For Immediate Release
May 22, 2020

Contact:
LAX Public Relations
(424) 646-5430

(Los Angeles, CA) Memorial Day is historically among the busiest holiday weekends at LAX, but with the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and Safer at Home orders the airport expects to see far fewer passengers. For those with a need to fly in the coming days, the airport and its partners have implemented several changes that guests will see and experience.

"The safety and security of our guests and employees has always been our first priority, and since the global pandemic began Los Angeles World Airports has been working nonstop to update our policies, procedures and physical spaces to help prevent the spread of COVID-19," said Justin Erbacci, interim Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. "Passengers will have a different traveling experience for the foreseeable future, and we are taking steps every day to create the safest journey possible."

Before You Leave for the Airport

Check your flight status: Checking your flight status before heading to the airport is important as some gate assignments may have changed. It's also a good idea to check your airline's latest policies, and to see whether digital boarding passes are available in place of printed ones.

Bring your face covering: Before heading to the airport, it's important that passengers are prepared to wear a face covering at all times while at the airport, and likely while onboard their aircraft, depending on airline policies. A face covering may include a non-medical mask, a scarf, a T-shirt or other fabric affixed over the nose and mouth. Click here to learn more about face coverings.

Traffic: Guests can find current traffic conditions on Twitter at @FlyLAXstats or at FlyLAX.com. Traffic conditions are predicted to be good this coming weekend, as passenger numbers remain low.

Parking: Lot E is temporarily closed, but all garages in the Central Terminal Area (CTA) remain open. Check parking availability and daily rates at FlyLAX.com.

When You Arrive

Only ticketed passengers and those accompanying them allowed: Due to limited flight and passenger activity, social distancing directives, terminal cleaning and sanitizing protocols, construction and a priority to keep all guests and employees at LAX safe and healthy, LAX’s CTA will restrict access 24 hours a day 7 days a week to only:

• Ticketed airline passengers and persons meeting, accompanying or assisting them (airline check-in counters and federal passenger security screening will be open depending upon flight schedules for each terminal); and
• Airport and City personnel whose employment requires their presence.

New signage throughout the airport: Before a guest even enters the terminal, they will see signage reminding them not to enter if they are ill, that they must wear a face covering at all times, that they should wash their hands frequently, and that they should maintain six feet of distance from others.

Audio messages: Overhead audio announcements will also remind guests of these practices, along with limiting the number of people in elevators.

Hand sanitizer stations: To reduce the spread of germs, LAX has installed hundreds of additional hand sanitizer stations throughout the airport for guest and employee use. Restroom facilities are also available for hand washing.

Physical distancing measures: Signage will remind passengers to remain at least six feet distant from other guests at all areas where people congregate, including check-in, elevators, escalators and baggage claim areas.

Elevators: Signage on elevators will indicate whether two or three people are allowed in the elevator at a time, depending on the size of the elevator. Family groups are exempt from this limit. LAX requests that those who are able to take an escalator or stairs do so, so the elevators can be reserved for those who need them. Guests are also reminded to keep at least six feet distance from other guests as they wait for their ride. All of the elevators at LAX stop on each floor, so that guests do not need to push the elevator buttons.

Rigorous cleaning protocols: Airport personnel deep-clean high-touch areas often, including cleaning our public areas and restrooms using virus- and bacteria-killing disinfectants. We have increased deep cleaning throughout the airport, focusing on “high touch” areas at the airport like handrails, escalators, elevator buttons and restroom doors.

Advanced air filtration: The airport uses ionization and UV light to sterilize air that is circulated inside its facilities.

At Security Screening

Physical distancing: When travelers reach the TSA security line, stanchion signs will remind them to maintain six feet of distance as well. Due to physical separation, TSA lines may appear longer than usual and the screening process may take more time.

Face covering: The TSA officer may ask passenger to adjust or remove their face covering briefly in order to allow for verification of their identification.

Hand washing or sanitizing: Passengers are encouraged to wash their hands with hot water and soap directly before and after using the TSA checkpoints.

What is allowed?: TSA is currently allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per person, in carry-on bags. Hand sanitizer will need to be screened separately. Travelers also will now be required to remove food from their luggage and put it through the scanner in a clear plastic bag to help minimize TSA officer contact with food items.

More information on TSA security protocols can be found here: www.tsa.gov/coronavirus.

Inside the Terminals

Shopping and dining: While some airport concessions have closed or have reduced hours due to the decline in passenger traffic, there are still many options for passengers to pick up food or purchase retail items. Restaurants are not offering table service, but will sell items that can be eaten while maintaining distance from others. Remember, you can take your face covering off to eat or drink, but must put it back on when you are finished. Keep six feet distance – or skip the line entirely: When waiting in line, signs will remind passengers about maintaining physical distance. Or, avoid the line altogether at some terminals by ordering through laxshopdine.com.

Hold rooms: When you’ve reached your gate, remember to stay at least six feet away from other passengers. Your airline will provide additional direction on any new protocols.

Boarding Your Plane

Signage: When it’s time to board, passengers will again see signage reminding them to maintain a physical distance from others, and travelers may use their smart phones to scan their tickets, so there is no need to exchange a physical ticket. Face coverings: Many airlines are now requiring face coverings onboard aircraft for the entire duration of the flight, so passengers should be familiar with their airline's policies before coming to the airport.

Listen to your flight crew and staff: Each airline has its own policies and procedures, so listen to the announcements to ensure you are following the new protocols.

All of these items – and more to come – are part of our continuing efforts to ensure you Travel Safely at LAX.