Inside the Busiest International Airport Terminal in the USA

The Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) is the primary international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and is the largest and busiest international terminal in the United States. It is located on the western end of the airport, between Terminals 3 and 4. TBIT is named after Tom Bradley, the first African-American mayor of Los Angeles.
TBIT opened in 1984 and was recently renovated in 2013 and 2021. The terminal has a total of 159 gates, spread over three concourses: the North Concourse (gates 130-134), the South Concourse (gates 150-159), and the West Gates (gates 201-225).
TBIT is home to a variety of airlines, including Aeroflot, Air Berlin, Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Copa Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, Icelandair, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
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[@YellowProductions]

✅ You might enjoy watching my video about "Why Everyone Hates LAX": kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXfHeJign7tmo8k ✅ Or all of my travel guides on Los Angeles in this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLOVadUHX1B-KpaZG7l8jjT6Hjmg3SUFgP

[@OneOldGuy]

Thank you for the perfect timing of this video as I'll be "navigating" through Bradley for the first time in 5 years only a week from now. Very helpful to have this visual guide before arriving. Headed to Singapore where I found your videos there some of the most informative and helpful for this first-time visitor.

[@RoTheEvil]

I fly ANA to Tokyo Haneda from this terminal. Can't wait till my next trip there! TBIT is pretty nice!

[@StamfordBridge]

My least favorite thing about the Bradley terminal? Absolutely nowhere to sit!

[@BillGreenAZ]

Chris, I believe I commented on this terminal in your previous LAX video but I just have to say this video is good timing as I plan to fly to the Philippines in a few months and I'll be flying out of this Bradley International Terminal. What's more important is when I first flew out of here on my assignment to Singapore for a few months over a decade ago. I'm still friends with some people there and I try to visit whenever I can so this building brings back special memories for me. Thanks for posting. Edit: I forgot to mention 800 Degrees Pizza. I'm glad you showed them in this video. I loved their pizza when I was last there in February of 2020.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Bill!

[@cblord5]

The key element at LAX is that Domestic and International flights are available at all terminals and not just one. Many airports divide airlines into separate groups, but LAX cannot afford to do that with over 70 airlines which operate at this airport. Do not come to the terminal you “think” your airline “should” be located. Go to their ticket counters first and then change terminals if necessary. An entire terminal and gate numbering system is coming by 2025 for the entire airport once the APM comes online.

[@angelicasoup638]

I missing la airport. Thank you for sharing this.

[@louietenace6163]

Good video Chris. Travelling into LAX next year, that was a good look. Would love to see a reverse video coming into LAX and how long it takes to get through customs and ways of getting transport from arrivals to tourist areas and train station

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Louie.. I'll add your idea to my list 😀

[@jameshiga8077]

Hi Chris. Thanks for the walking tour. This is the only way that I will see this airport, unless I have no other options but to go thru LAX.Take care.

[@YellowProductions]

Good plan!

[@spellkitty]

Another great video. We were there a few weeks ago flying from LA to Australia at midnight, it was a long day!

[@YellowProductions]

Yeah. Thats a long flight after a full day!

[@spellkitty]

@@YellowProductions thanks for your videos, I watched them before we flew out and they were very helpful

[@YellowProductions]

@@spellkitty my pleasure!

[@glenwest6079]

Great video like always Chris. I really didn't see any charges outlets on the seats. I will have to check it out the next time I'm there or unless I couldn't see them in the video but I have found LAX is the only airport that big that is really behind of the times. Even smaller airport are more convenient

[@YellowProductions]

Yeah.. LAX has alot of catching up to do 😀

[@BrianKitching-wv5nh]

Thanks for the video,why flew into and out of terminsl 3 when we came here on holiday to L.A in 1996

[@jorastv5190]

newsubs here,thanks for the video my flight is end of january,got some tips about lax airport,thank u❤

[@NostalgiaMan]

Good ol LAX. The hell of life lol

[@Travelers4Good]

