American Airlines is a major US carrier that concentrates its traffic flow from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Los Angeles is a major city serving as a major gateway for carriers. The LAX airport is a hub for American Airlines to operate a number of premium transcontinental and long-haul routes out of it. The LAX airport has a total of 9 terminals, including terminal B, to handle passenger traffic. Terminal 4 and terminal 5 of Los Angeles Airport serve American Airlines’ operations. LAX American Airlines Terminal 4 consists of 16 gates (40-49) divided into departure levels and arrivals levels. Similarly, terminal 5 consists of 15 gates (gates 50-59) and caters to Air Canada, JetBlue, and Spirit flights along with some American Airlines flights. American Airlines uses Terminals 4 and 5 for passenger check-in and Terminal B for international passengers’ arrival.
LAX American Airlines Terminal 4
Exclusively used for American Airlines flights, Terminal 4 of Los Angeles Airport handles flight arrivals, but the passenger disembarking is performed at Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). Terminal B consists of gates 130-225 comprising Departures level, Ticketing level, and Arrivals level.
The first level of Terminal 4 comprises arrivals and baggage claim areas. The second level consists of departures and ticketing levels. 40-49 boarding gates are allocated here.
LAX American Airlines Terminal Lounges and Clubs
- American Airlines Admirals Club, Terminal 4 and 5
Located on the concourse level across from gate 40, American Airlines Admirals Club opens from 4:30 am to 1 am and provides complimentary food and drinks, a full-service bar, complimentary Wi-Fi, conference rooms, TV, Internet terminal, among others. Admirals Club at terminal 5 is located near Duty-Free, opens from 5 am to 12 am without availing any conference rooms.
- American Airlines Flagship Lounge
Although temporarily closed, LAX American Airlines Terminal 4 is home to the famous Flagship Lounge that supports the people behind America’s food culture. Located near gate 40, it delivers chef-inspired delicious meals, premium wine tables, personalized service, expansive seating, specialty cocktail bar, shower suites, and many more.
Ticket counters for American Airlines flight
LAX American Airlines Terminal 4 allows passenger check-in for gates 40-49 and 110-159 daily from 4:30 am-12 am, whereas terminal 5 for gates 50-59 daily from 5 am-3 pm. American Airlines avails TSA PreCheck; mobile boarding passes, priority benefits, curbside check-in, self-service check-in, TDD service, etc., at LAX airport terminal.
Also Read: What terminal is Alaska Airlines at lax, A guide for lax terminal 6
Facilities/ Amenities at terminal 4 departure level
Home to only American Airlines, Terminal 4 of Los Angeles Airport features the following services and amenities:
- American Airlines customer service
American Airlines Customer service at departure level assists its passengers regarding reservations and ticket changes, delayed or canceled flights, AAdvantage award travel, receipts, and refunds, baggage, trip insurance, special assistance, etc., promptly and courteously.
- Nursing Room
Nursing moms can find a nursing room by the Sunglass Hut. Traveling with kids becomes much easier as mama-friendly LAX airport acknowledges the need to pump or nurse in a clean and private place before going on long flights.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi at LAX
Free Wi-Fi service helps passengers stay connected online while traveling for a session of 45 minutes.
- Marvin’s Shoe Shine Complimentary
Travelers can upgrade their style with the services offered by Marvin’s Shoe Shine Complimentary.
- Currency exchange provided by ICE
- Shopping
DFS Duty-Free, Entertainment Weekly Newsstand, See’s Candy, Sunglass Hut, Destination LA are some of the shopping points for departing passengers.
- Food and beverages
Homeboy Café, Sammy’s Woodfire Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, La Provence Patisserie, etc., serve diverse and sophisticated food and beverage requirements for rushing passengers, including traditional favorites, Los Angeles specialties, and many more.
At Arrivals level
- Luggage Carts provided by Smart Carts
- Service Animal Relief Station
Animal relief station takes care of furry friends; they are equipped with disposal bags, fire hydrants, synthetic grass, etc.
- Ground transportation
Ground transportation includes LA Access, LAX-it Taxi, Lyft, Uber, Opoli Rental Cars, FlyAway, etc.
LAX American Airlines Terminal 5 services and amenities
A recently completed $229 million modernization facility at terminal 5 delivers a seamless passenger journey with an expanded ticketing lobby, expanded security screening checkpoints queuing, new passenger boarding bridges, aesthetic enhancements along with the refreshed appearance, and additional service benefits for premium passengers; all to transform first and last impression of people who fly in and out of region every day.
