LAWA - Los Angeles World Airports

07/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/02/2026 10:40

PLAY ALL DAY. SHINE ALL NIGHT: LAX IS SUMMER-READY WITH PRO TIPS FOR A SMOOTH FOURTH OF JULY

PLAY ALL DAY. SHINE ALL NIGHT: LAX IS SUMMER-READY WITH PRO TIPS FOR A SMOOTH FOURTH OF JULY

07/01/2026 08:00 AM


For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 - 08:00


Contact:

LAX Public Relations
(424) 646-5430

LAX is ready for summer travel and expects an average of 220,000 passengers to travel through the airport each day during the Independence Day travel period, June 29 through July 8.
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports.

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) expects to welcome more than two million passengers through its terminals over the 10-day Independence Day travel period from Monday, June 29, through Wednesday, July 8, and is urging travelers to plan ahead for one of the busiest stretches of the summer.

According to Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) projections, the busiest travel days will be Wednesday, July 1, and Thursday, July 2, averaging approximately 220,000 passengers arriving and departing each day. Overall holiday passenger volume is comparable to last year, with travel easing on the Fourth of July before climbing again on Sunday, July 5. Nationally, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen nearly 18.7 million travelers between June 30 and July 6, with its busiest day also anticipated on Thursday, July 2. The holiday falls during a summer of major events - including the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a Los Angeles Stadium game on July 2 - that will draw visitors from around the world to Los Angeles, and elevated passenger and vehicle traffic is expected to continue through Labor Day weekend.

"This summer, Los Angeles is in the global spotlight again, and for millions of travelers, LAX is where their LA experience begins," said Courtney Moore, Chief Revenue and Experience Officer, Los Angeles World Airports. "From world-renowned sporting events and an unmatched array of cultural attractions to memorable moments shared with family and friends across iconic destinations, Los Angeles offers something for everyone, and LAX is proud to serve as the gateway to it all. Our teams are committed to delivering a welcoming airport experience that reflects the spirit, energy and diversity of our city. We encourage travelers to plan ahead, arrive early and take advantage of the resources available at LAX so they can spend less time navigating their journey and more time enjoying all that Los Angeles has to offer. As we commemorate America's 250th anniversary, we wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Independence Day."

With higher passenger and vehicle traffic anticipated throughout the summer, LAX offers the following tips and new experiences to help travelers reduce stress and start their Independence Day journey smoothly.

  1. Allow at least two hours before departure. LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight allows enough time to check bags, clear security and reach the gate. For international travel, LAX recommends arriving three hours early.

  2. Know before you go: construction and wayfinding. LAX's multi-billion-dollar modernization program continues this summer, with active work in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, Terminal 4, the future Terminal 5, along with roadway closures in and around the Central Terminal Area. Travelers should expect detours and longer shuttle times, allow extra time, and follow wayfinding signage. Use the interactive map at www.flylax.com/map to plan terminal routes before arriving.

  3. Pre-book parking.Parking is in high demand and facilities are expected to reach capacity on the busiest days. Visit parking.flylax.com for the best rates and to reserve a space in advance. Pre-booking is the only way to guarantee a space.

  4. Consider public transportation. The LAX/Metro Transit Center (MTC) Station provides direct rail connections to LAX via Metro's C and K lines. LAX operates a free shuttle to and from the MTC, with stops at each terminal on the Lower/Arrivals Level - look for the posts marked "LAX Shuttles" in pink. Additional FlyAway service from Union Station and Van Nuys is being added beginning July 1 to support holiday and summer demand.

  5. Catch a ride with LAX-it. Travelers using a taxi or ride-app vehicle, such as Uber and Lyft can walk to the LAX-it lot east of Terminal 1 or take a free LAX-it shuttle from the Lower/Arrivals Level. For the holiday, LAX has added buses to the LAX-it route and additional ambassadors to help guests find their way and answer questions.

  6. Plan ahead before arriving.Check flight status before leaving home and use online check-in when available. Picking someone up? Verify the arrival terminal first, and monitor real-time traffic and parking information via the automated @FlyLAXstats feed.

    Two cell phone waiting lots - at 6217 W. 96th Street and 5800 W. Century Boulevard - let drivers wait until their party is ready at the curb, helping reduce congestion in the Central Terminal Area. As a general guide, passengers typically reach the curb about 15 minutes after landing if they have no checked bags, 30 minutes if they checked bags and 45 minutes for international arrivals.

  7. Navigate TSA checkpoints like a pro. Travelers are encouraged to enroll in TSA PreCheck® or other trusted-traveler programs such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Global Entry. Remember the 3-1-1 liquids rule, and leave fireworks, sparklers and similar items at home - they are prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage. REAL ID is now required: travelers must present a REAL ID-compliant license or an acceptable alternative, such as a passport, to clear security.

  8. Get a head start on vacation with LAX dining and retail. Most terminals are connected post-security, so ticketed passengers can enjoy concessions across the airport regardless of their departure terminal. Skip the line by ordering ahead at LAXshopdine.com. Soccer fans can also receive an LAX-branded jersey with any purchase of $75 or more at participating retailers, while supplies last.

  9. Find relaxation amid the movement of travel. LAX offers amenities to enhance the journey, including the Gameway arcades in Terminals 3 and 6, the LAX Art Program, therapy dogs through the LAX Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPs) program, and Kawai pianos in the Tom Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 7. New this summer, LAX Cinema in MSC South offers diverse programming, including World Cup matches, for travelers between flights. Additional interactive experiences, including in-terminal photo opportunities and games, are rolling out across the airport throughout the summer.

  10. Streamline international arrivals. LAX was one of the first large-scale U.S. airports to deploy CBP's Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP), a touchless, biometric process now available at the Tom Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 7 that CBP says has reduced wait times for U.S. citizens by about 25 percent. Don't Pack a Pest: the California Department of Food and Agriculture and CBP remind travelers to declare any plants, produce or agricultural items to protect California agriculture from invasive species.

  11. Experience the summer of "Play All Day. Shine All Night." As Los Angeles welcomes the world for the FIFA World Cup and a summer of marquee events, LAX is bringing the energy of the city into its terminals with summer activations and experiences that celebrate the culture, creativity and spirit of L.A. Travelers are invited to explore everything Los Angeles offers - from the beach to the mountains, the ballpark to the Hollywood Bowl - with their journey starting the moment they arrive.

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<_p3d_22_22_>About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a proprietary, revenue-generating department of the City of Los Angeles that also governs Van Nuys Airport (VNY). As the international gateway to the Southern California region, LAX and its partners are dedicated to meeting global airport standards for customer satisfaction, safety, regional economic leadership, organizational performance and sustainability.

To better serve the millions of domestic and international guests that travel through LAX each year, the airport is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program to modernize its entire campus. For more information about LAX, its transformation and its environmental, social and local workforce commitments, please visit flylax.com. Follow LAX on X (formally Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.
LAWA - Los Angeles World Airports published this content on July 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 02, 2026 at 16:40 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]