LAX Sleep Pods: Truth, Other Options & Nearby Hotels

Many travelers arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) exhausted from a long flight or a very early connecting flight. They search out a quiet place to sleep or rest, & they usually think of using a sleep pod first. These are little, private capsules that give the traveler a bed, dim lighting, and power outlets to charge their electronic devices. Many airports globally provide these types of services to let passenger take a quick nap while waiting for their flight to continue. But unfortunately, LAX sleep pods do not exist currently. 

At best, you will find some other options in some areas of the airport for a little break, but not a proper sleep pod. Many travelers dislike LAX for not offering this facility, as some must wait long hours. This post explains why LAX does not offer sleep pods and outlines the options available to travelers, along with easy ways to make the most of their time at LAX. Just like your sleep, if you feel concerned about your in-flight food, you must know the truth behind the food served onboard.

Why People Search for Sleep Pods at LAX?

At Los Angeles International Airport, travelers often arrive from long-distance flights & feel fatigued as they leave their planes. When they arrive at LAX, they often experience jet lag due to the many time zones they pass through. Because of bright lights, constant announcements & alarm sounds, etc., it can make it difficult to relax in a normal airline seat. As such, many travelers search for LAX Airport sleeping pods as these sleeping pods provide comfortable beds, quiet locations, electrical charging outlets, & privacy. It allows travelers to take short naps without having to leave the security area of the airport. These are the top reasons why people search for sleep pods at LAX:

• Long layovers or connecting flights can drain your energy quickly after waiting several hours between flights. 

• Red-eye or overnight flights leave you tired with a need for sleep when you arrive. 

• Traveling internationally continually means adjusting time zones. It can interfere with your ability to feel awake or get enough quality sleep. 

• Flight delays & cancellations will add more unplanned time to your travel experience. It leads you to find a place to get more comfortable while in transit. 

• You may have difficulty finding any type of comfortable free seating, and the benches have armrests. The floors are very cold, and there is continuous noise at the airport. 

• You may want some privacy & quiet while resting, as all that noise of public spaces creates a lot of stress for you. 

• You might prefer to use sleep pods because they offer a greater opportunity for rest than hotels.

• Using sleep pods at other airports, such as SFO and other international airports, will create an expectation that sleep pods will be available at LAX.

Does LAX Have Sleep Pods in 2026? The Current Reality

Since many Airports have facilities for sleeping, people naturally expect to find such facilities at LAX. But there are no sleep pods located in any of the terminals at LAX. There are no nap capsules, no individual sleeping boxes, & there are no minute suites, sleepbox, or gosleep pods in any terminal at this airport currently.

Why the Confusion About the Available Sleeping Pods (LAX)?

There are many old blogs and newspaper articles, which were published before 2023, saying there were sleeping pods at the LAX Terminals. These old posts may have been written with some factual basis, but they do not reflect what gets currently known in the public eye. There are no sleeping pods currently located at any Terminal of this airport in 2023.

Why Does Los Angeles Airport Still Lacks Sleep Pods?

A lot of people have shown dissatisfaction with the fact that a large & busy airport such as Los Angeles International Airport does not provide flyers with sleep pods. As such, it can make the long wait time quite uncomfortable for many. In this section, you will get to know why this airport does not provide sleep pods & what changes the company might make.

Renovations are a Top Priority

Workers have been rebuilding Terminal 4 and 5, creating an extra Terminal 9, & connecting each terminal with an advanced rail system & pathways. The focus of these changes is to add more gate space, improve pedestrian flow, & improve the appearance of the terminals before the 2028 Olympics. The addition of LAX Airport sleep pods requires extra footprint, more design time, & increased cost, which LAX management has given to core renovations first.

Limited Space on Site & Aging Designs

The airport uses an outdated terminal layout. Terminals are arranged in a circular pattern & are very tight within the terminal buildings. It creates cramped conditions for passengers, retailers, & security officers. It is difficult to identify a location to install the additional sleep pods at this time unless significant reconstruction is undertaken in Terminal 4 & 5.

Airport Safety & Security Rules

Airports like Los Angeles want to make sure that they are safe, clean, & adjusting passengers who are going to be using them overnight. The issue with sleep pods is that they require staff to clean them repeatedly. They even have to implement rules about who is allowed to use them. Because of these reasons, it does not appear that the airport will add sleep pods to the airport as of yet, because there are nearby hotels that are affordable, provide shuttle services, etc.

No Information Currently Available About LAX Sleep Pod

Currently, no announcements have been made about adding sleep pods at LAX anytime soon. An upgrade project is expected to be finished by 2028 in time for the summer 2028 Olympic Games. This will upgrade common areas with nicer amenities such as more trees, improved lighting, & better common areas. 

Best Other Options for Rest at the Los Angeles Airport

Travelers have faced long layovers at this airport, & it is necessary for them to find a quiet place to relax. The airport lacks any sleep pods or individual nap rooms, so many travelers seek alternative locations to rest and unwind in comfort. This section shows the most suitable area for naps inside LAX.

Public Rest Areas in LAX

Although there are no designated sleeping areas in LAX, there are areas where some travelers can take naps. Due to the design of most airport seating areas, most airport visitors may not be able to lie back on chairs because most airport seating has armrests. But many travelers can use the floor for napping or find armrest-free benches.

