What Terminal is Southwest at LAX?

What terminal is Southwest Airlines in at LAX? Southwest Airlines operates its flights from Terminal 1 (T1) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). T1 has 14 gates used by Southwest. They include Gates 9 to 18B, i.e., Gates Number 9, 11A/B, 12A/B, 13–16, 17A/B, and 18A/B.

Earlier renovated in 2018, the newly designed Terminal 1 features a new ticketing area and a 9-lane security checkpoint to help you get through quickly. It also has check-in facilities for many other airlines.

Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal—Quick Facts

The table below provides a snapshot of Terminal 1, from where Southwest Airlines operates its flights.

Snapshot 

• There are 9 terminals at LAX Airport— T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, and Tom Bradley International Terminal/Terminal B. 
• Southwest Airlines’ departure terminal at LAX is Terminal 1 for both domestic and international flights. After checking in at T1 for your international flight, you’ll be taken to Terminal B (Tom Bradley International Terminal) by bus.
• Ground transport options at LAX include buses (Metro, FlyAway, etc.), trains (Metro, Amtrak), shuttles, taxis, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
• Parking options at LAX (11,000+ vehicles) include short-term and long-term parking, offsite/hotel parking, valet parking, cell phone parking lots, pick-up and drop-off parking, etc.

Layout of the Southwest Terminal at LAX

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) features a U-shaped design with a two-tiered road system, where parking is located inside the U and terminals are positioned on the outer part. Flight arrivals are on the lower level and departures are on the upper level.

LAX Airport has a total of 9 terminals, numbered 1 through 8, and Terminal B, which is also known as the Tom Bradley International Terminal. For Southwest Airlines passengers, check-in for both domestic and international flights is at Terminal 1 (international passengers will be bused to Terminal B post check-in).

About Terminal 1: Terminal 1, from where Southwest Airlines operates at LAX, is located on the airport’s northwest side It has 13 gates, i.e., Gates 9, 11A/B, 12A/B, 13-16, 17A/B, 18A/B. It also has many shops and restaurants within the secure area. Terminal 1 is connected to T3, which, in turn, connects to several other terminals within the secure area of the airport. 

If you don’t need to collect your baggage between flights, you can move between all terminals without having to re-clear security. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus to Terminal B’s West gates (the bus gate is in the connector between T1 and T3). 

• Baggage Claim is located on Level 1.
• Ticketing and check-in are located on Level 2.
• Departures are on Level 3.

Services and Amenities—Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal 

• Cafes and Restaurants: There are more than 100 cafes, bars, and restaurants at LAX (mostly within the secure area). For more information, check out the airport’s website. 
• Wi-Fi: LAX offers free Wi-Fi to passengers in the airport’s public areas. To connect, select “_LAX Free WIFI” and fire up your browser. You’ll be shown a short 15-30-second ad after which you’re good to go. For high-speed internet, try Boingo at $14.99/month.
• Charging Stations at Terminal 1 are located near Gates 15, 13, and 9.
• Lost & Found: For items lost on the aircraft, get in touch with your airline. For items misplaced at other places (public transport, shop, or restaurant), contact the company directly. You can also submit your claim online or wait for 4 days (96 hours) and check whether your lost shows up in the airport’s lost and found gallery.

Additional Information on Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal

• Information Services: Information desks are available in the arrival area of each terminal. On weekdays (Mon-Fri), they are open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends (Sat-Sun), they are open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 
• The Children’s Play Area at LAX is located on Level 4 of Terminal B.
• Travelers’ Aid: There’s no travelers’ aid center at LAX. 
• Nursing Rooms/Baby Facilities in Terminal 1 are located near Gate 13 and the ones in Terminal B are near Gates 150, 205, and 221, and near oversized baggage on Level 3. Refer to the airport’s website for details on other terminals.
• The Pet Relief Area in Terminal 1 is located near Gate 13 and baggage claim. 
• Duty-Free Shops are located in all terminals operating international flights—Terminal B and Terminals 2-8.
• Smoking Areas are situated curbside at Terminals 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and B.
• ATMs are available in the central areas of all terminals—such as the gate areas and baggage claims. Except for Terminals 1 and 8, all other terminals have currency exchange services.
• Luggage storage is not available at LAX Airport. The closest facility (LAX Luggage Storage) is at 8622 Bellanca Avenue.
• Important Phone Numbers
  • General Inquiries 855-463-5252
  • Parking 310-646-2911
  • LAX Police Lost and Found 424-646-5678

Transport Options at LAX Airport

Transport options at LAX comprise trains, public buses, shuttle services, taxis, and rideshare services.

Trains

• Amtrak: The nearest Amtrak service is located at Union Station, accessible via the FlyAway Bus directly from the airport.
• Metro Rail: To use the Metro Rail, take the complimentary airport shuttle, marked with pink “LAX” signs, from any terminal’s lower level to the LAX/Aviation Metro station. For travel to downtown Los Angeles, board the Metro Green Line and transfer to the Blue Line at the Rosa Parks/Willowbrook Station.

Bus

• FlyAway Bus: Follow signs for “FlyAway, Buses & Long Distance Vans” to reach the pick-up area. The FlyAway Bus offers direct routes to Union Station and Van Nuys, with a one-way ticket to Union Station priced at $9.75.
• Metro Bus: Access the free airport shuttle from the lower level outside each terminal in the pink “LAX” signposted area. This shuttle connects to the Metro bus station for services throughout Los Angeles and beyond.
• Other Buses (Public/Private): Local operators include Culver City Bus Lines, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and Torrance Transit.

Shuttle

Shared-ride and private-ride shuttles are available. Check with your hotel to see if they offer a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.

