Transiting through LAX
#1
Transiting through LAX
I fly in just under 3 weeks and my stop over is in LA (only a couple of hours so no celeb spotting!)
I've been trying to work out what this means in terms of hand luggage. I've read on Air NZ's site that I can only take one piece of cabin baggage if transiting through the US but does this mean one piece plus a personal item (handbag/laptop bag) or does it mean one piece only? I know one piece usually means one plus personal item but just want to be sure as the last time I travelled through the US I only had one piece in total so it wasn't an issue.
I've searched about on the web and checked LAX's website but keep finding conflicting info.
Has anyone transited through LAX recently that can tell me for definite what my allowance is?
I've been trying to work out what this means in terms of hand luggage. I've read on Air NZ's site that I can only take one piece of cabin baggage if transiting through the US but does this mean one piece plus a personal item (handbag/laptop bag) or does it mean one piece only? I know one piece usually means one plus personal item but just want to be sure as the last time I travelled through the US I only had one piece in total so it wasn't an issue.
I've searched about on the web and checked LAX's website but keep finding conflicting info.
Has anyone transited through LAX recently that can tell me for definite what my allowance is?
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 53
Re: Transiting through LAX
I fly in just under 3 weeks and my stop over is in LA (only a couple of hours so no celeb spotting!)
I've been trying to work out what this means in terms of hand luggage. I've read on Air NZ's site that I can only take one piece of cabin baggage if transiting through the US but does this mean one piece plus a personal item (handbag/laptop bag) or does it mean one piece only? I know one piece usually means one plus personal item but just want to be sure as the last time I travelled through the US I only had one piece in total so it wasn't an issue.
I've searched about on the web and checked LAX's website but keep finding conflicting info.
Has anyone transited through LAX recently that can tell me for definite what my allowance is?
I've been trying to work out what this means in terms of hand luggage. I've read on Air NZ's site that I can only take one piece of cabin baggage if transiting through the US but does this mean one piece plus a personal item (handbag/laptop bag) or does it mean one piece only? I know one piece usually means one plus personal item but just want to be sure as the last time I travelled through the US I only had one piece in total so it wasn't an issue.
I've searched about on the web and checked LAX's website but keep finding conflicting info.
Has anyone transited through LAX recently that can tell me for definite what my allowance is?
The allowance to be honest I can't remember, both my OH and I brought 30L rucksacks on board with us.
Hope this helps
Gill
#3
Re: Transiting through LAX
We flew out to NZ via LA in Feb (Premium Economy) 2hrs touchdown spent in transit lounge, carried on 1x Hand luggage each plus I also had a handbag which you have to take with you into transit lounge. Returned at the end of May, also via Cook Is & LA (Economy, 4 hrs spent in airport & change of plane) carried on same ....1 cabin bag each + handbag.
HTH
B x
HTH
B x
#4
Re: Transiting through LAX
I fly in 2 weeks 4 days (not that I'm counting!) I found it really confusing too... I think it depends on the airline you are with.
Im with BA from Leeds to Las Vegas and I can have 1 piece of luggage and a handbag, but only 1 23kg suitcase.
From Vegas through LAX to Napier I can have the same cabin luggage and another 23kg suitcase, because it Quantas.
what a nightmare, Im going to plead ignorance and then cry if they try to charge me...
Im with BA from Leeds to Las Vegas and I can have 1 piece of luggage and a handbag, but only 1 23kg suitcase.
From Vegas through LAX to Napier I can have the same cabin luggage and another 23kg suitcase, because it Quantas.
what a nightmare, Im going to plead ignorance and then cry if they try to charge me...
#6
Re: Transiting through LAX
I have trained my husband to stand well away from me when I have to try the 'female' thing of crying...
I can't believe it it nearly time to go! Are you getting excited yet? I'm still veering erractically between excitment and horror. Looking forward to filling my extra case in Vegas!
#7
Re: Transiting through LAX
I have trained my husband to stand well away from me when I have to try the 'female' thing of crying...
I can't believe it it nearly time to go! Are you getting excited yet? I'm still veering erractically between excitment and horror. Looking forward to filling my extra case in Vegas!
