My Honest Experience at the Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal
If you've ever departed out of Los Angeles, you know it already Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal can be crazy. One of the world's busiest airports, and not always the most popular among travelers. But on our recent family vacation with Southwest Airlines, I was truly surprised in the best possible way. The Southwest Airlines Terminal was more organized, accessible, and travel-friendly than I had anticipated. In this post, I'd like to take you through my entire experience from curb to gate and share with you a realistic, no-holds-barred glimpse of what flying Southwest out of is really like. If you're traveling alone, or as a duo, or like us, with children in tow, I hope to make your journey a little easier.
Which Terminal Does Southwest Use at LAX?
Let’s get one key fact straight: Southwest Airlines operates out of Terminal 1. Terminal 1 is exclusively used by Southwest, which makes a big difference. You don’t have that jumbled feeling of multiple airlines in one place, and everything is tailored to Southwest passengers—from check-in kiosks to the gate announcements. It also helps that Terminal 1 is newly renovated. I had flown out of years ago before the remodel, and let me tell you—the difference is night and day. The new space feels bright, open, and a lot more efficient.
Arriving at Terminal 1: Parking and Drop-Off
We arrived around 6:30 a.m. for an 8:45 a.m. flight to Phoenix. It was a weekday morning, and traffic X was its usual congested mess, but once we reached Terminal 1, things improved quickly. There’s a dedicated drop-off area right at the terminal entrance. If you're driving yourself, the Economy Parking structure is your best bet—it’s affordable and offers free shuttles to all terminals. The shuttle dropped us off just steps from the Southwest entrance, which was great since we had luggage, a stroller, and two half-awake kids.
Check-In Experience: Fast and Friendly
We checked in online the night before using the Southwest app (super easy, by the way), but we still needed to check a couple of bags. Southwest, bless their hearts, still offers two free checked bags per passenger—a rarity these days and a total lifesaver for families. Inside the terminal, the self-tag kiosks were easy to use, and within five minutes, we were handing our bags to a friendly agent. She gave us a few tips about our gate, asked about our travel plans, and even offered the kids some stickers. Those small interactions really go a long way, especially during early morning travel chaos.
Security Screening: Surprisingly Smooth
Now here’s where I braced myself for a slowdown—TSA. But honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. Terminal 1 has clearly been designed for efficiency. There were about six security lanes open, and the whole line moved quickly. TSA staff were surprisingly polite (a rare gem!) and helpful when I had to juggle removing shoes, electronics, and keeping my toddler from running off. Pro tip: If you have TSA PreCheck, you’ll breeze right through here. We don’t, but we saw several travelers make it from entry to gate in under 10 minutes.
Inside the Terminal: What You’ll Find
Once you’re past security, Terminal 1 opens up into a clean, modern concourse. It’s not massive, but it’s well laid out, with plenty of natural light, clean floors, and lots of seating areas.
Dining Options
We grabbed breakfast at Shake Shack—yes, they have one here! Not your typical airport grab-and-go. They also had Pei Wei, Jersey Mike’s, and a couple of solid coffee spots. It’s not gourmet dining, but it’s better than you’d expect from a budget airline terminal. If you're catching an early flight, there’s a Starbucks that opens by 5 a.m., and it has mobile ordering available. The line was long, but it moved quickly.
Shopping and Services
You’ll find the usual airport shops here—Hudson News, tech gear, and a few souvenir stands. Nothing fancy, but everything you need is covered. There are also plenty of charging stations near the gates, which we appreciated while waiting for boarding. Bathrooms were clean and well-maintained, which earns serious points from me. Traveling with kids means frequent bathroom stops, and these were some of the better ones I’ve seen at an airport.
Gate Area and Boarding: Well-Organized
Our gate was near the end of the concourse, but it was clearly marked and had plenty of seating. Southwest’s boarding process is a bit different—no assigned seats, just boarding groups (A, B, and C). If you're new to this system, it can feel a little chaotic, but it works. Since we had young kids, we were allowed to board between Group A and Group B, which gave us a head start on finding seats together. The gate agents were kind and even made a point to greet our little ones, which calmed their pre-flight nerves.
The Overall Vibe
I’ve flown from quite a few times over the years, and this trip from Southwest Airlines stood out as one of the most stress-free experiences I’ve had. The combination of modern design, helpful staff, and straightforward navigation made the terminal feel more like a well-run regional airport than one of the busiest hubs in the U.S. It didn’t have the glitz of some international terminals or the fancy lounges of other airlines, but what it did have was efficiency, friendliness, and comfort. And when you’re traveling with family, that’s what really matters.
Final Thoughts: Is Southwest at LAX a Good Choice?
Absolutely. If you’re flying domestic, especially to the West Coast, Midwest, or Southwest regions, Southwest Airlines from Terminal at LAX Southwest Terminal is a great choice. It’s affordable, baggage fees are generous, and the airport experience is better than you might expect at such a big airport. You won’t find lounges or high-end boutiques, but you will find a streamlined, modern, traveler-friendly terminal with all the essentials covered. Whether you're a solo traveler trying to save a buck or a family hoping for a smooth start to vacation, Terminal 1 delivers.
Quick Tips for Your Southwest LAX Flight
Arrive 2 hours early, especially during peak times.
Check bags early using the app and self-tag kiosks to save time.
Bring snacks or grab food inside—Shake Shack and Starbucks are solid picks.
Use family boarding if traveling with kids under 6.
Charge your devices at one of the many stations near the gates.
