Arrival at LAX very early

We may be arriving at LAX very early on Friday evening with the flight only at 11:40. What is the earliest that we can have our luggage checked in?

Gerry

If the counter is manned I see no reason you couldn't check your luggage no matter how early. I usually get there three hours before the flight and I remember once they were not open yet though - only had to wait a few minuted though.

TSA rules dictate six hours prior to departure. Even if you arrive at 5:00, by the time you claim your bags and take them to the counter, it will be within the legal time frame. That said, some counter agents are friendly and will "bend the rules" now and then.

I take this to mean you are flying in to LAX and then connecting at 11:40 pm on the Air Tahiti Nui flight to PPT. Depending upon other flights that ATN might have their counter usually opens 4 hours prior to the flight. We were there when there was a connecting flight going to Paris and the counter was early for that flight. If the counter is open they will probably take your bag.

You can also see if you can check your bags in from your departure point through to PPT. Some people prefer to collect their bags at LAX and recheck them in.

I take this to mean you are flying in to LAX and then connecting at 11:40 pm on the Air Tahiti Nui flight to PPT. Depending upon other flights that ATN might have their counter usually opens 4 hours prior to the flight. We were there when there was a connecting flight going to Paris and the counter was early for that flight. If the counter is open they will probably take your bag.

 

You can also see if you can check your bags in from your departure point through to PPT. Some people prefer to collect their bags at LAX and recheck them in.

Thanks to all for your information. We are already in California so it is not a flight connection issue. We have to return our car by early evening but wondered if the checking counter would be open 4 to 5 hours before flight time, so we wouldn't have our luggage to "lug" until a couple of hours before flight.

Your information is very helpful!

Gerry

Hi Gerry, ATN opened their counters at 8:15pm on Friday night. We had checked our luggage straight through in Ft Lauderdale, but were told we had to go to the ATN counter in LAX for our boarding pass. There was nobody there until 8:15 and a sign by the counter read that it was closed until then. We arrived at 6 pm and would have liked to use the ATN lounge, but that is after security. Luckily, we have a Priority Pass membership, so used their lounge for a couple of hours. If you have that membership or one in the Lounge Club, it is a good place to wait.

Hi Gerry, ATN opened their counters at 8:15pm on Friday night. We had checked our luggage straight through in Ft Lauderdale, but were told we had to go to the ATN counter in LAX for our boarding pass. There was nobody there until 8:15 and a sign by the counter read that it was closed until then. We arrived at 6 pm and would have liked to use the ATN lounge, but that is after security. Luckily, we have a Priority Pass membership, so used their lounge for a couple of hours. If you have that membership or one in the Lounge Club, it is a good place to wait.

Thanks Benita for the information. It does seem that the check-in will not be much more than three hours before flight time. We will attempt to be there shortly after 8:00. Unfortunately we do not have any privilege with this airline or with our credit card affiliation. :( Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.:)

Gerry

Have a great trip! 3 months from today we will be doing the same thing you are doing - waiting at LAX for the fun flight to the PG.

We are now at the gate for our 11:40 flight. We arrived at the terminal at 7:30 and went to the check-in counter. There was already a lineup of about 20 people. A sign indicated that they were going to begin the check-in process at 8:15. They actually began at 8:00. And we were at the gate at 8:30. Security went fast and was very efficient. Needless to say that we are very excited. :D:D:D

Gerry