Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) serves over 88 million passengers a year and has nine terminals. LAX is completely smoke-free indoors, but outdoor smoking patios are available after security in three terminals. The other six terminals are connected airside, so you can walk to a patio without leaving the secure zone.
Smoking Policy at LAX
Under California law and Los Angeles Municipal Code, smoking is banned inside all LAX terminals, gates, lounges, and enclosed areas. This covers cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and marijuana. Fines start at $100.
Terminal-by-Terminal Smoking Guide
Three terminals at LAX have their own outdoor smoking patios after security. The rest connect airside, so you can walk to the nearest patio without exiting and re-clearing TSA.
Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)
The main smoking patio at LAX is near Gate 130 in TBIT. Follow signs to Gate 130, walk through the food court, turn right past Panda Express to the end, then turn left. Signs point to the Smoking Area. This is the largest and best-maintained option at LAX.
Terminal 1 (Southwest Airlines)
No dedicated smoking area. Terminal 1 connects airside to Terminal 2. Walk to the Terminal 2 patio — about 5 minutes each way.
Terminal 2 (Delta)
Outdoor smoking patio available after security. Also accessible from Terminal 1 via the airside connector.
Terminal 3 (Delta)
No dedicated smoking area. Connects to TBIT post-security. Walk to the TBIT patio near Gate 130 — about 7-8 minutes each way.
Terminal 4 (American Airlines)
No dedicated smoking area. Connected to TBIT and Terminal 5 post-security. Walk to the TBIT patio — roughly 10 minutes each way.
Terminal 5 (American Eagle, JetBlue, others)
No dedicated smoking area. Connected to Terminals 4 and 6. Your closest option is the TBIT patio via Terminal 4 or the Terminal 7 patio via Terminal 6 — about 10-12 minutes either direction.
Terminal 6 (Alaska, United Express)
No dedicated smoking area. Connected to Terminal 5 and Terminal 7. Walk to Terminal 7’s patio — roughly 5 minutes each way.
Terminal 7 (United Airlines)
Outdoor smoking patio available after security. Also serves passengers walking from Terminals 6 and 8.
Terminal 8 (United Airlines)
No dedicated smoking area. Connected to Terminal 7. Walk to the Terminal 7 patio — about 5 minutes each way.
Summary
| Terminal | Smoking Area | Nearest Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| TBIT | Outdoor patio (Gate 130) | — |
| Terminal 1 | None | Terminal 2 (~5 min walk) |
| Terminal 2 | Outdoor patio | — |
| Terminal 3 | None | TBIT (~8 min walk) |
| Terminal 4 | None | TBIT (~10 min walk) |
| Terminal 5 | None | TBIT or T7 (~10-12 min) |
| Terminal 6 | None | Terminal 7 (~5 min walk) |
| Terminal 7 | Outdoor patio | — |
| Terminal 8 | None | Terminal 7 (~5 min walk) |
Tips for Smokers at LAX
Head to TBIT Gate 130 if you’re in Terminals 3-5 — it’s the largest patio
Terminal 7 is the best option for Terminals 6-8
Terminal 2 is the only option for Terminal 1 passengers
Allow 30 minutes round-trip — LAX is large and walking between terminals takes time
No indoor options — all airline lounges at LAX are smoke-free. Unlike Las Vegas Harry Reid Airport which offers indoor gaming lounges with slot machines, LAX is strictly outdoor-only.
Cannabis is banned on airport property despite California’s recreational legality
If you are connecting through LAX to San Francisco SFO or Atlanta ATL, note that both of those airports are also outdoor-only with no post-security smoking access.