Terminal 2

Delta pushes most international flights through LAX T2 now

Terminal 2 at LAX handles Aeromexico, Air Canada, Delta, and WestJet, and after the rebuild it functions as a pair with Terminal 3 for many Delta operations. The terminal sits between T1 and T3 on the ring road, and all departures here use the LAX terminal code “2” on boarding passes and airport screens. Expect mostly international and transborder traffic alongside some Delta domestic runs.

Layout and getting around between T2 and T3

T2 has a single concourse with a central security checkpoint on level 2 and a check-in level below it serving the 4 airlines: Aeromexico, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, and WestJet. Once you clear TSA, you walk straight into the departures level with gates stretching out along one pier. There is an airside connector between T2 and T3, so you can walk post-security between them in under 10 minutes instead of exiting and re-clearing. If you see a Delta flight showing Terminal 3, you can still clear at T2 if that check-in area is quieter.

Food: LA Life, Slapfish, and SeaLegs Wine Bar

Inside security, LA Life sits near the central concourse and runs on typical airport hours, roughly from the first departures around 5 a.m. through the last evening wave near 10 p.m. Prices land in the usual LAX range, think $15–$20 for a main and $5+ for coffee or soft drinks. LA Life leans toward quick American-style plates and bar favorites, so it works best when you want one sit-down spot close to multiple Delta and Aeromexico gates.

Slapfish sits a bit further down the concourse from LA Life and pushes seafood-heavy fast-casual plates like fish tacos or a lobster-based roll, often in the $14–$22 band depending on size. It’s a decent option if you want something more substantial than a grab-and-go sandwich but still need to be in and out in 20–25 minutes. Lines spike around the early evening transborder departures to Canada with Air Canada and WestJet, so plan a 10–15 minute wait in that window.

SeaLegs Wine Bar sits near one of the gate clusters and focuses on wines by the glass, generally from around $12 upwards, plus shareable snacks and small plates. It skews quieter outside the big Delta bank that leaves between roughly 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., so late-afternoon flyers can often grab a stool without a crowd. If you have a longer layover in T2 instead of T3, this is the most relaxed sit-down drink option in this terminal.

Shopping: surf brands and last-minute gear

On the retail side, Rip Curl operates a shop in the main departures area selling surf and beachwear, with t-shirts often around $25–$35 and boardshorts higher. It’s one of the easiest spots airside in T2 to grab a hoodie if you’re heading on an overnight Aeromexico or Air Canada flight and didn’t pack layers. The store usually opens by mid-morning and stays open until the evening international push wraps up.

Billabong runs a second surf-focused shop in the terminal, giving T2 two big-name surf brands within a short walk of each other. You’ll find logo hats, swimwear, and casual clothes that work well as quick souvenirs before you board. If Rip Curl looks crowded or has a line at the register, make the 2–3 minute walk over to Billabong instead and compare prices; sale racks sometimes differ between the two even though they’re in the same building.

Lounges, security, and one last timing tip

As of the latest public terminal maps, no airline-branded lounges list directly inside T2 itself, so lounge access often means heading through the airside connector into Terminal 3 for Delta Sky Club or other spaces. Security at T2 opens ahead of the first morning departures, generally by around 4 a.m., and can spike sharply during the mid-morning Delta wave and evening international bank. Build the buffer: be at the T2 curb 2 hours early for domestic runs to Canada or Mexico and 3 hours early for long-haul international, especially if you still need to check a bag with Aeromexico, Air Canada, Delta, or WestJet.