December 1 and 2, with an estimated 246,000 passengers. Departing guests should plan to arrive in the terminal at least two hours before the boarding time for domestic flights and three hours before the boarding time for international flights. On the busiest days, guests should plan for at least an extra hour to get to and through the airport, as well as expecting heavy traffic in the Central Terminal Area (CTA) and lines to get shuttles and at LAX-it.

Following the jump is an overview of the expanded LAX Thanksgiving travel services. For detailed info, including fares and schedules, visit the LAX Holiday Transit Guide.

 

REAL TIME UPDATES

The @FlyLAXStats Twitter account provides regular updates on traffic conditions and parking availability at CTA garages and Economy Lot E. This real time data can also be found at www.FlyLAX.com, which also has predictions for traffic congestion throughout the day in addition to the real time information.

Parking garages in the CTA and Lot E are expected to reach capacity during Thanksgiving holiday, so guests who hope to park in those locations are encouraged to monitor conditions on the website and Twitter.

On Tuesday evening, November 26, LAWA is expecting a disruption of traffic and possibly operations during rush hour because of a labor action that will be taking place across the country. Those traveling to LAX need to be prepared for possible road closures or detours between noon and 8 p.m. Passengers should follow @FlyLAXAirport on Twitter for updates on impacts during the labor action.

FlyAway drop off at Terminal 5 | Photo: LAX
FlyAway drop off at Terminal 5 | Photo: LAX

FlyAway Service

Easy, fast and affordable, LAX FlyAway is offering expanded service with more frequency and more seat availability during the holidays.

FlyAway shuttles get to use the "fast lane" inner curbs once inside LAX, guaranteeing a fast trip to and around LAX. When leaving LAX, catch the FlyAway shuttles just outside of baggage claim on the inside curb. FlyAway stations are located at Union Station (Downtown LA), Hollywood, Van Nuys Airport (VNY), and Long Beach.

One-way fares to/from LAX:

  • Union Station: $9.75
  • Hollywood: $8.00
  • Long Beach: $9.00
  • Van Nuys: $9.75

For real-time bus locations and schedules, visit the FlyAway website. You can download a PDF of the FlyAway Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule here.

LAX Holiday Shuttle

New this year, the LAX Holiday Shuttle offers van service to and from locations in Century City and Santa Monica for $10 one-way. The 10- and 20-person vans leave every hour between 5 a.m. and midnight daily (except Thanksgiving Day) through December 2. Find more information at www.FlyLAX.com/HolidayTransit.

Public Transit

Now through December 2, LAX is offering free trips on all Los Angeles Metro buses, Torrance Transit, the Big Blue Bus and Culver City buses. Guests need to take the LAX shuttle to the LAX City Bus Center and show a boarding pass to receive the free trip.

LAX is also offering free trips on the Metro Green Line for guests who board at Aviation Station. Guests need to take the LAX "G Shuttle" to the LAX City Bus Center and show a boarding pass to qualify for the free trip. The Green Line connects to the Silver Line (Bus Rapid Transit) and A Line (light rail, formerly the Blue Line) for service to Downtown Los Angeles.

LAX-it Shuttle Bus
LAX-it Shuttle Bus | Photo: LAWA

LAX-it 

Guests who are leaving LAX via taxi or ride app vehicles (Uber, Lyft, Opoli) can walk to the recently opened LAX-it lot at 9610 Sky Way, across from Terminal 1, or take one of the green LAX-it shuttles from stops located throughout the CTA on the Lower/Arrivals Level. Shuttles arrive every 3-5 minutes and stop at no more than two terminals.

LAX staff is available at each shuttle stop to help with luggage as well as provide directions. At the LAX-it lot, guests will find taxis as well as ride app vehicles. Taxi and ride app vehicles continue to drop off guests curbside on the Upper/Departures Level.

For more info, visit the official LAX-it website.

New Terminal B Pick-up

Also new this fall is the free Terminal B Pickup area on the ground floor of Parking Structure 3. Due to Automated People Mover-related construction in front of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, curb space has been reduced, making it more difficult to pick up arriving guests. The new pickup area features four lettered rows where motorists can pick up passengers. This option is only for private vehicles, and no parking is allowed.

"LAX From Daylight Into Darkness" | Photo: Mike Kelley
"LAX From Daylight Into Darkness" | Photo: Mike Kelley

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