Delta via LAX

[Peter H.]

Anyone flown Delta (Terminal 5 at LAX) to a destination in the States with first stop in LAX>

Please advise regarding luggage. Do you collect and pass Customs then drop off for forwarding to final destination.

This is procedure when flying Qantas with LAX connections. Can't find info for Delta

Also how is it as an airline compared with others across Pacific

Thanks folks

[Daniel F]

Please advise regarding luggage. Do you collect and pass Customs then drop off for forwarding to final destination.

Yes, this is the procedure for any airline flying into the US. You must clear customs with your luggage at the first port you arrive in.

[Brian Hoy]

Yes Peter, just as Danial says,as you leave the customs area you will find a luggage drop off area set up , but I,d say it will only work if you are continuing on Delta. Flew with them back in August and they where excellent.

[Justin L]

I flew Delta to LAS via LAX from SYD in October. T5 have their own customs and it's the only international flight in that terminal at that time so I was quickly through. As other posters have mentioned you collect your bags after immigration and if your bags are tagged to your final destination then they will be taken by airport staff as you leave customs and put on a conveyor to be loaded onto your connecting flight. You then just follow the signs upstairs to departures and go through security to get into the departure area of the terminal.

I would happily fly DL across the Pacific again. The same terminal transfer at LAX is very convenient! A lot less of a chore than TBIT. Outbound back to Australia is even better. You arrive at LAX T5 from your DL or NW domestic flight and then just go to the gate for the SYD flight (like a same terminal domestic transfer in Australia).

Compared with other airlines across the Pacific, I would put DL second behind VA. I haven't flown QF across the Pacific recently, so can't compare to the A380, but I would prefer a 777 over a 747 (using QF's Kangaroo route 747 as a comparison). Last flew UA to the USA in 2005 but would rather pay a few hundred dollars more to fly someone else long haul. Recently flew AA (777) from Japan to LAX and while the service was acceptable, the flight crew were a bit arrogant and weren't customer focussed in my opinion and their IFE was very limited and not on-demand. QF up the Pacific to Japan was OK, but a bit tired and staid. So in order VA, DL, QF, AA, UA for me.

[Peter H.]

Thanks a million guys. Am confident now

[Alan Dent]

We could well be flying Delta to LAX and onto New York later this year and found your experiences helpful.

Did any of you get the dreaded 4 Ss or Xs on your boarding cards and how was the experience? Each time we've flown in the US we've been given the works.
I was surprised that they would take an interest in aged Caucasians.

[Greg McDonald]

You should seriously consider VA as a first option. Brand new aircraft, good service and MUCH cheaper!!

[Ash W]

We could well be flying Delta to LAX and onto New York later this year and found your experiences helpful.

Did any of you get the dreaded 4 Ss or Xs on your boarding cards and how was the experience? Each time we've flown in the US we've been given the works.
I was surprised that they would take an interest in aged Caucasians.

I beleive whether you get given the works or not is in most cases random.

[Grant Smith]

Did any of you get the dreaded 4 Ss or Xs on your boarding cards and how was the experience? Each time we've flown in the US we've been given the works.

Had the pleasure of the SSSS on my boarding pass on a flight from KPBI-KLGA in '08 and having experienced the 'explosives test' carried out here in Australia, I would say it's no less of an annoyance.

Unless of course you 1. Have something to hide or 2. Are running late for your flight in which case could possibly increase your blood pressure slightly.

[Ash W]

The two times I've had the SSSSS's I have found it was faster, simply because I got plucked out of the general line and taken to their special area. Mind you the last time was about 2 years ago at DFW.

[Alan Dent]

Each time we've flown from Oklahoma we've searched twice before getting on the aircraft. At Wilmington we were taken off the queue and put in an open pen until all the other passengers have been checked then we were searched thoroughly.
Actually we now travel in the States on Amtrak, no hassles there, you see much more of the country and it's a leisurely way to travel especially if you have a sleeping berth. If you have the time, try it.:)