- XpressSpa
It is located at Departures level, 50B gate after Security.
- Dining
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf are the only dining options before the security checkpoints while a wide array of options such as Coffee Bar, Farmers Market to Go, Ford’s Filling Station, Lemonade, Loteria, Rock, and Brews, Donburi Bistro, etc. are available after the security checkpoint.
- Shopping
Travelers can shop a wide assortment of last-minute travel essentials at See’s Candies, Magic Johnson Sports, I love L.A, Rip Curl, DFS Duty-Free, etc., after the security checkpoint.
- Foreign exchange facility provided by ICE
- Restroom- Family (East End)
- Nursing room, an animal relief station
Popular American Airlines flights to/from Los Angeles
American Airlines serves customers flying from Los Angeles to destinations like Miami (MIA), Dallas (DFW), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Chicago (ORD), Honolulu (HNL), Orlando (MCO), Boston (BOS), New York (NYC), Las Vegas (LAS), Charlotte (CLT), London (LHR), Cabo San Lucas (SJD), Phoenix (PHX), Nashville (BNA), etc.
Interterminal transfers
Passengers trying to transfer between terminals can
- Walk airside through an overground passage connecting terminals Tom Bradley, 4,5,6,7, and 8.
- Use bus after security check to move within terminal 2, terminal 3, and Terminal Tom Bradley.
- Use free shuttles to Economy Lot E from terminals
Modernization project terminal 4
LAX American Airlines Terminal 4 is undergoing a modernization project that combines the headhouse entrances of terminals 4 and 5 to create a 300,000 SF centralized facility including a unified departure hall, new south concourse in terminal 4. The new facility on terminals 4 and 5 is expected to be completed in June 2028 that will provide new check-in areas, ticket-counters, baggage system operations, as well as secured side connection to permit free movements between TBIT, terminal 4, and terminal 5. The new facility by modernization of terminal 4 and 5 will create a world-class, seamless customer experience for American Airlines passengers that start right at the airport entrance and ends on the aircraft.
American Airlines is a partner in terminals’ construction expected to cost a total of $1.62 billion, a substantial multi-year commitment. The airline’s multi-year construction project highlights the carrier’s plan to operate a modern hub at LAX. It will include connecting terminals to Automated People Mover Train, two security screening checkpoints, etc. Terminal 4 will encompass a new south concourse with extra room for concession, restrooms, hold rooms, and bus gates to accommodate domestic and international traffic. Improvements regarding passenger movement and rebuilding of two existing aircraft gates will be made to the north concourse.
Modernized LAX American Airlines Terminal 4 and 5 will create an entirely reimagined customer experience from end to end that reflects on LAX’s gold-standard vision with state-of-the-art finishes that is environmentally sustainable, innovative, and exceptional. Upgraded gate area amenities, expanded retail, and dining options offer the best design, technology, and passenger experiences to deliver on the promise of transformed LAX.
The new terminal 4 and 5 CORE structure is set to kick off in October 2022 and bid goodbye to terminal 4’s aging terminal design. As American Airlines and its subsidiaries exclusively operate out of T4, the completely modernized facility will dramatically improve customer experience and reduce congestion in the future.
LAX is important for American Airlines flights
There are a number of reasons why American Airlines consider Los Angeles Airport significant. It doesn’t pull out of Los Angeles as it sees more transpacific service out of LAX. The new joint venture with Qantas has further increased the importance of LAX for American Airlines to resume operations to destinations across the US.
American’s A321T, a three-class aircraft to win premium passengers, is deployed on Los Angeles-New York route. The premium service by this specialized fleet holds an excellent offering for passengers on this route. LAX American Airlines Terminal has the audacity to keep up Los Angeles’ special gateway status.
Passenger movements during the pandemic period
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, American Airlines suspended services to several destinations. The largest carrier by fleet size, American Airlines reduced staff, canceled thousands of flights nationwide. Similarly, the global pandemic wreaked havoc on passenger movements, resulting in the biggest drop in flights in LAX history. The airport is slowly restoring its capacity and trying to stabilize with the choppy recovery of the airline industry.
LAX airport accelerated contactless and self-service system during the pandemic period along with the construction of highly anticipated Automated People Mover that connects the airport to the Metro Crenshaw station.
About American Airlines
American Airlines is the largest airline in the world by fleet size, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that flies to an extensive network of more than 350 destinations. The airline operates out of 10 hubs, including Los Angeles Airport, to serve millions of passengers daily.
