Los Angeles Airport Bans the Sale of Plastic Water Bottles

The move supports efforts to promote more sustainable travel

As of June 30, plastic water bottles are no longer available at Los Angeles International Airport.

After a two-year phase-out period that allowed vendors to prepare for the ban, single-use plastic bottles at LAX and Van Nuys airports are officially out. The ban supports more sustainable travel and was put in place as part of LA’s Green New Deal, a plan aimed at making the city carbon neutral by 2050.

Travelers won’t be left high and dry, however. Water packaged in recyclable glass and aluminum are still available, and new water refill stations have been added throughout the airports for those who bring their own. Bottled water served aboard flights is exempted from the ban.

“We encourage our guests to help us reach our goal of eliminating plastic waste at the airport by bringing a reusable water bottle and filling it up at one of our many hydration stations,” Los Angeles World Airports CEO Justin Erbacci said in a statement. Mayor Karen Bass added "The climate crisis is a great challenge facing our city, and phasing out single-use plastic water bottles at LAWA facilities is an important step to reducing our environmental footprint and protecting the health and livelihood of all Angelenos.”

LAX isn’t the first airport to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles. San Francisco Airport instituted a ban in 2019, and expanded the ban in 2021 to include sodas and teas packaged in plastic.

While the move means you’ll have to remember your water bottle next time you fly, many travelers are already bringing their own, and in addition to helping eliminate waste, you’ll save on—let's be honest—wildly overpriced water.

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