United uses LAX Terminals 7 and 8. See where to check in, expected gate numbers, how connections work and when another terminal may apply.
United Airlines uses Terminals 7 and 8 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Check-in and the main security entrance are in Terminal 7; departures normally use 70-series or 80-series gates across the two connected concourses. Confirm the exact gate on your boarding pass or airport display because assignments can change.
In our Aviation & Real-World Flying coverage, we treat Terminal 7 as United’s landside base and Terminals 7 and 8 together as its normal gate complex.
Which gates does United use at LAX?
Terminal 7 contains United’s 70-series gates, while Terminal 8 contains its 80-series gates.
| Terminal | Normal United facilities | Typical gate numbering |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 7 | Ticketing, bag drop, security and departure gates | Gates 70–77, including lettered positions |
| Terminal 8 | Additional United and United Express gates connected to Terminal 7 | Gates 80–86, including lettered positions |
The ranges describe the gate-numbering system, not a promise that every position will be active. Gates may be changed for aircraft size, towing, maintenance, delays or wider disruption; our explanation of how airlines and airports assign gates covers why these changes happen.
Where should United passengers check in at LAX?
United passengers should normally go to Terminal 7 for ticketing, bag drop and security, even when the boarding pass shows an 80-series gate in Terminal 8.
After clearing security, follow the airside signs to Terminal 8. The terminals are directly connected, so passengers moving between United flights at gates in the 70s and 80s should not leave the secure area. Walking time varies with the exact gates and congestion.
Terminal 7 is also the safest drop-off point for a normal United itinerary. For baggage collection, follow the carousel displayed for the flight rather than assuming it will be beside the arrival gate; a flight arriving at Terminal 8 may direct passengers towards Terminal 7 facilities.
Can a United flight use another LAX terminal?
Yes, an exceptional gate change or a codeshare can place the flight outside Terminals 7 and 8.
- United-operated flight: It will normally use Terminal 7 or 8, but operational disruption can produce another assignment.
- United codeshare: A ticket may carry a United flight number while the aircraft is operated by another airline. In that case, use the operating airline’s terminal shown on the booking or boarding pass.
- International arrival: Immigration and customs requirements can alter the route passengers take after landing, even when the aircraft parks in United’s normal gate area.
If the boarding pass or live airport display shows Terminal B, the Tom Bradley International Terminal, or any terminal other than 7 or 8, that live assignment takes precedence over the usual United terminal information.
How should United gates be represented in a flight simulator?
For a simulated United operation at KLAX, select a suitable stand in the Terminal 7 or 8 complex and verify that its size matches the aircraft.
Use our KLAX airport diagram and approach charts to orient the terminal area and plan the taxi route. Airport diagrams are designed primarily for aircraft movement, however, so they may not label every passenger gate in the same way as an airline terminal map.
Older or modified scenery can contain different gate labels, airline parking codes or terminal geometry. When the expected stand is missing, use the scenery’s available 70-series or 80-series parking and follow our practical method for identifying taxiways and gates in a flight simulator.