• TBIT is known to stay the best, as it has the most space. It even has some cushioned couches close to Gate 148 & is less crowded after midnight. 

• The Terminal 1 seating area is a long cushioned bench located just after security on the top of the stairs. This bench makes a great place for taking a brief nap.

• In the Terminal 6 arrival hall area, an area with armrest-free benches might fit for a power nap. Please keep in mind that it can get bright & noisy at times.

• There are two terminals (Terminal 4 and Terminal 7) that have triangle-shaped chairs or padded areas where travelers may take short naps.

Airport Lounges for Better Rest at LAX

Airport seating in the terminal provides a resting area during a layover at LAX. But airport lounges provide passengers with a much better way to rest. Airport lounges provide restrooms with everything from comfortable chairs & quiet spaces to free food & drink, etc. This part of the article will list the best lounges to use when resting at this airport, along with how to access them.

The Best Airport Lounges for Sleep and Relaxation

Whether you want to catch some Zs or just relax during a layover, check out these two lounges where you can nap comfortably:

• United Polaris Lounge(Terminal 7)– With private nap rooms, comfortable seating, showers, and high-quality food, this lounge is the best choice. It get restricted to United Polaris business class passengers, Star Alliance First Class/Business Class passengers, & select elite members.

• Dalata One Lounge(Terminal 3)– This club is a modern lounge facility with relaxing areas to chill, quick showers, & nice food options. This lounge is not designed primarily to catch a nap, but you can catch a couple of hours of sleep here if travelling Delta One or with specific premium credit cards.

• Dalata Sky Club(Terminals 2 and 3)– Each club offers reclining chairs, an outdoor space called the Sky Deck, a shower facility & food services. It is a great lounge to consider catching a nap in either rest area. Membership in this club is available through either a Dalata Sky Club membership or premium Delta tickets & select premium card offers.

Lounge Facilities With Showers And Quiet Zones

Showers give travellers a sense of revival after a lengthy flight & many lounges have them. 

• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Terminal B) offers a Zen room with a peaceful rest area, along with showers and other amenities. In some cases, they are accessible if you have a Priority Pass. 

• Star Alliance Lounge (Terminal B)– Classy lounge provides showers, comfortable seats, and a peaceful environment for relaxation.

How to Access LAX Lounges?

There are many ways to gain access to this airport’s lounges without having to fly business class. Options include:

• Priority Pass and other membership programs– It allows access to some places at LAX. The available airport lounge options may be limited, but in many cases, they include spas and items for relaxation.

• Day passes– You can purchase these at the airport or by using an online purchasing service. Their cost goes from about $50 to $150, based on which lounge you wish to use. 

• Credit cards– With specific types of credit cards, customers will earn free access with a discount to the original lounge networks.

• Your airline ticket/airline status– If you have purchased a first-class or business-class ticket or have achieved a certain level in the loyalty program, you have access to the premium lounges.

Nearby Hotels & Day-Use Rooms 

If you have an extended layover at LAX and would like to get some sleep, there are several hotels close to this airport that can provide you with exactly that. You will find many nearby hotels that provide free shuttle services to and from the various terminals, saving you from having to use either a taxi, rideshare, or any other form of transportation. Below you will find a list of the most common hotels located near the airport that will offer you the advantages listed above.

Nearby Hotels
Hyatt Regency LAX	Hampton Inn by Hilton LA Airport
Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles LAX/Century Boulevard	Westin Los Angeles Airport
Hilton Los Angeles Airport	Los Angeles Airport Marriott
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel	Holiday Inn Los Angeles – LAX Airport
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport	Residence Inn by Marriott LAX Airport

Future Possibilities: Will LAX Add Sleep Pods?

Does this airport have any plans to add LAX sleeping pods in the near future? With the infrastructure transformation & enhancements expected as a result of the 2028 Olympic Games, many assume that there may be new options for sleep pods. The following indicates future options for these sleep pods:

• No active plans exist at the present date- Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has not made any announcements concerning their installation of sleep pods at this time.

• Major Upgrades are Currently the Focus– The $30 billion improvement program includes projects to address terminal rebuilds. You can expect it to get completed between 2027 & 2028.

• Impacts of the 2028 Olympics– LAWA predicts millions of additional attendees, expecting the Summer Olympics to impact future projects.

• Increase in Demand– As an increasing number of travelers are searching for sleep pods at LAX & rest options at this airport, in addition to frustration expressed about benches, similar to many other airports around the world, it may also provide sleep pods at LAX  if public demand/feedback remains constant.

Conclusion

Currently, the Los Angeles Airport does not provide LAX sleep pods. Instead, passengers should use free sleeping locations. It includes cushioned benches in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, peaceful gate areas, & padded seats in Terminal 1. The most comfortable options are accessing lounges with recliners, using hotel shuttles, or finding day-use rooms. Bring an eye mask, earplugs, and a neck pillow to guarantee your comfort while attempting to sleep. Remember to verify that you have the most recent information regarding the airport before your travel date. If you wish to get a good night’s sleep at LAX, prepare ahead of time!

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