Yes, LAX has outdoor smoking patios after security — at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Gate 130), Terminal 2, and Terminal 7. Every other terminal is connected airside, so you can walk to a patio without leaving the secure area. The enclosed parts of the terminals are smoke-free.
Connecting onward in the US? Plan your smoke break — see where to smoke during a Denver layover or smoking areas at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
Smoking Policy at LAX
Smoking at LAX is an outdoor activity, and the three airside patios are where it happens. Everything enclosed — gates, lounges, restaurants, restrooms — is smoke-free under California law and the Los Angeles Municipal Code, and that rule covers e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and marijuana as well as cigarettes. The legal detail sits in our USA guide linked below.
Terminal-by-Terminal Smoking Guide
Three terminals at LAX have their own outdoor smoking patios after security. Since 2023 all nine terminals are linked by airside walkways and tunnels, so you can reach 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)
Terminal 1 connects airside to Terminal 2, so the Terminal 2 patio is your spot — about 5 minutes each way, all inside security. Terminal 1 has no patio of its own.
Terminal 2 (Delta)
Outdoor smoking patio available after security. Also accessible from Terminal 1 via the airside connector.
Terminal 3 (Delta)
Terminal 3 connects straight into TBIT post-security via the Delta Sky Way walkway, so the Gate 130 patio is a 7-8 minute stroll each way. Terminal 3 itself has no patio.
Terminal 4 (American Airlines)
Terminal 4 is joined airside to TBIT and Terminal 5, so head for the TBIT patio — roughly 10 minutes each way. Terminal 4 has no patio of its own.
Terminal 5 (American Eagle, JetBlue, others)
Terminal 5 sits between Terminals 4 and 6 airside, so you have two patios to choose from: TBIT via Terminal 4, or Terminal 7 via Terminal 6 — about 10-12 minutes either direction. Terminal 5 has no patio of its own.
Terminal 6 (Alaska, United Express)
Terminal 6 links airside to Terminals 5 and 7, and Terminal 7’s patio is the nearest — roughly 5 minutes each way. Terminal 6 has no patio of its own.
Terminal 7 (United Airlines)
Outdoor smoking patio available after security. Also serves passengers walking from Terminals 6 and 8.
Terminal 8 (United Airlines)
Terminal 8 shares an airside connection with Terminal 7, so the Terminal 7 patio is about 5 minutes each way. Terminal 8 has no patio of its own.
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) |
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.