Delta uses Terminal 3 at LAX, but some flights board at Terminal 2 or TBIT. See where to check in, collect bags and make connections.
Delta Air Lines uses Terminal 3 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for check-in, bag drop, security and most departures. Some Delta flights board from adjacent Terminal 2 or the Tom Bradley International Terminal, so start at Terminal 3 unless Delta instructs otherwise, then follow the gate on your boarding pass.
For aviation and real-world flying, the key distinction is between the terminal used landside and the gate used airside. Think of Terminal 3 as Delta’s LAX home, while Terminal 2 and Tom Bradley provide additional gates.
Is Delta in Terminal 2 or Terminal 3 at LAX?
Terminal 3 is Delta’s public-facing terminal, while Terminal 2 forms part of its connected gate operation. A flight can therefore be described as departing from Terminal 3 even when its assigned gate is numbered in Terminal 2.
| What you are doing | Where to go | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Checking in or dropping bags | Terminal 3 | Delta’s instructions for your booking |
| Passing through security | Terminal 3 in normal circumstances | Airport signs and any dedicated check-in instructions |
| Boarding | Terminal 2, Terminal 3 or occasionally Terminal B | The gate on the boarding pass or departure screens |
| Meeting an arriving passenger | The live arrival terminal | International passengers may exit through Terminal B |
Where should Delta passengers check in and get picked up?
Passengers starting their trip at LAX should normally use the Terminal 3 departures area for Delta check-in and bag drop. Eligible Delta One passengers may receive separate instructions for dedicated check-in, so they should use the location supplied with their booking rather than automatically joining the main queue.
For collection, check the flight’s live arrival details instead of relying only on the airline name. Most domestic or pre-cleared Delta passengers use the Terminal 2–3 complex, but a traveller who must clear US immigration and customs may emerge from the Tom Bradley International Terminal, also called Terminal B.
What if the ticket has a Delta flight number?
The operating airline matters more than the flight number printed most prominently. If the itinerary says operated by another carrier, that carrier may use a different check-in area or terminal; follow its instructions rather than assuming Terminal 3.
Can a Delta flight depart from Tom Bradley International Terminal?
Yes, a Delta flight can use a gate in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, although passengers will often still check in through Terminal 3. Not every international Delta flight uses Tom Bradley, and a TBIT gate does not necessarily mean there is a separate landside check-in process.
Gate assignments can change on the day of travel. The boarding pass, airport screens and Delta’s flight status take precedence over a general terminal listing.
How do Delta connections work at LAX?
Terminals 2, 3 and B are linked after security, allowing most connecting passengers to walk between them without leaving the secure area. The walk to or from Tom Bradley can take appreciably longer than moving between Delta’s Terminal 2 and 3 gates, so allow for the distance shown on airport signs.
Passengers entering the United States may still have to reclaim bags, clear customs, recheck baggage and pass through security. For an itinerary changing from Delta to United, use our breakdown of United’s LAX terminal and gate areas rather than assuming both airlines share the same complex.
Which Delta terminal should simulator pilots use at KLAX?
At KLAX in a flight simulator, Delta traffic should principally use the Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 gate areas, with Terminal B used when the assigned operation calls for it. Default airports and older scenery can retain previous airline allocations, so parking codes may not reproduce real-world assignments accurately.
For taxi planning, our California airport chart collection with KLAX diagrams shows the airport layout and taxiway system. An aviation chart helps with stands and ground movement, but the simulated scenery’s gate numbering still controls where a simulator can actually place the aircraft.