I can't believe it it nearly time to go! Are you getting excited yet? I'm still veering erractically between excitment and horror. Looking forward to filling my extra case in Vegas!
Enjoy Vegas, I've been twice and loved it. Each time I've gone I've taken an empty bag and brought it back full so I'm sure you'll have no trouble
#8
Re: Transiting through LAX
I think the 'one piece only' is sth the budget airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet do - I'm pretty sure with Air NZ the 'one piece' is additional to handbag/camera etc.
Transiting through LAX is not necessarily that bad - when I last did it, it was a very short distance from the plane to the transit lounge (free refreshments) - however the downside is queuing up to do the fingerprint checks - if you are Premium Economy you will be nearer the front of that queue though.
I understand if you have filled in the ESTA stuff online, you no longer have to complete a bunch of paperwork just to transit - you just do the fingerprint thing, photo and they look at your passport.
Transiting through LAX is not necessarily that bad - when I last did it, it was a very short distance from the plane to the transit lounge (free refreshments) - however the downside is queuing up to do the fingerprint checks - if you are Premium Economy you will be nearer the front of that queue though.
I understand if you have filled in the ESTA stuff online, you no longer have to complete a bunch of paperwork just to transit - you just do the fingerprint thing, photo and they look at your passport.
#9
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: upper hutt, wellington
Posts: 23
Re: Transiting through LAX
hi
we went through lax last october we have a 2 year old and had a moutain of "hand luggage" we had laptop, 2 big bags a small suitcase (full of toys and things to entertain our daughter) handbag, change bag and a car seat. also her pushchair was in the overhead lockers talk about nightmare. then our normal luggage was 5 suitcases and golf clubs. we were quite lucky cos we had a 2 year old we went to the front of the que to have our finger prints and things done and we were the first ones back on the plane. we flew with air new zealand.
i wouldnt worry too much about your hand luggage.
we went through lax last october we have a 2 year old and had a moutain of "hand luggage" we had laptop, 2 big bags a small suitcase (full of toys and things to entertain our daughter) handbag, change bag and a car seat. also her pushchair was in the overhead lockers talk about nightmare. then our normal luggage was 5 suitcases and golf clubs. we were quite lucky cos we had a 2 year old we went to the front of the que to have our finger prints and things done and we were the first ones back on the plane. we flew with air new zealand.
i wouldnt worry too much about your hand luggage.
#10
Re: Transiting through LAX
Hey
I know blugger all about all this. We did it once in 1997. A long time ago now.
I just wanna say to lisamct and zoexr - All the very best. We all feel terrified and excited all at the same time. I hope that you find your home and settle well.
I know blugger all about all this. We did it once in 1997. A long time ago now.
I just wanna say to lisamct and zoexr - All the very best. We all feel terrified and excited all at the same time. I hope that you find your home and settle well.
#11
Re: Transiting through LAX
Thanks BEVS, its getting SO close now...eek
I'm actually traveling business class, only thanks to the generous relocation budget supplied by my new employer otherwise I'd be in economy! I can take 2 pieces of hand luggage plus a personal item according to Air NZ but its the LAX rules that state one piece.
I'm going to send Air NZ a quick email but reckon I'll just risk the one piece plus and hope for the best!
I'm actually traveling business class, only thanks to the generous relocation budget supplied by my new employer otherwise I'd be in economy! I can take 2 pieces of hand luggage plus a personal item according to Air NZ but its the LAX rules that state one piece.
I'm going to send Air NZ a quick email but reckon I'll just risk the one piece plus and hope for the best!
#12
Re: Transiting through LAX
The rules did change re hand luggage when transitting thro LA....we were originally told we were allowed 2 pieces plus personal stuff for Prem Ec. it was reduced to one. At check in at LHR we were told that this was because all hand baggage was checked at LA....it wasn't on transit but it was on our return flight - longer stopover & change of plane.
If you're flying BC you'll be guided thro fingerprint stuff first and re-boarded first plus you get an increased weight allowance.
B x
If you're flying BC you'll be guided thro fingerprint stuff first and re-boarded first plus you get an increased weight allowance.
B x
#15
Re: Transiting through LAX
I bloody hope so, I'm expecting massages, baths full of champagne and silver service by half naked, tanned, hot young men...thats what happens in business class right??