Navigating the holiday rush: tips for a smooth LAX experience

Saturday, December 23, 2023

As the winter holiday season approaches, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) gears up for a bustling period, expecting over 4 million passengers between December 14 and January 3. The anticipated 12% increase in travelers compared to last year calls for strategic planning and preparation to ensure a smooth journey.

Beatrice Hsu, Interim CEO of Los Angeles World Airports, advises passengers to anticipate a daily average of 211,000 travelers during the 21-day holiday period. To ease the potential hassles associated with increased airport traffic, LAX recommends several proactive measures.

One key recommendation is to arrive early. Early birds not only catch the proverbial worm but also avoid the stress of last-minute rushes. Additionally, pre-booking parking at FlyLAX.com ensures a guaranteed parking space, with the added incentive of a 10% discount on general and premium parking in the Central Terminal Area (CTA) garages using the promo code MERRY10 until December 31, 2023.

To tackle heavy vehicle traffic in the CTA, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) Traffic Control Officers and Airport Police Traffic Control Officers will be on hand to direct traffic. With parking garages nearing full capacity, reserving a parking space in advance becomes crucial, and the new LAX Budget Parking facility, LAX Economy Parking, and CTA garages offer pre-booking options.

For those picking up or dropping off passengers, curbside pickup and drop-off are permitted on the Upper/Departures and Lower/Arrivals levels, with the first 15 minutes of parking structures being free. Additionally, two cell phone waiting lots are open to reduce traffic volume around the CTA.

Passengers are encouraged to stay informed about roadway construction and closures by following posted signage and using the new interactive airport map for real-time traffic updates.

For those utilizing rideshare and public transportation, options like LAX-it for taxi and ride app vehicles and FlyAway® bus service to Union Station and Van Nuys provide convenient alternatives.

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