Chris, we have and upcoming trip to Japan & Thailand from SJC via LAX & Haneda. We booked an early (first morning) SWA flight from SJC to LAX that provided us with a 3:45 layover in LAX prior to boarding UA to Haneda. SWA cancelled our flight and rebooked us on the next flight 1:15 later, which now gives us just 2:30 to transfer from terminal 1 to terminal 7. We only have carry-on luggage. Based on your LAX expertise, do you feel that is a safe transfer time from a domestic terminal 1 arrival to an international terminal 7 departure? Thank you for all the expert travel information you bring to KZbin.

[@YellowProductions]

Yeah... 2 hours is plenty.. the "walk" from Terminal 1 to Terminal 7 is probably about 45 minutes if you do it airside. It's about 15 minutes if you leave security and walk outside.. they are opposite sides of the horseshoe

[@mathewmclean9128]

When I traveled to Thailand in February, I got to LAX super early. I departed out of gate 159 in terminal B, but I had plenty of time to explore before departure. I had more than enough time to walk to the 200 gates and explore end to end and walk back through the tunnel AND still had time to go to the Centurion lounge for lunch before heading to gate 159. That tunnel to the 200 gates is awesome. It's beautiful with the very colorful lights and interesting mix of music that is played throughout the tunnel. It's actually one of my favorite parts of the whole airport.

[@YellowProductions]

Nice!

[@KidBako]

It has been some years since our last flight to Hawaii so your video was very helpful showing the flight board with the Hawaiian Airlines flights and gates. A bit further you also show the way to the lower level via the escalators in order to get to the gates beyond the taxiway. Since we plan to travel more now that we are retired, we obtained our TSA PreCheck known traveler number. We have a flight booked to Kauai in April and would like to ask you a question: With two pieces of luggage to check in, would you recommend checking in directly at the flight counter or via a kiosk then drop off our luggage. Any recommendation will be appreciated - thank you.

[@YellowProductions]

Hi Kid -- I'd check your luggage in which ever way had the shortest line when you get there 😉

[@danielleporter1829]

When I was 10, I (Circa 1992( I believe post L.A Riots), I went down to City Hall and had a photo op with Tom Bradley. Arranged through a former church member who'd been on the Mayor's security detail and my godfather who at the time was the Executive director of the Port LA and had worked in Tom Bradley's administration in the 80's. Tom Bradley was a very nice man , i had a Polaroid pic taken With the Mayor and mom and was given a glossy signed B&W Headshot of the mayor. My mom and I flew out of TBIT on British Airways in 2008 on our first and only trip to Europe. We were upgraded to world traveller status by the BA counter associate after she found out that it was our first trip abroad, my mom's retirement from nursing trip and my early college graduation gift trip.

[@gilbertocarmona6295]

Good memories... My family and I used this terminal when we came back to Brazil. That time still there were water plastic botles. It's sound a little strange they bane water but accept soda. Probably it's because they don't fill soda. 😁

[@YellowProductions]

Yeah... the whole plastic water bottle ban boggles my mind

[@nylonyt228]

i think jfk and miami have more international arrivals, but los Angeles is one airport where all or almost all international arrivals come through tbit. also curious, where do you get the statistics that tbit is the busiest international terminal in the us?

[@cblord5]

Key word is “almost”. Not all international arrivals process through TBIT. TBIT just has the customs facility open for the most hours of the day. Other terminals have International processing as well, not just TBIT. This is another layer which confuses the general public.

[@tinatturner7879]

Can you please walk from customs to terminal 3? 🙏

[@cblord5]

The difficult part of your question is that there are more than one customs arrival points at the airport. If you arrive into the USA, you will be forced to connect by street walking or taking the Terminal Shuttle Connector. During peak periods, walking is faster than the shuttle.

[@AllyMcLesbian]

Pret in Los Angeles?!? That's news to me! Always loved seeing (and eating) Pret in London, New York, and Hong Kong, but no luck in Los Angeles.

