(Los Angeles) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) could top 200,000 passengers per day during peak travel around the Memorial Day weekend, so passengers are encouraged to plan ahead for parking and pickup well in advance this year.

"With passenger traffic reaching the highest levels since early 2020, guests who are traveling through LAX during the Memorial Day weekend and into the busy summer season should plan ahead, pre-book or reserve parking in advance and arrive early to have the best experience possible," said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). "From new parking options to ordering food from your phone and having it delivered right to your gate, we are ready to welcome more travelers back with more options, new facilities and clean and safe terminals."

Passenger traffic at LAX is expected to increase up to 40% compared with last year's holiday weekend, which averaged 69,000 passengers per day through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening areas. Officials project that LAX could reach an estimated 100,000 or more passengers per day at the departure checkpoints. Total passenger traffic is expected to see peaks of about 200,000 passengers per day on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday.

Vehicle traffic in the Central Terminal Area also is expected to increase, with an estimated average of 84,000 vehicles per day during the holiday weekend. People driving to the airport are encouraged to check real-time traffic and drive times using the LAX automated Twitter account @FlyLAXstats. Parking is expected to fill up quickly, and most Central Terminal Area garages are expected to be at capacity through the holiday weekend. Travelers are highly encouraged to book a parking space at the LAX Economy Parking facility using parking.flylax.com. The new LAX Economy Parking facility offers more than 4,300 spaces and provides a 24-hour fast and free shuttle to the terminals using a dedicated shuttle lane that avoids other terminal traffic. Reserving a space ahead of time is the only way to guarantee a parking spot, and online reservations offer the best daily rates available. Reserving a space also means that guests will not be circling roadways looking for parking when garages are filled, further backing up traffic and creating a stressful travel experience for all involved.

Guests are encouraged to arrive at least two hours before departing domestic flights or three hours before international flights.

All guests traveling through LAX ages 2 and older are required to continue wearing masks in all terminals in accordance with the Health Officer Order issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Additionally, LAX remains under heavy construction as part of its $15 billion modernization, which includes an Automated People Mover train, a Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility and modernizing every terminal. When coming to LAX, passengers should look for and follow wayfinding signage near all construction sites to ensure their safety and to enhance mobility. Be prepared to drive slowly and with caution around work zones.

Due to construction at Terminal 2, access to Terminals 2 and 3 is currently through the new Terminal 3 headhouse, which includes a ticketing lobby and baggage claim area as well as a consolidated security checkpoint.

Guests returning to LAX also will find new and returning service to a variety of international destinations, many of which have not been available since March 2020. This includes the recent addition of French bee to Paris (Orly), Air Transat to Montreal, and Condor to Frankfurt. Aer Lingus resumed nonstop service from LA to Dublin earlier this month.

• Check parking options ahead of time. Real-time parking availability within the Central Terminal Area parking structures is available here. Parking structures can fill up at any time, so be aware of LAX Economy Parking and other off-airport private lots as alternatives. Stops for off-airport parking lot shuttles are located on the Upper/Departures Level, and are identified by red curbside pillars.
  
  
• Parking and traffic updates are available 24/7 via the automated @FlyLAXstats Twitter feed.
  
  
• Consider alternative ground transportation
  
  • FlyAway® bus service is available to and from Union Station and Van Nuys, with parking available at both locations. Fares are $9.75 one way. For pick-up at LAX, the FlyAway buses make use of dedicated inner lanes on the Lower/Arrivals Level. For more information on FlyAway, including a real-time bus tracker, visit www.LAXFlyAway.org.
    
    
  • Municipal buses are available from LA Metro, Beach Cities Transit, Culver City, Santa Monica (Big Blue Bus) and Torrance.
    
    
  • LAX also offers the free LAX Metro Connector Shuttle to and from the Aviation/LAX Metro Station, which serves the LA Metro C (Green) Line (light rail) at Imperial Highway and Aviation Boulevard. Read more on our website.
    
    
  • Guests who are leaving LAX via taxi or ride app vehicles (e.g., Uber, Lyft) can walk to the LAX-it lot located at 9610 Sky Way, across from Terminal 1, or take one of the LAX-it shuttles from stops located on the Lower/Arrivals Level. At the LAX-it lot, guests will find taxis as well as ride app vehicles. Taxis and ride app vehicles drop off departing guests at the terminals.

• Check in online with your airline before you leave for the airport. This prevents the need to interact with a check-in kiosk. If you are traveling without checked luggage, you can skip the ticket counters entirely this way.
  
  
• Picking someone up? Curbside pickup and drop-off is permitted on the Upper/Departures and Lower/Arrivals levels. All parking structures are free for the first 15 minutes, and the Terminal B (Tom Bradley International Terminal) pickup area is also free to use. To access the Terminal B pickup area, use the second entrance to Parking Structure 3 from World Way North on the Lower/Arrivals Level. This area is for passenger loading only with no parking allowed.
  
  
• To help speed their journeys, travelers are encouraged to enroll in the Transportation Security Administration's Pre√® or other trusted-traveler programs, such as U.S. Customs & Border Protection's Global Entry and Mobile Passport, which improve security and reduce wait times.
  
  
• Know the rules. Many destinations still have COVID-19 related travel restrictions or rules for visitors. Knowing the current rules for your destination is essential.

Travel Safely Reminders

• Wear a face mask at all times at LAX. Face masks remain required under the County Health Order for everyone over age 2 at LAX, even those who are fully vaccinated.
  
  
• COVID-19 tests are available for purchase at multiple locations at LAX. Make an appointment online or visit www.FlyLAX.com/TravelSafely for more information.
  
  
• LAX Order Now: This program allows LAX guests to browse, order, pay for and pickup food from any of the airport's terminals using an online order system. The new service is part of LAX's digital marketplace strategy to enhance the travel experience by allowing guests to search, browse and order food and non-alcoholic beverages from any of the dozens of participating restaurants across the airport. It also provides a way for passengers to order and pick up food without having physical contact with another person. Delivery service to the gates is now available inside the Tom Bradley International Terminal and the West Gates at Tom Bradley. Remember, guests can remove face coverings to eat or drink, but must put them back on when finished. Click here to view a video explaining the new LAX Order Now service.