If you’re flying with Southwest Airlines from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), knowing what terminal you’re flying out of before you arrive can save you time and make your airport experience easier. Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal is Terminal 1. Southwest’s official airport information lists Terminal 1 and gates 9 through 18B for LAX.
For international Southwest flights, passengers check in at Terminal 1 and are then transported by bus to Terminal B (Tom Bradley International Terminal) for the flight.
Southwest Airlines Terminal at LAX – Quick Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Airline | Southwest Airlines |
| Airport | Los Angeles International Airport |
| Airport Code | LAX |
| Southwest Terminal at LAX | Terminal 1 |
| Domestic Gates | 9, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B |
| Airline Code | WN |
| Phone | (800) 435-9792 |
| Address | 380 World Way / 100 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045 |
| International Check-in | Terminal 1 |
| International Departure/Arrival | Terminal B |
| Working Hours | 24 hours |
| Official Website | www.southwest.com/ |
| YouTube | www.youtube.com/southwestair |
| www.facebook.com/SouthwestAir/ | |
| x.com/SouthwestAir | |
| www.instagram.com/southwestair |
Southwest and LAX both currently identify Terminal 1 as the airline’s LAX terminal.
What Terminal Is Southwest Airlines at LAX Airport?
Southwest Airlines is at Terminal 1 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). If you are taking a regular domestic Southwest flight, go directly to Terminal 1 for check-in, baggage drop, TSA security, and departure.
Southwest currently lists these LAX gates: 9, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17A, 17B, 18A, and 18B. Your exact gate can change, so check your boarding pass and the airport flight information screens on your travel day.
What Terminal Is Southwest Airlines in at LAX?
The answer is Terminal 1 for Southwest Airlines at LAX. This is where most Southwest passengers will find:
- Southwest ticket counters
- Check-in facilities
- Baggage drop
- TSA security
- Departure gates
- Restaurants and shops
- Passenger services
LAX’s official Terminal 1 page specifically lists Southwest domestic flights and Southwest international check-in at Terminal 1.
LAX Southwest Airlines Terminal
The LAX Southwest Airlines terminal is Terminal 1. Southwest uses this terminal for its regular operations at Los Angeles International Airport.
If you are searching “what terminal is Southwest Airlines LAX,” “what terminal is Southwest Airlines at LAX,” or “Southwest Airlines terminal LAX,” you should normally head to Terminal 1. The official LAX airline directory also lists Southwest Airlines as WN – Terminal 1.
Southwest Airlines Terminal LAX – Departures
The Southwest Airlines departure terminal at LAX is Terminal 1 for domestic flights.
Once you arrive at Terminal 1, you can:
- Check in for your flight.
- Drop off checked baggage.
- Go through TSA security.
- Check the departure screens for your gate.
- Proceed to your Southwest boarding gate.
Southwest recommends allowing sufficient time at LAX because airport traffic and security lines can vary. Its current LAX guidance suggests 90 minutes Tuesday–Thursday and 120 minutes Friday–Monday for domestic travel, while international travel is listed at 120 minutes.
Southwest Check-In at LAX
Southwest’s ticket counter at LAX operates according to the airline’s flight schedule. Southwest Airlines currently states that its LAX ticket counter opens 90 minutes before the first departing flight Monday through Friday and 120 minutes before the first departing flight Saturday and Sunday. It’s also states that checked bags must be checked at least 45 minutes before scheduled departure.
Southwest Airlines Terminal 1 at LAX
Terminal 1 at LAX includes gates numbered from 9 through 18B. The current LAX Terminal 1 map shows ticketing and departures facilities, TSA screening, baggage facilities, restaurants, retail stores, restrooms, Wi-Fi, ground transportation connections, and other passenger services.