[@YellowProductions]

Yup! And in fact this is the only Pret in LA

[@cblord5]

All of the vendors are managed by Westfield URW at LAX. Every single vendor is franchised and this is why In N Out will never come inside the terminals at LAX.

[@tinatturner7879]

When you arrive from international flight at lax, do you only go to customs? Or do you have to go to tsa security too after customs?

[@cblord5]

If you arrive internationally into the USA, you are required by USA law to retrieve your baggage and recheck the bag for connection. This is not necessary from some Canada destinations…only overseas carriers. If you connect to another airline, you must go through TSA Screening again. If you land at your destination airport, there is no need for additional screening after customs.

[@pointstraveler]

Are all of the terminals now connected post-security? Basically, if I’m flying out of terminal 1 then would I be able to access the Amex lounge in Tom Bradley without having to leave security?

[@YellowProductions]

Yup yup! As about 3 weeks ago all of the terminals are connected airside. So yes.. you can walk from T1 to TBIT for the lounge then back

[@cblord5]

Yes. Post security all terminals are connected. It’s not simple, but it is possible. A walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal 7 is roughly 40 minutes.

[@michaelc8651]

USD6.00 for a cupcake? I was at TBIT last week and had to sit down after seeing the price of a 1 pound box of See's Candies in one of the stores. USD40.00!

[@YellowProductions]

Ooof!

[@sharonbennett3318]

I am glad lax ban selling plastic terminal

[@Twinsen764]

I don't want to be too greedy, but maybe the next LIVE STREAM could about DEALING WITH TRAFFIC! Btw the hate the horseshoe traffic too.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the suggestion 😀

[@cblord5]

You’ll love the APM when it opens. 10 minutes from the La Cienega to TBIT via train. All drop offs and pick ups can be supported via the new Rental Car Facility. However, ADA simplicity will still be best using the “horseshoe”.

[@Twinsen764]

Never have, never will drive in LA

[@Christof44]

which floor is connector with T3?

[@cblord5]

Level 5. Go to PF Changs restaurant and the connector is behind the restaurant.

[@finned958]

Best to fly out of Ontario if you find the flight. Traffic into LAX is the worst. Takes an extra 30 to 45 minutes.

[@YellowProductions]

Agreed

[@MarioTheGoose]

I used to fly every week while working as a sales rep out of San Clemente. I could choose any airport from San Diego to L.A. But over time I found LAX the most dependable for getting back home. Bad weather, disasters, you name it, there is always a plane going to LAX.

[@JobyCA749]

@@MarioTheGoose My "home" airport, I guess, would be considered John Wayne/SNA. But I will often go with LAX only because I don't want to connect. If I'm going to JFK, they do have nonstops there, as well as Newark, from SNA. But traveling internationally, I will always go LAX. I do'n't want to transfer through DFW or ORD (on American), Denver or Newark (on United), or Atlanta (on Delta) to an international destination when I can get there nonstop from LAX. All of those hubs are in areas of potentially horrible weather at various times throughout the year; I just don't want to risk delays or cancellations because of weather. LAX can be a pain, but I have had pretty good luck with it. As many will note, the worst part is the traffic in and out of the airport, rather than the airport experience itself. True though that if you are coming into TBIT on certain given nights or times of the day, it's absolute craziness as so many flights are arriving from all over the world, simultaneously and that can make passport/customs an ordeal. Great videos, by the way!

[@Christof44]

Brother.. How can get terminal 3 from Tom Bradley terminal ? i have to leave TB and go outside on shuttle bus or have some other idea?

