[NannyOgg]

Didn't want to take over Sharon Thomas' thread so just thought I would start a quickie here.

My son and I are heading back to the UK in August for a brief trip home. We came out via LA and had a 1 night stopover and needed all the extra luggage allowance.

We are traveling back on the return part of the ticket we used to come out here on so as it stands we are going via LA. This time though we are not stopping over, just getting back on and heading back to Blighty. Obviously we won't be needing the extra luggage allowance this time round.

If we fly via LA the whole travel time is 24 hours 15 minutes - if we go via HK it is 26 hours and 5 minutes.

My son is 11 so not a tiny tot but it is just he and I. Given the appalling stories I hear on here about the transit situation at LA would those of you that have done either or both recommend I change to come via HK and increase my flight time by 2 hours (I would imagine it is the stopover that is extended) or is LA not as bad I think it might be?

Can anyone talk me through the transit system in LA please?

Cheers,


Nanny x

[veronica]

go via Hong kong if you have the choice. the stop over will give the boy some time to run around and hong kong airport is big enough to be interesting. I really hate LA airport, I grow horns and a devils tail just thinking about it.

[Croft]

We'll be trying HK on the way back in June, but stopping over for 24 hours. We've done LA a few times and I really can't see why people are so vitriolic about it these days. Sure, a few years ago it was a complete nause having to reclaim your luggage and then making your way through the airport, but now with the lounge and maybe a max half hour wait in the queue for immigration (and you get prioritised if you have young children) it's nowhere near as bad.

Having said that, if you don't need the luggage allowance and it's the same price, I'd go via HK if I were you just for the experience. Heard lots of good things about HK airport too.

[Park City Partner]

Having lived in LA for 10+ years and traveling back to the States from NZ I go through LA. I know many people hate it but I really don't think it is bad. The Air NZ terminal is #2 which is a VERY mellow terminal at LAX. Are you on ANZ all the way through or do you have to switch to another airline at LAX? If that is the case the other airline probably flies out of Bradley International which is at the bottom of the horseshoe. ANZ is on the right side close to the bottom of the horseshoe and is an easy walk to Bradley...especailly if you have been flying for 12 hrs it will be a nice walk. Just get a trolley for your luggage.

[Milliemoo]

Hi there,

If you've got the choice of HK or LAX then I'm guessing you're flying AirNZ. The main consideration for us was the type of aircraft they use on each route. We choose to go via HK because they use the 747's which have a better config and slightly more leg room :nice1

Milliemoo