There are plenty of easy connections from LAX. Most go through ALT, DAL or MIA. Just depends on who you fly. I can never figure out how everyone says the connection through San Juan to EIS is a great deal. Every time we looked at it, it added another $250-$300 on top of the regular flight cost. I will take a Painkiller and nice 50 minute boat ride on the ferry for $65/rt. We have never had any problems with ferries in all the years going down to the BVIs.