One of the world’s busiest – and most hated – airports is finally getting a rail link in a bid to ease its severe traffic issues.
Currently, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has only limited bus service for public transportation, forcing most travelers to rely on cars – which often results in gridlock. During holiday seasons, wait times can stretch for hours.
After decades of delays, city chiefs will finally connect LAX to its Metro rail system through the long-awaited Automated People Mover (APM).
When it opens in 2026, the new transit hub will link the airport to the K Line and C Line, addressing a long-standing gap that has puzzled visitors and residents alike.
Another hated airport, JFK in New York, also does not have a proper rail link into Manhattan or even other areas of the city. Instead, the AirTrain takes passenger to a transport hub where they can switch to other trains.
Los Angeles will finally connect LAX to its Metro rail system through the long-awaited Automated People Mover
Historically, plans for a rail connection to LAX stalled due to budget constraints, airport opposition, and concerns from the FAA about interference with runway operations.
The C Line, originally intended to serve the airport, stopped short by two miles. LAX officials also worried about losing parking revenue, which funded lower airline fees.
Once the APM opens, passengers will board the people mover at a new transit center on Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street to reach the airport terminals.
The system will operate 24/7, with trains running every two minutes during peak hours, completing the 2.25-mile route in under 10 minutes.
City leaders believe the connection will ease airport traffic, improve access, and benefit the entire region.
Tourists and airport workers are expected to use the APM, though some workers remain uncertain about changing commuting habits.
The $3.34 billion people mover will include six stations, linking the airport to parking, rental car facilities, and Metro lines.
Officials aim to complete the project before the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, finally bringing LAX in line with other major airports worldwide.
Last month, the most stressful airports in the USA were revealed in a report.
Travel experts ranked airports based on five stress-inducing factors: passenger numbers, distance from the city center, number of flight destinations, car parking charges and the overall airport satisfaction score.
They looked at the 15 busiest and biggest airports and found Chicago O’Hare International in Illinois to be the most stressful.
An artist’s impress of the Automated People Mover out of LAX
LAX is notorious for heavy traffic since it has only limited public transport via buses
The most stressful airports in the USA have been revealed, with Chicago O’Hare International flying to first place
With more than 33 million passengers, one of the highest flight destination options at 249 and the second most expensive car parking charge for a week at more than $283, it ranks almost 10 points higher than any other airport.
New York JFK International is ranked as the second-most stressful airport in the USA, being more than 12 miles’ driving distance to the nearest city, having one of the worst satisfaction scores on the flight tracking app Flightradar24 and a high weekly car parking charge of $191.67.