Taxi

• Taxi Pick-Ups:
  • LAXit lot is located to the east of Terminal 1.
  • Within parking structure 3, across from Terminal 3.
  • Outside the baggage claim area at the far end of Terminal 7.

The flat fee for a taxi ride from the airport to downtown Los Angeles, including a $4 airport surcharge, is $50.50.

Rideshare Services

Approved rideshare providers like Lyft and Uber can pick up and drop off passengers only at the upper departure level.

Parking Facilities at LAX

Official Parking

LAX offers over 11,000 parking spots, accommodating both short-term and long-term needs. Short-term parking is available in several lots along World Way, while the economy lot provides more budget-friendly rates for extended stays.

Long-Term Parking

The most economical option for long-term parking is the economy lot at 6100 W. 94th St. Free shuttles run every 15 minutes from the pink “LAX” signposted areas outside each terminal, with a travel time of 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Rates for this lot are:

• First hour: $8
• Each additional 30 minutes: $7
• Maximum 24-hour period: $35

Short-Term Parking

Short-term parking is available in lots P1, P2A, P2B, and P3–P7, with over 7,000 spaces. These centrally located lots along World Way are easily accessible by crossing the roads that circle the parking areas. Rates for these lots are:

• Standard Drive-up Parking
  • First 15 minutes: Free
  • First hour: $9
  • Each additional 30 minutes: $7
  • Maximum 24-hour period: $60
    
• Premium Parking (in P1)
  • First 15 minutes: Free
  • First hour: $11
  • Each additional 30 minutes: $9
  • Maximum 24-hour period: $70

Height Restrictions for Covered Parking

• Lots 6, 2A, and 1: Maximum height of 8 feet, 2 inches
• Lots 7, 5, and 2B: Maximum height of 7 feet
• Lots 4 and 3: Maximum height of 7 feet, 6 inches

Parking for Passengers with Disabilities

All official airport parking areas have designated spots for disabled passengers. Additionally, all shuttle buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts to ensure accessibility.

Off-Site and Hotel Parking

For the most cost-effective parking, consider off-site lots and nearby hotels, which often start at $10 per day. These locations, typically 1 to 3 miles from the airport, offer free shuttle service to and from the terminals. Websites like airportparkingreservations.com can help you compare prices and make reservations.

Valet Parking

Valet parking is available in lots P1, P3, P4, and P7 at a rate of $75 for 24 hours.

Pick-up or Drop-Off Parking

The cell phone waiting lot is located at the northwest corner of Vicksburg Avenue and 96th Street. It allows drivers to wait for up to 2 hours while picking up arriving passengers. Note that vehicles must not be left unattended in this lot.

Parking Contact Numbers

For general parking inquiries, call 310-646-2911.

Southwest Destinations from LAX

Southwest flies directly from LAX to at least 27 destinations, including:

San Francisco (SFO), Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN), Honolulu (HNL), Phoenix (PHX), San Jose (SJC), Sacramento (SMF), Atlanta (ATL), Salt Lake City (SLC), Austin (AUS), Oakland (OAK), Reno (RNO), Nashville (BNA), San Antonio (SAT), Baltimore (BWI), Kauai Island (LIH), Albuquerque (ABQ), Kailua-Kona (KOA), Tucson (TUS), Chicago (MDW), Dallas (DAL), Kansas City (MCI), New Orleans (MSY), El Paso (ELP), Houston (HOU), Saint Louis (STL), and Buffalo (BUF). For more information, refer to Where Does Southwest Fly?

Security and Customs at the Southwest Terminal, LAX 

Security Checkpoints

Every terminal at Los Angeles International Airport has a security checkpoint. However, Terminal 8 shares a checkpoint with Terminal 7. 

The estimated wait time can be checked online from the airport’s website. The checkpoints typically operate from 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. and 2.30 a.m. 

TSA PreCheck

LAX Airport has dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes to expedite screening for eligible passengers. Check the TSA schedule before traveling, as it varies by flight/terminal. 

You’ll also find an Enrollment Center in Terminal 1’s baggage claim area. If your TSA PreCheck application has been approved and you’ve received a Known Traveler Number, you’ll be able to use it at any US airport. 

Global Entry

There are Global Entry kiosks at LAX for expedited international clearance. Plus, conditionally-approved passengers can avail of enrollment-on-arrival services. While there’s no Enrollment Center at the airport, the closest one to LAX is located at 11099 S. La Cienega Boulevard. 

Mobile Passport

LAX Airport supports Mobile Passport Control, with a Wi-Fi connection dedicated for it. To avail of the service, provide the required information upon arrival. After that, present your instant receipt and passport to a Customs and Border Protection agent at the airport. 

CLEAR

Terminals 1 to 7 at LAX have CLEAR lanes for fast-track security. To avail of this, you should have enrolled yourself in advance and obtained an interview for retinal and fingerprint scanning

Inter-Terminal Transport at LAX Airport 

Outside Security 

Some of the connection tunnels at LAX have moving walkways. However, a free landside shuttle bus operates in an anti-clockwise direction, stopping every few minutes at each terminal. Those who prefer walking between terminals can use the sidewalks on the two-level road. 

Inside Security

Every terminal at LAX is connected within the secure area via airside walkways. The order in which the terminals are connected is: Terminals 1, 3, B, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. When moving within the secure area, you won’t need to clear security again, unless you’re catching a connecting flight and are required to collect your luggage and clear customs. 

If don’t wish to walk, you can catch the shuttle bus between Terminal 1 and Terminal B’s West Gates. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal 

The FAQs below about Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal will help you navigate the airport with ease and make your journey stress-free.