memejs

I booked two separate tickets for my trip to Japan this coming November. One RT from LAX/Japan on JAL and a separate ticket between LAX/SLC on Delta.

My JAL flight from Osaka is scheduled to land at LAX at 11am on Thursday 11/28, which will be Thanksgiving day. Originally my Delta flight was scheduled to leave about 5pm, which would be a really long span of time to hang around the airport, but I chose that flight because I'd rather be safe than sorry. Well, I was just notified of a change in schedule and the Delta flight now leaves at 1:40pm. That leaves me about 90 minutes to deplane, retrieve my baggage (I will be checking 1-2 bags), get through customs and immigration (I do have global entry), and get to my gate for the next flight. That feels like cutting it too close to me, but I'd love anyone with lots of experience flying JAL or with international arrivals at LAX to weigh in.

It doesn't look like there are any flights after 1:40pm on that day, so if I wanted a later flight I'd likely have to rebook for the next day. Neither the 1:40pm flight nor the next day flight are great options, so I have to just pick the best one.

janisj

You'll land at Tom Bradley. Delta domestic uses Terminal 3.

With Global Entry. the only real hang up is waiting for luggage. Immigration is usually pretty quick. BUT since you are on separate tickets you'll have to walk your bags from TBIT to T-3 and check them in and go through security there. 2 hrs 40 minutes should be plenty of time but any glitches and you'll be SOL. Landing a little late, or having a long taxi, or having to wait for a gate could all add a lot of time. If you miss check in cut off for the bags your Delta ticket will be useless so I'd be looking for alternatives just in case. Does it have to be w/ Delta? Other airlines do LAX > SLC non-stops -- Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, American, maybe others.

Delta might re-book you on another flight as a customer service gesture, but they won't be obligated. Seems odd there are no flights after 1:40 since SLC is a big Delta hub??

memejs

Thanks janisj

Delta won't rebook me on another airline. I can get a refund, but all of the other options seem to be twice the price I paid for my original flight. Even flights with a stop between LAX and SLC are more than what I paid. I'm thinking I'll hold off doing anything for the time being. I still have 6 months until my trip, so I'll cross my fingers that Delta will add another, later flight. I also don't want to risk rebooking (likely paying more than I originally did) and then having another change make the itinerary unfeasible.

Sometimes I really hate the airlines!

janisj

Oh -- heck . . . your trip is 6 months away. I'd relax and wouldn't even think about this until sometime this Fall. It is very likely that one or both flight times will change between now and then. And if the Delta change is significant (I think their criteria is 2 hours but not sure) you can re-book for free.

Plus Delta could easily add more flights between now and then.