Tier Point Run to San Jose in Nov 2023: Day 3 – Los Angeles LAX to San Jose SJC

West Gates at LAX Thomas Bradley International Terminal
West Gates at LAX Thomas Bradley International Terminal

Looking forward to my final outward flight of this trip and reaching San Jose. Then I have a few days to recover and a chance to do some touristy things before starting the trip back home.

I turned the light off at 12:30am and I was awake again at 3:30am. That’s about par for my LAX stays on the way to somewhere!

Walking back to LAX
Walking back to LAX
Walking back to LAX
Walking back to LAX

I didn’t rush in getting up, but I decided it was worth heading back to the airport to sort out any issues with my Alaska Airlines boarding pass.

My first time flying with Alaska and I’d be departing Terminal 6, although most of the terminals are linked together now airside, so it doesn’t make that much of a difference.

The walk in was very pleasant – nice and cool, but dry which was a nice change from back home. Construction work at LAX continues apace. I wonder if it will ever finish?

Most of this work is in support of the new transportation routes into the city as far as I can tell.

Starbucks at LAX T6 was bedlam!
Starbucks at LAX T6 was bedlam!
Starbucks at LAX T6 was bedlam!
Starbucks at LAX T6 was bedlam!

T6 was empty when I arrived at 4:45am – I was concerned that with the aircraft being an Embraer, that they may want me to check my bag in.

Luckily, nothing was said, so I picked up my new AS boarding pass and I headed through TSA Pre-check.

I queued up for my Starbucks at T6 – it was a fairly long queue and it took me a good 20 mins before I was walking away with my prized posession.

The Alaska lounge at LAX T6
The Alaska lounge at LAX T6
The Alaska lounge at LAX T6
The Alaska lounge at LAX T6

I found the Alaska lounge in T6. It wasn’t very inspiring, but it was good enough to chill out and enjoy my coffee.

There were no reasonable breakfast options and no English muffins to boot.

I decided to wander back to my normal lounge area in T4, where the lounges were far nicer and I might be able to find some English muffins.

A scrumptuous breakfast in the AA Flagship First Lounge at LAX T4
A scrumptuous breakfast in the AA Flagship First Lounge at LAX T4
A scrumptuous breakfast in the AA Flagship First Lounge at LAX T4
A scrumptuous breakfast in the AA Flagship First Lounge at LAX T4

I enjoyed the walk and although I managed to get into the Flagship Lounge by showing my BA GGL card, the AA busicess class lounge didn’t have any English muffins!

Disappointed, I headed into the Flagship lounge and gorged on some lovely festive-inspired dishes including roasted Brussell sprouts with grapes!

The West Gates at LAX for Gates 201-225
The West Gates at LAX for Gates 201-225
The West Gates at LAX for Gates 201-225
The West Gates at LAX for Gates 201-225

I wandered up to TBIT and discovered the West Gates were now open, which includes Gates 201-225.

It’s a nice open space, although fairly sparse at the moment.

Hawaiian airlines seemed to have a few flights leaving from the West Gates and some of the low cost airlines had a presence too.

After heading back to the AA lounge to pick up my stuff, I wandered back over to Terminal 6 so that I was in the right area for my flight to San Jose.

The Alaska E75L arriving at LAX T6 Gate 64B
The Alaska E75L arriving at LAX T6 Gate 64B

Back into the Alaska Lounge – I found a table that directly overlooked Gate 64B which is where the San Jose flight would be leaving from.

This Alaska flight was operated by Horizon Air.

Flight:
AS2167
Equip:
E75L
Sched Depart:
09:15
Actual:
09:12
Sched Arrival:
10:38
Actual:
10:25
Takeoff:
09:30
Landing:
10:21

Reminded me a little of the BMI Embraers which I used to take up to Edinburgh that ultimately is responsible for all of the flying I now do.

My pre-flight drink on the Alaska flight to San Jose
My pre-flight drink on the Alaska flight to San Jose
My pre-flight drink on the Alaska flight to San Jose
My pre-flight drink on the Alaska flight to San Jose

That encouraged me to seek Gold status with BMI, back in the day.

I queued up early at the gate, knowing there was little overhead luggage space, but I wasn’t challenged with my over-sized rucksack.

I was first on and grabbed the locker above row 1 C/D. There was no pocket above 1A.

I was given a bottle of water as a preflight drink, or perhaps that was all the refreshment I was going to get?

On final approach into San Jose
On final approach into San Jose
On final approach into San Jose
On final approach into San Jose

The young lady who was looking after first class wasn’t very friendly. First impressions make a huge difference! I therefore didn’t much of Horizon Air!

We arrived into Gate 19 at San Jose and it wasn’t long before the door was open and I was on my way, walking down the very long concourse heading towards Ground Transportation.


Follow the whole story here: Tier Point Run to San Jose in Nov 2023


Author Bio: About Nige

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Nige is one of the co-founders of The Billingham Blog and works as a freelance management consultant. He loves to fly in his spare time!

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