Gates at Southwest Terminal 1
Southwest currently lists the following LAX gates:
- Gate 9
- Gate 11A
- Gate 11B
- Gate 12A
- Gate 12B
- Gate 13
- Gate 14
- Gate 15
- Gate 16
- Gate 17A
- Gate 17B
- Gate 18A
- Gate 18B
Gate assignments can change, so don’t rely on a previous trip or an old website listing. Check your Southwest flight status and the airport monitors for the latest information.
Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal Route and Map Information
Complete List of Southwest Airlines Terminals.
Southwest Airlines Arrival Terminal LAX
For regular Southwest domestic flights, Terminal 1 is the Southwest Airlines arrival terminal at LAX. After landing, passengers can follow airport signs for baggage claim and ground transportation. Your baggage carousel may vary by flight, so check the airport’s information screens after arriving.
Southwest International Arrivals at LAX
There is an important difference for international flights.
Southwest passengers check in at Terminal 1, but LAX states that Southwest international passengers are transported by bus to Terminal B (Tom Bradley International Terminal), where international flights depart and arrive.
So, if you are looking for the Southwest Airlines arrival terminal at LAX, the answer depends on the type of flight:
- Domestic Southwest arrival: Terminal 1
- International Southwest arrival: Terminal B
- International Southwest check-in: Terminal 1
Always confirm the terminal for your specific flight before traveling.
Which Terminal Is Southwest Airlines at LAX?
Southwest Airlines is at Terminal 1 at Los Angeles International Airport. If your boarding pass says LAX and your flight is operated by Southwest, Terminal 1 is the normal place to begin your journey. For international Southwest flights, you still check in at Terminal 1, but LAX says passengers are transported to Terminal B for the actual international departure or arrival.
Getting to Southwest Terminal 1 at LAX
LAX is a large airport with several terminals arranged around the central airport roadway. Follow signs for Terminal 1 when approaching the airport. Terminal 1 has connections to airport transportation services, including taxis, rideshare services, buses, the LAX-it area, FlyAway, and other transportation options. The current LAX Terminal 1 map also identifies connections to the terminal connector and Metro-related transportation facilities. If someone is dropping you off, the departures level is generally the most convenient area for Southwest check-in.
Parking for Southwest Airlines at LAX
Passengers driving to LAX can choose from airport parking facilities around the terminals. Because parking availability, prices, and traffic conditions can change, check current LAX parking information before your trip. If you are being dropped off, ask your driver to follow the airport signs for Terminal 1 and the appropriate departures area.
Food, Shopping and Amenities at Terminal 1
You can find several passenger amenities inside Terminal 1. The current LAX Terminal 1 map lists restaurants, cafés, shops, restrooms, Wi-Fi, charging facilities, baggage services, and other passenger conveniences.
Food and retail options shown on the current terminal map include:
- Urth Caffe & Bar
- Einstein Bros. Bagels
- Chick-fil-A
- Panda Express
- California Pizza Kitchen
- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
- Wetzel’s/Quench
- Reilly’s Irish Pub
- 7-Eleven
- Hudson
- The New Stand
- Sol Surf
Opening hours and individual locations can change, so check current airport information if you are looking for a specific business.
TSA and Security at Southwest Terminal LAX
TSA security is located within Terminal 1. Southwest’s current LAX information lists a TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID security checkpoint, along with Priority Lane and other passenger services. Security wait times can change significantly depending on the time and day of travel. Give yourself extra time during holidays, weekends, and busy travel periods.
Connecting to Other Terminals at LAX
If you have a connecting flight with another airline, you may need to travel between terminals. LAX provides connections between its terminals, and the terminal layout allows passengers to move around the airport using pedestrian and terminal-connection routes. Your best route depends on your connecting airline, terminal, whether you have checked baggage, and whether you have already passed through TSA security.
Final Answer
For domestic Southwest flights, use Terminal 1 for check-in, baggage, security, and departure. Southwest currently lists gates 9 through 18B at LAX. For international Southwest flights, check in at Terminal 1 and follow the airport’s instructions for transportation to Terminal B.
