Question about flight out from LAX-When should we leave the hotel?

[SteffM]

Our flight home is at noon on a Wednesday. I have no idea why I picked this flight . I am afraid of being caught in traffic with two small children. We are taking SuperShuttle. What time should we be picked up from the hotel? How early should we be at the airport to check in? Any info would be helpful! Thanks!

 

[xmelissax]

At most airports I give myself 1 1/2 hours before the flight for domestic flights, but LAX is ALWAYS slow and hectic so I would get there atleast 2 hours ahead of time.I would plan to leave the hotel at 9 or 9:15, things can be unpredictable and it's better to be safe than sorry. That's what I do when I fly out of LAX and I live about 10 minutes from Disneyland.

 

[MrShiny]

Since you are taking the Super Shuttle, I'd allow even more time. They might have to stop at more than one hotel before going off to the airport.

You definitely want to be at LAX at 10, so I'd suggest leaving at 7:30. Most likely, you'll be cooling your heels in LAX for a while, but better than missing the flight!

Note too that LAX's security area has very little space because of the pre-security screening design, so the line may stretch pretty far outside (at least at the terminal Southwest flies out of!). It does move relatively quickly, but it could be really bad during poor weather.

I've flown out of LAX many times - they tend to be the cheapest, but do try to avoid it. You'll be fine though. For a more leisurely flight next time, i suggest San Diego. Now of course John Wayne, Long Beach and Ontario are cheaper, but the fares there tend to be high for me (Chicago). San Diego is a 90 minute drive, but it is a nice drive and the airport is a breeze to get in and out of. It's one of the few airports I've been to where they didn't have to put the post-9/11 baggage machines right out on the ticketing floor. Obviously they designed the place with plenty of room.

Also, the drive from the airport gves you lots of neat stops - Sea World, San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park (admittedly a bit inland) and Legoland.

 

[stampinshauna]

I'd talk to someone at Supershuttle and tell them what time your flight is. The shuttle companies have a good sense of how long it takes to get there at all times of the day.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I'd talk to someone at Supershuttle and tell them what time your flight is. The shuttle companies have a good sense of how long it takes to get there at all times of the day.

That is what I was going to say as well. We've always just told them what airline / flight we were on and where they were picking us up. Then they told us what time they would be there to get us. They were there about 15 min. early both times, and got us to the airport a 1 1/2- 2 hours before our flight.

 

[SteffM]

Thank you for all the information!