[@YellowProductions]

It's all connected airside now.. as of about a month ago you can just walk.. although if you're arriving on an international flight you'll have to clear customs and go through security again

[@Christof44]

@@YellowProductions Ok ,but when i get T3 from TBIT then i have to do again customs and immigration or just move to gate?? sorry its will be my first flight to US and im scared because its not same like in Europe ..Btw if u can could u write which floor on TB is customs and connection with T3?? thx

[@YellowProductions]

@Christof44 Hi Christof -- it sort of depends what airport you are flying in to the USA from.. if you are flying from an international Airport that has USA personnel there (some do) then you'll clear US Customs before you arrive in the USA. Otherwise, you'll clear customs and immigration at LAX. Either way if you checked luggage you'll have to claim your luggage on the ground floor of TBIT and recheck it in. T3 is just next to TBIT -- there a big signs that says CONNECTIONS after baggage claim on the ground floor. Just follow those.

[@Christof44]

@@YellowProductions I arrive on Tom Bradley terminal then have 5hours on next flight from T3 to Honolulu ..Question is after customs on TBIT terminal i have to do check in on T3 and again secirity or what ? sorry its looks a bit complicated for me

[@YellowProductions]

@Christof44 The good news is 5 hours is plenty of time! Where are you arriving in to TBIT from?

[@user-hs3hm1lc1l]

My primary issue is getting to the LAX terminal. If you're flying into LAX using the LAX-it is easy. If you're flying out of LAX it's one of life's great nightmares since they closed the two lanes, and dedicated them to shuttles the traffic is an absolute nightmare so my question is can I be dropped off at The LAX-it lot and use the shuttle to get to the terminal to avoid the 30 to 60 minute traffic nightmare? Does that mean the bus will not allow you on, to get to the terminal? Seems like a creative solution to the terminal nightmare, that LAX has become. Management at LAX has to be some of the worst in the country. No creativity. TSA can also be a nightmare.

[@canyonoverlook9937]

What is the water sold in at LAX if they don't have plastic bottles? water in a sort of milk carton?

[@YellowProductions]

Aluminum and paper carton like milk

[@Castielj]

Last time I visited London I lived on Pret sandwiches ! At supermarkets here it's rare to see any flavors besides chicken, egg, and tuna salad, but Pret has more gourmet flavors than I can remember. So if you're in London and don't like to waste time & money at restaurants, I strongly recommend them. More still if your hotel room has a mini fridge to store a few.

[@YellowProductions]

Pret is super tasty!

[@valerianthemackiii5896]

🤔 - Why cant all airports in USA be same? Some airports are so confusing and especially if they have constructions going on? 😭

[@cblord5]

This is because airports are public entities and are owned by cities, private owners, or government municipalities. In the case of LAX, this airport was designed in the mid 1960’s and did not conceive the population boom of the 70’s or the security measures of the 2000’s. “Band-aid” construction for growth with new build out to support the changes in aviation have created a massive rat maze for LAX. Everything is federally funded which comes with limitations and restrictions. Airports must build using the lowest cost options for construction. Nothing is simple and there are no new airports being built in the region (in fact airports are heavily under attack in Southern California with SMO closing in 2028 and others possibly soon after). LAX will always squeeze more in as long as the population continues to explode and space becomes less available.

[@aubattler]

Only in America do they ban buying a water though allow you still to buy a sugary soda in a plastic bottle...

[@YellowProductions]

Makes so much sense doesn't it?

[@josiahschaffer9652]

That’s why those of us live in Orange County travel to LA as little as possible.

[@cblord5]

Yet the city of Irvine chose not to make MCAS El Toro into an Orange County International Airport. This was a win for Los Angeles, but a nightmare for the community.

[@ihatelittletitties]

That self kiosk when you entered , you mentioned is for checking carry ons & if so does it work for every airline or just the ones at the terminal? I have an international with united & i'm a time crunch.

[@YellowProductions]

At LAX the kiosks are generally for the airlines in that particular terminal

[@cblord5]

The kiosk only works for the airlines which support the kiosk program. It is not available for all airlines. American does have access to print boarding passes at the kiosks in Isle C of TBIT, but no baggage support.