LAX airport

Question

Hi all,

We are a couple with a 2Y toddler, arriving at LAX from London on 7 Dec at 4pm (LAX time). Just wanted to confirm if:

a) there is a separate immigration queue for families with toddlers, and

b) there are e-gates or something which are quicker to go through in terms of immigration (we have ESTA as British citizens)?

Any rough guide as to how long typical immigration process takes at around 4pm on Saturdays?

Regards,

Answer

Arriving at LAX with a toddler can actually make the immigration process slightly easier, though it’s important to be prepared for some waiting since 4 PM on a Saturday is typically a busy arrival period for international flights.

a) Family queues:

At LAX, there isn’t a formal, separate immigration line specifically labeled for families with toddlers. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are generally accommodating of families with young children, and you can often request assistance or be allowed to move slightly ahead in the queue if necessary.
Some terminals have “family” or “stroller-friendly” lanes where officers may expedite families with young children, but this is handled on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.

b) E-gates / ESTA processing:

For British citizens traveling under ESTA, Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks are available in most terminals. These are self-service kiosks that speed up processing for eligible travelers, including families.
At the kiosk, you scan passports, answer customs declaration questions, and print a receipt to present to the CBP officer. Children under 16 can be included on a parent’s kiosk submission, but generally the parent must accompany the child through the process.
Global Entry members (if you have it) can use the dedicated kiosks for much faster processing, but ESTA alone allows only the APC kiosks—not the full Global Entry lanes.

Typical processing time:

For arrivals around 4 PM on a Saturday, expect anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for immigration, assuming moderate-to-heavy traffic at the booths.
With a toddler, plan for extra time for stroller handling, diaper changes, and navigating queues.
Once you clear immigration, baggage claim and customs may add another 15–30 minutes depending on how busy the carousels are.

Tips to make it smoother:

Have passports and ESTA information readily accessible.
Keep your toddler in a stroller or carrier—strollers are allowed through immigration and can be gate-checked if needed.
If lines look long, politely ask a CBP officer if there is any possibility of assistance for traveling with a young child—they are usually helpful.
Use APC kiosks if eligible—they save several minutes per traveler and are straightforward for families.

Overall, while there isn’t a dedicated “family lane,” the combination of APC kiosks and courteous CBP officers usually ensures families with toddlers can move through immigration efficiently. Expect around 45 minutes on average from arrival to exiting the terminal, but allow extra buffer time to avoid stress.

LAX airport

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