Connecting flights & baggage

Question

Hi all,

I am connecting from London Heathrow (T5) to Las Vegas via LAX & have a 1hr 55 layover at LAX. I am landing at TBIT & connecting my flight at T4 in LAX. The questions I have are simply do I have enough time to connect & do I need to reclaim baggage and recheck in before going through security?

Answer

Good question. A 1 hr 55 min layover at LAX when connecting from London Heathrow (arriving at TBIT) to a domestic flight from Terminal 4 is *risky but potentially doable*, depending on a few factors. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to expect, the likely process, and tips to improve your chances.

What Happens When You Arrive at LAX (TBIT) from an International Flight

When you arrive in TBIT (Tom Bradley International Terminal), you will need to go through U.S. immigration (passport control) and then customs.
After customs, you will *collect your checked baggage*. International-to-domestic connections at LAX generally require you to pick up your bags.
Then, you must re-check your bags at a “Transfer” / “Connecting Flights” baggage re-drop counter in TBIT.
Once your bags are rechecked, you’ll go through a TSA security checkpoint inside TBIT, in the “sterile connections area” (so you don’t necessarily exit to the street and come back in).

Moving Between TBIT and Terminal 4

There is a connector tunnel / walkway between TBIT and Terminal 4, which allows airside (post-security) movement.
Walking from TBIT to T4 via the connector is fairly quick — around 5–8 minutes according to airport-terminal guides.

Do You Need to Go Through Security Again?

Yes — after customs and bag re-drop, you will go through TSA security again in TBIT before using the tunnel to T4. Several traveler reports confirm this.

Do You Need to Reclaim Baggage?

Yes, you need to collect your baggage after clearing customs.
If your bags are already *tagged through* to Las Vegas (i.e., your airline checked them all the way), you re-drop them at the connecting-flights baggage re-drop in TBIT — you don’t have to carry them through to T4 yourself.
Note: this only works smoothly if your flights are on a single ticket / same booking (so the airline can transfer them). Several passenger reports warn that if your tickets are separate or non-interline, re-checking becomes more complicated.

Is 1 hr 55 min Enough Time?

It’s *tight but possible*, depending on a few things:

Immigration/customs wait: This is the biggest variable. If immigration is particularly busy, it could take significantly longer, eating into your connection buffer.
Baggage re-drop: After picking up baggage, finding the right re-drop counter and re-checking may take a few minutes.
Security: You'll need to go through TSA again — even though you're not leaving the airport.
Walking time: Factor in the ~5–8 minute walk from TBIT to T4 once re-cleared.
On-time arrival: If your international flight lands late, or if there is a delay with baggage or customs, your cushion diminishes quickly. TripAdvisor users warn that even a 15–20 minute delay can be critical.

Risks / Things to Watch For

If your bags are not tagged through to Las Vegas (or you're on separate tickets), you may need to exit the secure area and check them in each time, which adds a lot of risk of missing your connection.
If customs has a long line, especially for non-U.S. or non-Global Entry travelers, that will eat up significant time.
Terminal signage: After customs, follow the “Connecting Flights” signs carefully to find the correct re-check area. Several travelers note that this part can feel “chaotic.”

Tips to Give Yourself the Best Chance

Make sure your bags are *tagged to your final destination* (Las Vegas) when you check in in London, if possible.
Use Mobile Passport Control (MPC) if you’re eligible — it can speed up the customs / immigration process.
Once you clear customs, go straight to the baggage re-drop area — don’t dawdle.
Go through TSA security in TBIT without delay once you’ve re-dropped your bags.
Walk promptly to the connector tunnel once you’re through security — don’t assume you’ll be able to speed-walk, but give yourself time.

Conclusion / Verdict

Your 1 hr 55 min layover is *on the tight side*, but it’s possible to make the connection — especially if all your bags are checked through and nothing goes significantly wrong. However, there’s not a lot of room for delay, especially at immigration or baggage claim. If there is any delay or complication, you could run into real risk of missing the flight.

If there’s an option, and you’re worried about missing the connection, you might want to consider a slightly longer layover when booking. But if not, just be ready to move quickly, follow the “connecting flights” signs, and be efficient through customs and security.

Connecting flights & baggage

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