My Honest Experience at the Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal
If you've ever departed out of Los Angeles, you know it already Southwest Airlines LAX Terminal can be crazy. One of the world's busiest airports, and not always the most popular among travelers. But on our recent family vacation with Southwest Airlines, I was truly surprised in the best possible way. The Southwest Airlines Terminal was more organized, accessible, and travel-friendly than I had anticipated. In this post, I'd like to take you through my entire experience from curb to gate and share with you a realistic, no-holds-barred glimpse of what flying Southwest out of is really like. If you're traveling alone, or as a duo, or like us, with children in tow, I hope to make your journey a little easier.
Which Terminal Does Southwest Use at LAX?
Let’s get one key fact straight: Southwest Airlines operates out of Terminal 1. Terminal 1 is exclusively used by Southwest, which makes a big difference. You don’t have that jumbled feeling of multiple airlines in one place, and everything is tailored to Southwest passengers—from check-in kiosks to the gate announcements. It also helps that Terminal 1 is newly renovated. I had flown out of years ago before the remodel, and let me tell you—the difference is night and day. The new space feels bright, open, and a lot more efficient.
Arriving at Terminal 1: Parking and Drop-Off
We arrived around 6:30 a.m. for an 8:45 a.m. flight to Phoenix. It was a weekday morning, and traffic X was its usual congested mess, but once we reached Terminal 1, things improved quickly. There’s a dedicated drop-off area right at the terminal entrance. If you're driving yourself, the Economy Parking structure is your best bet—it’s affordable and offers free shuttles to all terminals. The shuttle dropped us off just steps from the Southwest entrance, which was great since we had luggage, a stroller, and two half-awake kids.
Check-In Experience: Fast and Friendly
We checked in online the night before using the Southwest app (super easy, by the way), but we still needed to check a couple of bags. Southwest, bless their hearts, still offers two free checked bags per passenger—a rarity these days and a total lifesaver for families. Inside the terminal, the self-tag kiosks were easy to use, and within five minutes, we were handing our bags to a friendly agent. She gave us a few tips about our gate, asked about our travel plans, and even offered the kids some stickers. Those small interactions really go a long way, especially during early morning travel chaos.
Security Screening: Surprisingly Smooth
Now here’s where I braced myself for a slowdown—TSA. But honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. Terminal 1 has clearly been designed for efficiency. There were about six security lanes open, and the whole line moved quickly. TSA staff were surprisingly polite (a rare gem!) and helpful when I had to juggle removing shoes, electronics, and keeping my toddler from running off. Pro tip: If you have TSA PreCheck, you’ll breeze right through here. We don’t, but we saw several travelers make it from entry to gate in under 10 minutes.
Inside the Terminal: What You’ll Find
Once you’re past security, Terminal 1 opens up into a clean, modern concourse. It’s not massive, but it’s well laid out, with plenty of natural light, clean floors, and lots of seating areas.
Dining Options
We grabbed breakfast at Shake Shack—yes, they have one here! Not your typical airport grab-and-go. They also had Pei Wei, Jersey Mike’s, and a couple of solid coffee spots. It’s not gourmet dining, but it’s better than you’d expect from a budget airline terminal. If you're catching an early flight, there’s a Starbucks that opens by 5 a.m., and it has mobile ordering available. The line was long, but it moved quickly.
Shopping and Services
You’ll find the usual airport shops here—Hudson News, tech gear, and a few souvenir stands. Nothing fancy, but everything you need is covered. There are also plenty of charging stations near the gates, which we appreciated while waiting for boarding. Bathrooms were clean and well-maintained, which earns serious points from me. Traveling with kids means frequent bathroom stops, and these were some of the better ones I’ve seen at an airport.
Gate Area and Boarding: Well-Organized
Our gate was near the end of the concourse, but it was clearly marked and had plenty of seating. Southwest’s boarding process is a bit different—no assigned seats, just boarding groups (A, B, and C). If you're new to this system, it can feel a little chaotic, but it works. Since we had young kids, we were allowed to board between Group A and Group B, which gave us a head start on finding seats together. The gate agents were kind and even made a point to greet our little ones, which calmed their pre-flight nerves.
The Overall Vibe
I’ve flown from quite a few times over the years, and this trip from Southwest Airlines stood out as one of the most stress-free experiences I’ve had. The combination of modern design, helpful staff, and straightforward navigation made the terminal feel more like a well-run regional airport than one of the busiest hubs in the U.S. It didn’t have the glitz of some international terminals or the fancy lounges of other airlines, but what it did have was efficiency, friendliness, and comfort. And when you’re traveling with family, that’s what really matters.
Final Thoughts: Is Southwest at LAX a Good Choice?
Absolutely. If you’re flying domestic, especially to the West Coast, Midwest, or Southwest regions, Southwest Airlines from Terminal at LAX Southwest Terminal is a great choice. It’s affordable, baggage fees are generous, and the airport experience is better than you might expect at such a big airport. You won’t find lounges or high-end boutiques, but you will find a streamlined, modern, traveler-friendly terminal with all the essentials covered. Whether you're a solo traveler trying to save a buck or a family hoping for a smooth start to vacation, Terminal 1 delivers.
Quick Tips for Your Southwest LAX Flight
Arrive 2 hours early, especially during peak times.
Check bags early using the app and self-tag kiosks to save time.
Bring snacks or grab food inside—Shake Shack and Starbucks are solid picks.
Use family boarding if traveling with kids under 6.
Charge your devices at one of the many stations near the gates.